Off-Season at Zion National Park

It doesn’t matter the time of year, it’s easy to see why Zion National Park is considered one of the top parks for outdoor enthusiasts and national park fans. After a pleasant night at the Cliffrose Springdale (Curio Collection by Hilton), we got caffeinated at nearby FeelLove Coffee, and headed into the park for a morning hike. The hotel is less than two miles from the park entrance, with a foot traffic entrance that is even closer to the hotel. The rest of the morning was spent enjoying the brisk but warming temperatures on the Emerald Pools Trail (considered one of Zion’s signature hikes).

We returned to Springdale to eat lunch and check out the local shops before conquering the Watchman Trail, another one of Zion’s iconic hikes. Since it was off-season, our options were slightly limited, but we highly recommend Cafe Soleil and also enjoyed spending some time at the David J. West Gallery. We spoke to the owner for a while and enjoyed his amazing photography. The shop also has a nice selection of pottery and other items from local artists— definitely worth the stop!

The evening was just as delightful as the rest of the day, enjoying a casual meal outside on the patio at the Zion Brewery, with the setting sun reflecting off the red rocks surrounding the entire town. With another amazing national park experience in the books, it was time to check into the Zion Lodge, kick off the hiking boots, and warm up by the fire in the cabin.

Travel Tip: The weather during the months of January and February in southern Utah is unpredictable, with snowstorms potentially limiting access to roadways and trails. We highly suggest planning your off-season trip to Zion in February, when temperatures reach 50-60 degrees during the day. Due to its popularity from mid-February through late-November, multiple shuttles navigate the park, transporting guests to the trailheads and points of interest. The shuttle service begins to operate during the weekends in February, but the crowds are still significantly less than in the upcoming spring and summer months. Though it might seem restrictive at first glance, it’s actually a great initiative, since the canyon can easily get congested with vehicle traffic and parking areas (with the exception of the Zion Lodge and Zion Visitor Center) are small.

Pros:

• Little to no crowds on the trails and at the overlooks
• Access to the entire national park with your vehicle
• The Zion Lodge is open year-round, and reservations are typically available

Cons:

• Some of the trails will require additional equipment to traverse due to snow and ice
• The temperatures may be below zero to start the day
• Some restaurants and lodging in Springdale close during January and February