People are often surprised by what the desert does in spring. The assumption — reasonable, if you’ve only seen Southern Utah in the summer — is that a landscape this arid and rugged blooms reluctantly, if at all. The truth is quite different. When the conditions are right, Capitol Reef and the surrounding canyon country put on a floral display that rivals almost anything in the American West. And it begins, quietly, in March.

This is the month when the desert starts its annual transformation. It doesn’t happen overnight, and it’s rarely dramatic in the Instagram-superbloom sense. But if you know what to look for and where to find it, March in Southern Utah is genuinely beautiful in ways that most visitors never get to see.

Photo courtesy of Shutterstock

Why the Desert Blooms When It Does

Desert wildflowers operate on a precise schedule driven by two things: moisture and temperature. Winter precipitation — whether it fell as snow in the higher elevations or rain at the canyon floor — determines how robust the bloom will be. March’s slowly warming days begin to unlock the soil moisture accumulated over winter, coaxing seeds that have been dormant for months (sometimes years) into action.

The lower elevations around Capitol Reef tend to warm up earliest, which means the first March wildflowers typically appear in south-facing washes, canyon bottoms, and desert scrub zones well below the park’s rim country. As the month progresses and temperatures climb, the blooms move higher.

What’s Blooming in March

The early-season palette at Capitol Reef leans toward purples, yellows, and whites — the cool-temperature bloomers that can handle nights still dipping below freezing. Here are some of the species you’re most likely to encounter this month:

• Desert Phlox — Low, spreading mats of white-to-pale-pink blossoms found on rocky slopes and canyon rims. One of March’s most reliable wildflowers — it blooms early and can survive light frosts.
• Sagebrush Buttercup — One of Utah’s earliest spring flowers. Bright yellow and cheerful, appearing at the edges of sagebrush flats and in open desert terrain as early as late February in mild years.
• Cryptantha (White Forget-Me-Not) — Tiny white flowers that show up in sandy wash bottoms and open desert flats. Easy to overlook, genuinely lovely up close.
• Utah Milkvetch — A striking native with deep rose-purple flowers that begins blooming in late March in sandy desert soils. Look for it along Hwy 24 in good spring years.
• Cliffrose — A native shrub that produces fragrant cream-colored blossoms in late March and early April. Beloved by pollinators and one of the signature plants of the Waterpocket Fold ecosystem.
• Filaree (Stork’s Bill) — A small pink-purple wildflower that carpets roadsides and open ground throughout Southern Utah in early spring. Technically introduced, but unmistakably a sign of the season arriving.

Photo by Annie Spratt via unsplash.com

The Fruita Orchards: A Bloom Worth Watching

One of the most anticipated spring events at Capitol Reef isn’t a wildflower at all — it’s the blossoming of the Fruita orchards in the park’s Historic District. The roughly 1,900 fruit trees maintained by the National Park Service include cherries, apricots, peaches, apples, and pears, all planted originally by Mormon settlers in the late 1800s.

The cherry and apricot trees are typically the first to bloom, often in late March or early April depending on the year’s weather. A row of cherry trees in full bloom, set against red sandstone cliffs with the Fremont River running nearby — it’s one of those scenes that genuinely stops people in their tracks. There’s nothing quite like it in Utah’s national park system. Stop in at the Visitor Center to check current orchard conditions; the rangers are usually happy to point you toward whichever trees are looking their best on any given day.

Tips for Making the Most of Wildflower Season

• Get low and slow — Many of the most beautiful desert wildflowers are only an inch or two tall. Slowing down, crouching beside the trail, and actually spending time with what’s around you makes a dramatic difference in what you notice. A macro setting on your phone camera reveals a whole other world.
• Explore varied terrain — In desert ecosystems, wildflower communities are tightly tied to soil type and drainage. Sandy wash bottoms, rocky slopes, and clay flats will often host completely different species within a few hundred feet of each other. The more terrain you cover, the more you’ll see.
• Stay on the trail — The dark, crusty soil surrounding many desert plants is biological soil crust — a living community of organisms that takes decades to regenerate once disturbed. Stepping off-trail to get closer to a flower causes more damage than it appears. The best wildflower viewing happens from the trail itself.

