Updated December 7, 2020: Zion Canyon Visitor Center (Outside Information Desk) 8 am - 4 pm (through winter) Park Store: 8 am - 5 pm (through winter) Zion Canyon Wilderness Desk (Outside North Guest Window) 8am - 10:00am & 3:00pm - 4:30pm (through winter) Zion Human History Museum: Closed: Zion Nature Center: Closed: Kolob Canyons Visitor Center: 8 am - 4:30 pm The weather in january in Zion National Park is rather dry (with 0.9in of precipitation over 4 days). The biggest benefit of visiting Zion in November is the crowds have all but disappeared, and there is opportunity for peace and quiet in the park. If the shuttle isn’t running, you can drive your car into the main Zion Canyon, Guided Zion treks are all-inclusive which covers permits; local transportation (excluded on certain tours); meals; equipment; safety systems and professional hiking/wilderness guides; all of which allows visitors to maximize their time in Zion and focus entirely on enjoying the Park. Zion National Park in Winter Remember that the sun sets early during the winter, so make sure you set out with enough time to finish you hike before the sun goes down. Daytime temperatures are usually very pleasant, even during December and January. If you have proper equipment, camping can be a fun winter adventure. This is such a beautiful stretch of land and cruising it with no traffic and pure freedom is a true vacation highlight. Nearly half of the annual precipitation in Zion Canyon falls between the months of December and March. High temperature: 53°F (12°C) Low temperature: 30°F (-1°C) Hours daylight/sun: 10 hours Rainy days to be expected:6. Pedal Through the Beauty of Zion. Winter is a season of peace and quiet in Zion. Almost all of Zion’s attractions are open year-round, but some of them may have some icy patches in areas that don’t see much sun so just be aware. Why an Excursion with ATV & Jeep Adventure Tours Should Be On Everyone’s Itinerary, Angels Landing Closed: 7 More Scenic Trails to Enjoy While Social-Distancing, Zion National Park Suspends Shuttle Operations Out of Caution for Coronavirus Spread; Park Remains Open, Healthy Tips for Traveling to Zion National Park, © 2021 Make sure you read the current conditions for up-to-date information. Another benefit of visiting in December is that you can drive through the canyon with your own car. The contrast of the animals against a snowy background is great for viewing and photography. Weather in Zion during the month of December is typically cold and wet. Temps also vary with elevation and time of day — the swing between noon and midnight can reach 30 degrees. Hikers should dress in layers so they can adjust for the conditions they find. Snow in Zion is very rare. Calculations of sunrise and sunset in Zion National Park – Utah – USA for January 2021. One of the drawbacks of visiting Zion National Park in December is that while the roads are plowed after a winter storm, trails may be closed due to snow or ice. Until December 2020, or until further notice, Zion National Park is using a temporary shuttle system to give visitors access to upper Zion Canyon. You MUST purchase a $1 shuttle ticket online if you want to access the trailheads inside the upper Zion Canyon. In december in Zion National Park, the climate is relatively dry (with 2.8in of rainfall over 7 days). Wildlife on the Trail. Now that your interest is peaked, here are 5 of the best things to do in Zion National Park during the winter months. There are some very convincing reasons why making the journey to Zion outside the peak months is an incredibly wise decision. Since then, I’ve been back three more times, all within the past two years, but my trip to St. George earlier this month was my first visit during winter. At the end of the 15-mile Zion Canyon Scenic Drive, you’ll find the … But during Zion National Park winter months, it’s open! . Either way, you are going to be richly rewarded. Zion Guide December 2020 PDF. Even though it’s cold outside, be sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day; it is recommended to take at least three liters with you. On some days many visitors shed jackets and hike in shirtsleeves. Our first recommendation, Zion Canyon Scenic Drive, is closed to private vehicles from March to November (unless you’re staying at the Zion Lodge). Temperatures can range from highs of 50-60°F during the day to lows well below freezing at night. But in general, the fact that almost all the roads inside the Park become open to private vehicles as the shuttle system shuts down opens up so many options as a tourist that you just won’t have during the summer. And even though the National Park Service