Zion National Park is the third most-visited national park in the United States with 4.6 million visitors in 2023. Sure, the park itself is unbelievably stunning — but that’s still a lot of people.
But here’s a tip: skip the crowds and head to Zion during the fourth season for a magical — and quiet!— winter wonderland. Southern Utah’s winter temperatures are fairly mild and it only snows occasionally, so you’ll be rewarded with solitude, scenery, and plenty of space to stretch your legs. Read on for tips on where to sleep and hike as you work your way through this dream destination.
Where to Camp
WillowWind RV Park
This gem is open year-round, so you can secure full hookups and uber clean bathroom facilities no matter when you visit. WillowWind is situated in Hurricane so it’s a solid 30-minute drive to the park, but good news: Hurricane is a bigger community so you’ll have access to more open amenities (like restaurants and coffee shops) no matter when you visit.
Watchman Campground
Location, location, location! Watchman Campground is next to the Zion Visitor Center so you can get no closer to your favorite hiking trails (and shuttle stops). A large portion of the campsites have electricity, but this campground is more rustic and less resort. Tradeoff: Reservations are required in advance via recreation.gov, and they’re coveted. Spots open up six months in advance, and they do fill.
Zion Wright Family Ranch
You really can’t beat the views from this privately owned cattle ranch that sits so close to Zion that you actually have to drive through park land to access it. There are no hookups and you’ll want a vehicle with decent clearance to be comfortable on the roads, but when you’re listening to the cattle bells by the campfire while watching the sun rise over the cliffs it’s all worth it.
Where to Hike
Zion National Park now requires permits for popular day hikes like Angel’s Landing and The Narrows, so those trails can be tough to score (If you can, definitely grab ‘em!) But fear not: there are plenty of other great hikes in the park that are far less trafficked — and just as beautiful.
Many Pools Trail
It goes by many names: The Route Canals, The Root Canals, or The Twins. Whatever it’s called, my family enjoyed this hike on the east side of the park, and it’s a beautiful option if you arrive just after a storm. Two side-by-side drainages boast numerous potholes that fill with water after rains or during snowmelt, creating an ethereal (and reflective) landscape.
The Watchman Trail
This looker of a trail is best served at sunset where you’ll enjoy the evening sunlight glimmering against lower Zion Canyon and the Watchman peak itself. There’s roughly 400 feet of climbing on unpaved terrain, and it can get chilly and icy — it’s a good idea to pack spikes for traction. But the cliffside overlook at the turnaround makes all the sweat equity worth it.
Canyon Overlook Trail
You get a lot of bang for your buck with this hike in East Zion. It’s only one-mile long as you scramble over sandstone steps, occasionally needing assistance from installed hand rails. But once you reach the overlook, you’ll find expansive views of striated sandstone laced with various orange and red hues. Bottom line: It’s like packing all of the Zion goodness into a short-but-sweet little jaunt.
