Winter Outdoor Activities

Ranger snowshoeing "China Wall Basin" of Fairyland Loop Trail

NPS photo by Jan Stock

 

Bryce Canyon is even more beautiful in the wintertime! For the casual visitor, it might be thrilling enough to hop in and out of the warm car at the various overlooks to see the striking contrast of white snow, red rock, and blue sky. However, for the more adventurous winter recreationists, many opportunities beckon. BEFORE setting out on one of the adventures described below, stop at the Bryce Canyon Visitor Center to get up-to-date weather and safety information.

One of the best times during winter to visit Bryce Canyon is during the Bryce Canyon Winter Festival. This annual event is held over President's Day Weekend.

ROAD CLOSURES:
Fairyland Road and the Paria Point Roads are intentionally left unplowed in winter so as to provide a skiable/snowshoeable surface when snowpack in minimal.

After winter storms, the road to the southern, and higher elevation overlooks, maybe be closed for several hours or even overnight while snowplows work to reopen the half of the park. However the roads and parking lots providing access to the four most scenic overlooks (Bryce, Inspiration, Sunset and Sunrise Points) are plowed immediately after winter storms.

TRAIL CLOSURES:
Snow is ONLY cleared from the sidewalks at the overlooks. Therefore, All trails are CLOSED TO THOSE WHO wear tennis shoes, dress shoes, etc. Water-proof hiking boots or snowboots are essential if you plan to hike. Additional traction devices (see below) are necessary to traverse the most popular trails.

HARD TRAIL CLOSURES:
Due to the danger of falling rocks, the upper portion of the Wall Street Slot Canyon (on the western half of the Navajo Loop) is routinely closed in winter. The Peekaboo Loop Connector Trail, that descends from Bryce Point, is often closed due to snow/mud avalanche/slide potential.

 

"Photoshopped" illustration of cornice danger

NPS photo by Ron Warner & Kevin Poe

Prohibited Activities
Skiing, snowboarding, sledding, etc. off of the Bryce Canyon Rim into the canyon is illegal due to the highly dangerous nature of such activities and the damage to the resource they can cause. The annual 200 daily freeze-thaw cycles that form our unique hoodoos also make steep sections of the canyon susceptible to avalanches and even the more dangerous and unpredictable mud-snow slides! Though we've never had a fatality from such an event, visitors who ignored this warning and became victims of mud-snow slides, have been injured and badly traumatized by the experience. Avoid these hazards by staying on designated trails and NOT skiing (or sliding) off of the canyon rim!

 

Shoe traction device for icy trails

anonymous

Winter Hiking
After a big snowfall most of the park's day-hiking trails require snowshoes. However, after a few days of melt, and with continued use, the trails become so well packed and icy that snowshoes are often more of a liability. For much of the winter the most popular trails are so icy that steep sections cannot be safely traversed without some sort of additional traction device for your hiking shoes or boots. While mountaineering crampons work fine, they are heavier and much more expensive than the traction devices pictured at left. The Bryce Canyon Natural History Association's bookstore at the Visitor Center sells such devices for the discounted price of $27.

 

Ranger Patrick Hair leads a snowshoe hike

NPS photo by Kevin Poe

Snowshoeing
Snowshoeing is allowed throughout the park. Though snowshoes make it possible to travel through deep powdery snow, snowshoeing is still a highly strenous activity. "Most people can snowshoe about as far as they can swim!" jokes Park Ranger Kevin Poe. "Especially if you haven't been taught good technique!" adds Park Ranger and Snowshoe Instructor Jim Jakicic.

Snowshoes are no longer available for rent in the Bryce Canyon area.

However, snowshoes are available for FREE for those joining Bryce Canyon's Snowshoe Rangers (when snow depth is sufficient), on Thursday thru Sunday at 1:30pm for 1-mile, 2 hr. guided snowshoe hikes. Designed for beginner snowshoers, but also enjoyed by experts, these outings help you learn or refine your snowshoe technique, while also teaching winter ecology and other winter survival skills. Our High-tech snowshoes, made by MSR, come in all sizes but are only provided for participants of ranger guided snowshoe activities. Sign up at the Bryce Canyon Visitor Center or make a reservation by calling 435-834-4747. Attendance is free. NOTE: you must provide your own waterproof hiking boots, or ideally snowboots, to keep your feet warm and dry. Those with only tennis shoes, dress shoes, etc. will not be allowed to attend.

 

Ranger Patrick Hair leading a group on a full moon snowshoe hike.

NPS photo by Kevin Poe

Ranger Guided Full Moon Snowshoe Hikes

From November through March (when snow depth exceeds 12") we offer full moon snowshoe hikes. Snowshoes and poles are provided but you must provide your own snow-boot or waterproof hiking boots. (Click here for more info and moon hike schedule)

 

Cross-country skiing near Sunset Point

photo by Dan Ng & Kevin Poe

Cross-country Skiing
Another great way to explore Bryce Canyon is on cross-country skis. Though it is illegal to ski off of the rim into the canyon, you can enjoy a variety of routes above the rim. These include the rim trail between Bryce Point and Fairyland Point; Bristlecone Loop; Paria Ski Loop; and the unplowed Paria View and Fairyland Point roads.

On rare occasions when the snow depth allows, you can ski into the bottom of the Bryce Amphitheater from the outskirts of the town of Tropic. Another nearby favorite that allows for skiing among hoodoos, is the Red Canyon Bike Path. Also outside of the park, Bryce Canyon City maintains many miles of groomed ski trails. If you don't have your own skis, cross-country skis as well as snowshoe equipment can be rented in Bryce Canyon City.

 

Backpacker in winter scene

NPS photo by Jan Stock

Winter Backpacking
Bryce Canyon's backcountry is difficult anytime of year but it is especially challenging in the winter. Concerns are not limited to just deep snow and sub-zero temperatures, more importantly following the trail can be extremely challenging when covered in deep snow. Losing the trail makes it difficult to find the key routes back up to the rim and the Rainbow Point Road. For this and other reasons (open fires are prohibited, access road may be closed for several days after a big storm, etc.) winter backcountry permits are issued to only the most experienced and well prepared adventurers. Ski and/or snowshoe equipment is highly recommended. Click here for more information about backcountry camping.

 

Couple Sledding

anonymous

Sledding
Although sledding is allowed above the canyon rim (sledding off of the canyon rim being strictly prohibited), there are very few suitable places within the boundaries of Bryce Canyon National Park to enjoy sledding. Local residents prefer to do their sledding in nearby Red Canyon.

 

Visitors waiting for a deep space peek through a telescope during winter stargazing event

NPS Photo by Dan Ng

Winter Astronomy
Yes! Even in the winter time we offer Astronomy Programs! Join us every Saturday and additional holiday weekends from November - March for winter astronomy. Cold and dry air (sometimes as low as -30 F!) makes fabulous stargazing at Bryce Canyon - the last grand sanctuary of natural darkness.
(click here/photo for astronomy list)