Photo courtesy of Shutterstock

Spring at the Ranch

The grounds surrounding The Lodge at Red River Ranch participate in the season too. The meadows along the Fremont River see their own early-spring bloom, and guests who take a quiet morning walk along the water often find themselves noticing the first small signs of a desert spring — a cluster of pale flowers in the rocky bank, a fresh green flush of grass, the faint fragrance of something blooming just around the bend in the trail.

It’s a reminder that out here, the seasons don’t announce themselves with much noise. They arrive gently, incrementally, and with a quiet beauty that rewards attention. March is when it all begins. And if you’re here for it, you’ll understand why so many of our guests find themselves wanting to come back every spring. Reserve your stay and be here when the desert blooms.

Spend a winter at Capitol Reef and the desert can feel still. The cottonwoods are bare. The light comes low and cold. And aside from the occasional raven or coyote, the landscape seems to belong mostly to rock and wind. Then March arrives — and all of that starts to change.

March is when Southern Utah’s wildlife begins its spring emergence, and for guests at The Lodge at Red River Ranch, it offers some of the most rewarding wildlife watching of the entire year. The animals are active, the crowds are thin, and the quiet of early spring makes it far easier to notice what’s moving around you.

Why March Is Such a Good Month for Wildlife

Spring migration is underway. Breeding seasons are beginning for many resident species. And animals that slowed through the winter are ranging wider and showing up in more predictable places. The lower elevations around the Fremont River corridor and the park’s shrubland zones are particularly active this time of year, since that’s where the first green growth appears.

There’s also something to be said for the light. The low angle of March sun, especially in the early morning and late afternoon, makes everything easier to see. Animals that blend into the summer haze become much more visible against the crisp, cool air. It’s a great month to slow down and pay attention.

Photo courtesy of Red River Ranch

What to Look For in March

There’s a lot stirring out there right now. Here are some of the wildlife highlights worth keeping an eye out for this month:

• Mule Deer — Still moving at lower elevations before spring green-up draws them higher. Early morning and dusk are the best times to spot them near the Fruita meadows and along the river. Patient observers are often rewarded with long, close-up views.
• Peregrine Falcon — One of Capitol Reef’s most celebrated residents. Peregrines return to their cliff nesting sites in early spring. Watch the high sandstone faces along the Waterpocket Fold for circling pairs — and listen for their sharp, rattling call echoing off the walls.
• Canyon Wren — You’ll hear one before you see it: a cascading, descending whistle that echoes beautifully off canyon walls. Canyon wrens are active year-round but become noticeably more vocal in March as they establish territories for the breeding season.
• Migrating Songbirds — The Fremont River corridor is a reliable migratory stopover. Warblers, vireos, and sparrows begin passing through in mid-to-late March. Binoculars and patience are very well rewarded here.
• Coyote — Resident and active all year, but March is breeding season, which means you’re more likely to hear them at dawn and dusk, and to see them moving through open terrain in pairs. A classic Capitol Reef sound on a spring morning.
• Collared Lizards — Still largely dormant in early March, but by mid-to-late month on warmer afternoons, you may spot the first lizards out on sun-warmed rocks — one of the surest signs that spring has truly arrived in the desert.

Where to Go

The Fruita Campground and Orchard Area is one of the most reliable spots in the park for mule deer, especially in the low light of morning. The deer are drawn to the grass and the water near the Fremont River, and in March they’re often relaxed and visible for extended periods before the day warms up.

For birds, the Fremont River Trail is excellent. It follows the river through a riparian corridor of cottonwoods, willows, and tamarisk — exactly the kind of habitat that migratory songbirds favor. Walk it slowly in the early morning with binoculars and you’ll encounter more species than you’d expect in a desert park.

The Grand Wash and the lower portion of the Capitol Gorge Trail are both great spots for raptors and canyon-adapted species. Both routes pass beneath towering sandstone walls that provide nesting habitat for falcons and ravens, and both are accessible on foot with no technical skills required.

Photo courtesy of Red River Ranch

A Few Tips for Better Wildlife Watching

• Go early, go quiet — The most active wildlife hours are the first two after sunrise and the last hour before sunset. Move slowly, speak softly, and stop frequently to listen. In the desert, sound travels remarkably far.
• Look up — Cliff faces, spires, and high ledges are active habitat. Peregrine falcons, golden eagles, and white-throated swifts all nest or roost on vertical sandstone walls. Scan the high country with binoculars, not just the ground level.
• Keep your distance — The NPS recommends staying at least 25 yards from most wildlife. The animals you observe without disturbing are the ones you’ll remember longest.

Wildlife at the Ranch

You don’t have to go far. The grounds surrounding The Lodge at Red River Ranch — bordered by the Fremont River and open desert terrain — see their share of spring activity. Guests who sit quietly on the porch in the early morning often report mule deer in the meadow, raptors overhead, and the first songbirds in the trees along the water. It’s a good reminder that out here, you’re not just visiting nature — you’re staying inside it. Plan your spring trip here.

Most people think about Utah’s national parks in summer — and there’s a reason for that. The long days, warm temps, and school breaks make June and July the obvious choice. But here at The Lodge at Red River Ranch, we’ve always believed the best kept secret in Southern Utah isn’t a trail or a slot canyon. It’s a month. And that month is March.

March is the sweet spot. The summer crowds haven’t arrived yet. The park is quiet. The light is extraordinary — long golden hours of soft desert sun that photographers dream about. And the desert itself is in the middle of waking up, which makes for some of the most dynamic scenery Capitol Reef has to offer all year.

Photo courtesy of Red River Ranch

The Crowds (Or Lack Thereof)

Let’s start with the most practical reason: in March, you’ll have Capitol Reef largely to yourself. The park sees its heaviest traffic from Memorial Day through Labor Day, and visitation has grown dramatically over the past decade. But in early spring, the parking areas are calm, the trails are wide open, and there’s no line at the Gifford House.

If you’ve ever wanted to experience what Capitol Reef felt like before it became more widely discovered, March is your window. For guests staying at The Lodge at Red River Ranch, that quieter pace makes a real difference. You can linger at a trailhead, stop in the middle of the Scenic Drive without a car behind you, and sit on the porch at dusk hearing nothing but the wind moving through the cottonwoods.

The Weather: Surprisingly Perfect

March weather at Capitol Reef runs cool in the mornings and evenings — typically between 35°F and 55°F — and warms pleasantly through the middle of the day, often reaching the low 60s or higher. That’s ideal hiking weather. You’ll want layers, especially for early morning starts, but you won’t need the extreme sun protection and water-carrying strategy that July demands.

Snow is possible early in the month, particularly at higher elevations, but it tends to be brief and only makes the red rock scenery more dramatic when it comes. March also brings some of the most spectacular skies of the year. Weather systems are still moving through the region, and stormy afternoons can produce the kind of cloud formations over the cliffs that stop you in your tracks. If you’re into photography, this is prime season.

Photo courtesy of Red River Ranch

What’s Coming to Life

The desert doesn’t stay dormant forever, and March is when the awakening begins. Along the Fremont River corridor and in the lower elevation washes, you’ll start to see the first wildflowers of the season. The orchards in the Fruita Historic District begin to bud. Cottonwoods that have stood bare all winter start showing the faintest blush of green.

It’s a subtle transformation, but one that feels remarkable against the permanent backdrop of orange and red sandstone. Wildlife becomes more active too. Mule deer are frequently spotted at lower elevations where the early grass is emerging. Raptors are moving through on migration. And bird activity along the river picks up noticeably as resident species begin their spring routines.

