National Parks Traveler

Editor's note: This story was corrected to clarify that Denali National Park rangers do not offer dog sled rides to visitors, but a local outfitter does.

Balanced on the runners of a dog sled while gliding through the snows of western Wyoming with the Tetons not far in front of me, “What could go wrong?,” I asked myself. And then the moose ambled out onto the trail the dogs were heading down.

This was my first try at mushing a dog sled, and among the instructions I was given that morning was to never let go.

No one told the dogs I was new to their sport, and when they saw the moose they figured the chase was on. Somehow, after veering off the trail into deeper snow, I was able to not only hang onto the sled, but also stomp both feet onto the brake bar. My 180 pounds proved just enough to halt the dogs as the moose strolled off into the woods.

Dog sledding is just one of the activities you can enjoy in the parks this winter. It might be out of your comfort zone, but winter is a great time to try something new. You might actually find a new passion. Here’s a glance at some of the possibilities...

Dog Sledding

Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming

While I spent a half-day spent driving a dog sled, it wasn’t in Grand Teton National Park. The 10-mile run was to the south in the Bridger-Teton National Forest. However, Continental Divide Dog Sled Adventures offers tours through part of the park.

Denali National Park and Preserve, Alaska

Denali is the country’s only national park with its own kennel of sled dogs. Not surprisingly, park rangers still continue the long tradition of patrolling the park by dog sled. You can not only visit the kennel, but also take a dog sled ride with an outfitter, or drive your own dog sled, in the park.

If you have your own sled and dogs, you can find trails near park headquarters at Mile 3.1 on the park road, and at the kennels area nearby. You can find other locations in the park at this page.

Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota

Dog teams and sleds are permitted on frozen lake surfaces within the park when there’s enough snow. However, a special use permit is needed for dog sleds traveling on designated snowmobile portages in the park. You can find information on obtaining the permit at this page.

See the Northern Lights

It can be tough to catch the Northern Lights, aka aurora borealis, described by the National Park Service as “a massive burst of solar wind and magnetic field” entering the Earth’s atmosphere. You need both clear, dark skies and great timing. Improve your odds by checking out Northern Lights forecasts at either this site operated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration or this nonprofit one.

Here are some parks that are a good bet for viewing this spectacular show:

Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota

Here on the U.S.-Canadian border this park has inky black skies thanks to its wilderness setting, and little light pollution from large urban areas. Park staff suggests that good spots to watch the light show include the Rainy Lake Visitor Center, the Ash River Visitor Center, Voyageurs Forest Overlooking Parking Lot, Woodenfrog Beach, and “almost any lakeside campsite.”

Denali National Park and Preserve, Alaska

Park staff notes “skies are dark enough from roughly mid-August to mid-April for good chances of aurora viewing … When you’re in mainland Alaska, anywhere away from city lights is a decent place to hope for aurora viewing on a clear, dark night.”

Glacier National Park, Montana

Winter’s snows can limit access to Glacier, but there have been some great photographs of the Northern Lights from Lake McDonald.

Acadia National Park, Maine

You might think Acadia an unusual setting for Northern Lights, but some great photographs and videos have been taken from both the summit of Cadillac Mountain as well as at Jordan Pond.

Kathadin Woods and Waters National Monument, Maine

Night skies over this national monument are even darker than those at Acadia, and there have been some great views of the shimmering light show here.

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Michigan

The dark skies over Lake Superior to the north of Pictured Rocks can be a great place to watch the colorfully dancing lights.

Snowshoeing / Cross-Country Skiing

Snowshoeing and cross-country skiing are fun, invigorating ways to explore the parks. With lightweight gear you can head out whenever you have 6 or more inches of snow on the ground. Just about anywhere in the park system with ample snowfall can be a great landscape for snowshoeing or cross-country skiing. Out West, familiarize yourself with the danger of avalanches and how to stay safe by avoiding steep slopes. Here are some possibilities:

Acadia National Park, Maine

The park’s 45 miles of carriage roads are a perfect place to explore on snowshoe. Experienced ‘shoers can head up any of the park’s trails. The Park Road is groomed for skiing on a regular basis thanks to Friends of Acadia. The carriage roads offer more possibilities in a quieter setting thanks to the hardwood forests.

Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah

With its high elevation (8,000- 9,000 feet), this radiant southern Utah beauty offers reliable snow that opens the 18-mile-long park road up to skiers. More miles of trail can be found right outside the park. It is illegal to ski below the rim.

