Zion in Winter Overview
Winter in Zion National Park can be beautiful with temperatures cold enough for snowfall. It may be hard to conceive during the extreme temperatures of Summer but Zion National Park sees occasional snow in Winter months. The contrast of the white snow against the red rock is fodder for stunning photos.
The best part of visiting Zion in winter is the reduced crowd sizes. Crowds in the winter are very minimal and visitors can get areas that are usually packed all to themselves.
Even though crowds will be significantly reduced this time of year the most popular trails will likely still be crowded. If you’re looking to find further solitude check out Kolob Canyon, Kolob Terrace, Lava Point, and Pine Creek Gorge Slot Canyon.
Winter Monthly Temperatures in Zion National Park
| December | 53F / 29F |
| January | 53F / 30F |
| February | 58F / 33F |
| March | 65F / 38F |
Winter Activities in Zion National Park
Winter in Zion is a great time to visit (in my opinion). Popular Winter activities in the Zion National Park include:
- See snowy red rock in Kolob Canyon
- Driving the Zion Mt Carmel Highway Scenic Drive
- Exploring Kolob Terrace and Lava Point
- Hiking Angels Landing
Interested in what Zion is like during other times of the year? Check out our Zion Seasons & Weather page to learn more about which season is best for your visit to the park. Our personal favorite is Fall but Spring can be nice as well and Summer is epic.
Things to Know Before You Visit
Entrance Fees: The entrance fee for Zion National Park is $30 per vehicle. If you plan on visiting more than 1 national park this year I suggest you go ahead and purchase the America the Beautiful Pass (which can be found at the entrance gates to most national parks or online here). This pass gets you into all National Parks, Forests, Monuments, and more including 2,000 sites for free after a one time $79 fee.
Sunscreen: For many of us visiting national parks in the summer means lots of sun. Seriously, some of these parks can zap you if you don’t wear sunscreen. We happen to like this one because it works AND it’s not full of a bunch of chemicals.
Leave No Trace: We’re big fans of Leave No Trace, here at MTJP. Want to learn more? Read about the seven principals of Leave No Trace here.
Dogs are not allowed on trails in most national parks due to their potentially disruptive presence with the natural ecosystem. The basic rule is they are allowed where cars can go so be sure to check the rules before bringing along your furry friend.
Things to Pack for Zion in Winter
Map: I use this one.
Guide: I recommend this one – James Kaiser is the gold standard when it comes to national park guide books.
Sandals: We recommend these sandals that we love and these sandals which have straps.
Insect Repellent: You hope not to need it, but you want to have it. We typically bring an Eco-Friendly Insect Repellent with us just in case.
Details About Zion National Park
Location: Springdale, Utah
Established: November 19, 1919
Size: 323,431 acres
Native Land: Hopi, Navajo, Northern Ute, Pueblo of Zuni, Southern Paiute
Visitors: 4,320,333 (2018)
Entrance Fees: $30 per vehicle (or $80 for America the Beautiful Pass)
The Zion Film
ZION is the culmination of nearly a month spent exploring Zion National Park during peak fall color. Filmed primarily in stunning UHD 8K.
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