The Trails Are at Their Best

Many of Capitol Reef’s best hikes are significantly more enjoyable in March than in summer — simply because you’re not fighting the heat. The Cohab Canyon Trail, the Rim Overlook, and the Grand Wash are all excellent choices in spring conditions. The longer backcountry routes, like the Cathedral Valley Loop, become more accessible as muddy roads from winter dry out through the month. If you’ve had Capitol Reef’s backcountry on your list, late March is one of the best times to attempt it.

Come See It for Yourself

At The Lodge at Red River Ranch, March is one of our favorite times of year. The Fremont River runs clear and quick with snowmelt from the higher country. The landscape has a freshness to it that summer doesn’t quite match. Evenings are cool enough to make a fire feel welcome, and mornings are still, quiet, and extraordinarily clear.

If you haven’t visited in early spring before, we’d encourage you to give March a serious look. You might find, as many of our guests do, that it becomes your favorite time to come back. Book your stay here — we’d love to have you.

Just inside Capitol Reef National Park in Utah is the Fruita Historic District, a desert oasis unlike any other in red rock country. Tall cottonwoods cast shadows over lush green fields, pioneer homesteads remain preserved against sandstone cliffs, and over a thousand fruit trees still thrive where early settlers once made their living. For many visitors, exploring Fruita’s orchards is as memorable as hiking Hickman Bridge or driving the Scenic Drive.

Photo courtesy of NPS

History of the Fruita Orchards in Capitol Reef

The orchards date back to the late 1800s when Mormon pioneers planted apples, apricots, peaches, cherries, and pears along the Fremont River. These families cultivated hardy heirloom varieties suited for the high desert, some of which are now rare outside Fruita. Today, Capitol Reef maintains about 1,900 fruit trees across multiple orchards, preserving both the fruit and the history that come with them (NPS; KUER).

How Capitol Reef’s U-Pick Program Works

If you’re searching for “U-Pick fruit in Utah”, Fruita is one of the most unique destinations in the state. Here’s what visitors need to know:

• Only orchards with “U-Pick Fruit” signs are open for harvesting.
• Self-pay stations with scales are available at each orchard.
• Tools like ladders and picking poles are provided, but visitors must pick only ripe fruit and follow park guidelines (NPS; Visit Utah).

What’s in season:

• Cherries and apricots: June through July
• Peaches: Late July through August
• Apples and pears: September through October

In good years, visitors can taste the changing seasons as different orchards ripen.

Photo courtesy of Shutterstock

The 2025 Harvest: A Year Without U-Pick

Capitol Reef’s orchards are vulnerable to the weather. In 2025, an unusually early bloom followed by freezing nights destroyed most blossoms. The result: over 80 percent of the fruit harvest was lost, and the park announced that no orchards are open for U-Pick this season (National Parks Traveler). Even so, Fruita remains a highlight. Visitors can stroll the orchards, enjoy the shade of cottonwoods, and stop at the Gifford House for handmade pies, jams, and other treats that carry on the orchard tradition.

Why Fruita’s Orchards Matter

Beyond fresh fruit, Fruita’s orchards connect people to Capitol Reef in a special way. They serve as a living link to pioneer life in Utah, where orchards once provided food and community for families in the Fremont River Valley. Today, they represent the park’s commitment to protecting both natural and cultural history — and they offer modern visitors a chance to slow down, explore, and enjoy the landscape.

The Lodge Connection

Guests at The Lodge at Red River Ranch near Capitol Reef often include Fruita in their daily routines: a morning walk through the orchards, a stop at the Gifford House for pie and coffee, and an afternoon exploring nearby trails. In fall, cottonwoods glow gold against the red cliffs, making Fruita one of the most photographed locations in Capitol Reef. Even in years with a light harvest, the orchards stand as a symbol of the park’s charm—where history, community, and scenery come together.

Photo courtesy of Shutterstock

Plan Your Visit to Capitol Reef Orchards

Whether you’re hoping to pick apples straight from the tree, enjoy fresh peach pie, or simply wander beneath golden leaves, Fruita’s orchards are worth adding to your Capitol Reef itinerary. Check the Capitol Reef U-Pick fruit page before your trip to see which orchards are open and what’s in season.

