15 Best National Parks to Visit in November
November is transformative throughout the landscape of the United States and there’s no place better to view it than in a national park. Northern parks like Yellowstone and Glacier see snow settle in. Gateway Arch clings to its final fall leaves and alligators in the Everglades delightfully crawl out of the swamp and bask in the sunshine following the rainy hurricane season.
Make it a month to remember: here are our picks for the 15 best national parks to visit in November.
Before you scroll: You don’t have to wait until November to experience many of these National Parks at their best, on one of our Premium National Parks tours.
1. New River Gorge National Park
America’s newest national park is still a hidden gem as far as most park-hoppers are concerned. Located in West Virginia, November is one of the driest times of year at Never River Gorge National Park. The New River Gorge Bridge is the main attraction: the longest steel span bridge in the hemisphere and third highest in the country offers a view 800 feet above the New River.
When visiting in November, take a cozy scenic drive with a hot cup of coffee, crossing over the New River Gorge Bridge and driving across the Fayette Station Road which connected the two riverside prior to the bridge’s formation. You can also hunt, fish, and hike over 100 miles of trails.
2. Bryce Canyon National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park is one of the highlights during a Utah national park trip and a visit in November gives you the opportunity to see it covered in sun or in snow. Temperatures fall below freezing overnight, but during many afternoons, the sun will welcome you onto the trails with a warm greeting. Ranger-led full moon hikes are ticketed events taking place throughout the year; November gives you better odds of securing a spot, and if the snowfall hits above 16”, it becomes a free snowshoeing excursion.
Read next: 16 Best Things to Do in Bryce Canyon
FAQ: How is Zion National Park in November?
Zion National Park is chillier, calmer, and certainly more colorful in November. Most of the casual hikers and visitors are long-gone, leaving fewer crowds at Angels Landing. The autumn colors have reached the lower elevations by November, treating early visitors to a fiery scene, while those who visit in the later half of the month can enter the Human History Museum before its post-Thanksgiving closure. Keep in mind that the temperatures can fluctuate as much as 30℉ (16℃) throughout the day, though the mercury is more than manageable at one of the best national parks to visit in November.
3. Joshua Tree National Park
If you’re destined to visit Joshua Tree National Park but don’t want to climb over the crowds, stop by in the off-season and scale the sites. Joshua Tree National Park is one of the best national parks to visit in November for climbers. With countless natural gaps to cross, boulders to scramble, and climbing routes to tackle, excitement awaits. Another advantage to visiting in November is the chance to join a Climber Coffee session. Go to the Hidden Valley Campground on the weekend to speak with rangers and other climbers about the park while sipping on free coffee, cocoa, and tea.
4. Grand Canyon National Park
One of the only disadvantages of visiting Grand Canyon National Park in November is that the North Rim is already closed. Other than that, November is one of the best times to visit this jaw-dropping destination if you don’t mind sticking to the South Rim. Peak crowds, peak temperatures, and peak prices all start to tumble, welcoming you to tackle popular hikes like Bright Angel Trail at your preferred pace, budget, and comfort level.
Visit Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon, and Zion National Parks on Enchanting Canyonlands.
5. Glacier National Park
Glacier National Park’s standard fishing season ends in December, so November is the ideal time to cast a line for native bull trout or westslope before the waters freeze over. You don’t need a fishing license to fish within the national park’s boundaries and while lake fishing is open year-round, visiting in the late-fall/early–winter months lets you reel in tranquility with fewer anglers scaring the fish away. Just remember to bring your bear mace and stay bear aware: some black bears or grizzly bears may still stalk their preferred fishing holes prior to hibernation.
See Glacier National Park while touring Canada and the U.S. on our Canadian Rockies and Pacific Coast two-week guided tour.
As its name suggests, Glacier National Park is home to 26 glaciers – although most are shrinking.
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We’ll be honest: Everglades National Park is one of the most popular parks in Florida during the winter months. But keep in mind that while one-million people visit annually, Yellowstone can see that high of a crowd in July alone. Five cycling trails, which allow semi-restricted e-bike access, make it a little less anxiety-inducing to wander paths where alligators lazily sunbathe. Those who are brave should hit the kickstand and walk the Anhinga Trail: less than a mile long round-trip yet absolutely full of wildlife like alligators, herons, turtles, and anhingas.
Read next: These are the Best National Parks to Visit in Eastern USA
FAQ: Which national park is best to visit during Thanksgiving?
The best national parks to visit during Thanksgiving are areas within the national park system that encourage you to learn more about Native American Heritage Month. Great Basin National Park, for example, is near the Great Basin National Heritage Area which has four small reservations representing peoples that called the land home for thousands of years.
The Canyon de Chelly National Monument in the Navajo Nation is a short drive from Petrified Forest National Park while the headwaters of Alagnak Wild River, home to the Yupik, Sugpiaq Alutiiq, and Denaina people, is adjacent to Katmai National Park and Preserve.
7. Yellowstone National Park
Speaking of Yellowstone National Park’s visitor numbers, November often has the lowest of the year — less than half-a-percent of the total annual visitation. Snow is consistent by this point in the season, though most park roads don’t close to vehicular traffic for another few weeks. If Yellowstone is rather white during your visit, apply for a snowmobiling permit or take to the trails with skis and snowshoes.
