This paper presents the results of a reduced-scale physical model investigation into the behavior of retaining walls subject to cycles of freezing and thawing due to seasonal temperature change. Reduced-scale model walls equipped with a temperature control chamber that can simulate freezing and thawing conditions were first constructed and a series of tests were conducted with due consideration of different initial water contents of backfill soil and soil types. The results indicate that cycles of freezing and thawing process increase wall deformation as well as earth pressure acting on the wall. Also revealed was that the effect of the freezing and thawing cycles becomes more pronounced for cases with a larger initial water content and for soils with a larger fine content. Practical implications of the findings from this study are discussed in great detail.