Bryce Canyon National Park   |  Hage Photo

Utah National Parks in Winter

Hoodoos sprinkled in snow. Deserted desert trails. Slot canyons of solitude. Sure, national park visits go hand-in-hand with warm weather. But the best national parks in winter offer a few perks summer doesn’t: unmatched beauty and fewer people.

Thanks to mild winter temperatures, park enthusiasts enjoy the Mighty 5 — Zion National Park, Arches National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, Canyonlands National Park and Capitol Reef National Park — all winter long. Parkgoers can also experience nearby Southern Utah towns that offer golf, local eateries, art galleries, ice fishing, snowshoeing, Nordic skiing, mountain biking and hiking trails. 

How to Visit Southern Utah in Winter Forever Mighty

Park Preparedness for Winter

While winter weather in Southern Utah can be mild, cooler and widely fluctuating temperatures with intermittent rain and snow exist. Nights and shaded areas are quite chilly, even when exploring in the sunshine is delightful. 

  • Check weather and current road conditions often. Winter weather changes quickly bringing sudden storms.
  • Research business hours in advance. Businesses in Utah’s smaller communities sometimes close for the season. 
  • Layer up and wear shoes with tread. Microspikes work great on hard, icy surfaces.

How to Pack for Winter in Southern Utah

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01

5 Days

Winter Aglow in Southeastern Utah

Find your sense of adventure and awe in the vast yet intricate swaths of desert from Arches National Park to Monument Valley. From delicate river-fed ecosystems to crimson-hued rock buttresses, this magical landscape is awash in history, dating back thousands of years to the original Native American settlers to whom these places were sacred.

Adventure, Hiking, History and Heritage, Native American, Non-ski Winter Activities, Scenic Drives/Road Trips, Stargazing

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02

4 Days

A Winter Trip Through the Heart of Utah’s Desert

Experience a world unlike anything you’ve ever imagined in the high desert mountains and plummeting canyons of south-central Utah. You’ll step into two national parks, three state parks, and all the scenic winding roads your heart could desire.

Camping & Backpacking, Hiking, History and Heritage, Non-ski Winter Activities, Scenic Drives/Road Trips, Stargazing

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03

5 Days

Larger Than Life: Winter in Southwestern Utah

This desert is dramatic. In a really good way. Experience the towering heights of Zion, the depths of Buckskin Gulch, the dunes of Snow Canyon, the sunset over Gooseberry. Southern Utah’s wilds are wearing their winter splendor.

Camping & Backpacking, Climbing & Canyoneering, Cycling, Fishing, Glamping, Hiking, Mountain Biking, Non-ski Winter Activities, Scenic Drives/Road Trips, Stargazing

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04

5 Days

Winter's Summits and Rockscapes

There’s no better way to experience a bit of everything Utah offers. Ski its heavenly powder snow, then point your car southward to wind your way through the exquisite Bryce Canyon National Park, Zion National Park and a series of crimson-hued state park gems along the way.

Hiking, Non-ski Winter Activities, Scenic Drives/Road Trips, Ski and Snowboard, Stargazing

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05

5 Days

Alpine, Après and Arches

Timed perfectly for winter, this journey takes you to some of the finest mountain resorts in the world, then to the most spectacular vistas of the scarlet-hued desert.

Hiking, Non-ski Winter Activities, Scenic Drives/Road Trips, Ski and Snowboard

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06

5 Days

Ski Southern Utah: High Alpine Trails + Red Rock Wonder

Southern Utah is home to two high-elevation ski areas with generous helpings of what we call (with authority) The Greatest Snow on Earth®. Things can be a little quieter down here this time of year. Give yourself at least five days to combine the thrills of Southern Utah skiing and boarding with exploring the wintertime wonders to be found in Utah’s red rock country.

Non-ski Winter Activities, Ski and Snowboard

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