Visiting in Winter

Visiting Soon?

Be sure to always check our Current Conditions page for the most up-to-date information on forecasts, roads, trails, and other park operations.

 

The Bryce Amphitheater in Summer and Winter

Left image
Summer from Bryce Point
Credit: NPS / Peter Densmore

Right image
Winter from Bryce Point
Credit: NPS / Peter Densmore

The Bryce Amphitheater remains accessible year-round, though some trails and nearby roads close seasonally.

 

On This Page

• Winter Access Map
• Weather
• Winter Hiking
• Snowshoeing
• Cross-country Skiing
• Winter Backpacking
• Winter Astronomy

Planning a Winter Visit

The stark white of freshly fallen snow, red rocks, blue sky, and evergreen trees--some say Bryce Canyon is even more beautiful in winter! Here at 8,000 feet (2,438 m) the scenery changes dramatically in the colder months, providing unique opportunities to see the park and requiring a very different packing list. Begin by reviewing regular closures and regulations, read about typical weather, and then explore the many ways you can experience this winter wonderland.

 

A Typical Winter Visit

1-3 Hours

A shorter visit should focus on the first 3 miles (4.8 km) of the park, known as the Bryce Amphitheater. After a stop at the Visitor Center just past the fee booths for restrooms, the park gift shop, and other amenities, continue 1.5 miles (2.4 km) to the turn for Bryce Point. The road to Bryce Point is 2 miles (3.2 km) long and ends at one of the park's most popular overlooks.

Return toward the main road, then turn right to then see Inspiration Point. Inspiration Point provides easy walks along the rim and a steeper (often icy) walk south to a higher overlook.
Continue on to the main road, and turn right back toward the Visitor Center. Your next right turn will be for Sunset Point. In addition to a beautiful view, visitors can enjoy a flat 1.0 mile (1.6 km) walk along the Rim Trail to Sunrise Point and back.

For more moderate hikes, the Navajo Loop and Queen's Garden Trails descend from Sunset and Sunrise Points, respectively. Note that the Wall Street side of the Navajo Loop closes every winter. See the Alerts and Conditions page for trail statuses.

We strongly recommend traction devices for all winter hikes within the park.

4+ Hours

Enjoy the suggestions above, and combine with a (40 minute) drive on the Southern Scenic Drive to Rainbow Point, with stops at scenic viewpoints like Natural Bridge on the way back. Note that the Southern Scenic Drive temporarily closes after winter storms. See the Alerts and Conditions page for road statuses.

Enjoy a the Junior Ranger Program or a Ranger Program such as Ranger-led Snowshoe Hikes or rent snowshoes or cross-country skis in Bryce Canyon City (information below).

Those who are prepared with traction devices and good winter clothing might enjoy longer, more strenuous day hikes.

Stargazing can be spectacular with winter's cold, clear skies. In winter, we face out toward the dimmer outer arms of the Milky Way galaxy. Seeing the faint winter Milky Way is a privilege only available in truly dark places, like Bryce Canyon. Overnight temperatures are very cold, so we recommend Sunset and Inspiration Points as good stargazing locations with nearby parking lots.

If you're staying overnight, you can find nearby lodging accomodations or camp within the park.

Annual Winter Events

In addition to daily activities like snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and winter hiking the Bryce Canyon Winter Festival and Christmas Bird Count are two popular annual events.

Seasonal Closures and Operations

Seasonal Road Closures (See Alerts for Current Closures)

• There are only two roads that are closed to vehicle traffic for the entire winter season: the 1 mile (1.6 km) road leading to Fairyland Point and the 0.3 mile (0.5 km) road leading to Paria View. These two spur roads close after snow levels begin to require plow removal, but remain accessible for hikers, cross-country skiiers, and snowshoers.
• Following snowstorms, the main park road closes temporarily at mile marker 3 to allow snow plow crews to clear snow from the higher elevations of the park's scenic southern drive. Closures typically last a day or more, depending on snowstorm durations. Along the first three miles of the main road, the Bryce Amphitheater area (which includes Bryce Point, Inspiration Point, Sunset Point, and Sunrise Point) is the first area to be plowed, so it remains accessible even during temporary closures of the scenic southern drive. Check the Conditions Page for road statuses.

Seasonal Trail Closures (See Alerts for Current Closures)

• There are two trails that close for the entire winter season: the Wall Street side of the Navajo Loop Trail (the Two Bridges side of the Navajo Loop remains open for down-and-back hiking or for combination with the Queen's Garden or Peekaboo Trails) and the Rim Trail between Inspiration and Bryce Points. The Wall street side of the Navajo Loop closes due to extreme rockfall danger, while the Rim Trail between Inspiration and Bryce Points closes due to snow cornices along steep cliffs.

Seasonal Facilities and Services

• Ranger programs continue year-round, but become less frequent in winter.
• While camping remains available at North Campground year-round, Sunset Campground closes each winter from November into April.
• The Lodge at Bryce Canyon and dining room close in winter, but lodging often remains available at the Sunset Lodge Unit.
• The General Store at Sunrise Point closes in winter.
• Restrooms at Inspiration Point, the Peekaboo Loop, and the General Store close in winter (Restrooms remain available at Rainbow Point, Farview Point, Sunset Point, the Visitor Center and North Campground).
• The North Campground RV Dump Station closes in winter.
• Private and guided horse rides end at the end of October and resume in April or May depending on the weather.
• The Visitor Center is open on Thanksgiving and closed on Christmas. The Visitor Center will close one hour early on Christmas Eve and open one hour late on New Year's Day.