Experience Yellowstone at its best on our Yellowstone Discovery tour.
8. Great Sand Dunes National Park
Some days it’s sand, other days it’s snow: that’s the mixed bag of seasonal excitement you’ll expect at Great Sand Dunes National Park, one of the best national parks to visit in November. The sun peaks out most days, but winter storms can cause snow to stick around in the early morning. Elk, pronghorn, bighorn sheep, and migrating sandhill cranes may cross your path, as may parts of the Milky Way if you’re camping on a clear night.
One wonderful perk of Great Sand Dunes National Park is that it’s enhancing its accessibility as much as possible so that all guests can enjoy the tallest sand dunes in North America. Visitors with mobility limitations can reserve a unique balloon-tire wheelchair so that their family members can take them deeper into the park.
9. Acadia National Park
By mid-October, most of Bar Harbor has closed for the season, leaving adjacent Acadia National Park just as empty. The key to visiting Acadia National Park in November is to come prior to mid-month when many gravel roads, Park Loop Road, and Cadillac Summit Road close for the winter season. Take your time on the virtually vacant trails and enjoy trailhead convenience at wide open parking lots; luxuries that summer visitors rarely receive. If you’re a birder, a photographer, or both, there are few better times for people-free backgrounds than November in Acadia National Park.
10. Badlands National Park
The year is not yet over, but you need a break before the madness of the holiday season begins. Run away to Badlands National Park with your family or four-legged friend for some quiet reflection. The park’s two campgrounds are first-come first-serve, but first-and-foremost, uncrowded. This dog-friendly national park requires no permit for taking your furry friend onto backcountry trails like Old Northeast Road. Let them sniff out wildlife tracks or hop in the car and see if you can spot bison, prairie dogs, tatanka, and buffalo on the scenic drives of Badlands Loop Road or Sage Creek Rim Road.
Enjoy time in Badlands National Park during our America’s Magnificent National Parks tour.
Everglades National Park is the largest mangrove ecosystem in the western hemisphere, spanning 1.5 million acres.
11. Redwood National Park
The legendary trees of Redwood National Park stand stoically no matter the season so November is as good of a time as any to pay this California national park a visit. Roosevelt elk have finished mating by November, so although you won’t see many, you’re also avoiding the most aggressive period for the bulls. For wildlife viewing, the Klamath River Overlook is a scenic drive that lets you catch the annual gray whale migration through the Pacific.
Read next: Scenery for Every Season at California National Parks
12. Congaree National Park
One of the most overlooked national parks in the United States, Congaree National Park’s sweet spot is in early November. Flooding can still occur even without rain, but low chances of precipitation make backcountry hiking and camping a little more manageable. Fall colors are at their peak and average daily high temperatures hovering around 55℉ (12℃) bring a refreshing chill to the air without the threat of snowfall. The Boardwalk Loop is a 2.5-mile (4km) trail that’s accessible for many wheelchair, stroller, and low-impact users — making Congaree National Park a family-friendly and easy-to-tackle national park for a Thanksgiving getaway.
13. Hot Springs National Park
Feeling the chill of November? Warm up while soaking up the sights of Hot Springs National Park. Unlike many remote national parks across the country, Hot Springs is the only US national park located within a town. Although you cannot take a dip in the springs whilst surrounded by nature, you can absolutely enjoy the 4,000-year-old spring waters in one of two bathhouses.
Follow the flow and even touch the water on a trail hike. If you’re trying to work off your Thanksgiving dinner, you can begin the 100-mile journey across Arkansas Public lands via biking, hiking, swimming, or paddling to complete the Iron Ranger Challenge.
14. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Here’s one for the early birds who want to visit the parks and jump start their holiday season: plan a trip to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and thank us later. Leave the cooler weather at home and take advantage of gorgeous temperatures around 78℉ (25.5℃). Hike across lava fields to the Pu’uloa Petroglyphs then venture into the lush rainforest and into the Thurston Lava Tube. Time your visit just right and you’ll avoid the start of the rainy season.
Take in sights along Crater Rim Drive on our Hawaii with Oahu, Maui & the Big Island tour.
15. Gateway Arch National Park
The smallest in the United States and perhaps the most unexpected yet best national park to visit in November is Gateway Arch National Park. This historic site on the banks of the Mississippi River is different from most other national parks: aside from the iconic arch symbolizing the Gateway to the West and its accompanying museum, there’s little else.
The views are lovely, especially from the top of the Arch, but a visit to this national park is best enjoyed by embracing the city, too. From Forest Park’s quiet trails and free zoo to the tranquil Tower Grove Park adjacent to the Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis is a perfect city break to pair with a national park visit in November.
About Nick Dauk
Nick is an American travel writer based in Orlando. From visiting a Mayan god in Guatemala to sand boarding in Egypt to sniffing out white truffles in Italy, Nick embraces unique cultural experiences wherever and whenever he can. When he’s not lugging his backpack between Bogota and Bucharest, he’s carrying his children through the zoos and museums of Central Florida.
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