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11 National Parks Where The Spring Season Still Feels Like Winter
Spring is here – flowers are blooming, birds are chirping, and many of us are shedding layers like we’re in some sort of overly ambitious fashion show. In fact, as I write this, it is 75° F here in the Midwest (and will be all week).
But not everywhere gets the memo. Some national parks are still clinging to winter like that one friend who refuses to accept the party’s over. These parks? Oh, they’re cold. Sometimes snowy. And sometimes, so frosty you might find your coffee turning into a slushie mid-sip.
It’s the kind of experience that makes you question if packing shorts was a terrible life choice. And whether you’re into the idea of seeing snowdrifts in “spring” or you just like unpredictable adventures, I’ve got a list for you.
Stick around – drop a comment if you’ve been brave enough to explore these icy wonderlands or if you’re just here for the cozy chaos.
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Spring in Yellowstone is nature’s April Fools’ prank (but drawn out until May). Snow hangs around, smugly refusing to melt, while certain roads keep their “closed until further notice” signs up as if they’re on vacation.
Want to hike? Only if you’re prepared to channel your inner snowplow. Sure, the wildlife is waking up, but so is the cold – so don’t assume you’ll be basking in sunshine while watching bison stroll by. Layer up, bring coffee that won’t mind being borderline iced, and maybe appreciate the silver lining… fewer crowds.
Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
If you thought spring meant tulips and picnics, Rocky Mountain National Park has other plans – like freezing your aspirations of toasty weather. At higher elevations, the temperatures are still flirting with zero, and trails are blanketed under snow so deep you’d think the earth’s been hoarding it.
Fancy a mountain sunrise? Bring ten jackets, and don’t skip the gloves. But hey, the views are stunning. Between the frosty peaks and the stubborn snowbanks, it’s the picture-perfect postcard… assuming your fingers don’t freeze trying to take it.
Glacier National Park, Montana
Glacier National Park’s spring doesn’t exactly scream “picnic weather.” Picture towering snowdrifts and ice patches hanging around as if they just don’t know how to melt. It’s not until late June that the park starts to defrost, but even then, icy conditions linger.
Want to explore? Sure, but don’t expect the Going-to-the-Sun Road to cooperate – it’s buried half the season. The good news? Fewer people venturing out into the frozen zone means more space for yourself. The bad news? You’ll need layers so warm that you’ll wonder if you are Randy in A Christmas Story.
Denali National Park, Alaska
Spring in Denali? Let’s not kid ourselves… it’s just winter with slightly less commitment. By the time April shows up pretending to be thaw season, Denali’s over here like, “Not yet.”
Snow blankets everything till early summer, and temperatures hover somewhere between “cold enough” and “why am I here again?” Hiking? Sure, if trudging through snowdrifts is your idea of cardio. And don’t even start on camping unless you’ve got gear tough enough to survive a polar expedition.
Mount Rainier National Park, Washington
If you’re thinking green grass and blooming flowers, Mount Rainier wants you to simmer down. The Paradise and Sunrise areas, ironically named, remain buried under enough snow to make you rethink everything you packed.
Nights? Subfreezing, because why not? But it’s a playground for snowshoers and winter warriors – just don’t go waltzing in without proper prep. And the mountain views? Worth every frozen toe.
Crater Lake National Park, Oregon
Crater Lake’s spring isn’t really spring at all – it’s winter’s encore, and it’s sticking around till July. Snow piles up around the lake’s rim while icy patches make sure your sense of adventure doesn’t get too confident.
The deep blue of the lake is incredible, though, surrounded by snowbanks so pristine you almost forget you’re freezing. Exploring? Only if you’re okay with trudging through snow that means business. But hey, the isolation is cozy if you bring enough cocoa.
Great Basin National Park, Nevada
Snow in late spring? Great Basin clearly didn’t get the memo about seasonal shifts. Wheeler Peak sits there, wearing its icy crown, while the trails below remain frosty well past April.
But the scenery might just be worth a visit – rugged peaks and ancient bristlecone pines stand stoically against the backdrop of endless white. It’s the perfect place to look for answers to life’s big questions, alone in the wilderness. Just try not to lose a boot in the snowdrift.
Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks, California
Down in the foothills, it’s all sunshine and wildflowers, but head up into the higher elevations, and you might as well be transported back to January. Giant sequoias stand tall, surrounded by snow that clings like it’s got nothing better to do.
Roads are open-ish, and trails are accessible-ish because who doesn’t love a good challenge? Just know you’ll be swapping sneakers for snowshoes if you want to explore those icy wonderlands. Bring your camera – nothing says “cozy spring” like icicles dangling off thousand-year-old trees.
Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
Spring here is a suggestion, not a season. You’ve got early storms rolling through, temperatures that laugh at the idea of “warming up,” and lakes still rocking their frozen-solid look. Thinking of kayaking? Maybe find a sled, instead.
The Tetons stand watching, majestic and, frankly, a little too smug – they know you’re not going anywhere fast without winter gear. But hey, early visitors get the best views without the summertime foot traffic. Just don’t forget your parka… unless the thought of frostbite is somehow appealing to you.
Isle Royale National Park, Michigan
Tucked in Lake Superior’s icy grip, Isle Royale takes the concept of “remote getaway” very literally. By mid-April, when the park opens for the season, it’s still part iceberg, where winds are sharp enough to make your face question your priorities.
The trails? Somewhere under all that snow. Even the waters can remain frozen solid, canceling ferry rides. It’s peaceful, though… if your idea of peace includes freezing temperatures and no cell signal.
North Cascades National Park, Washington
The North Cascades in spring is really just winter with better lighting. Snowfall hangs around like an uninvited guest, and those higher elevations? Don’t even think about it unless you’re packing crampons.
Roads stay closed well into late spring, and even “accessible” areas often mean hiking through powder. But wow, the views. Jagged peaks covered in pristine white and alpine landscapes that look almost too perfect to be real. It’s not crowded, which is fortunate because sliding down a snowy slope is best done without an audience.
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