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#1 on this list
Death Valley National Park
California
Mild winter days make the desert hikeable; summer heat is gone.
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- How we assessed it
- Specification researched
#2 on this list
Everglades National Park
Florida
Dry season: fewer mosquitoes, concentrated wildlife, comfortable temps.
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Specs side by side
| Spec | Death Valley National Park | Everglades National Park |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Eastern California and Nevada border | — |
| Total Area | 3.4 million acres | — |
| January Highs | 65°F to 69°F on the valley floor | — |
| Lowest Elevation | -282 feet at Badwater Basin | — |
| Backcountry Permits | Free, mandatory for roadside dispersed camping | — |
| Cellular Coverage | Near zero outside Furnace Creek | — |
| Managing Agency | — | National Park Service |
| Total Acreage | — | 1.5 million acres |
| Peak Season | — | December through March |
| Average High | — | 75°F (24°C) in January |
| Average Low | — | 54°F (12°C) in January |
| Permit System | — | Recreation.gov for wilderness camping |
What our reviewers liked and didn't
Death Valley National Park
- Daytime January temperatures consistently hover in the mild and hikeable mid-60s
- Unparalleled expanse of dramatic geological features across 3.4 million acres
- Exceptional dark sky conditions for winter stargazing and astrophotography
- Extensive backcountry dirt-road network for vehicle-supported exploration
- Severe isolation with virtually no cellular service outside Furnace Creek
- Sharp nighttime temperature drops require full winter cold-weather sleep systems
- Rough washboard dirt roads regularly shred passenger car highway tires
Everglades National Park
- Drying conditions concentrate incredible numbers of birds and alligators
- Virtually free of the summer's oppressive heat and relentless mosquito swarms
- World-class flatwater sea kayaking and backcountry chickee camping
- Mild January weather creates optimal conditions for cycling Shark Valley
- High seasonal visitation creates heavy congestion at popular frontcountry trailheads
- Low winter water levels limit passage on select interior canoe trails
- Paddlers must carry every drop of fresh drinking water into the backcountry
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