 

Access to the park changes in the winter season, with some road and trail closures and temporary closures following snowstorms.

Download a Larger Winter Access Map (921 KB)

Winter Regulations

Skiing, snowboarding, sledding, etc. off of the rim, into or within the canyon is illegal due to the highly dangerous nature of such activities and the damage to the resource they can cause. The daily freeze-thaw cycles that form our unique hoodoos also make steep sections of the canyon susceptible to slides and rockfalls.
Visitors are responsible for knowing and abiding by park laws and policies.

 

Weather

The weather can change quickly in any season at this high elevation, but winter storms can create some of the most challenging conditions. Review historic weather data below, and check out the 7-day forecast as your visit approaches.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Temperature (°F)
Avg High	37	38	45	54	64	75	80	77	70	58	45	36
Avg Low	15	17	23	29	37	45	53	50	42	32	23	15
Record High	59	64	67	75	85	92	98	90	86	79	68	60
Record Low	-26	-26	-11	-3	13	21	28	23	16	0	-12	-23
Precipitation (in")
Normal Rain	1.8	1.4	1.5	0.8	0.8	0.6	1.6	2.0	1.8	2.0	1.3	1.2
Maximum Rain	7.4	6.0	4.9	5.8	3.5	3.3	5.7	7.7	5.4	6.4	7.3	3.7
24 hr Max Rain	3.3	2.3	1.8	1.2	1.2	1.2	1.4	2.2	2.1	2.6	1.4	3.3
Normal Snow	17	18	17	8	2	0.1	0	0	0.1	3	10	14
Maximum Snow	82	55	48	62	18	2.5	-	-	2	16	36	50
Thunderstorms	0	0	0	1	3	2	11	12	4	1	0	0

 

Shoe traction device for icy trails

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 no longer effective to provide traction and stable footing.

Traction Devices

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. Mountaineering crampons or other, lighter options which fasten over your winter footwear like the one pictured here work well. We recommend wearing these devices throughout the park, especially in parking lots and other paved areas to avoid injuries from slipping and falling.

Traction devices are available for purchase at the Bryce Canyon Natural History Association's bookstore at the Visitor Center.

 

Snowshoeing

Snowshoeing is allowed throughout the park on all trails. But be aware that though snowshoes make it possible to travel through deep powdery snow, snowshoeing is still a highly strenuous activity. Most snowshoers enjoy walks along the Rim Trail, Bristlecone Loop, Fairyland Road, and Paria Road.
Don't have your own snowshoes? Join a Ranger Program! Ranger-led snowshoe hikes are designed for all levels of experience, from beginner to expert. Snowshoes and poles are available for free for those who sign up for these programs, which are provided when snow depth and staffing permit.

Ranger-led Snowshoe Hike Basics

Time	Usually 2 hours
Duration	Approximately 1 mile (1.6 km)
Attendance Fee	Free
Minimum Age	8 years old +
Required Equipment	Winter clothing, water, and waterproof boots (Snowshoes, poles provided). Tennis shoes will not be permitted.

How to Sign Up

When programs are offered, registration is required as group size is limited and hikes are subject to cancellation. When snow depth and weather permit, sign-up will be offered at the Visitor Center the day of the program beginning at 8 a.m. and continuing until full. No advance sign-up or reservations are available.

Full Moon Snoeshoe Hikes

One of the rarest ranger programs is a full moon snowshoe hike. Both the full moon date and the weather have to cooperate to create the necessary conditions. Review the Required Equipment for a snowshoe hike, then check out the full moon hike calendar.

 

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 sections of the Rim Trail along the edge of the Main Amphitheater, the Bristlecone Loop Trail; Paria Ski Loop; and the unplowed Paria View and Fairyland Point roads.

Cross-country skiing opportunities are abundant just outside the park, too! Bryce Canyon City also maintains many miles of groomed ski trails.

Grooming reports may be available online.

Snowshoe and Cross-country Ski Rentals

The closest option for renting snowshoes and crosscountry skis is Ruby's Inn Winter Adventure Center in Bryce Canyon City.

 

Winter Backpacking

Traversing Bryce Canyon's backcountry is challenging year-round. Winter conditions include deep snow and sub-zero temperatures. Finding and following the trail can be extremely difficult 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, the Rainbow Point 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.

 

Winter Astronomy

Long winter nights show off Bryce's beautiful dark skies to perfection. When staffing and weather conditions permit, we offer winter Astronomy Programs. For availability, check the Calendar page or at the Visitor Center upon arrival. Full Moon Hikes also continue year-round. For safety reasons, inclement weather and/or air temperature/wind chill below 10° F (-12° C) may force cancellation of the event.

 

With the right equipment and clothing a winter hike can be a beautiful memory of Bryce Canyon

NPS / Keith Moore