Make The Lodge at Red River Ranch your home base — just minutes from Fruita — and you’ll be close enough to enjoy the orchards in the morning and still have the whole day to explore Capitol Reef National Park.

As more people try to complete their summer plans, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, especially after months of seeing social media flooded with long entrance lines, overflowing parking lots, and crowded trails at the country’s most popular national parks. However, we at the Lodge at Red River Ranch know a better way to spend your time. Just down the road from us is Capitol Reef National Park in Utah, one of the state’s best-kept secrets. With towering cliffs, winding canyons, and unforgettable vistas, Capitol Reef offers all the beauty of Utah’s “Mighty Five,” and all without the crowds.

Photo by Kelly vanDellen via Shutterstock.com

Here, you can slow down, explore at your own pace, and still have plenty of time to enjoy a nice glass of wine before bidding the sun farewell in one of the many nearby restaurants.

1. Capitol Reef’s Scenic Beauty Without the Crowds

When people search “best time to visit Capitol Reef,” the answer is pretty much always “now.” Even at its busiest, this park feels open and accessible. Capitol Reef welcomed 1.42 million visitors in 2024, its highest ever, according to KUER News. That’s still a fraction of the nearly five million who poured into Zion National Park. What does that mean for you? Easier parking, slower mornings, and uncrowded trails, especially in the further reaches of the park.

Popular Capitol Reef attractions, such as the Capitol Reef Scenic Drive, Cathedral Valley, and Hickman Bridge, offer world-class red-rock scenery comparable to that of other parks, with a quarter of the crowd. Whether you’re capturing sunrise over the Navajo Knobs or enjoying a calm mid-day hike through Grand Wash, you’ll notice the difference: a lot less noise, a lot more space, and more time to enjoy what you came to see.

Photo by Kelly vanDellen via Shutterstock.com

From The Lodge, you can be at the park’s visitor center in under 15 minutes, which means you can start your day before most travelers have even finished breakfast in other towns.

2. Capitol Reef’s Fruita Orchards, Gifford Homestead, and the Best Pie in Utah

If you search “things to do in Capitol Reef,” you’ll see plenty of mentions of the Fruita Historic District. Settled in the late 1800s, this desert oasis is home to pioneer-era orchards that continue to produce apples, peaches, and pears in season.

Photo by Nick Fox via Shutterstock.com

Right at the heart of Fruita is the Gifford Homestead, famous for small-batch fruit pies that visitors rave about (visitor video). They bake 32 dozen pies a day, and they’re usually sold out by early afternoon. Trust us, you’ll want to grab yours before heading out for an afternoon hike. Many guests at The Lodge start their day with a scenic orchard stroll, then stop at Gifford’s for pie before venturing deeper into the park (NPS: Gifford Homestead).

Harvest season in Capitol Reef adds another layer of charm; grab a basket, and you can pick your own fruit right from the trees. It’s a slice of living history you won’t find in other Utah national parks.

3. Hiking, Backcountry Drives, and Rugged Adventure in Capitol Reef

If you’re the type to search for “Utah Backcountry Hikes,” you’ll find that this park is a dream for explorers. The geology here is dominated by the Waterpocket Fold, a 100-mile-long wrinkle in the Earth’s crust (Utah.com). It’s a place for hikers, photographers, and anyone who loves a good off-the-beaten-path experience.

Favorites in Capitol Reef include Cassidy Arch, named after outlaw Butch Cassidy, and Sulphur Creek, where you can wade through shallow water and navigate through slot canyons. In the northern area, Cathedral Valley has towering monoliths and remote dirt-road drives that feel like visiting another planet — and if you’re interested, visit a nearby “planet” while you’re here: Mars on Earth.

Photo by piksik via Shutterstock.com

Staying at The Lodge makes it easy to tailor your trip; spend one day getting in your steps, and the next, cruising the Capitol Reef Scenic Drive with plenty of places for photos that your friends will think are AI-generated.

