We Asked 5 Travel Experts the Best U.S. National Park for the Winter—and They All Said the Same Thing

"In winter, the park transforms into a vast, icy wonderland—steam rising from Old Faithful and other geothermal features paints a surreal scene, and watching bison, elk, and wolves cross snow-covered plains feels singular. Visibility for wolves is easier now, and they’re more active throughout the day, with packs at their peak from late January through February; bison roam the geyser basins and hot spring areas, using geothermal warmth to brave the cold. After day-trippers leave Old Faithful, an almost indescribable quiet settles in; I love just sitting with miles of snow and steam around me, occasionally halted by bison that nonchalantly block the road. From mid-December to mid-March, the interior roads close to regular traffic, so getting in by snowcoach or snowmobile feels like insider access—intimate guided tours travel over snow deep into the heart of the park—and winter is when these landscapes truly reveal themselves." - Stacey Leasca Stacey Leasca Stacey Leasca is an award-winning journalist and co-founder of Be a Travel Writer, an online course for the next generation of travel journalists. Her photos, videos, and words have appeared in print or online for Travel + Leisure, Time, Los Angeles Times, Glamour, and many more. You'll usually find her in an airport. If you do see her there, please say hello. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines