Bryce Canyon National Park sits at a high elevation of about 9,000 ft which means it gets a lot of snow during the winter. Winter in Bryce Canyon the best time to visit for a winter adventure; Bryce Canyon with snow is a must-see and there are vistas open that don’t require hiking, but just a short walk.
Can you hike Bryce Canyon in the Winter?
Many hiking trails are open in the Winter in Utah, just be prepared for hiking in snow and icy trails.
What to Pack for Bryce Canyon in the Snow
- Down jacket for insulation (800 fill)
- Hardshell jacket if it’s windy/ storm conditions
- Warm, fleece-lined boots if you are visiting viewpoints only
- Insulated hiking boots if you are hiking in the canyon
- Midweight hiking socks (heavyweight socks tend to be too thick and snug to go in your standard hiking boots unless you sized up
- Microspikes for ice and snow
- Day pack
- Insulated water bottle to keep your water from freezing.
- I’d also recommend packing a hot drink like bone broth, hot chocolate, or just hot water
- Gloves or Mittens
- Heated mittens are great if you run cold like I do but a good pair that actually works well can be expensive
- Beanie
Best Hikes in Bryce Canyon in Winter and Viewpoints
Bryce Canyon National Park is very different in the Summer vs Winter; in fact, Winter is the only time I absolutely love visiting this national park. It’s less crowded and looks like a magical fairytale winter wonderland with the contrast of the white snow on the red-orange sandstone hoodoos.
Temperatures can drop significantly. When I visited Bryce Canyon in December, it was a low of 6 deg F and when it’s windy, the chill level drops even more and it gets really cold. But with the right layers (click here for some of my current favorite winter layers), you’ll be fine and comfortable for the outdoor temps.
Also, don’t forget microspikes if you plan to hike when snow is present on the trails! They were best for icy trails which could potentially be underneath the snow.
I’ve been to Bryce twice with snow: Thanksgiving 2016 and New Year 2019-2020. Snow can start as early as Nov and the trails can remain open, but conditions vary from year to year, month to month. A lot of the park roads/ trails can be closed during winter storms so be sure to check current conditions when planning your trip and don’t forget your National Park Pass! Timed entry reservations are not required.
Here are some of my favorite hiking trails in Bryce, with levels ranging from a beginner’s walk in the park to family-friendly trails, to hiking down into the canyon.
Rim Trail
THINGS TO SEE: Bryce Amphitheater, Byrce Point, Inspiration Point, Sunset Point, Sunrise Point MILES: 1-6 mi out and back TIME: 1-2 hr DATE I WENT: 11/26/16 DIFFICULTY: easy
The Rim Trail is one of the easiest and flattest in the park, offering views of the Bryce Canyon amphitheater the entire time. It’s mostly paved and pet-friendly, but in the winter, the trail can get covered with snow too.
The Rim Trail connects all 4 viewpoints in Bryce (Sunrise Point, Sunset Point, Inspiration Point, and Bryce Point) and can be as long or short as you choose. From the first to the last of these four viewpoints, the trail is about 2.8 miles one way. I think Bryce Point and Sunset Point are the best vistas so I only hiked that part of the trail which was 2.4 miles one way.
Navajo Loop Trail
THINGS TO SEE: Thor's Hammer, Two Bridges, Wall Street MILES: 1.3 mi loop TIME: 1-2 hr DATE I WENT: 11/26/16 & 12/31/19 DIFFICULTY: easy-moderate ELEVATION GAIN/ LOSS: 550 ft
This very popular trail starts at Sunset Point. Wall Street is closed in the winter so the Navajo Trail cannot be done as a full loop – when I went late-Nov, the trail was all open and on the last day of Dec, it was closed. However, you can still hike down one-way to see Thor’s Hammer, Two Bridges, and access the trail connecting to the Peekaboo Loop.
Fun fact: this is the very first hike I ever did as a kid and I had no idea what it was until I revisited the park as an adult in 2016.
Peekaboo Trail
THINGS TO SEE: wall of window, Bryce Canyon from the bottom MILES: 5.5 mi loop TIME: 3-4 hr DATE I WENT: 11/26/16 DIFFICULTY: moderate / strenuous ELEVATION GAIN/ LOSS: 1571 ft
The trailhead starts at Bryce Point and is a little steep as the hike descends quickly into the canyon floor, so make sure to bring microspikes if there is snow on the trail, possibly even snowshoes. When I went Thanksgiving weekend a few years ago, the trail was very icy and for a short section that I took my microspikes off… I slipped… hard… on ice… and had a bruise on my butt bigger than the size of a tennis ball – learn from my mistake.
The Peekaboo Trail is my favorite hike in Bryce Canyon National Park and I love that it’s more secluded in the colder months. The Peekaboo Loop is 3 miles itself, but the trail to connect from Bryce Point down to the loop adds some miles. It can also be connected with the Navajo Trail above to create a longer, figure 8 trail. It’s listed as a strenuous hike and winter conditions can make it harder, but the trail is so beautiful offering many different views and plenty of photo ops.
Mossy Cave
THINGS TO SEE: waterfall and dripping mossy cave in summer, icicles in winter MILES: 0.8 mi out and back TIME: 1 hr DATE I WENT: 1/1/20 DIFFICULTY: easy ELEVATION GAIN/ LOSS: 200 ft
Mossy Cave Trail is one of the easiest and underrated trails of Bryce Canyon National Park, probably because the trailhead starts outside of the park, 4 miles east on Hwy 12. The trail hikes along a stream and in the winter, the waterfall is frozen and the mossy cave has no moss but it’s filled with icicles that are way cooler – but I haven’t seen this trail in regular conditions. This is a great family-friendly trail.
Remember to pack plenty of water, layers, and wear sunscreen – just because it’s winter and cold, doesn’t mean you don’t need these. There are lots of BLM roads nearby if you’re looking for a place to park and sleep (vanlifers). The North Campground only has one loop open in the Winter and Sunset Campground is closed Nov-Mar.
FAQ: Bryce Canyon in Winter
Is Bryce Canyon worth visiting in winter?
100% yes. Bryce Canyon National Park is one of the best national parks for winter trips, and my favorite time to visit Utah. If you’ve only visited Bryce Canyon in the spring, summer, or fall, you need to see it in the winter. It’s a very different experience with the contrast of the white snow on the red sandstone.
Is Bryce Canyon closed in the winter?
While parts of Bryce Canyon National Park close for the winter season, the park remains open. Visit the NPS site for current park closures.
Can you drive to Bryce Canyon in December?
The main road to Rainbow Point is fully open unless there is a snowstorm. Seasonal winter road closures (starting Cyber Monday) typically include the road leading to Fairyland Point and Paria View. The road remains open for hikers, snowshoers, and XC skiers though. Check for road closures on the NPS site here.
Is Bryce Canyon colder than Zion?
Bryce Canyon sits at a higher elevation than Zion National Park so it is typically a bit cooler.
Thanks for reading!
I’d love to hear your thoughts – please leave any questions, comments, suggestions below 🙂
& don’t forget to practice leave no trace
Other National Parks for Winter Visits You May Like
- How to Visit Moonscape Overlook Utah: A Hidden Gem Near Hanksville
- Marlboro Point in Utah: Moab’s Hidden Gem for Epic Views
- Hot Creek Geologic Site: How To Visit This Hidden Gem Near Mammoth Lakes CA
- Telluride Via Ferrata in Colorado: Everything You Need to Know
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Tiff, the owner and author of Follow Tiff’s Journey, is a California/ Colorado-based adventurer and outdoor connoisseur who divides her heart between the Eastern Sierra Mountains and the Colorado Rocky Mountains. Despite her fear of heights, she’s become a seasoned mountaineer, ultralight hiking and backcountry camping enthusiast, expert road trip planner, and a fervent explorer of alpine lakes, natural hot springs, and sandstone canyons.
With 10 years of experience exploring the outdoors, her blog is your go-to source for all things wilderness, offering invaluable insights and pro tips, essential gear recommendations, and awe-inspiring stories from her adventures.
Join Tiff on her quest to share the wonders of nature and inspire others to follow their own path in the great outdoors.
I wish more people had your passion for the outdoors Tiff. I do believe you are inspiring people to get out there. Perhaps our paths will cross someday.
Thank you for the kind words, Gary. I hope to not only inspire others to get out more but to respect and take care of the land we play on as well as it seems to be becoming more of an issue. There’s certainly a whole community of fellow outdoors enthusiasts out there but if you ever see me on the trails, be sure to say hi 🙂