site will tell you that “nearly half of the annual precipitation in Zion Canyon falls between the months of December and March,” don't let that scare you away; Zion is located in a desert-like area of Utah, and average annual precipitation is just over 16 inches for the entire year. (Symbol: ZION) saw new options become available this week, for the December 18th expiration. There’s a good chance that you’ll run into wildlife along the trails in Zion, on any … In Kolob Canyons, the average temperature is a high of 50, and a low of 26 degrees Fahrenheit (10/-3 degrees Celsius). Though the smaller mammals are hibernating, Zion National Park winter visitors often see Golden and Bald Eagles, Bighorn sheep, elk, deer, and wild turkeys in abundance. With so many less people in the park, you are able to experience the magnitude of the walls without thousands of other people around. Utah! There are some trails that get so hot they’re crossed off many tourists itineraries, especially the lower canyon ones. Zion Lodge, built in the 1920s, is a rustic, medium-sized hotel, a member of Historic Hotels of America, as part of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Traction devices are recommended for trails at higher elevations, as well as trails with shaded sections where snow and ice are less likely to melt. The walls and formations at higher elevations are often dusted with snow; and although it could melt as the day progresses, there is nothing like sunrise photography in Zion during the winter months. The biggest benefit of visiting Zion in December is the lack of crowds. ZionNationalPark.com. In winter, daytime temperatures hover around 50°F (10°C), dropping below freezing at night. Stack Exchange network consists of 176 Q&A communities including Stack Overflow, the largest, most trusted online community for developers to learn, share their knowledge, and build … Just this past December – the day after Christmas – I went on an ATV adventure tour with a local outfit across the sand dunes in nearby Hurricane, UT and had the time of my life. For the Zion shuttle, this is one of the major stops, with a lot of people getting on and off. A group of four family and friends including two senior adults is contemplating about camping at Zion National Park in mid-December. Another great activity in December is hiking. Get the monthly weather forecast for Zion National Park, UT, including daily high/low, historical averages, to help you plan ahead. Hiking is a great activity in December because the crowds have thinned so immensely, and you could even have the trail to yourself. Make sure to catch sunrise or sunset from Canyon Overlook Trail or Watchman Overlook Trail. Since my first visit to Utah some 16 years ago, Zion National Park has ranked up there as one of my favorite national parks, if not the favorite. The average temperature for Zion Canyon is a high of 53, and a low of 30 degrees Fahrenheit (12/-1 degrees Celsius). Another one to try is the area between Springdale and Kolob Canyon which you can access right outside Springdale on Hwy 9 and then onto Hwy 15. Get your cameras ready! People, Zion National Park is not a summer-only experience. Storms occasionally bring clouds and cold winds, but they usually blow by quickly. Embark on these hikes with no problem at all during the winter months, particularly The Watchman. The misty waterfalls, abundant wildlife, higher water levels, and (at high elevation locations) the possibility of viewing red rock/white snow contrasts makes this entire area a photographers dream. The month of December in Zion experiences essentially constant cloud cover, with the percentage of time that the sky is overcast or mostly cloudy remaining about 56% throughout the month.. A great option for hiking in December is an inn-based tour, where you will experience the best of Zion, and Bryce Canyon on day hikes with a local and knowledgeable guide, then go back to a exceptional lodge. Cross-country skiing or snowshoeing! Our vacation homes remain open from December to February each year, when the rest of the resort operations are closed. At Stock Options Channel, our … Being able to drive yourself gives you freedom to see what you want to see, on your own watch. Investors in Zions Bancorporation, N.A. ‘This is a great time to come.” One hears that a lot from the locals when visiting Zion National Park in winter. They figured out that waiting till summer is over means no stifling heat, no crowded trails, increased hotel vacancy, effortless parking, and many other benefits. But in our perspective, those 200,000 people are some of the smartest around. December is the coldest month of the year in