Snowshoeing in Bryce and Zion National Parks
Explore Southern Utah’s National Park with Snowshoes in the Winter
Jan 21, 2009
Winter is an incredible time to visit Southern Utah’s desert. The contrast of the red rocks, white snow, and the surreal blue sky makes for amazing photographs and a unique experience. The crowds tend to avoid the parks in the winter, so some well-desired solitude is almost a sure thing. Rent a pair of snowshoes or bring your own and go on a ranger-guided snowshoe tour of the park or go off and explore on your own.
Snowshoeing Bryce Canyon National Park
Bryce Canyon is a land of impressive beauty. Colorful hoodoos and oddly shaped rock formations dominate the landscape and toll with the imagination. Bryce Canyon offers guided tours with a park ranger and even provides the snowshoes. Learn about the canyon’s geology and winter ecology while snowshoeing with the ranger over 1-2 miles of trail. If you brought your own snowshoes, feel free to use any of the trails in the park except for the cross-country ski trails.
Located outside the park on scenic Hwy. 12, Ruby’s inn offers snowshoe and cross-country-ski rentals. Ruby’s is a great place to stay when visiting the park in winter. Ruby’s has 30 kilometers of trail for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing and some of the trails connect with Bryce Canyon’s trail system. It is best to call ahead to check the snow conditions and make sure there is enough snow for snowshoeing.
Snowshoeing Zion National Park
Zion National Park is well known for its towering cliffs, massive rock formations, and narrow slot canyons. With endless hiking and canyoneering opportunities during late spring, summer, and fall – the higher elevations of Zion can also be explored on snowshoes in the winter months. Snowshoeing provides a peaceful way to view the absolute beauty of Zion's snow covered red rock wilderness.
Popular trails in the lower elevations of Zion Canyon are often free of now, but fairly muddy during the winter months, but longer trails such as Angel’s Landing and the East Rim Trail to Observation point can be too icy for safe exploration in the winter months. The East Rim Trail tends to get some snow and would be fun to explore on snowshoe.
Visit the less traveled Kolob Canyon section of the park for ideal snowshoeing conditions. Kolob Canyon may have deep snow in the winter and Lava Point and Wild Cat Canyon trails are great for experienced snowshoers. It is best to check in with the Visitor Center for trail suggestions and safety information; parts of Kolob Canyon have reasonable avalanche danger in the winter.
It is best to bring along your own snowshoes to Zion park, but shoes can be rented from various lodges such as the Zion Mountain Resort. The Zion Mountain Resort also provides guided tours as well.
Winter is a great time to visit both Bryce Canyon and Zion National Park and snowshoeing provides a great way to get some exercise and experience the beauty of the red rock desert blanketed in snow. For snowshoe trail information for the northern section of Utah, see Snowshoeing Utah’s Wasatch Mountains.
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