Disclaimer: This trip is sponsored by GreaterZion.com and may contain affiliate links. All opinions & thoughts are my own.
There are many perks to visiting Zion in the winter and there’s SO much more to Zion outside of the Park. Did you know you can visit wineries, volcanic landscapes, and enjoy activities like UTVing & canyoneering year round? I’ve visited the Greater Zion area 3x now and this is by far my favorite trip here.
Why visit Zion in the winter?
There are SO many perks to visiting Zion in the wintertime. First off, this is their off-season so there won’t be nearly as many tourists during this time. True story: We waited in the car for 2 hours to get in the park in the fall 😫.
Another great perk is that you can drive your own vehicle through Zion Scenic Drive which is only open to shuttles between March-November.
Lastly, the weather is still good enough to enjoy outdoor adventures. The average daytime temperatures reach the 60s during the day with lows into the 30s at night. It does snow in the higher elevations of Zion, but it is rare and only happens a few times a year & rarely sticks.
Where to stay in Zion
There are a lot of great choices for accommodations in Zion, ranging from campgrounds, glamping resorts, B&Bs, and hotels. The Greater Zion area is actually one of the fastest growing glamping hubs in the US.
Inn Santa Clara
We were OBSESSED with this family run B&B near St. George. It’s barn style & our room felt so luxurious. They also deliver an assortment of pastries at your door in the mornings. This inn is very close to Snow Canyon State Park which is one of my favorite places to explore in Utah. It is an hour from Zion but there are a lot of hidden gems to explore here. Check Rates
Cable Mountain Lodge
For the best possible location, I would recommend staying in Cable Mountain Lodge. It is right next to the entrance of Zion National Park and has a gorgeous backdrop of the canyons and river. Our room had a full kitchen and full size fridge so it felt more like a home than a hotel room. Check Rates
Zion Wildflower Resort
If you’re looking for something more unique, you can stay in Zion Wildflower Resort. They offer glamping stays like a wagon, safari tent, and bungalows. Check Rates
Find a hotel near Zion National Park
Things to do in Greater Zion in the winter
Take an ATV Tour
We had the most epic time with Mad Moose Rentals. We opted for the 4 hour Cliffs of Insanity tour and had such a blast. Our guide took us through a variety of terrain from sand dunes, arches, rocks, and cliffs overlooking southern Utah. You can also opt to rent ATVs and explore on your own.
Go Canyoneering
Canyoneering was such a cool activity in this area! The spots Rock Odyssey took us to were beautiful and it was so much fun learning how to scale down these tall canyons. It was my first time trying out canyoneering and even though I was a little bit scared at first, I actually felt very comfortable quickly. I loved that you are in complete control over how fast you want to get down.
Check out the Zion Wine Trail
I know what you’re thinking…wine in Zion?? YES. Wineries have popped up in Zion over the last few years and this is something I’d highly recommend for any travelers visiting. I mean come on, a glass of wine in a vineyard overlooking Zion? How unique is that. Some of the wineries we visited are:
Bold and Delaney
They are the first tasting room to open up in this valley. I enjoyed all the wines we tasted but some of my favorites are the Malvasia Blanca and Petite Syrah. Reservations are required before you visit. Check them out here.
Water Canyon Winery
A beautiful husband and wife owned winery with an insane backdrop behind the vineyard. They specialize in natural wines with no added sulfites, preservatives, or enzymes. My boyfriend and I are normally not big fans of rosé but we found theirs to be VERY good. Check them out here.
Best hikes in Zion in the winter
Zion is absolute paradise for hiking trails. You’ll find yourself blown away by the towering red canyons and rivers carving through them. If you are new to hiking, check out my beginner hiker’s blog for tips & proper hiking etiquette.
Zion Canyon Overlook Trail
I highly recommend a sunrise at Zion Canyon overlook. This trail is usually impossible to access due to the parking lot being so small but in the winter mornings there were only 2 other cars there.
Length: 1 mile
Elevation Gain: 187 ft
Dog friendly: No
Emerald Pools
This is one of those hikes where I actually like the hike itself more than the “destination”. The pools were rather dried out but the hike itself is beautiful & had constant views of the towering canyons and river.
Length: 3 miles
Elevation Gain: 620 ft
Dog friendly: No
Petrified Dunes Trail
This is a very cool trail to visit in Snow Canyon State Park, just an hour from Zion. You’ll encounter way less people here and the views are hard to beat. You’ll be walking and exploring on petrified dunes almost the whole time so self-exploration is encouraged.
Length: 1.2 miles
Elevation Gain: 216 ft
Dog friendly: Yes
Scout Cave Trail
Very cool trail with some mix of canyons, sand, and volcanic terrain. The cave was actually much bigger than I expected and the views of Ivins from here was spectacular.
Length: 4.4 miles
Elevation Gain: 613 ft
Dog friendly: Yes
Cinder Cone Trail
This isn’t one of the TOP hikes in the area but I did want to add it to the list because I thought it was very cool that you can hike right up to this ancient volcano crater. The hike itself goes through lava rocks & beds and the top offers views of Snow Canyon State Park.
Length: 1.7 mile
Elevation Gain: 449 ft
Dog friendly: Yes
Hope this guide helps you with your visit to Zion. I’d recommend using GreaterZion.com as a resource for planning trips to this area. They have the most up to date information lists for local businesses to check out.