Gorgeous Photos of National Parks in Winter

When planning a trip to one of the many national parks sprawled out across the United States, most people opt to visit in the summer or fall, for obvious reasons: the weather is warmer, the sun is out longer, and it's generally a more comfortable experience. But just because the summer and the fall are popular times to go to a national park doesn't mean it's the only time. Photos of the national parks in the winter months make it clear that these gorgeous nature spots are just as perfect in the snow as they are on a sunny summer day.

Snow and ice transform many national parks into winter wonderlands. And while it may be pretty cold out there, it's actually an excellent time to visit most of these parks: it's far less crowded, which means that you might nearly have the place to yourself. If you're thinking about going, just be sure to check the park's website to make sure everything is still open - and bundle up, of course.

Trust us: these beautiful photos of national parks during the winter are so special, you're definitely going to want to see them in person for yourself.