Summer is typically the prime time for campers to hit the trail, but you can take advantage of the sparse crowds and beautiful winter landscapes almost all National Parks have to offer from the comfort of your automobile.

1. Yosemite National Park

Yosemite National Park, located in Northern California's Sierra Mountains, is glorious during any season, but in the snowy winter months, the park — especially in the higher elevations like at Half Dome and El Cap, made famous by photographer Ansel Adams — sports a beautiful layer of fresh snowfall. Throughout December, the park's historic Ahwahnee Hotel hosts a Christmas-themed dinner, complete with costumed performers and holiday decorations, so make sure to bring your best Christmas outfit if you want to join in. Throw in skiing, both the downhill and cross-country varieties, and once-in-a-lifetime hiking opportunities, and you have yourself a perfect holiday park destination.

2. Yellowstone National Park

Perhaps the coldest of the national parks during the holiday season, Yellowstone offers wintertime visitors seclusion, small crowds, and stunning snow- and ice-covered scenery. Some areas of the park, including the Old Faithful Snow Lodge, are accessible only by snowmobile and snow coach, proving that the most adventurous winter travelers are rewarded at every turn in Yellowstone. Make sure to visit the park's most famous sight, Old Faithful, during the winter months — this geyser's steam freezes on the pine needles of nearby trees, forming otherworldly, picture-perfect "ghost trees". A visit to Yellowstone during the holidays is a completely different experience than one in the warmer months, so strap on your snowshoes and enjoy this winter dreamland during this special time.

3. Grand Canyon National Park

Most people don't think to visit this majestic Arizona park during the holidays, but those intrepid travelers that do end up having the 1,900-square-mile Grand Canyon National Park practically all to themselves. In addition to the sight of the famously humbling canyon, as well as the miles of hiking trails that are still open in the winter, the park really ramps up the holiday cheer as Christmas approaches by offering family-friendly train rides to the canyon's South Rim from Williams, Arizona. On the train ride, you can enjoy holiday-themed sweets as well as a visit from St. Nick himself reading The Night Before Christmas.

4. Virgin Islands National Park

Not everyone is enchanted with the idea of visiting a winter wonderland during the holidays. For those travelers that prefer to work on their tans as Christmas approaches over hitting the slopes, Virgin Island National Park is an ideal vacation spot. Instead of snowshoes and heavy jackets, throw on a swimsuit and some sunblock, and then hit the park's white sand beaches and enjoy the water either from a distance or with snorkel gear on. You can celebrate the holidays island-style — and don't forget your trip insurance, just in case you go from tanned to burned, or any other issues pop up while in Paradise.

5. President's Park

One of the most urban of all the national parks, President's Park in Washington, D.C. encompasses about 18 acres of the District of Columbia, including the White House, Lafayette Square and other surrounding attractions. Though most aren't aware of this area's national park status, it's hiding in plain sight and just waiting to be experienced during the festive season. Here, you'll find one of the most accessible of the holiday celebrations offered by the national parks and, while it may not be a week-long getaway in the middle of nowhere, where else can you enjoy a president-led tree lighting ceremony, as well as live music and the chance to meet Santa?

6. Rocky Mountain National Park

Perhaps the least traveled national park in the wintertime, Colorado's Rocky Mountain National Park is perfect for outdoor lovers that might want to avoid the typical Christmas celebrations but still want to surround themselves in a snowy paradise. Here, you can get away from it all, and experience what warm weather park visitors would never get to see and do, such as ranger-led snowshoe tours, snowboarding and skiing, and the chance to see wildlife such as elk, coyote and deer in their snow-covered habitat.

7. Everglades National Park

Another respite from the cold winter weather, Florida's Everglades National Park offers visitors a holiday vacation like no other. While others are busy shoveling their driveways, you can experience the one and a half million acres of the Everglades by land, by hiking and driving, or by water, on a canoe, kayak or boat. While this famously swampy destination may be in its dry season during the holidays — meaning fewer mosquitoes, hooray! — the winter is also when most people come to visit the Everglades, so you can expect one of the more crowded park experiences during the holidays in the Everglades.

Whenever taking adventurous vacations during the winter, or anytime during the year, Allianz Travel Insurance makes sure that you and your loved ones are covered, giving you piece of mind so you can focus on the things that really matter. Get a quote today!

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