Best national parks to visit in February

How the February picks were chosen

• Average daily highs at the park's NOAA station land in a comfortable hiking range for February, not a heat or cold extreme.
• February falls inside the park's own best season, or close to it, so the trip is not fighting the calendar.
• Main roads and visitor areas are typically open, with any seasonal closures called out below.
• Every number comes from NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals, with the station named, so you can check the source.

What to pack for the national parks in February

Built from the NOAA averages for the parks above, so it covers the whole spread, from the coldest morning to the warmest afternoon on this list.

• Insulation, hat, and gloves

  White Sands averages 27F lows in February, below freezing. Mornings and camp nights need a real insulated jacket.

  Best down jacketsBest hiking gloves

• Layers for a big daily swing

  White Sands swings from about 27F at dawn to 63F in the afternoon. Dress in layers you can peel off on the trail.

  Best base layersLayering calculator

• Sun cover and a water plan

  Everglades averages 81F highs in February. Carry more water than feels necessary and cover up from the sun.

  Best sun shirtsHow much water to carry

February at every national park, by the numbers

Average February highs, lows, and precipitation for the 61 national parks with a usable NOAA station, warmest first. "Best season" marks parks whose own peak window includes February. Tap a park for its full guide, or a pack link for a February packing list.

Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals, 1991-2020 monthly averages, one station per park at or near its main visitor area (each park guide names its station and distance). Gateway stations sit outside the park where no in-park station publishes normals. Isle Royale and Kobuk Valley have no representative station and are left out. Averages describe a typical year, not a forecast.

Planning notes