4. Best Lodging Near Capitol Reef for Day Trips and Adventures

Another reason this is the best place to stay near Capitol Reef National Park is its location. The Lodge is just minutes from the park entrance in Torrey, Utah, yet far enough from Highway 24 to ensure quiet nights. It also serves as an ideal base camp for exploring more of the area; Bryce Canyon, Goblin Valley State Park, Grand Staircase–Escalante, and even Moab’s Arches and Canyonlands are all accessible for easy day trips.

Whether you’re road-tripping Utah’s Mighty Five or making Capitol Reef your main focus, The Lodge offers the perfect blend of comfort, character, and convenience.

5. Plan Your Visit

Capitol Reef might be called “underrated,” but once you’ve been here, you’ll understand why so many visitors return year after year. It’s a park that rewards slowing down. Savor a pie in the shade of the orchard, watch shadows stretch across the cliffs at sunset, and stand in awe under a sky filled with more stars than you thought possible.

Make The Lodge at Red River Ranch your home base and see for yourself why Capitol Reef National Park is Utah’s most underrated national park.

You probably already know this, but it’s ski season! Utah is famous for its snow, and its snow sports. (We’ve hosted the Winter Olympic Games once before, and are scheduled to do so again in 2034.) The big ski resorts near Salt Lake City are the most popular with tourists, but there are a couple of great little resorts down here in Southern Utah that we like to highlight every year. Because, as you’ll see, they have some real advantages.

Photo by Glade Optics via unsplash.com

Brian Head Ski Resort

Brian Head is Utah’s southernmost resort. They’ve been around for over 60 years, offering guests great snow and great rates. Interestingly, Brian Head has the highest base elevation of any resort in the state. So don’t think just because it’s here in Southern Utah that it will be sparse on annual snowfall. Every year it receives hundreds of inches. We just looked at their website as we were writing this blog post, and they posted 5 inches just last night. It’s a seriously great place to ski!

Brian Head boasts 650 acres, two connected mountains, 71 runs and 8 chair lifts. 35% of the runs are rated as “most difficult,” but it’s also got tubing runs for more causal fun with the kids. Tickets start at $39 for an adult day pass, and go up from there, depending on the day and season. You can look at they’re pricing here.

Photo by Blade Optics via unsplash.com

Eagle Point Ski Resort

Eagle Point is the new challenger to Brian Head’s dominance here in southern part of the state. Although it kinda, sorta existed in some iteration before 2009, it wasn’t really Eagle Point as we know it until then. So while it might not be quite as developed as Brian Head, they’re hungry for market share and are expanding rapidly.

As of today, they have 5 lifts and 43 named runs over about 600 acres. But the resort has also worked out a deal with the National Forest Service to allow you access to thousands of acres of pristine backcountry acreage. Which is great if you’re a big backcountry skier. Eagle Point also has a terrain park and a couple of small tubing hills. And they too get plenty of annual snowfall. Basically, everything you need for the perfect weekend. Day prices start at $45 and go up from there.

Photo by Sean Lee via unsplash.com

The Best Reason to Ski in Southern Utah

Hopefully we’ve convinced you that these resorts are the real deal. But there is one really compelling reason that we think you should ski here, and that’s the scenery! Both Eagle Point and Brian Head have great views, of course, but they also exist in close proximity to the national parks for which Southern Utah is so famous. You can easily ski during the week, and tour the parks on the weekend. Heck, you could even go golfing in Saint George! It’s the perfect winter vacation! So whatever you’re looking for, we think we you’ll find it here in one of Southern Utah’s two great ski resorts. See you on the slopes!

