8 places that show off the magic of a winter sunrise

There’s something exhilarating about seeing the sun rise over a picturesque mountain, lake, or forest scene in wintertime—maybe it’s the way all those bright pinks, purples, oranges, reds, and yellows seem to pop against a stark white snow-covered background. And in certain locales that experience fewer hours of daylight this time of the year, these dramatic early morning panoramas can be especially profound, serving as a natural reminder that the darkness won’t last forever. Here’s our list of the best places to see a spectacular sunrise this winter, from Japan’s Hokkaido Island to California’s Lake Tahoe.

For those on the East Coast, a visit to Acadia National Park is always a good idea, though it can be particularly special during the winter months when the crowds die down and the waves can be seen crashing against snow-covered shorelines. Plus, from October to March, the national park sees the very first sunrise of the continental U.S. To see the sunrise from the highest point in the park—and the entire U.S. eastern seaboard, at 1,530 feet—head to the summit of Cadillac Mountain, easily accessible via Park Loop Road and a 3.5-mile paved path to the top. On the southeastern end of the park, the Otter Point and Otter Cliff overlooks each offer stunning (and often less crowded) sunrise views by the water. You’ll find them both near the popular Ocean Path along Park Loop Road. Check the website to see which areas are open and accessible, especially if winter storms are passing through around the time you plan to visit.

Though worth a visit any time of year, Olympic National Park offers unparalleled winter wonderland scenery throughout the colder months of the calendar. If driving conditions allow—check the park’s Twitter account for the latest updates regarding road closures—catch an incredible sunrise along Hurricane Ridge, a scenic 17-mile drive that winds through picturesque peaks and snow-covered forests. For the best sunrise views, stroll the High Ridge Trail until you reach Sunrise Point, or drive to the end of Hurricane Ridge Road and hike to the summit of Hurricane Hill. The Hurricane Ridge Visitors Center (and its cafe and gift shop) remain open all winter long, and there are dedicated zones for skiing, snowboarding, and tubing. Traveling with little ones? Head to the Children’s Snowplay Area located just off the visitors’ center, where kids ages eight and under can snow tube and sled for free (older kids must use the snow tubing park).

Stretching into two states, Lake Tahoe is the largest alpine lake in North America—and the second deepest at a whopping 1,645 feet deep. For a photo-worthy winter sunrise, head to the Inspiration Point lookout in Emerald Bay State Park, located about 30 minutes from Tahoe City on the California side (check to see if Highway 89 is open first, as winter weather may affect the area), or Sand Harbor in Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park, just a 10-minute drive from Incline Village. Each spot offers stellar views of the lake’s bright blue waters as well as the surrounding snow-capped mountains. Whichever side you decide to visit, you’ll never be too far from a world-class ski resort, like the family-owned Sugar Bowl, renowned for its prime backcountry ski access.

Located amid the Laurentian Mountains in Eastern Canada’s Québec province, Mont-Tremblant is a major hub of wintertime activity, bringing in skiing, snowboarding, and fat-tire cycling enthusiasts from all over the world. Mont-Tremblant is a two-hour drive from Montreal or Ottawa, with nonstop flights also available from a number of U.S. cities. Catch the sun peeking over the horizon from your perch at one of the village’s resorts—many of them have balconies for enjoying mountain and town views, while lakeside Hôtel Quintessence offers unparalleled views of Lac Tremblant. Then, take a ride on the gondola for panoramic morning views, and enjoy a bit of snowshoeing once you’ve reached the summit. Skiers who want to enjoy an unforgettable sunrise view from the gondola can purchase a First Tracks pass, which allows early access to the mountain a full 45 minutes before it opens to the public.

Fans of Outlander and Harry Potter will recognize the Glencoe National Nature Reserve, as it has made frequent appearances as a backdrop for films and TV shows. But, this dramatic stretch of wilderness in the Scottish Highlands is also a spectacular spot to spend the dawn hours off-screen. Whether you’re using the nearby town of Glencoe as your base, or passing through the area during a day trip from Edinburgh, Glasgow, or Inverness, the cinematic views from the nearly 14,000-acre park and the River Coe make the reserve a worthy addition to your itinerary. Located along the A82 scenic drive, well-visited viewpoints for An Torr, Signal Rock, Loch Achtriochtan, Hidden Valley, and the Three Sisters make wonderful places to see the sun come up. After soaking in the sunrise, stop by Glencoe Mountain Resort (about 20 minutes’ drive from the reserve) for winter sports or fresh-baked treats from the onsite cafe.

While northern Japan’s Hokkaido island is studded with incredible places to see the sunrise surrounded by nature, it’s hard to beat Shikotsu-Toya National Park in the winter months, when its rugged landscapes are covered in a fresh blanket of snow. Home to several active stratovolcanoes (including Mt. Yōtei, which bears a striking resemblance to the iconic Mt. Fuji) as well as scenic lakes Toya and Shikotsu, you’ll have your pick of options for unforgettable sunrise views. Head to the Poropinai Observatory Deck for a picturesque look at Lake Shikotsu or the Silo Observation Deck to see Lake Toya as the sun comes up. If you’d rather catch a sunrise from the slopes, check out the family-friendly Furano Ski Resort or the deep powder Niseko Annupuri International Ski Area, located within a couple hours’ drive of Shikotsu-Toya.

Tucked away in the heart of the Julian Alps, the crystalline Lake Bled looks like something out of a fairytale—so naturally, it’s a magical choice for sunrise-watching. Soak in the views of the sun-drenched lake, the red-roofed Bled Castle, and the surrounding mountain peaks from Mala Osojnica. Making the 45-minute hike up the mountain is absolutely worth it for the photos, though there are also several panoramic lookouts near the trailhead and elsewhere around the lake, like the Instagram-worthy Heart of Bled sculpture. Guided tours and day trips to the 98-foot-deep alpine lake are available from Ljubljana, just a 40-minute drive away, or as far as Zagreb, roughly two hours to the east in central Croatia. Use Bled as your base to visit some of the country’s best skiing and snowboarding areas, including the Vogel Ski Center and the Kranjska Gora and Krvavec regions, which also offer plenty of opportunities for wintertime hikes, snowshoeing, and other seasonal activities.

It doesn’t get much better than seeing one of Switzerland’s most iconic mountains, The Matterhorn, rising high over Zermatt at sunrise—unless, of course, you count the view of it from the top of its neighboring peak, Gornergrat, which you can reach by cog railway as the sun comes up. While you’re in town, it’s also worth riding the gondola to the top of the legendary peak itself at Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, where from its perch 12,739 feet above sea level, you’ll be able to spot 14 glaciers and 38 other mountain peaks, each measuring more than 13,000 feet tall. For more incredible early morning views, try the Five Lakes Walk from Zermatt, which leads you along an epic 6.8-mile trail past five alpine lakes—Leisee, Moosjisee, Grünsee, Grindjisee, and Stellisee—all within view of the majestic Matterhorn.