Getting ready for the 2026 Winter Olympics? What better way to get into the spirit than by trying out your own hand (or foot!) at winter olympic sports national parks?
Train Like an Olympian Without Leaving the U.S.
While few will be lucky enough to view the Olympians up close and personal in Milan this February (and fewer still will be lucky and strong enough to count themselves among them), you absolutely can train like an Olympian this winter, all without leaving the U.S. Many of our country’s national parks offer the perfect practicing grounds for those interested in winter Olympic sports, including:
- Cross-country skiing
- Ice skating (provided ponds and lakes freeze hard enough)
- Ski mountaineering (Aka Skimo, a new Olympic sport debuting this year)
- Snowshoeing (which is represented in the Special Olympics)
That’s alongside other fun and challenging winter sports like ice climbing, winter hiking, winter wildlife tracking, winter backcountry camping, cold-weather landscape photography, astrophotography and more.
By now, you know that RVing is our very favorite way to travel. After all, we’ve made it our entire business! But if you’re truly considering suiting up to get into some Olympic (or non-Olympic) winter sports, an RV will keep you cozy and comfortable when you’re done with your hard work for the day. It also makes it a lot easier to carry any equipment you need to get into the game.
Why National Parks Are Ideal for Olympic-Style Winter Training
Okay, so why national parks? Glad you asked. Our nation’s roster of preserved landscapes include diverse terrain that make lots of outdoor sports possible, such as:
- Snowy mountains
- Frozen lakes
- Forested trailways
- Alpine valleys
Many of the parks, and especially the ones we’ve catalogued below, offer well-maintained winter trails and recreation infrastructure. And that means there are plenty of opportunities for beginners and advanced athletes alike, as well as options to combine serious training with sightseeing and more leisurely outdoor adventures.
National Parks Where You Can Try Winter Olympic Sports
Without further ado, let’s get into it! Here are our top six parks for training like a real-deal Olympian this winter.
1. Yosemite National Park (California)
One of the most popular national parks in the country for very good reason, Yosemite National Park has a long and storied history of sport — including, of course, the famous first free solo (ropeless ascent) of El Capitan by climber Alex Honnold. Winter visitors will be welcomed with fewer crowds, as well as the opportunity to try plenty of Olympic-style winter sports (and other winter leisure activities). Just be sure that you’re aware of safety precautions and have proper gear and training, especially for riskier ventures like ice climbing.
Olympic-Style Winter Sports:
- Cross-country skiing
- Snowshoeing
- Ice climbing
Best Months to Visit:
- December through March, especially for sports like ice climbing which require a hard freeze
Why It Stands Out:
- Extensive groomed ski trails in Yosemite Valley and Tuolumne Meadows are open in the winter
- Iconic granite walls are regularly used for world-class ice climbing
- Ranger-led snowshoe walks are available in winter
RV Camping Options:
- Yosemite Valley campgrounds with limited winter access and no hookups
- Nearby RV parks and campgrounds in Groveland and Mariposa
2. Rocky Mountain National Park (Colorado)
John Denver sang about the “Colorado Rocky Mountain high,” and when you reach these altitudes, you’ll understand what he was talking about. Rocky Mountain National Park offers some of the most intense alpine terrain anywhere in the lower 48, with over 60 peaks topping 12,000 feet, dozens over 13,000 feet, and Longs Peak, one of Colorado’s 48 so-called 14ers (mountains over 14,000 feet tall).
Visiting in winter means you’ll get to explore that vast above-treeline terrain in relative peace and solitude, granted you have the skills to do so safely. Keep in mind that high altitudes mean extremely quick weather shifts are possible, so always have your wits, as well as extra layers, water, and food, about you.
Olympic-Style Winter Sports:
- Cross-country skiing
- Snowshoeing
Best Months to Visit:
- November through April
Why It Stands Out:
- Vast amounts of high-altitude terrain are ideal for endurance training
- Plenty of backcountry-style skiing routes and wide open snowfields
RV Camping Options:
- Rocky Mountain National Park does offer opportunities for winter camping, including electricity hookups
- You’ll also find RV-friendly campgrounds in Estes Park and the surrounding areas
3. Grand Teton National Park (Wyoming)
While neighboring Yellowstone, just north of Grand Teton, was the first designated national park in our roster, this Wyoming park is something of a hidden gem — and a great opportunity for those looking to practice Olympic-style (and other) winter sports. (And don’t worry, we’re going to come back to Yellowstone in just a moment!)
Along with enjoying a quieter scene than you might in its northward neighbor, Grand Teton National Park bears the distinction of offering the most dramatic mountain rise in North America: its namesake mountains crest directly up out of the valley floor, rising almost 7,000 feet above it. This isn’t a place with soft foothills and gentle onramps. It’s a one-of-a-kind land of extremes.
