OUTDOORS + RECREATION

The beauty (and solitude) of Bryce Canyon National Park in the winter

Feb 28, 2023, 12:00 PM
A winter trip offers a way to experience the splendor of Bryce Canyon National Park without the cro...
(Bob Grove and Mark Wade)
(Bob Grove and Mark Wade)

SALT LAKE CITY — A winter trip offers a way to experience the splendor of Bryce Canyon National Park without the crowds.

And there is no doubt that Utah’s five national parks are experiencing a crush of visitors. According to the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute, Utah’s record 11.2 million national park visits and 11.6 million state park visits in 2021 helped propel Utah’s tourism to a record-setting $10.56 billion in spending.

All the bodies have raised concerns about “loving our parks to death” and led to some saying that their overall park experience was diminished.

And experimental programs like timed entry systems to alleviate traffic congestion look like they will continue in 2023.

Avoid a diminished national park experience. Instead, plan a winter visit!

Winter in Bryce Canyon

You will have a more quiet visit if you go to Bryce Canyon in the winter. But you’ll also have wildlife viewing and photography opportunities that can’t be duplicated during the spring or summer. And the sights you’ll see can’t be seen anywhere else in the world!

Winter at Bryce Canyon is a “must do” experience for Bob Grove and Mark Wade, a duo that often join KSL Outdoors to discuss their road-trippin’ adventures. 

They say that even if you’ve experienced the red rocks and pink cliff vistas of Bryce Canyon before, seeing the biggest collection of “hoodoos” in the world capped with a dusting of some of the “Greatest Snow on Earth” is certainly a magnet for outdoor lovers.

Hoodoos are tall, thin rock formations formed by erosion within sedimentary or volcanic rock. They are also known as tent rocks, fairy chimneys, or earth pyramids. Hoodoos can range in size from five or six feet all the way to the size of a ten-story building.

And while they are found in other areas of North America, their abundance in Bryce Canyon is globally unique. 

Ruby’s Inn, at the entrance to the park, is a perfect spot to serve as a base camp with great rooms and great food. They also offer snowshoe rentals if a trek down one of the many trails on a brisk, sunny day is your idea of adventure. 

A must for Bryce Canyon in the winter – cold weather clothing

One word of warning: make sure you have the proper cold-weather clothing. In order for the trip to be enjoyable, this is a must. And it’s especially important if, like Bob and Mark, your winter trip to Bryce Canyon includes photography.

Located on the eastern edge of the Paunsaugunt Plateau in south-central Utah and sitting at an elevation of just under 8,000 feet, the early morning hours when the light is just right for that perfect “Kodak Moment,” often bring below-freezing temperatures.

But Bob and Mark can tell you that the hours, the walk, and the crisp air are all worth it if you capture a scene that will make your friends wish they’d gone too.

Bob and Mark offer many more tips on where to target your photography setup point inside the park.

Other reading:

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Send it to the KSL NewsRadio team here.

Today’s Top Stories

Outdoors + Recreation

Horticulturist Liz Hamilton joined Taun and Maria to talk about dividing perennials. (Canva)...
Michelle Lee

How to divide the right perennials

SALT LAKE CITY – It will soon be time to divide perennials. With the temperatures moving up to the mid-50s, a lot of perennials will start breaking dormancy. On the latest Greenhouse show, horticulturist Liz Hamilton joined Taun Beddes and Maria Shilaos as guest co-host. They talked about which perennials you should and shouldn’t divide […]
4 days ago
ski...
Elizabeth Weiler

More snow = more ski time! These Utah resorts extended their seasons

We've compiled a list of closing days and extended 2023 seasons for ski resorts across the beehive state, some may change again.
4 days ago
...
Eliza Pace, Dan Rascon

Body found in Arizona, believed to be final missing hiker

A body was found in Arizona Wednesday following a search over several days for overdue hikers.
4 days ago
Buckskin Gulch, famous for its soft, citron-filtered-through-saffron light. Grand Staircase-Escalan...
Mark Jones

Two hikers missing in Buckskin Gulch in Kane County, search is ongoing

Search and rescue efforts are underway in Buckskin Gulch in Kane County for two missing hikers who were reported missing Monday afternoon.
6 days ago
A member of the Washington City Police Department was found at the bottom of a slot canyon on Monda...
Ben McGonnell

Police sergeant rescued from slot canyon, with help from a drone

Sgt. Coleman was rescued out of a slot canyon in Warner Valley near Hurricane, Utah. He was dirt biking when he fell the 15-20ft.
6 days ago
open land ogden city...
Alexandrea Bonilla

Open land debate, residents of Ogden City speak out

Ogden City is ready to purchase more than 12 acres of open land from the Ogden School District. But the city and some Ogden residents disagree.
6 days ago

Sponsored Articles

Skier being towed by a rider on a horse. Skijoring....
Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Looking for a new winter activity? Try skijoring in Bear Lake

Skijoring is when someone on skis is pulled by a horse, dog, animal, or motor vehicle. The driver leads the skiers through an obstacle course over jumps, hoops, and gates.
Banner with Cervical Cancer Awareness Realistic Ribbon...
Intermountain Health

Five common causes of Cervical Cancer – and what you can do to lower your risk

January is National Cervical Cancer Awareness month and cancer experts at Intermountain Health are working to educate women about cervical cancer.
Kid holding a cisco fish at winterfest...
Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Get ready for fun at the 2023 Bear Lake Monster Winterfest

The Bear Lake Monster Winterfest is an annual weekend event jam-packed full of fun activities the whole family can enjoy.
happy friends with sparklers at christmas dinner...
Macey's

15 easy Christmas dinner ideas

We’ve scoured the web for you and narrowed down a few of our favorite Christmas dinner ideas to make your planning easy.
Spicy Homemade Loaded Taters Tots...
Macey's

5 Game Day Snacks for the Whole Family (with recipes!)

Try these game day snacks to make watching football at home with your family feel like a special occasion. 
Happy joyful smiling casual satisfied woman learning and communicates in sign language online using...
Sorenson

The Best Tools for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Workplace Success

Here are some of the best resources to make your workplace work better for Deaf and hard-of-hearing employees.
The beauty (and solitude) of Bryce Canyon National Park in the winter