Winter is Upon Us

Today is the first day of winter! And while that might make a certain percentage of the population groan, that’s only because they haven’t experienced Southern Utah during this season. Because, it turns out, winter can actually be one of the best times to visit Utah’s national parks. And we at the Lodge at Red River Ranch have a list of reasons to back up our claim. So let’s get to it!

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1. Goodbye People, Hello Elbow Room

The first, and maybe the best reason, is that you’ll have less people to contend with when visiting the wonders of our national parks. During winter you can experience a bit of solitude amidst the beauty of nature. And if you’ve ever struggled with the crush of visitors in the summer at Zion, you will immediately see the appeal. So, in our book, a little cold is a good trade for some elbow room. (Also, it’s often not THAT cold, please see point 5 below.) Winter is also considered the “off-season” in many of the towns that are adjacent to the national parks, and it’s usually when you can find the best rates. (We at the Lodge are typically closed during the winter months due to staffing requirements, but if you have a special request, we might be able to accommodate you. Just get in touch!)

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2. Special Perks

Some parks have special winter programs available to the public. For example, did you know you can go on a guided snowshoe hike in Bryce Canyon National Park? They even have a Full Moon Snowshoe Hike, so you can seamlessly combine your twin loves of astronomy and winter hiking. And in Zion National Park you are (usually) allowed to drive your own car up Zion Canyon in the winter, instead of taking the shuttle. You don’t have to worry about timing your exploration to bus schedules anymore.

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3. A New Depth to the Scenery

Assuming you’ve visited Southern Utah before during the summer (which, you should do that too) you may be surprised by how different it can all look in the winter. The storms and snow can mark the red sandstone in sharper relief. So whether you drive into a cloud bank on the Zion-Mount Carmel road, or simply see a dusting of powder on the cliff walls of Capitol Reef, you will get to experience a more unique beauty to Southern Utah’s national parks. And it’s a beauty that fewer people get to experience.

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4. (Mostly) Always Hike-able

Who wants to go to a national park and not be able to hike? A lot of people worry that winter will ruin any chance of getting on the trails. And, while we will admit that during a heavy snowfall, you probably won’t be able to do much hiking, Southern Utah has lots and lots of sunny days during the winter. So as long as you check the weather before you go, you should be able to hike. We do still recommend that you avoid canyon hikes, since they can be colder and snowier. Also be sure to check the status of the trails at the visitor center or ranger station, in case they have any info about hazards.

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5. Did We Mention the Sun?

If you’re located further north then we are here in Southern Utah, you’ll unfortunately see a lot more gray days then we will. It can be therapeutic to get out, get some fresh air and see the sun shining. And what better place then in a national park? Most winter days here are a little cold, but sunny. So to sum it all up, winter in the national parks has plenty to offer – special perks, fresh air, fewer crowds, fantastic scenery, and more sun. Maybe we’ve convinced you, maybe not. But the best way to be convinced to try a winter trip to a national park yourself.