Winter Camping Inspiration
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11 More Utah Winter Experiences Outside the Ski Resorts
No matter your level of adventure, you will find good reason to save some time for a day away from the resort.
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5 Festive Activities to Brighten Your Utah Ski Holiday
Planning a holiday ski escape to Utah? Here's five festive activities to brighten your travels and raise the bar on holiday spirit.
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5 Reasons Utah's Weather Guy Loves Spring Skiing
Here’s some of the scientific evidence to support the assertion that spring could be the best time to ski or snowboard in Utah.
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A Cauldron of Continuing Olympic Fervor
Since hosting the 2002 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games, in many ways the Olympic spirit and world-class athletes that seized Utah have never left.
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A Mom’s Take On Sharing Skiing With the Next Generation
For many families in Utah, skiing is a way of life that is passed down from generation to generation. A woman expecting her first child reflects on her family’s multi-generational skiing connection to Utah’s mountains and how she will pass down the tradition while living out of state.
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A Utah Ski Vacation (or Two) for Less
Shop for ski gear like a local. Get discounts on lift tickets. Learn everything you need to know for a cheap luxury ski trip.
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A Winter Retreat
Although it is located only a few miles from the urban hustle and bustle of Salt Lake City, the Big Water Yurt feels light years away. Located at the top of Millcreek Canyon, the yurt is open only in winter and the only way to get to it is by ski, snowshoe or fat bike.
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Best Après Ski Bars in Park City and Beyond
Want to master the art of après? Here’s your guide to the best après-ski bars in Park City and the Wasatch Front.
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Best Spots to Get Olympic Spirit
Just because the Salt Lake 2002 Olympic Winter Games are in the past doesn’t mean that the Utah Olympic spirit is has been snuffed out. Athletes still train here, and ski schools in Utah resorts might be the start of a future Olympian’s career.
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Cozy Salt Lake Dining Spots
Find you perfect après-ski spots to fill up.
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Family and Budget Guide to the One and Only Ski City: Salt Lake
With 11 family-friendly resorts nearby, Salt Lake City skiing, dining and entertainment options make Utah one of the best ski destinations in the western U.S.
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Golfing Among Dinosaurs and Waterfalls
Explore four unexpected and unconventional golf courses located throughout Utah.
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How to Photograph Snowflakes — Nature’s Fleeting Work of Art
Where there’s snow, there’s magic. Snowflake photography offers a microscopic peek at the pristine beauty of nature — whether you’re deep in Wasatch Mountain wilderness or steps outside a Salt Lake City hotel door.
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In the Key of Ski
A video tribute to the Utah Symphony musicians finding inspiration and rich notes in the mountains.
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Mountains
Utah is known as the home to Life Elevated®, and the abundance and proximity of incredible mountain ranges is at the heart of Utah's identity.
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Powder Pups to the Rescue
Four furry friends help the Solitude Ski Patrol do their duties.
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Salt Lake City: A Place to Play
Symphony musicians say Utah's one-two punch of arts and recreation is hard to beat.
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Sundance, Full Circle
When visiting the Sundance Film Festival in Utah, movies are only part of the experience.
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Top Ski Towns in Utah
The best ski towns in Utah tout easy access to The Greatest Snow on Earth®, along with lively culture, fine dining and off-mountain activities.
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Winter Yurt Dining: A Cozy, Culinary Escape in the Heart of the Mountains
Explore six locations enriched with solitude and winter charm.
Where To Camp in Winter
The most popular winter camping destinations are found in the temperate, arid desert climate of Southern Utah. Although there are a few winter camping opportunities in Central and Northern Utah, it is much colder, and roads can be impassable due to heavy snowfall and icy terrain. Camping in or around Utah’s national parks in winter gives you front-row access to the best outdoor recreation without the usual summer crowds. The first major consideration for where to camp in winter is choosing to stay in your tent, car or RV. If roughing it isn't quite in your purview, check out some of the unique glamping options throughout the state.
Winter Gear Essentials
The first rule of winter camping is to make a list and check it twice. Having the right clothing and gear means you can spend less time dealing with soggy meltdowns (from kids or adults), and more time enjoying the trip. Go over your packing checklist before you leave to make sure you’re prepared with the following items:
- Warm Clothing – Layering up is crucial when camping in Utah, where temperatures can change drastically throughout the day. Opt for synthetic or wool materials over cotton to trap in heat and repel moisture. Bring hand and toe-warmers, and a serious jacket. Pack warm socks, hats, jackets, gloves and lighter layers for the daytime.
- Tent – 4-season tents are needed for campers who expect to face harsh weather conditions. Always bring a tarp or rain fly to insulate and waterproof your tent. When heading on a camping trip during any season, do a test run and set up your tent at home before you leave.
- Sleeping Mat – A roll-up or inflatable sleeping pad will lift and insulate you from the frozen ground. With the days getting shorter during the winter season, you will be spending more time cozied up in your tent. Make sure you have a warm, comfortable setup for when the sun goes down and temperatures drop.
- Fire Supplies – Campfires are the iconic symbol of any great outdoor excursion, but during the winter your fire is also an essential source of heat. Stop at the local ranger station on your drive in to check if the area has any fire regulations. Bring kindling, matches, a lighter and plenty of firewood.
- Camp Stove – Eating cold or fire-cooked meals can get old pretty fast on a long camping trip. A camp stove, or even a single burner, opens up a whole new world of camping cuisine. Plus, it can be used to boil snow for extra water. White gas or liquid fuel stoves perform better than canister stoves in winter conditions.
This is just a list to get you started — you should cater your checklist to your mode of backcountry travel, personal preferences and considerations such as weather, difficulty, duration and distance from emergency services. If it’s out of your comfort zone, look for guided offerings to start.
Yurt camping at Dead Horse Point State Park.
Photo: Utah State Parks
More Winter Camping Tips
- Bring your water inside the tent at night to prevent it from freezing. Thawing out water for coffee in the morning is fun for no one.
- The days are much shorter during the winter so make sure to pack headlamps and lanterns, extra batteries and games to play once the sun goes down.
- Your body burns extra energy to keep you warm during winter, so add high calorie snacks and meals to your shopping list. Besides, everyone knows that calories don’t count when you’re on vacation.
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Roughin' It
Willing to bring a sleeping bag and leave the pavement behind every once in a while? If you can handle getting your car a little dusty (oh, and have a well-maintained, high-clearance vehicle), this five- or six-day itinerary will put you smack dab in the middle of the great outdoors. And with 300 days of sunshine a year, Southern Utah offers a pretty dang good chance of perfect camping weather. And the best part? This itinerary is designed for budget-conscious travelers.
Highlights
- Capitol Reef National Park
- Goblin Valley State Park
- San Rafael Swell
- Moab Area BLM
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Farther Away From It All
Searching for solitude? Follow this six-day itinerary to find unspoiled wild places, hidden trails, open spaces and perfect peace.
Highlights
- Red Cliffs National Conservation Area
- Under-the-Rim Bryce Canyon
- Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park
- The Needles District Canyonlands
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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.
Highlights
- Brian Head Resort
- Eagle Point Resort
- Cedar Breaks National Monument
- Southern Utah Ski Vacation
- Winter Hiking in Southern Utah
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Red Rock & Dark Skies: Stargazing the National Parks
This road trip through southwest Utah takes you to four of Utah’s best places to see the Milky Way — Capitol Reef National Park, Kodachrome Basin State Park, Bryce Canyon National Park and Cedar Breaks National Monument.
Highlights
- Hell's Backbone Grill
- Bryce Canyon Lodge
- Ranger-led Star Programs
- Road Trip Southwest Utah
