By: Mitch Pittman, Photographer, Videographer & Volunteer; Kacee Saturay, Donor Stewardship & Social Media Manager; and Alex Day, Marketing/Communications & Database Director
Many Washingtonians prefer to experience our three largest national parks, Mount Rainier, North Cascades, and Olympic, in the warm summer months when the wildflowers are out in force. Others prefer the fall when leaves are changing and a chill permeates the air, or the spring months when plants are starting to bloom once more. But for some of us, the frosty winter months are the best time of the year to visit – in fact, some would argue that winter in Washington’s national parks is one of the best-kept secrets here in our big backyard.
We know that it can be intimidating to figure out what there is to do and how exactly to do it when snow is falling, some trails are inaccessible, and major roads are closing. Don’t worry – the Washington’s National Park Fund team is here to help with some of our recommendations on how to experience Washington’s parks in the winter.
Mitch thinks Mount Rainier is at its best when cloaked in a deep layer of snow in the winter. Here are his tips:
“There are a couple of ways to look at winter recreation at Rainier – you could say it’s too cold with limited areas and hours, or you could see it as your ticket to uninhibited exploration without summer crowds! Ever visit Paradise in the summer and wish you could walk all over the meadows to see any view you want? Well, with the ground safely buried beneath feet of snow, you can go anywhere you want to in Paradise with a pair of snowshoes or skis! Heck, you can even CAMP in Paradise when there’s enough snow! Check out our Backcountry Beginners guide on all-things winter camping.
Backcountry skiing is a favorite activity of mine around Paradise in the winter; did you know it was even home to a ski resort for a few decades? Those looking for a longer walk and more solitude will find a great workout walking or skiing to Reflection Lakes, but keep the gate closure in mind!
The road from Longmire to Paradise is the only road in the park that is open in the winter, but it is very dependent upon weather conditions. Always check the road status before heading up. Paradise is by far the highest spot you can drive to in Washington in the winter, so it’s important to keep that in mind if the gate stays closed – it’s a small miracle we can get up there at all in the winter. But if the gate doesn’t open, there’s still plenty to explore down low.
Rampart Ridge is a lovely snowshoe route out of Longmire, and you can also see remarkable views of the mountain with a short snowshoe along Westside Road. Also remember that all vehicles are required to carry chains with them in the winter, regardless of tires or four-wheel drive.
Most other locations in the park are closed in the winter, at least to cars. Those with snowmobiles can still enjoy areas such as White River and Mowich Lake on the north side of the park. The closed portion of Highway 410 just past the turnoff to Crystal Mountain is another great place for a relatively flat stroll or cross-country skiing through a winter wonderland, though go in with the expectation of a magical forest along the White River instead of big mountain views in the alpine.
On a serious note, there are several important considerations to recreating at Rainier in the winter. The first is avalanches – there are plenty of avalanche-prone slopes in the Paradise area where summer trails go without issue. Please educate yourself on safe winter travel by talking with rangers or looking into the amazing resources provided by the Northwest Avalanche Center. Also, remember that nearly all of those snowy photos you see at Camp Muir are taken in the summer! It’s not a normal winter destination for visitors – all routes cross serious avalanche terrain and weather up high can be far more extreme than at Paradise.”
Note: This year, Mount Rainier National Park announced some changes to winter recreational access. The park will be maintaining public vehicle access to Paradise on a Thursday through Monday schedule. Check the Alerts and Conditions page for the daily Paradise gate status.
Kacee is a fan of the scenery in North Cascades National Park any time of the year. Here’s what she recommends for a winter park experience:
“Whenever friends or family ask for national park tips, I always mention that North Cascades National Park is one of the only parks in the National Park Service that doesn’t charge an entrance fee! If you’re willing to make the trek into one of the most remote national parks, the payoff is worth it.
In the wintertime, the park feels even more remote due to the seasonal North Cascades Highway (SR 20) closure. According to WSDOT, the highway is closed between milepost 134 (near Ross Dam) and milepost 171 (Silver Star gate). But recreation in the park does not have to end once the road closes!
