Whether you call it Nordic skiing or cross-country skiing, we’re about to see a whole lot of it during the February Olympic games. And if you’re wanting to try your own hands and legs at the sport, America’s slate of stunning national parks offer some of the most perfect place(s) in which to do so.
With well-maintained trail systems that transform into winter wonderlands best tackled on skis, a cross-country skiing trip is a great reason to rent an RV and make your way to some of the most beautiful preserved landscapes in America. And, of course, we’ve got all the details you need to do it right, including our hand-picked list of the best national parks in the U.S. for cross-country skiing and Nordic trails.
What Makes a Great National Park for Nordic Skiing
While many of America’s national parks offer incredible cross-country skiing opportunities (alongside other winter sports and leisure activities), we’ve hand-selected a few of our favorites below for their exceptional landscapes, high snowfall, and other features. Some standout reasons the national parks below are great choices for Nordic skiing:
- Groomed and ungroomed trail systems
- Varied terrain for beginners through advanced skiers
- Reliable snow each season — and access to the park during winter
- Proximity to RV-friendly campgrounds and winter lodging
And, of course, when you rent an RV on RVshare, you’ll be able to bring all your gear along with you without any headache, or annoying wait for bulky checked baggage upon arrival.
Best National Parks for Cross-Country Skiing and Nordic Trails
Let’s dive into our favorite national parks for cross-country and Nordic skiing.
Yosemite National Park (California)
Even if you’ve seen it in the summertime, Yosemite National Park is well worth a return visit once its one-of-a-kind features are buried under a fresh blanket of snow. Come see how the park is transformed — and enjoy miles of groomed trails that are absolutely perfect for cross-country skiing. You’ll find opportunities for both class style and skate-skiing here, too.
Best Months for Nordic Skiing:
- December through March bring the most reliable snowfall (and you’ll enjoy fewer crowds, too)
Why It Is Ideal for Cross-Country Skiing:
- Explore an extensive network of groomed trails in Yosemite Valley and Badger Pass area
- Benefit from the perfect combination of scenic, relatively gentle valley terrain combined with higher-elevation challenges — there’s truly something here for every skier
- Finally, as mentioned above, discover opportunities for both classic and skate skiing
RV Camping Options:
- A few Yosemite campgrounds are open all year and also allow RVs, but closures can happen, so always check the official NPS website
- You’ll also find RV parks and year-round campgrounds in nearby towns such as Groveland and Mariposa
Rocky Mountain National Park (Colorado)
While visitors flock to Rocky Mountain National Park in the summer for blooming Alpine meadows, shimmering blue lakes, and hiking opportunities that just can’t be found anywhere else, the wintertime brings a whole new vibe to this land of extremes. Above the treeline, high-altitude trails give you the opportunity to train like you mean it, whether on skis or otherwise, and at the other extreme, backcountry-style routes offer sweeping views punctuated with cozy forested areas.
Best Months for Nordic Skiing:
- November through April will be cold enough to support fresh powder, though always check snowfall reports ahead of time
Why It Is Ideal for Cross-Country Skiing:
- With dozens of peaks over 12,000 feet — and 20 reaching as high as 13,000 — this park is the go-to for high-altitude trails ideal for endurance training
- You’ll also find backcountry-style routes with wide-open alpine views which are more accessible for beginners
- Last but not least, criss-cross your way among snow-packed roads used as ski routes in winter, whose wide margins are also beginner-friendly
RV Camping Options:
- RMNP’s Moraine Campground is open and reservable during the winter season, with electrical hookups, freshwater fill and dump stations (though no ice or firework are for sale during this time)
- Again, you can also check out private RV parks and winter-friendly campgrounds in Estes Park and surrounding communities
Grand Teton National Park (Wyoming)
We can forgive the French-Canadian fur trappers who gave Grand Teton National Park its name — after all, they’d been traveling for a long time. All you need to know in your own travels is that this is a park that combines long-distance Nordic trails with unbeatable views along with smaller-than-average annual visitor numbers, and those numbers get even smaller when you visit during the winter. Translation: Peace, quiet, and plenty of wide-open trails to sink into.
Best Months for Nordic Skiing:
- December through March is the time to arrive for powder and tranquility
Why It Is Ideal for Cross-Country Skiing:
- Take your time along long-distance Nordic trails through valley floors and open meadows
- Feel your strength on terrain similar to Olympic-style Nordic courses
- Enjoy absolutely exceptional mountain scenery throughout ski routes, truly like nowhere else on earth
RV Camping Options:
- Although most of the campgrounds inside Grand Teton National Park close during the winter season, you can find nearby campgrounds in the surrounding cities (like Jackson) and natural areas
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Yellowstone National Park (Wyoming, Montana, Idaho)
Not every national park bears the distinction of inhabiting three different states — nor of being the very first designated national park not only in our nation’s roster, but in the world. But Yellowstone National Park isn’t every national park. It’s the largest intact volcanic landscape of its kind, and in the winter, it’s even more dynamic and otherworldly than during the warm season. Imagine cross-country skiing through an alien landscape filled with geothermal features like brightly-colored pools and geysers shooting up through snow. Yeah, it’s worth the trip.
Best Months for Nordic Skiing:
- This park has a slightly shorter cross-country skiing season, so aim to arrive between December and February
Why It Is Ideal for Cross-Country Skiing:
- It’s a truly unique opportunity to ski groomed trails that navigate through geothermal basins and forests
- This particular juxtaposition of snow-covered trees and geothermal features cannot be found anywhere else in the world
- Enjoy the Easter Egg feel of getting to see ski-in-only areas closed to vehicles in winter
RV Camping Options:
Acadia National Park (Maine)
We couldn’t let the west-coasters have all the fun! If you live in New York or New England — or simply want to see (and ski) one of the most dynamic parts of our country — Acadia National Park should not be missed. While this one can be a bit harder to access in the winter with no on-site campground options, the nearby town of Bar Harbor is both cute and cozy, and there are private RV campgrounds in the surrounding areas. Did we mention the park features a well-trodden network of historic carriage trails that magically convert with snowfall into the perfect Nordic skiing course?
Best Months for Nordic Skiing:
- January through March offer reliable snow, but with the salt-spray air, it can get seriously cold — so pack accordingly
Why It Is Ideal for Cross-Country Skiing:
- The famous carriage roads you may have been carried down behind a horse in the summer time are converted by the snow into scenic Nordic ski routes
- Is there anything more romantic than coastal winter scenery with rolling terrain and pink granite peaks? We think not
- With its relatively lower altitudes and proximity to population centers, this one is well-suited for recreational and intermediate skiers
RV Camping Options:
Mount Rainier National Park (Washington)
If you’ve never visited Mount Rainier National Park, you’re seriously missing out. The most heavily glaciated peak in the lower 48, this imposing and impressive volcano is a totally different beast in the winter and the summer. Both are worth seeing — and the wintertime especially for cross-country skiers. With its massive elevation and beautiful surrounding forest areas, this national park offers deep snowpack and a long winter season, giving you plenty of time and space to feel out the sport. The views, of course, are unmatched, and you can choose between serious endurance training and more relaxed exploration. The options are endless, but all worthwhile.
Best Months for Nordic Skiing:
- The December through April season means you have four long months — a whole quarter of the year — to make your way to the park for this purpose
Why It Is Ideal for Cross-Country Skiing:
- This majestic mountain combines deep snowpack with a nice, long winter season to give you plenty of opportunities and flexibility
- The park’s open terrain is ideal for both endurance and elevation training
- Along the way, you won’t miss unforgettable views of glaciers and alpine landscapes
RV Camping Options:
Planning an RV Trip for Nordic Skiing in National Parks
Once you’ve got your skis, boots, and gaiters, you’ll also want to figure out the perfect rental RV vehicle for your trip. If you’re renting on RVshare, here’s how to make sure you’re set up the right way with the perfect cozy home base after you busy days of skiing.
- Consider a smaller rig. Yes, Class A motorcoaches and fifth-wheel trailers are luxurious, but in snowy conditions and on windy mountain roads, a Class B campervan can be easier to navigate
- Make sure it’s winter-ready. The RV owner you rent from will be able to give you more details, but chances are you’re going to want a furnace — and protection like snow tires and chains, too
- Check the weather and roads ahead of time. Even if the park is officially open, the way in might be under snow. Most states offer up-to-date information during the winter if you search for the state name as well as “road condition cameras”
- Stay avalanche-safe. Mother Nature is beautiful, but she’s also nothing to mess with! Many of the parks we’ve listed above see many avalanches during the winter time, especially Mount Rainier. Always be sure to keep your wits about you and listen to Park Rangers
Why Renting an RV from RVshare Is the Best Way to Experience Nordic Skiing Trips
Why do we think an RV is the best way to travel? Well, because all of us here on the team have done it, and it speaks for itself. In case you need just a bit more convincing, though, consider this: RVshare offers RV rentals of all shapes, types, and sizes near every major national park gateway and beyond. Renting a rig offers you flexible travel options for changing snow and weather conditions, and you’ll have the comfort and convenience of tucking into the same warm bed each night between your ski sessions (and never having to unpack or repack your suitcase to switch hotels). Plus, RV travel makes it easy to carry heavy or bulky equipment, i.e. your cross-country skis — and you don’t have to worry about maintenance or long-term ownership costs. It’s truly an ideal way to get around, whether you’re considering a single-park trip or a whole multi-park Nordic circuit!
Speaking of which…
Sample Nordic Ski Road Trip Ideas
Here are some quick sample itineraries for a Nordic ski road trip you’ll never forget — and that incorporate other wonderful national parks as well!
- Western Parks Nordic Skiing Loop: Start out at Lassen Volcanic, then navigate north to Crater Lake and eventually Mount Rainier for varied terrain and snow quality
- Rocky Mountain High-Altitude Endurance Route: After Rocky Mountain NP, hit both Grand Teton and Yellowstone, emphasizing long climbs and thin-air training
- Sierra Nevada Snow Classics Tour: Start at Yosemite (we said classic, after all), then head south to Sequoia & Kings Canyon for dramatic scenery and groomed Nordic routes
- Upper Midwest Nordic Heritage Trip: The midwest gets powder, too! Start out at Isle Royale before heading to Pictured Rocks (where you can ski along the lakeshore), and finish at Voyageurs for quiet forests and frozen lakes
Without a doubt, our national parks provide some of the best Nordic skiing terrain in the U.S. — and most travelers have them on their bucket lists anyway. Even ones you’ve already visited in the summertime totally transform in the winter, making them well worth another look.
Cross-country skiing like an Olympian (or like a beginner!) are totally accessible to everyday travelers, especially when you travel in the comfort and convenience of an RVshare rental vehicle. These cozy, loved- and lived-in rigs make winter Nordic adventurers easier and more comfortable, so you can focus on keeping the effort where it belongs: on the trail!