The pros and cons to visiting Zion National Park in winter
The National Park Service is one of America’s greatest assets - a series of vast, spectacular, awe-inducing playgrounds nestled in our country’s wildest and most remarkable backyards.
Zion National Park, in sultry and fearless southwestern Utah, is one of the finest parks on offer. With its sweeping valleys of red rock and pine, its grand vistas of insurmountable beauty, and its crooked slot canyons hidden at the end of adventure, Zion is testament to Utah’s self-awareness that here, life is certainly elevated.
I had the opportunity to visit Zion for the first time in the middle of winter. Though initially I was hesitant about the timing, it was an absolutely enchanting trip. And if given the choice to visit again during the winter, I would in a heartbeat!
Keep reading for the biggest pros and cons I took away from my trip:
Watching dusk descend upon the park from the valley floor
PROS
1. It's insanely beautiful.
This is top of the list for a reason. I found myself completely enchanted standing on the valley floor, gazing up at the snow-dusted pinyons covering Zion’s canyon walls. There's tranquility in the silence, the winter weather creating an ambient kind of hush that feels more like a lullaby.
Sites like the Weeping Rock sparkle with icicles in a fleeting showcase by Nature the artist. Meanwhile, the Hidden Canyon Trail invites you to tackle its ice-packed switchbacks with promises of jaw-dropping wintry displays of Zion Canyon along the way. Yeah, footing is a little (read: a lot) slippery in places, but those views sure are worth it.
2. It's probably the least crowded you'll ever see the park.
If you've ever wondered what it was like to have a national park all to yourself, well, your solution is simple: visit Zion in the dead of winter!
At times you’ll feel like the only guest at Zion Lodge. Many of the roads are so empty it’s like embarking on an expedition across an uncharted frontier. You’ll tackle trails that take you almost a mile without seeing anyone else - a tantalizing alternative to summertime, when the same trails are practically overflowing with crowds.
3. You get to avoid the sweltering heat.
Weeping Rock in all its mid-winter glory
Okay, yeah, so it can get pretty cold in Zion during winter. But a huge perk to visiting at this time of year is that you escape the opposite: overwhelming heat that plagues the park and its trails during other seasons. As a result, many hikes will be exponentially more enjoyable than attempting them soaked in sweat at the peak of summer.
4. You don't have to rely on the park shuttles to get everywhere.
For most of the year, Zion requires that guests utilize its shuttle service to get around the park (which helps preserve the park and cut down on environmental impact, so definitely a win!).
But starting late November through mid-February, the shuttle service stops running. While the shuttles aren't operating, guests are permitted to use their own vehicles to get around.
This provides a lot of flexibility, as you don’t have to rely on the shuttle schedule when planning your adventures. Not to mention, you don’t have to wait in any nasty lines to get back to your accommodations after a long day exploring the park (in the freezing cold, nonetheless!)
5. You can be more spontaneous.
Whereas booking a room at Zion Lodge during the summer maaaay require making a reservation over a year in advance, the case is not always the same come winter. Due to the lack of crowds, you can be a bit more lax with your trip-planning (and even get some last-minute deals!) This is a huge plus for when the need to be among nature now hits ya unexpectedly.
As an added bonus, lodging rates are among the absolute lowest all year during winter.
6. Your chances of spotting winter wildlife are high.
The park is stunning enough in winter, what with its terrain cast in cyanotype and its pointed stillness. But as an added bonus, you can catch a glimpse of some awesome wildlife!
From bighorn sheep to bald eagles, elk to wild turkeys, winter is an awesome time to catch Zion's star residents in action.
7. There are activities you can only do in winter.
Among them? Snowshoeing and cross-country skiing! You can do either of these along the East Rim Trail to Observation Point, one of the most spectacular views in the park.
****
And now for the downsides...
CONS
1. Due to the weather, some trails are difficult to attempt or closed altogether.
The entrance to The Narrows
Among them? Highlight reel hikes like The Narrows and Angels Landing.
Okay, so The Narrows isn't closed, per se. But if you're hoping to attempt it, you'll need full-body drysuits (which you can rent from nearby outfitters) and generally a bit more advanced preparation. It's not a wintertime hike you decide to attempt on a whim.
As for Angels Landing, its accessibility changes pretty much every day.
Despite the fact that it scares the living daylights out of me, I conceded it would be a bit of a shame to visit Zion and not attempt it. After all, it's arguably Zion's most famous hike (whether due to the insanely beautiful views from the top, or the notoriously challenging terrain and associated death toll is up for debate.)
However, when we inquired at the Visitor's Center about the trail conditions, the rangers essentially told us it would be a death wish to attempt to hike it. Parts were completely iced over, particularly upon reaching the infamous chains (which you're expected to cling onto for dear life as you haul yourself up a narrow ridge to the summit.)
Was this secretly a relief? Not-so-secretly, yeah, but I'm also a wimp.
Needless to say, the ability to hike any of these trails largely depends on having the proper gear and being prepared for the weather on your particular visit. No matter what, always check with park rangers about trail conditions prior to attempting any of them!
2. Many places in town shut their doors for the season.
As temperatures start to plummet, businesses in nearby Springdale close up shop in a form of “see ya next season.” While there are still some places operating, you won’t have the amount of dining options as you will during peak periods. On top of that, places that do stay open may limit their hours.
3. Things go under construction.
The National Park Service often takes advantage of the lack of crowds in winter to give the park some TLC - whether it's the accommodations, trails or roadways. When we visited, they were re-paving parts of Highway 9 from Rockville to the park's South Entrance. This meant there were lengthy delays getting into the park.
While this doesn’t detract from the beauty of Zion itself, it can become a bit of a headache when trying to access certain areas. Not to mention, it tacks on travel time to a destination that's already remote.
4. The daylight is limited.
...therefore, less opportunity to explore the park. The plus side? More time to stargaze!
****
As you can see, the pros far outweigh the cons - and if you get the chance to see Zion in winter, you absolutely should!
You may also be interested in: