How about visiting the Grand Canyon? Check out the video!

Here are some links to check out:

http://www.grandcanyon.com/camping.html

http://www.grand.canyon.national-park.com

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Canyon

http://www.nps.gov/archive/grca/grandcanyon/

http://www.nps.gov/grca/
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Yellowstone is great in the snow. If you like bird photography, Bosque del Apache outside of Socorro, NM, is great in early January, since there are tons of geese there. Also, visiting some of the NPs on the Western slope of the Sierras (Yosemite, King's Canyon, Sequoia) are excellent choices as well, since you can hit multiple parks in a short time.

If you do not mind to sleep in your car while it's snowing outside, I would go to Southern Utah. Specifically, Zion NP is great at this time of the year. Within a few hours, you can reach the North rim of the Grand Canyon and within another few hours, you are in Bryce Canyon. And if you do not mind driving a bit, Arches NP, Canyonland and others are not that far away...
Source(s):
personal experience, National Geographic's National Parks book

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Since it's winter, I'd recommend Death Valley area.
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Zion and Bryce. Both are near each other. But they offer a lot of amazing opportunities to take very different pictures under very different lighting conditions.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/tedtschopp/sets/72157608802895242/

http://picasaweb.google.com/tedtschopp/Bryce?feat=directlink

Those are random pictures from an amateur (me)
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I would have to say Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming and small parts of Montana and Idaho.

There are lakes, rivers, mountains, gysers, canyons, wildlife, caves, active volcanos, waterfalls, hot springs and more!

It is absolutely beautiful at any time of the year.
Source(s):
http://www.nps.gov/yell/photosmultimedia/webcams.htm

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http://myweb.cableone.net/prueheart/bearhat.jpg

For rugged scenery and wildlife I would steer you to Glacier National Park in Montana. I've always felt this park is much wilder than the other National Parks I've been to. Wildlife includes Grizzly Bears, Wolfs, Lynx, Wolverines, Mountain Goats, Elk, Cougars, and Bighorn Sheep. Because of their Glacier Origin the mountains are especially rugged and fully of beautiful alpine vistas and lakes. Glacier is the closest you can come in the lower 48 to experiencing Alaska. (If you have time check out Denali in Alaska sometime!)

For more information check out...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbpIOXaHID0&feature=related

http://www.nps.gov/glac/index.htm

http://www.nps.gov/archive/glac/eHikes/gttsrhistory/gttsrhistory_final.htm
Source(s):
Personal visit
National Park Website
Youtube

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Many people have recommended Yosemite, but many of the trails are closed in the winter due to snow. You should probably check with the park before you decide to go: http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/hours.htm

I think that Arches National Park has many beautiful and unique sites. It's one of the most popular for photographers. Many of the hikes are a little steep and difficult to bring heavy camera equipment up, so make sure you talk to the park rangers before you start. http://www.nps.gov/arch/

Glacier National Park is supposed to be beautiful... especially in the winter.

I would do a search online on Google Images for national park pictures and see what appeals to you. You should pick a terrain that you love because that passion will come out through your photographs.

Different areas offer such different challenges as far as terrain. For example, photographing snow well seems to be difficult for new photographers since it's easy to overexpose/underexpose . So maybe somewhere warmer would be a better idea to start out with since you aren't as familiar with your new camera.

Since it's winter, the Southwest might be a nicer area because there aren't as many 'dead-looking' trees that have lost their leaves for the winter. Plus, it's warmer so you get to spend more time outside to play with your new camera than taking pictures and then constantly rushing inside to get warm.

Good luck!
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You can't go wrong with Yosemite. Yosemite is beautiful in the winter.

http://www.hotelcharlotte.com/images/yosemite/yosemite-winter4-loves-photography.jpg
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California is hard to beat for variety. I'd start at Yosemite National Park then go north to the Redwood National Park on the California coast. The variety of terrain from the Sierra Nevada range to the coast range on the Pacific Ocean makes California a top choice. You can do both in the same trip and the camping is world class.
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