We have enjoyed a 50-year love affair with America’s national parks. It began during the summer of 1969 with multiple national park visits during a drive from Florida to northern Alberta, Canada. Heading west against the wind on a Wyoming highway to visit Yellowstone National Park, our underpowered 1967 VW camper was unable to make the posted minimum speed limit of 45 mph. This lengthy but delightful trip proved to be the starting point for over five decades of visits to America’s national parks. It seems only appropriate on this Valentine’s Day to share with you some of the February beauty available to everyone through national park webcams.  By the way, a winter visit to Yellowstone is an experience not to be missed.

Devils Tower National Monument, Wyoming – A 7 a.m. sunrise on February 8 highlights the impressive magma-cooled monolith at the center of America’s first national monument. Temperature at the time was minus 12 Fahrenheit. The view is from the amphitheater near the campground where we have spent many nights including several prior to when the aliens landed and welcomed Richard Dreyfuss to their spaceship. 

Devils Tower National Monument in February/NPS

Isle Royale National Park, Michigan – The temp was minus 11 Fahrenheit at 9 a.m. on February 8 when the webcam offered this image of NPS summer headquarters on Mott Island. Isle Royale is void of humans including NPS personnel during winter.  The Isle Royale webcam operates off solar panels.

Isle Royale National Park/NPS

Shenandoah National Park, Virginia – It was just below freezing at 9 a.m. on February 8 at Big Meadows, where we camped one summer in a fog so thick it was impossible to see the neighboring campsite. The view is toward the south from Byrd Visitor Center.

Shenandoah National Park/NPS 

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Colorado – On 8 a.m. on February 8 it was 38 Fahrenheit when we captured this screenshot directed toward Gunnison Point Overlook from the park visitor center.  In places the narrow canyon is over a half-mile deep.

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park/NPS

Olympic National Park, Washington – The February 8 temperature was 10 Fahrenheit at 9 a.m. on Hurricane Ridge when the park webcam offered this view of the Bailey Range.  A general manager at the park’s Lake Crescent Lodge told us during a summer stay that driving to the Hurricane Ridge gift shop and equipment rental area during winter could be “brutal.”

Olympic National Park/NPS

Glacier National Park, Montana – This February 9 webcam shot of the Two Medicine Area in the southeast corner of Glacier National Park illustrates why Glacier is one of our nation’s most scenic parks and one of our favorite places to visit. The afternoon temp at the time was minus 2 Fahrenheit.

Glacier National Park/NPS

Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming – As might be expected, a heavy blanket of snow covered the west entrance to the world’s first national park at noon on February 8. Only two of the park’s nine lodges are normally open during the winter months. During one January morning visit we were the only two individuals at Old Faithful Geyser after struggling from Old Faithful Snow Lodge on snowshoes.

Yellowstone National Park/NPS

Denali National Park, Alaska – That it was minus 19 Fahreheit at noon on February 9 at the time of this screenshot of the park’s railway station may not be a surprise. After all, this is Alaska, and it should be cold.  Following several days of rain and cold while camping in the park one summer, Kay rolled over and muttered, “What in God’s name am I doing here?” Fortunately, the following day welcomed us with beautiful sunshine during our ride to Wonder Lake on a park bus. 

Denali National Park and Preserve/NPS

Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming – It was 10 Fahrenheit on February 9 in Grand Teton when we captured this afternoon screenshot of the American Alpine Club’s Climbers Ranch in the Wyoming park. The ranch is four miles north of park headquarters, a short distance south of Jenny Lake. 

Grand Teton National Park/American Climbers Club

Yosemite National Park, California – With a February 10 afternoon temperature of 52 degrees, snow still covers Yosemite Valley in this webcam view of famed Half Dome.  We have visited Yosemite on numerous occasions, none more enjoyable than a decade ago during a late December stay.  We walked through the snow-covered valley and enjoyed the park’s beauty in a pleasant silence.  

Yosemite National Park/Yosemite Conservancy

Crater Lake National Park, Oregon – Crater Lake averages 43 feet of snow annually and this webcam shot from February 8 shows Steel Visitor Center might have some access difficulty.  Crater Lake lodge overlooking America’s deepest lake (1,943 feet) has long been one of our favorite stops.

Crater Lake National Park/NPS

Lassen Volcanic National Park, California – This February 8 capture is from a webcam facing north from the Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center in the southwest corner of what we consider one of the most underrated national parks in the country.  The 30-mile park highway winds around Lassen Peak and offers access to Lassen’s thermal areas.  We have spent many pleasant nights camping beside Manzanita Lake in the northwestern corner of the park.

Lassen Volcanic National Park/NPS file

Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado – This park webcam captures Spruce Tree House, one of the park’s best-preserved cliff dwellings.  Park historians estimate by the late 1270s Spruce Tree House was home to up to 19 households. Although the park averages 68 inches of snow annually, the temperature was 47 Fahrenheit at 3 p.m. on Febuary 9 when this webcam shot was recorded.

Mesa Verde National Park/NPS