Glacier National Park, Montana

Though winter use in Glacier is not well known, you can find many areas to spend hours walking about on snowshoes. Rangers lead snowshoe walks from the Apgar Visitor Center along the shores of Lake Mc- Donald once enough snow accumulates, generally beginning in early January. Check the park’s website (www.nps. gov/glac) for dates. Miles and miles of skiing, all the way to the Continental Divide, and over, are available along the Going-to-the-Sun Road accessed either at West Glacier or St. Mary. But there are many other trails to explore off the road as well. For trail suggestions, visit this page.

Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming

While part of the Moose- Wilson Road is closed in winter, you can usually drive to small parking areas that let you access snowshoe trails to Phelps Lake and into Death Canyon and the Phelps Lake Overlook. Check with the staff at the Moose visitor center for other trail possibilities. Thanks to the Grand Teton National Park Foundation, the Teton Park Road is groomed for cross-country skiing, and there are plenty of other possibilities. You can find a map with some trails at this site.

Great Basin National Park, Nevada

Deep snows, rugged landscapes, and solitude await snowshoers at Great Basin. For a list of suitable trails, visit this site. Of course, you also can simply head out across the landscape when there is sufficient snow. Again, avoid areas prone to avalanche. For the hardy, there’s winter camping in the Lower Lehman Creek Campground and in the Wheeler Peak Campground.

Lassen Volcanic National Park, California

Winter’s snows close the main park road through Lassen, but there are some nice snowshoe trails not far inside the north and south entrances to explore. The Manzanita Lake area is good for novices, while more experienced ‘shoers can trek to Ridge Lakes or even Lassen Peak, a multi-day trek, from the south entrance. Check the park’s winter newspaper for more trail suggestions.

Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park, Vermont

When there’s ample snow, the park opens about 4.5 miles of ski trails starting at Prosper Parking Area. These are a part of a larger network of around 19 miles of trails surrounding the village of Woodstock.

Olympic National Park, Washington

There are deep snows and fantastic vistas on this park’s alpine roof, with views from Hurricane Ridge of the Strait of Juan de Fuca far below. Snowshoes can be rented from the Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center, and rangers often lead short snowshoe walks on weekends and holiday Mondays from mid-December into April.

Sequoia National Park, California

Snowshoe among the tall trees in the Giant Forest, or explore the trails leading away from Grant Grove. Check the park’s website to find out when ranger-led snowshoe excursions are planned. The Sequoia Parks Conservancy operates the Pear Lake Winter Hut, a great destination for an overnight snowshoe, but it books quickly and this year's lottery has already been conducted. Start planning for next winter! There are about two-dozen miles of marked ski trails in Sequoia, many in the Giant Forest area. Grant Grove offers more possibilities. A brochure listing the possibilities can be purchased from the Sequoia Parks Conservancy) for $3.50.

Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming/Montana/Idaho

The Riverside Trail is an easy snowshoe and ski trail that offers some great possibilities, as it runs from West Yellowstone down to the Madison River. Seasoned and adventurous snowshoe aficionados and Nordic skiers might travel from West Yellowstone to Mammoth Hot Springs (or vice versa) with the appropriate backcountry permits. In the Old Faithful area, there are 40 miles of cross-country trails, some groomed for skate skiing.

Ice Fishing

Ice fishing is a relaxing activity, and one that could land your dinner. Before you go, check your intended fishing location for regulations. Some parks allow snowmobiles to be driven onto ice-covered lakes, while others don’t. Some also require that you obtain a state fishing license.

Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area, Wyoming/ Montana

For at least four decades anglers have been heading to Bighorn Canyon in winter to bore a hole through the ice and wait for a strike. The ice fishing season usually begins in December and runs into March. The ice gets very thick, reaching a depth of 20 to 30 inches. Park staff note that ice fishing is limited in the Barry’s Landing area. Due to the deep, warmer water, it freezes late into the winter and is not uniformly thick. One needs to be extremely careful fishing this area. Trout, walleye, sauger, ling, perch, crappie are among the fish caught here.

Mississippi National River and Recreation Area, Minnesota

Ice fishing is a quintessential Minnesota winter sport, but learning when, where, and how to ice fish can be daunting. The staff at the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area can help you get started at one of its public or group ice-fishing workshops. Check the park website for dates. Northern pike and crappies are frequent catches.

Glacier National Park, Montana

You’ll definitely earn your catch in Glacier, as you can’t drive a snowmobile, ATV, or other vehicle onto lakes in the park, and power augers also are prohibited. Among the species that might end up on your hook are lake trout, cutthroat trout, and bull trout. Cuts and bull trout must be released. Acadia National Park, Maine Eagle Lake is a popular ice fishing spot. You might catch landlocked salmon, brook trout, or lake trout there. Staff at the visitor center might have other suggestions.

Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming

The most common and popular spots for winter anglers are Jenny Lake, Jackson Lake, and Phelps Lake. Jackson Lake is easily accessible, while getting to Jenny Lake and Phelps Lake requires snowshoes or cross-country skis during winter. You can drive a snowmobile onto Jackson Lake for fishing. And you’ll need a Wyoming fishing license.

Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

You can ice fish on all open-fishing lakes and ponds in Rocky Mountain National Park, unless the lake or pond is specifically closed to fishing, so check with the park staff for closures. Also, you’ll need a hand-auger, and a Colorado fishing license.

Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota

Voyageurs embraces ice fishing, but there are some regulations you need to follow: Place icehouses at least 50 feet from the center of snowmobile trails and the ice road, check ice conditions before going out, and be sure to have a Minnesota fishing license and icehouse registration.

Beachcombing

Though cold, winter actually can be one of the better seasons for beachcombing, as powerful storms can dredge up all kinds of things and toss them onto the beaches. As with ice fishing, check a park’s specific regulations, as there are different limits when it comes to how many shells you can take home.

Cape Cod National Seashore, Massachusetts

During winter months, Nauset Beach’s profile is considerably lowered, sometimes exposing features such as the brick foundation of one of the earlier Three Sisters lighthouses. And you never know if one of the pieces of gold or silver from Black Sam Bellamy’s Whydah, which went down about 500 feet off Wellfleet in April 1717, might get tossed ashore.

Cape Hatteras National Seashore/Cape Lookout National Seashore, North Carolina

Searching for seashells at Cape Hatteras or neighboring Cape Lookout national seashores is hard to beat. Knobbed Whelks, Bay Scallops, and Scotch Bonnets are among the shells that appear. At Cape Hatteras, there’s a five-gallon limit per person per day. At Cape Lookout, the limit is two gallons per day per person. Cumberland Island National Seashore, Georgia Along with interesting shells, at Cumberland Island you might also come upon fossilized sharks teeth.

Fire Island National Seashore, New York

Winter might shut down the ferry service to Fire Island, but you can always drive to either end of the island for access to the beach. You are allowed to take home up to two quarts of unoccupied seashells per day (for personal use only).

Point Reyes National Seashore, California

The Pacific Coast is a great place for a beach wanderer. Over the decades at Point Reyes there have been dozens of shipwrecks along the peninsula. You just might come upon the sparse remains of shipwrecks such as the Pomo, which foundered in Drakes Bay on the last day of 1913.

Olympic National Park, Washington

Shells might be lacking at Rialto, Kalaloch, and Ruby beaches in Olympic, but there are beautiful and fascinating pebbles, cobbles, and occasionally sea glass—colorful bits of glass the surf has tumbled and rounded. Among the rocks, you might spot agates and ruddy jaspers.

Winter Backpacking

Winter backpacking excursions can be great escapes. You can head to parks where the winter months offer ideal weather vs. summer months, or test yourself on colder, and even snowier, northern trips. Just be sure to leave plans with family or friends before you set off so they’ll know your hiking itinerary.

Big Bend National Park, Texas 

Cooler winter weather is perfect for exploring Big Bend’s less-visited areas. Experienced backcountry travelers can tackle the 30-mile “Outer Mountain Loop,” which ties together the Pinnacles, Juniper Canyon, Dodson, Blue Creek, and Laguna Meadows trails. For more information, check the park website.

Big Thicket National Preserve, Texas 

There are limited areas for backpacking at Big Thicket, but you likely won’t run into crowds. Park staff suggests you explore the Turkey Creek Unit or along the Woodlands Trail. While there are no backcountry campsites, people often camp on sandbars along the Neches River and Village Creek. Find more details on the park website.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina/Tennessee 

A bit more than 70 miles of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail run through Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and that means you can plan a winter trek with nights spent in shelters. But keep in mind that snowstorms can dump quite a bit of snow on the park, and more than a few backpackers have been caught unprepared for such conditions. Additional information can be found on the park website.

Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Texas 

The backcountry expanses of Guadalupe Mountains are often overlooked. There are 10 designated backcountry campgrounds. For help planning your trek, the park offers a campground-to-campground mileage chart. Check this page for additional details.

Saguaro National Park, Arizona 

Summer’s high heat makes it particularly challenging to backpack in Saguaro, even if you head high into the Rincon Range. But the winter months, while not immune from snow, have much more suitable temps. More backcountry information is at this page.

Shenandoah National Park, Virginia 

Winter camping in Shenandoah can be grueling if your trip coincides with an ice storm or blizzard. Or it can be blissful if the good weather holds. With fewer folks on the trails, this can be a great time to section hike the Appalachian Trail as it winds through the park. Rangers have even created a table with possible hikes for all levels of backpackers/hikers. More details are on this page.

Winter birding in the parks is also a great way to spend time in the National Park System, but that’s another story.