If your looking for an easy weekend getaway this winter, we know just the place – Bryce Canyon National Park!
“What is there to do in Bryce Canyon in January?” we hear you ask. The answer is: plenty! In addition to all the natural beauty, fresh air, and sunshine that you’ll get to enjoy, there are lots of outdoor fun to be had. So here is our list for the top 5 things to do in Bryce Canyon this winter:

Photo by Zoshua Colah via unsplash.com

Take a Hike

Just because there’s snow on the ground doesn’t mean that you can’t go for a hike. Most of the trails that you can use during the summer are also open in winter. Just be aware that the snow on the trails can become packed and icy, and, as the official website states, “… some sections cannot be safely traversed without some sort of additional traction device for your hiking shoes or boots.” But not to worry, the Bryce Canyon Visitor rents these traction devices for your winter boots. At just $25 a pair, you can tramp around any trail without fear.

Photo by Katie Rodriguez via unsplash.com

Try out Snowshoeing

Bryce Canyon has it’s own program to teach you how to snowshoe. When staffing is available (and it usually is) you can explore a pristine, winter wonderland with a qualified Park Ranger. And the best part? Bryce Canyon provides all the equipment for you. So you don’t need to buy or rent snowshoes or poles. Those wishing to take advantage of this program can sign up at the Bryce Canyon Visitor Center or make a reservation by calling (435) 834–4747. Just be sure to bring the proper winter clothing.

Of course, if you are a veteran snowshoer, feel free to explore Bryce anyway you want.

Photo by Leslie Cross via unsplash.com

Sledding with the Family

There are a couple of caveats here. Sledding off the canyon rim into the hoodoos is dangerous and will get you into big trouble, since it’s prohibited. So don’t do it. But if you can find a spot above the rim, you are free to enjoy sledding. However, it might be better if you head over to Red Canyon, it’s very close, and it has better slopes. See the location here on Google Maps.

Photo by Samuel Ferrara via unsplash.com

Cross-country Skiing

Again, you can’t ski off the rim into the canyon, but there is still plenty of park to explore. The rim trail from Bryce Point and Fairyland Point is our first recommendation, because of the amazing scenery. But Bristlecone Loop, Paria Ski Loop, and Paria View and Fairyland Point roads are all great routes.

If you had your heart set on skiing among the hoodoos, you can get on the Red Canyon Bike Path – which is very cool. There is a also a plethora of routes to be found in the surrounding areas. Bryce Canyon City maintains many miles of groomed ski trails.

Photo by Philip Graves via unsplash.com

Winter Astronomy and Full Moon Hikes

Bryce Canyon National Park has some of the clearest, driest air in the state. Which translates into fantastic stargazing opportunities. From November to March, you can attend a full moon hike in snowshoes. (Find out more about the full moon hike program here. In addition to the full moon hikes, Bryce Canyon occasionally offers other cool winter astronomy programs. You can find out if anything is scheduled by stopping by the Visitor Center, or giving them a call at (435) 834–4747.

Photo by Zoshua Colah via unsplash.com

More to Check Out

Still not convinced? Bryce Canyon has an official page dedicated to all the things you can do in and around the park in winter. Check that out here. Hopefully, you’ll give it a shot, and discover just how great the national park of Southern Utah are any time of the year.

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!

Photo by Hannah Laws via unsplash.com

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!)

Photo by Daniel Olah via unsplash.com

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.

Photo by Katie Rodriguez via unsplash.com

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.

Photo by Joshua Aragon via unsplash.com

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.

Photo by Yuval Levy via unsplash.com

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.

Southern Utah has five national parks, Arches, Bryce, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef and Zion. Together they are known as the Mighty Five. Every year millions and millions of people come to see the beauty and explore the wonder of these parks. But that many people can take a toll on the natural environments. So it’s important that when people visit these special places that they take care to limit their impact. That way we can all keep Utah mighty.

Photo by Leo Visions via unsplash.com.