Zion National Park. You might benefit from a light jacket, sweatshirt, or thermal in the early mornings, but you’ll be probably be ditching them when midday approaches. Flagstaff, Arizona 86004, All Content & Photos Copyrighted by WTC © 2021, Current Operating Guidelines & New Booking Terms →. That hardly ever happens, and when it does, the snow usually doesn’t stick for more than a day or two, if that. Stroll down the Riverside Trail. Walk across our 4,000 acre ranch or venture into Zion National Park. Zion is a vision in March, April and May but it’s still a place where anything can happen. Follow Zion Canyon Scenic Drive for about 4 miles from the entrance to arrive at Zion Lodge. Grafton is located near the Springdale entrance to Zion National Park and is recognizable as a setting of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. Be prepared for possible overnight temps close to freezing. SEASONS/AVOIDING THE CROWDS: Zion is one of the most-used national parks in the country. Travelers who’ve experienced it often describe it as one of their most favorite trips to take and many do it yearly. Mildly cold days with the average high temperature of 53°F … When you visit the Lodge, you can choose one of several on-site restaurants for lunch. Fewer people, easy parking, available hotel rooms, much less crowded trails, . Cooler weather and less-trafficked roadways make November a terrific time to explore Zion on two wheels, so consider renting a bike during your visit. December through April constitutes the park's low season, but although there will be fewer crowds, some attractions, such as the Narrows and Angels Landing, might be too cold to fully enjoy. Personal cars are allowed through Zion Canyon November to March. This trail takes you to a majestic forested plateau courtesy of Zion Ponderosa and is without a doubt one of the most spectacular views in Zion during any time of year. You can read our list of Zion’s best trails for recommendations. Sign up to receive our exclusive Wildland Wire emails and stay up to date with Wildland Trekking's promotions, discounts, contests, outdoor tips and tricks, trip reports and more! This trip takes care of all the planning, accommodations and meals, so you can enjoy your trip without any of the stress that comes with planning a National Park vacation. You’ll experience roads that are easily passable, continuously plowed, and traffic-free in addition to the incredible scenery. Zion Guide is the most comprehensive Zion National Park Guide in existence. Generic astronomy calculator to calculate times for sunrise, sunset, moonrise, moonset for many cities, with daylight saving time and time zones taken in account. The drive is about 40 min. I wonder: How cold (in terms of real feel -- sometimes past. Use common sense and turn back if trail conditions are unsafe. . Wildland Trekking offers trips with the best of Zion: canyons, views, wildlife, solitude, adventure and fascinating natural and cultural interpretation. The shuttle system is the only way to get around. Check out the trail conditions when planning what to do for the day. Weather in December Weather in Zion during the month of December is typically Roads are plowed, but certain trails may be closed due to the hazard of falling ice. It should be noted an improvement from the previous month since in december it receives an average of 1.1in of precipitation over 5 days. Almost half of the yearly precipitation in Zion Canyon occurs between December and March. It’s open year-round for a reason! Zion National Park is home to some of the most epic and amazing hiking vacations in the world. Silver Reef features a museum in an old Wells Fargo building, and Old Irontown is a protected site where you can find beehive shaped kilns and ruins with interpretive signage. During the height of tourist season, shuttle buses take visitors into Zion’s main canyon, … There are a lot of scenic drives to choose from in and around Zion that are flat-out incredible, but we’ll mention two of our favorites. Doubt you wil need reservations in December. The glistening snow in the canyon and on top of the towering cliffs makes the park very photography-friendly. Winter nights are chilly but usually not extremely cold. South campground is the only reservable campground in Zion. Many people enjoy camping in Zion Park even during the coldest parts of winter. I know that may not seem like a lot compared to the 4 million plus total annual visitors. Our first recommendation, Zion Canyon Scenic Drive, is closed to private vehicles from March to November (unless you’re staying at the Zion Lodge). 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