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#10 on this list
Rocky Mountain National Park
Colorado
Deep winter quiet; snowshoeing from Bear Lake.
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#1 on this list
Death Valley National Park
California
Cool, quiet, and clear — some of the best desert light of the year.
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Specs side by side
| Spec | Rocky Mountain National Park | Death Valley National Park |
|---|---|---|
| Elevation Range | 7,860 to 14,259 feet | -282 ft to 11,049 ft |
| December Highs | Mid-20s to low-30s °F in eastern valleys | 65°F to 70°F on valley floor |
| Primary Winter Access | Beaver Meadows Entrance via Estes Park | — |
| Winter Road Closures | Trail Ridge Road closed at Many Parks Curve | — |
| Timed Entry System | Not required during winter months | — |
| Primary Winter Hub | Bear Lake Trailhead | — |
| Total Area | — | 3.4 million acres |
| December Lows | — | 38°F to 44°F on valley floor |
| Entry Fee | — | $30 per vehicle (valid 7 days) |
| Cell Coverage | — | Extremely limited; absent in canyons |
What our reviewers liked and didn't
Rocky Mountain National Park
- No timed-entry reservation permits required in December
- Plowed vehicle access directly to premier subalpine trailheads
- Pristine frozen alpine lake views without summer crowds
- Reliable elk viewing throughout lower-elevation meadows
- Severe alpine winds and dangerous wind chill levels
- Trail Ridge Road closure eliminates cross-park scenic driving
- Avalanche risks limit access beyond subalpine lake basins
Death Valley National Park
- Daytime temperatures in the 60s make desert hiking genuinely safe and comfortable
- Winter sun angles create unparalleled morning and afternoon photography light
- First two weeks of December feature historically low crowd numbers across the park
- Designated Dark Sky status ensures world-class winter astrophotography
- Sub-freezing nights catch unprepared campers off guard
- Massive driving distances between trailheads burn fuel and daylight hours quickly
- Severe flash flood damage leaves backcountry dirt roads unpredictable and rough
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