Olympic-Style Winter Sports:
- Cross-country skiing
- Snowshoeing
Best Months to Visit:
- December through March
Why It Stands Out:
- Cross-country for miles on long-distance ski trails with dramatic alpine scenery
- The terrain here is very similar to Nordic Olympic training courses
RV Camping Options:
- Winter RV camping options near Jackson, along with nearby national forest campgrounds with seasonal access
4. Yellowstone National Park (Wyoming, Montana, Idaho)
As promised, back to Yellowstone we go! No winter sports fan’s journey would be complete without a visit to this truly one-of-a-kind landscape. The planet’s largest intact temperate volcanic system is a dynamic and constantly shifting place to explore any time of year, but in the winter, the juxtaposition between snow and heated thermal pools makes it more intriguing than ever. (And, of course, less crowded.) With the opportunity to view wildlife it’s hard to find elsewhere in the lower 48, including wolves, bison, bears, elk, long days on snowshoes or cross-country skis are apt to sound a lot more appealing.
Olympic-Style Winter Sports:
- Cross-country skiing
- Snowshoeing
Best Months to Visit:
- December through February
Why It Stands Out:
- Snow-covered geyser basins and wildlife viewing make longer days skiing or snowshoeing well worth it
- The park boasts one of the most unique winter training environments in the country
RV Camping Options:
- Of the in-park options, only Mammoth Campground is open year-round, and while RVs are allowed, there are no hookups
- You’ll also find private RV parks and campgrounds in nearby West Yellowstone and Gardiner
5. Acadia National Park (Maine)
So far, we’ve been focused on the American west — and it’s true that the majority of our national parks are clustered there. But the east coast has some formidable landscapes of its own to explore, and Acadia National Park is one of the most breathtaking. Picture pink granite ridges right up against a rambunctious Atlantic Ocean, not to mention the distinction of seeing one of the very first sunrises that hits the U.S. each day. (And, of course, world-class opportunities for Olympic-style winter sports training.)
Olympic-Style Winter Sports:
- Cross-country skiing
- Snowshoeing
Best Months to Visit:
- January through March
Why It Stands Out:
- The park’s network of historic carriage roads are ideal for Nordic skiing
- You’ll enjoy coastal winter scenery rarely found in other national parks
RV Camping Options:
- Unfortunately, there is no winter camping inside the park
- But you can explore RV parks and campgrounds in nearby coastal towns
6. Mount Rainier National Park (Washington)
Back on the other side of the country (in fact, almost a direct line east from Acadia), Mount Rainier is one of Washington’s most overlooked national parks, which means it’s an incredible opportunity for you. Although it’s hard to compete with parks like Olympic and North Cascades, Mount Rainier is one of the only preserved landscapes that allows you to fully experience a single, dominant glaciated volcano — the most heavily glaciated peak in the entire contiguous United States, in fact. That also makes it one of the very best places to practice (and certainly observe) avalanche safety: every year, there can be hundreds of avalanches, so always observe daily avalanche danger forecasts.
Olympic-Style Winter Sports:
- Snowshoeing
- Cross-country skiing
Best Months to Visit:
- December through April
Why It Stands Out:
- Deep snowfall make for one-of-a-kind cross-country skiing opportunities and incredible glacier views
- This is a popular winter training ground for endurance athletes, so you’ll be sweating it out alongside actual pros
RV Camping Options:
- Most campgrounds inside the park undergo seasonal closures
- However, check out RV-friendly campgrounds and parks in neighboring Ashford and Enumclaw
Planning an RV Trip for Winter Sports Training
Now that you’ve got some destinations in mind, here are some tips for planning the RV travel part of the journey.
- Choose the right RV for winter conditions. If you’re traveling to a place with tight turnarounds and narrow roads, smaller rigs will probably work better than big fifth wheels and Class As — and no matter what rig you rent, make sure it’s winterized.
- Bring cold-weather gear. It may sound obvious, but if you show up without warm layers or tire chains, you’re going to be upset with yourself!
- Double-check the roads. Mountain passes and other areas that can be impacted by winter weather can undergo seasonal closures. Many national parks publish this information on their websites, but you can also rely on third-party platforms like Oregon’s TripCheck or Washington’s real-time travel data.
- Time your visit wisely. If you’re hoping to do snow sports, that means waiting until the snow conditions are optimal and powdery. If you come too early or too late in the season, your chances are dicier!
Why Renting an RV from RVshare Is the Best Way to Train Like an Olympian
When you rent an RV on RVshare, you’ll have access to winter-ready RVs near most major national parks. (We’ve also recently launched one-way RV rentals that can make it easier to plan your trip if you’re flying into or out of certain hub cities.) You’ll have the ability to stay close to trailheads and ski areas, shortening your morning getting-ready ritual as well as the distance you’ll have to travel to get back to your warm bed at night. And, of course, you won’t have to worry about long-term ownership or storage costs — it’s the best of both worlds.
The national parks are already on many travelers’ bucket lists, and they offer an accessible way to experience Olympic-style winter sports along with other snowy adventures. RV travel is an unmatched way to enjoy the winter landscape with convenience and flexibility — and we’ve got you covered on the rig that’ll make it easier for you to train, explore, and conquer the world like an Olympian without leaving the U.S. Start your adventure today!
