Plan a Trip to US National Parks in February

If you’re looking for US National Park vacation ideas, here’s a list of parks to visit in February.

Visiting US National Parks in February is a good time of year to travel to avoid crowds you find in the busy spring, summer, and fall seasons!

Yes, you’ll find cold temperatures at many of the northern National Parks, but with the right prep work and gear, it will be a truly amazing experience that you will never forget.

A February vacation to the southern US National Parks means a relief from hot temperatures and pesky bugs!

Keep reading for our list of national parks to visit in February and all the things you can do at those parks.

Some of the links on this site are affiliate links, meaning if you book or buy something through one of these links, we may earn a small commission – at no extra cost to you! Read the full Disclosure Policy.

Winter Packing List for National Parks

Winter Clothing Guide
Winter Packing List for National Parks
US National Parks Pass – BUY THE PASS AT REI and they will donate 10% of sales to the National Park Foundation.
Waterproof hiking boots or shoes
Insulated boots
Traction devices
Darn Tough Socks heavy wool socks
Walking stick or trekking poles
Wicking and quick-drying base layers
Fleece jacket
Wool, down or heavy-weight insulated jacket
Insulating hat
Insulating winter gloves
Fleece neck gaiter or buff
WATER – water bottles or hydration backpack
FOOD – healthy snacks
Flashlight or headlamp
National Park maps and guides
Sunscreen
Lip protection with sunscreen
Polarized sunglasses
Hand lotion
Hand sanitizer
Winter photography gear

CHECK OUT WINTER GEAR AT REI!

Best US National Parks in February

Here are a few resources for planning your next US National Park vacation:

National Parks by State – FREE CHECKLIST TO PRINT
Best National Parks to Visit by Month
63 Fun Facts about US National Parks

Take a look at this list of National Parks and what it’s like to visit in February!

Arches National Park in February

We love Arches National Park in the winter because we can explore the park without the crowds.

Arches National Park in February is a terrific time to enjoy this red rock wonderland.

When visiting you will want to drive the 18-mile scenic route to explore the park. This is especially perfect on those cooler days.

In February, you can take advantage of some epic Arches National Park Photography spots.

It’s also a great time to explore the Arches National Park hiking trails (be sure you wear traction devices on some of the trails in February).

The Arches National Park weather in February usually means highs in the upper 40s and lows in the mid 20s. You might experience rain or snow so be prepared with winter clothing and dress in layers!

Arches National Park Travel Tips

Biscayne National Park in February

If you looking for a National Park to visit in February that is warmer, then look to Biscayne National Park in Florida.

With sunshine year round it makes for a great place to visit in the winter to get away from cold and snow. The average temperature in February is 66 degrees making it a nice winter getaway!

With it being warm and sunny you can expect it to be more crowded than the other parks this time of year.

There are fun things to do at Biscayne like fishing, boating, diving, and snorkeling. Not only that, you can kayak and hike and see some amazing wildlife.

Be sure to stop by the visitor center for an educational experience the whole family will love. There you will find a touch table for the kids. You can also talk to the park ranger and see what he suggests is great to do while visiting.

Biscayne really is a great February spot to visit because the humidity levels are low and the temperatures are pleasant.

Biscayne National Park Travel Tips

Bryce Canyon sign and entrance gate with snow

Bryce Canyon National Park in February

The scenery is absolutely incredible at Bryce Canyon National Park in February.

If you choose to visit Bryce Canyon during President’s Day weekend you can observe the Winter Festival at the Park.

Bryce Canyon hikes are a fun thing to do in February. You may need to wear snowshoes or ice traction devices, both can be rented at the park or nearby Bryce Canyon City.

Don’t forget about the awesome cross country skiing, winter backpacking, sledding, and winter sky gazing at the park in February.

Due to the high elevation, the Bryce Canyon National Park weather will be COLD and SNOWY so pack winter clothing and dress in layers!

Bryce Canyon National Park Travel Tips

Yosemite National Park in February

Yosemite in February means fewer crowds so that you have even more time to soak up the beauty that is all around you. The scenery is absolutely breathtaking, especially with the new fallen snow.

Horsetail Falls, one of the lesser known waterfalls throughout the rest of the year, becomes the star of the show during February. If the sun hits this waterfall just right the light appears as a stream of fire, which is truly remarkable.

There are many roads that close at Yosemite in February so you will want to check the Yosemite NPS website for road closures and current conditions prior to visiting.

While visiting, there are several things to do, such as cross country skiing, snowmobiling, downhill skiing, and snowshoeing.

Of course, we can’t forget about lots of the lower level hikes that are perfect to do this time of year.

Yosemite National Park Travel Tips

Yellowstone National Park in February

If you want a unique experience you should add a trip to Yellowstone in the Winter to your bucket list!

It’s an awesome to enjoy the serenity of the park, see steaming geyser basins, and watch wildlife.

The only way to get around in Yellowstone National Park in February is with skis, snowshoes, snowcoaches, and snowmobiles. Vehicles are only allowed to drive the road from Mammoth to the northeast entrance through Lamar Valley.

If you want to visit Old Faithful, the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, and other parts of the park in February, we recommend a guided snowmobile or snowcoach.

There is nothing like the seeing Yellowstone National Park in the winter. It’s a stark contrast to visiting the park during the other seasons.

Use our National Park winter packing list to be prepared with winter clothing for outdoor travel. You won’t regret planning a trip to Yellowstone in the winter. It will be a once-in-a-lifetime adventure!

Yellowstone Winter Travel Tips

snowy road through Zion National Park — Snowy road through Zion National Park

Zion National Park in February

Visiting Zion National Park is always a good idea no matter what time of year it is.

Zion National Park in February is colder and wetter than the rest of the year. Temperatures can range from highs of 50-60°F during the day to lows well below freezing at night.

But February is also the least crowded time to visit the park which makes it easy to explore at your own pace. President’s weekend does get a bit more busy if you can avoid that time.

We would rather brave the cold and stormy weather than fight the crowds and navigate the shuttle busses during the summer!

Many of the Zion National Park hikes remain open throughout February, so you definitely want to take advantage of these while there are not many people visiting the park.

The great thing about visiting Zion in February is that you can drive through Zion Canyon in your car. Exploring the Zion National Park scenic drives of Zion Canyon, Highway 9 and Kolob Terrace are perfect for those really cool days or when it is raining.

Zion National Park Travel Tips

Plan a Trip to US National Parks in February

Some of the links on this site are affiliate links, meaning if you book or buy something through one of these links, we may earn a small commission – at no extra cost to you! Read the full Disclosure Policy.

Winter Packing List for National Parks