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#10 on this list
Olympic National Park
Washington
Hurricane Ridge snow sports and storm-watching on the coast.
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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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Specs side by side
| Spec | Olympic National Park | Death Valley National Park |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Clallam and Jefferson counties, Washington | Eastern California and Nevada border |
| January Temperatures | 30°F to 45°F on coast; 20°F to 35°F alpine | — |
| Primary Gateways | Port Angeles and Forks, Washington | — |
| Tire Chain Rule | Mandatory to carry inside vehicles on Ridge Road | — |
| Park Acreage | 922,650 acres | — |
| Primary Winter Draw | Coastal storm watching and alpine snow sports | — |
| 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 |
What our reviewers liked and didn't
Olympic National Park
- Minimal crowds along famous coastal beaches and rainforest trails
- Spectacular high-surf storm watching along rugged Pacific bluffs
- Accessible alpine snowshoeing and backcountry touring via Hurricane Ridge
- Majestic Roosevelt elk herds gather in easily accessible lowland valleys
- Hurricane Ridge Road access is limited to weekends and strictly weather-dependent
- Persistent heavy rain and coastal wind test water-resistant outerwear severely
- Lethal coastal hazards include rolling drift logs and unpredictable sneaker waves
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
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