by Ellen Heyn, Digital Media Director
Forget long lines and congested trails! An off-season hiking trip to one of the Southwest’s national parks offers the same spectacular scenery without the crowds. Pack your snow shoes, crampons, cross country skis and hit the road — just be sure to check the weather first.
At 8,000 feet elevation, Bryce Canyon gets an average annual snowfall of almost 90 inches. The park is a perfect winter destination, and the Queen’s Garden & Navajo Loop trail takes you past striking rock formations. This trail drops a little more than 300 feet below the rim of Bryce Canyon, meanders among snow-capped hoodoos and spires, and then climbs up steep switchbacks to the rim. Depending on trail conditions, traction devices (like microspikes or Yaktraxs) can be helpful.
Hike Queen's Garden and Navajo Loop
Winter in Grand Canyon National Park attracts a fifth of normal summertime crowds. While the North Rim closes for the season, the South Rim stays open year-round and always offers exceptional hiking.
Bright Angel Trail is the park’s most popular rim-to-river route, offering spectacular views, steady grades, and rest houses, but since it's closed December 1, 2023 through April 14, 2024, try its steeper sibling, the South Kaibab Trail. The first few miles can be snow-packed and icy, but the weather warms up considerably as you descend in elevation. Be prepared for a wide range of temperatures, and enjoy seeing a snow-covered desert landscape!
Winter brings a short lull to the Moab adventure scene – national parks are uncrowded, parking spaces are plentiful, and campsites are much easier to find. Delicate Arch is an iconic hike in Arches National Park that you can enjoy any time of the year. A short walk up a slickrock bench takes you to one of the most visited and famous landmarks on the Colorado Plateau. If it looks familiar, it’s because you’ve seen in on Utah license plates. You may encounter snow on the trail, but you’ll definitely see it covering the La Sal Mountains in the distance. The last leg can be icy, so throwing a traction device (like microspikes or Yaktraxs) in your pack is recommended.
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