If you’re interested in seeing the east side of the park, Stehekin is the place to see. This small town within the park complex is located at the northern end of Lake Chelan. In the winter, you can access the area by boat and it’s a gateway for backcountry camping, rustic lodge stays, and wonderful day hikes. Check out our Virtual Field Trip about Stehekin and start planning your trip!
If Stehekin is in your summer plans, then make the west side of the North Cascades Highway your winter getaway! Diablo Lake draws visitors into the park year-round, and luckily for us, it sits before the highway closure. Take in the winter views of the lake at the viewpoint and practice your nature photography skills.
Need to stretch your legs? The Sterling Munro Boardwalk, located behind the North Cascades Visitor Center near Newhalem, is the shortest trail in the park and you’ll be granted with views of the steep and jagged peaks of the Picket Mountains. (Pro tip: if you’re curious about weather conditions, check out the view from the webcam looking out from the visitor center.) Note that the Newhalem Visitor Center is closed for the season. Here are the operating hours for other visitor centers.
Finally, if you’re a winter car camper like me, check out Goodell Creek campground. It’s open this time of year on a first-come, first-served basis, which is perfect for a quick weekend getaway.
With road closures, changing weather, and minimal signal and amenities in the wintertime, be sure to plan ahead and let a loved one know what your plan is. Some of my favorite resources for planning national park trips in Washington are the WSDOT road alerts page, the NPS app and park websites, regional weather reports, and any up-to-date trail reports for the hikes I plan to do. Stay safe and have fun at North Cascades National Park Complex!”
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Alex loves to visit Olympic National Park year-round, but says that winter is one of her favorite times:
“The beauty of Olympic National Park, to me, is just how diverse it is. At more than 1,400 square miles, this special national park encompasses everything from rocky coasts to temperate rainforests up into the high alpine country. The great part is most of these areas are accessible no matter what season it is – and in the winter months, you often don’t have to worry as much about crowds!
Hurricane Ridge has one of the best views of the Olympics you can get. It’s usually covered in snow in the winter, and visitors can do any number of fun activities, from snowshoeing to cross-country and downhill skiing, snowboarding, tubing, and more. This year, following the loss of the historic Hurricane Ridge Day Lodge, the park has announced that Hurricane Ridge will be open for the winter season; weather permitting, Hurricane Ridge Road is scheduled to be open Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays through March 31, 2024 (note it will be closed on Christmas Day).
Temporary trailers will provide restrooms and a visitor contact station which will be staffed intermittently Fridays through Sundays. According to the park, visitors should be prepared to use their vehicles as a warming area and pack extra food, water, dry clothing, and blankets or sleeping bags and there will be no indoor warming area, food service, potable water, or gear rentals available. You can learn more about winter access at Hurricane Ridge in the park’s press release: https://www.nps.gov/olym/learn/news/hurricane-ridge-will-open-for-winter-season-on-november-24.htm
Keep in mind that all vehicles must carry tire chains during the winter season. Check the road status before you go by calling (360) 565-3131 for their recorded message. The park’s website has a great page to help you plan your winter Hurricane Ridge visit.
If you’re not feeling like a snowy adventure, you can always take a picnic down to Kalaloch or Ruby Beach, or check out some of the hiking trails around the Hoh Rain Forest. Be sure to check the weather before you go, though – the Hoh Rain Forest gets frequent rain in the winter months. Some say it’s among the wettest spots in the continental US!
Remember that it’s super important to plan ahead in the winter months. Be sure to hike smart, pack the Ten Essentials, and have an emergency plan.”
Learn more about recreating safely this winter in Olympic National Park.
Enjoy your winter park adventure! And remember, it’s up to us to support these parks that give so much to us, no matter the time of year. Help us provide funding for priority park projects by donating today.
Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on October 1, 2021 and updated on December 6, 2023. Cover photo courtesy of Stephen Matera.