Here’s What You Can Do To Help

There is a Forever Mighty page on the official tourism page for the state of Utah. We’ll give you the headlines here. But if you want to dig into this concept more, you should check out that page. This is how you can limit your impact while maximizing your fun in Southern Utah:

Leave No Trace –

• Know where you are going. It’s easier to damage the environment if you are wandering aimlessly. Check out travel blogs, get the right maps, and have a plan.
• Stick to the trails. This is extremely important. Using the trails ensures that only a small portion of the living soil is affected by foot traffic. And be extra careful not to step on the biological soil crusts.
• Put your trash in designated trash receptacles. If there are none where you are, be sure to pack your trash out with you.
• Protect any cultural heritage sites that you visit or come across. There are tons of these in Southern Utah, and they are important to the American Indian tribes that have ancestral ties to these places. Don’t deface them, and don’t remove any part of them. Besides being a jerk thing to do, it’s also illegal, and will land you in a lot of trouble.
• Observe fire notices. Sometimes in some places you will not be allowed to have campfires. And when you do, be sure to be safe and minimize their impact. You don’t want to start any wildfires.
• Finally, don’t mess with the wildlife. They don’t like it. Plus, it’s dangerous.

Practice Ethical Posting –
With the amount of people coming to Utah, it can sometimes be a bit of a headache for the local wildlife, environment, and Utahans to keep up with the traffic. This can be made worse when tourists post about certain locations that don’t have the infrastructure to support large amounts of visitors. We’ve written about this before in our Ethical Tourism post. But the quick version is: be mindful of what you share when posting to social media.

But when you do post about the many great established sites in our great state, be sure to tag it #ForeverMighty!

Photo by Yansi Keim via unsplash.com.

Southern Utah is Mighty Because of You

Only with the help of all the millions of visitors just like you can we all keep Southern Utah’s national parks mighty! So thank you for all of your help in this endeavor. We’ll see you out there!

Slot canyons are everywhere in Southern Utah. We’ve written about them plenty of times like here and here. And of course there are the super famous canyons in places like the Zion National Park. Obviously, these are great places to explore and play in (safely), but if you slow down for a moment or two, you just might hear something magical – the Sounds of the Canyon.

The Narrows in Zion National Park. Photo by Anna Sullivan via unsplash.com.

Life is All Around You

The deserts of Southern Utah are surprising teeming with life. Unfortunately, it’s all just really good at avoiding humans. So not everybody realizes the world of flora and fauna that surrounds them when they are out hiking. This page on the Capitol Reef website has a (mostly) complete list of all the animals that live in this area. Be sure to check out that link before your next trip to the park. But out of the myriad creatures that you might encounter when exploring slot canyons, we wanted to highlight one of our favorite: the canyon wren.

Here he is! Our friend, the canyon wren! Photo by iStockphoto.com.

Little Guy, Big Song

The canyon wren is a songbird that inhabits most of the American Southwest. It loves rocky outcroppings, cliffs, and, unsurprising, canyons. As you can see, it’s coloring helps it blend in to the sandstone environments where it resides. Which might make it difficult to spot when you’re maneuvering a squeeze in a slot canyon. But not to worry, because even if you can’t see the little fellow, he will likely put on a show for you. The canyon wren has a truly beautiful, and quite loud, song. And he likes to perform. So stop for a moment and see if one will start singing the next time you are canyoneering.

Can You Give Us A Sample?

We’re glad you asked! It just so happens that we recorded a canyon wren this summer. The quality is only so-so (all we had was an iPhone) but it will give you a good idea of what to listen for when you’re out there. Plus, it’s very cool! Just click that little play button below to hear our 20-second clip:

You just might hear a canyon wren in Antelope Canyon. Photo by Dirk Spijkers via unsplash.com.

Endless Forms Most Beautiful

There is something sublime about the connections you can suddenly make in the natural world. The joy and magic of experiencing a wren’s serenade is something that is hard to capture in a quick blog post. It makes you feel lucky – special, even – that you, yes you, got to hear a song in person what most of the world will never get to hear. A concert for the chosen few. It also tends to make the listener feel linked to all the life around them, in all its forms most beautiful. And then it’s over, and you pack up and go home…

But you return a little bit changed.

This is where we heard the canyon wren. Photo by Red River Ranch.