National parks with cross-country skiing
Bright dots offer cross-country skiing. Tap any park to tick it off your checklist.
Quietest picks for cross-country skiing
- 1Lake Clark National Park & Preserve19,778 visits
- 2Voyageurs National Park206,326 visits
- 3Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park250,086 visits
By 2025 recreation visits (NPS).
Most parks for cross-country skiing
- Colorado 4
- Alaska 3
- California 2
- Montana 2
- Wyoming 2
- Idaho 1
- Indiana 1
- Maine 1
19 parks
Where to go for cross-country skiing
Photo: NPS Photo by Kent MillerAcadia National Park
Maine
4,079,318 visits in 2025Quietest: February$35 / vehicle
Photo: NPS Photo/LynchBlack Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
Colorado
250,086 visits in 2025Quietest: February$30 / vehicle
Photo: NPS Photo / Peter DensmoreBryce Canyon National Park
Utah
1,967,367 visits in 2025Quietest: January$35 / vehicle
Photo: NPS PhotoCrater Lake National Park
Oregon
632,242 visits in 2025Quietest: January$30 / vehicle
Photo: NPS Photo / D.J. ReiserCuyahoga Valley National Park
Ohio
3,025,325 visits in 2025Quietest: JanuaryFree entry
Photo: NPS Photo / Nathan KostegianDenali National Park & Preserve
Alaska
543,300 visits in 2025Quietest: January$15 / person
Photo: NPS PhotoGlacier National Park
Montana
3,136,557 visits in 2025Quietest: February$35 / vehicle
Photo: NPS Photo/TobiasonGrand Teton National Park
Wyoming
3,800,648 visits in 2025Quietest: December$35 / vehicle
Photo: NPS/Patrick MyersGreat Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve
Colorado
432,498 visits in 2025Quietest: January$25 / vehicle
Photo: NPS PhotoIndiana Dunes National Park
Indiana
2,629,497 visits in 2025Quietest: January$25 / vehicle
Photo: NPS Photo, S. RainoneKenai Fjords National Park
Alaska
425,369 visits in 2025Quietest: NovemberFree entry
Photo: NPS Photo / James KramerLake Clark National Park & Preserve
Alaska
19,778 visits in 2025Quietest: JanuaryFree entry
Photo: NPS Photo / Scott ArnazLassen Volcanic National Park
California
504,777 visits in 2025Quietest: December$30 / vehicle
Photo: NPS PhotoMesa Verde National Park
Colorado
463,130 visits in 2025Quietest: January$30 / vehicle
Photo: NPS Photo/Jon PrestonOlympic National Park
Washington
3,584,187 visits in 2025Quietest: January$30 / vehicle
Photo: NPS/J.MarinoRocky Mountain National Park
Colorado
4,171,431 visits in 2025Quietest: February$30 / vehicle
Photo: NPS/Rick CainSequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks
California
2,158,128 visits in 2025Quietest: February$35 / vehicle
Photo: NPS Photo / Daniel DendlerVoyageurs National Park
Minnesota
206,326 visits in 2025Quietest: AprilFree entry
Photo: NPS / Jacob W. FrankYellowstone National Park
Idaho, Montana, Wyoming
4,762,988 visits in 2025Quietest: November$35 / vehicle
Ideas from the National Park Service
Cross-Country Skiing ideas, park by park
In winter, South Rim Drive is closed to vehicles beyond the visitor center at Gunnison Point. As staffing and snow conditions allow, rangers groom the remainder of the road for cross-country skiing (skate and classic)…
- Go Cross-Country SkiingWinter
A great way to explore Bryce Canyon in winter is on cross-country skis. Though it is illegal to ski off of the rim into the canyon, you can enjoy a variety of routes above the rim. These include sections of the Rim…
- Explore Denali's Winter Trails1-12 Hours · Winter, Spring
Whether on foot, skis or snowshoes, winter is a great time for you to explore Denali! Snow starts falling as early as September, although in some years the conditions aren't good for skiing until December, and it sticks…
Pets OK
Once the road to Exit Glacier is snow-covered and closed to cars, it is accessible by fat bikes and cross-country skis,
Pets OK
- Bear Hill Winter Trail1-2 Hours
The trail follows the old Bear Hill Road and travels under the shade of giant sequoias and mixed conifers. Bear Hill Road is wide and easy to follow with a moderate grade.
- North Grove Loop Winter Trail1-3 Hours · Winter
The North Grove Loop travels through a magnificent grove of giant sequoias. Skiers will find it easier to follow this loop trail counterclockwise to avoid some of the sharper downhill curves in the road.
- Sunset Rock Winter Trail1-2 Hours
This easy trail leads through a mixed-conifer forest of red firs, Jeffrey pines, sugar pines, and incense cedars to a large granite dome. Once there, take a seat on the dome and enjoy the sweeping views of a deep canyon…
Cross-country skiing can be an enjoyable way to experience the winter season at Rocky. There is typically enough snow for skiing beginning in December through late March. Visit the west side of the park and enjoy a…
Fee
- Voyageurs' Tilson Connector Trail15-40 Minutes · All year
This trail accessible year-round. Once sufficient snowfall accumulates, the trail will continue be groomed for classic, cross country skiing that leads to the Tilson Bay Trails that are managed by the Minnesota…
Reservation/permit - Ski the Echo Bay TrailWinter
Tucked amid the community of Kabetogama, the Echo Bay Ski Trail offers novice skiers another tracked ski trail.
From the NPS Data API's things-to-do records, checked 2026-10-01.
Pair it with
Related things to do
FAQ
Cross-Country Skiing, quickly
- Which national parks offer cross-country skiing?
- 20 of the 63 national parks list cross-country skiing as an activity, according to the National Park Service: Acadia, Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Bryce Canyon, Crater Lake, Cuyahoga Valley, Denali, Glacier, Grand Teton, Great Sand Dunes, Indiana Dunes, Kenai Fjords, Lake Clark, Lassen Volcanic, Mesa Verde, Olympic, Rocky Mountain, Sequoia & Kings Canyon, Voyageurs, Yellowstone.
- What's the least crowded national park for cross-country skiing?
- By 2025 recreation visits, Lake Clark National Park & Preserve (19,778 visits), then Voyageurs (206,326). The busiest park on this list is Yellowstone, with 4,762,988.
- Which state has the most national parks for cross-country skiing?
- Colorado, with 4, followed by Alaska (3).
Sources · 2
- 1.NPS Data API — /parks (all park units) · National Park Service (U.S. Department of the Interior)
- 2.NPS Visitor Use Statistics — monthly recreation visits, 2021–2025 (IRMA stats REST service) · National Park Service (U.S. Department of the Interior) — Visitor Use Statistics Program
Activities are the ones each park lists in the NPS Data API. Check the park's own nps.gov page for current trail, water and permit conditions.
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