Winter in Bryce Canyon

Winter is one of my favorite seasons to visit Bryce Canyon National Park. The crowds are smaller, the lodging is cheaper and you never know what adventure you’ll find yourself in along the trails.

Here are a few tips on planning your winter getaway to Bryce Canyon National Park.

Places to Stay at Bryce Canyon in the Winter

I’ve enjoyed a few stays at the Best Western Plus Ruby’s Inn. It’s right outside the entrance to the park. There’s a restaurant and swimming pool nearby, and a convenience store for any last-minute items you need to pick up.

The best part: You can often find winter deals for anywhere from $49 to $99 a night for a single room.

There’s also the Best Western Plus Bryce Canyon Grand Hotel just across the street. The cost is a little more, but the winter season offers lower prices than what you’d find during peak tourist season (summer).

Winter Gear to Bring

Bryce Canyon National Park has an elevation of around 8,500 feet. So temperatures are a little cooler than you’ll find in some of the neighboring valleys. But when the sun is out and you’re hiking, you may find it to be hotter than what you expected.

Here’s a list of what you should bring with you:

• Warm socks and sturdy boots
• Snowshoes or shoe clamps for traction on icy trails
• Snowpants (Cotton jeans are dangerous)
• Long sleeve shirt, jacket and winter coat (so you can adjust layers as you hike)
• Gloves and winter hat
• Hand warmers to slip in your gloves (because having cold hands is miserable)
• Backpack to carry: First aid kit, water, snacks

Trails to Hike in Bryce Canyon

The one disadvantage of hiking in Bryce Canyon National Park is that you always end a trail on an uphill. But knowing that, shouldn’t stop you from exploring the majestic scenery the park has to offer.

Check out these 7 things you can do to make hiking more fun for kids.

• Sunset Point to Sunrise Point (1 mile roundtrip): Hike along the edge of Bryce Canyon, offering you magnificent overlooks to the orange rock formations and valley below. However, my wife and I visited the canyon during a storm and the only color (other than white) we saw was the red poncho my wide was wearing.
• Queens Garden (1.8 miles roundtrip): Listed as one of the easiest hikes into the canyon, Queens Garden is a gradual downhill hike, meaning a gradual uphill at the end. Kids will enjoy hiking through the snow along the orange rock walls.
• Navajo Trail (1.3 miles roundtrip): The Navajo Trail is one of the more popular trails, even in winter. It offers hikers a view of Thor’s Hammer and the orange hoodoos of the canyon. Because of how popular the trail is, the snow will get packed down making it icy. The trail is a little steeper, so if you don’t have proper traction on your footwear, you may want to avoid this trail.

In the winter, Bryce Canyon also offers guided snowshoe hikes. You can get more information about the times of each hike at the visitor center. Outside of the park, there are other activities available. Check with your hotel for details on those options.

My kids needed a little motivation during a winter hike in Bryce Canyon National Park, so we made one up: Dad’s Snowpants Are Falling Down. Check it out below:

The Details:

Address: Bryce Canyon National Park, P.O Box 640201, Bryce, UT 84764

Parking: There are parking lots at each major trailhead. There’s also parking at the lodging options. There is no shuttle bus into the park during the winter months.

Cost: Free with Annual National Parks Pass. A seven-day pass can be purchased: Private Vehicle: $35; Motorcycle: $30; Individuals: $20.

Hours: The park is open year round. The visitor center is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. from November to March.

Website:https://www.nps.gov/brca/index.htm

Phone: (435) 834-5322

PIN THIS: