ST. GEORGE — Winter time in Bryce Canyon National Park is often referred to as the most scenic time to visit, but preparation is critical, according to park officials.

“Many consider winter the most beautiful time of year in Bryce Canyon with the contrast of white snow on red rocks and green pines draws out even more detail in this vibrant landscape,” Peter Densmore, visual information specialist for the park, told St. George News. “It is easy to enjoy a winter visit but requires a little extra planning.”

Densmore also noted that chains are not just for vehicle tires.

“We mostly promote chains for hiking boots,” he said. “Compacted snow and ice can make parking lots, walkways, and trails very slick. Footwear traction devices are especially recommended for those planning a hike below the canyon rim.”

Traction devices can be rented from Ruby’s Inn Winter Adventure Center for $10 a day or purchased from the park Visitor Center for $30. While year-round concerns of dehydration and elevation-related injuries persist, Densmore said the most common winter injuries result from slippery surfaces.

Vehicles are not required to have snow chains in the winter inside the park. Densmore said park roads are kept plowed. He said chain requirements may be required on some state highways during winter storms depending on the route visitors take to the park. Visitors should check the Utah Department of Transportation’s Traffic page for the latest alerts.

“Drivers should also ensure their vehicle is winter-ready, including ample tire tread, and have supplies to keep warm should they experience mechanical issues,” he added.

Anyone planning to visit the park should check the current conditions on the park website, which includes important alerts, forecasts, the park’s air quality web camera and other helpful trip-planning information. There is also a link to the Utah Department of Transportation’s Traffic page, so visitors can check their traffic cameras and check for alerts.

Also aiding in the planning of a visit to the park is the Bryce Canyon web camera. Densmore said the web camera’s primary purpose is air quality monitoring. It is located at the southern end of the park near Yovimpa Point. It faces east to provide a view of the Paria Valley, Kaiparowits Plateau and Navajo Mountain. He said Navajo Mountain is 81 miles away and other features are visible in the middle distance.

“The web camera provides park staff and visitors a means of monitoring visibility from this high plateau,” he said. “Bryce Canyon National Park is famous for its fantastic views, and these wouldn’t be possible without clean air.”

In 1977 the park was designated a Class I air quality area, receiving the highest protection under the Clean Air Act.

In an email, Densmore wrote that Bryce Canyon has been monitoring visibility as part of its Air Quality program since 1988. But he wasn’t sure how long the camera near Yovimpa Point has been in place for that purpose. The cameras are getting repaired and should run by the first week of 2023.

“The camera is very useful for assessing area air quality and visibility,” Densmore said, adding that its location on the southern end of the park makes it less useful in assessing conditions in the northern Bryce Amphitheater area of the park.

“With Yovimpa Point 1,000 feet higher in elevation than the Bryce Amphitheater, weather conditions can be very different in these parts of the park. A storm may envelop Rainbow and Yovimpa Point while sunny skies shine at Sunset Point,” he said.

Visitors should also note that park concessions are closed for the winter and will reopen in the spring. The Visitor Center has snacks for sale, and the North Campground offers first-come, first-served camping all winter long for campers who don’t mind cold temperatures. Otherwise, visitors will find food and lodging outside the park.

For hikers, almost all of the park’s trails remain open throughout the winter, with two exceptions. The Wall Street side of the Navajo Loop closes each winter once freezing overnight temperatures and precipitation combine to increase the rockfall risk in this narrow canyon. But visitors can use the Two Bridges side of the loop to get iconic views of Thor’s Hammer, Densmore said. The other trails, like Queen’s Garden and Peekaboo Loop, should remain open.

The other seasonal closure is the 1.5-mile section of Rim Trail between Inspiration and Bryce Points. This area closes once sufficient snowfall creates the risk of dangerous snow cornices extending from cliffs along the sometimes-narrow trail. At the time of this interview, only the Wall Street section of the Navajo Loop was closed.

“As with park trails, most of Zion National Park’s roads remain accessible in winter,” Densmore said. “The one-mile roads to Fairyland Point and Paria View close by late November to allow snowfall to build up for winter activities like cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.”

Densmore added that visitors need to know that during and immediately following winter storms, the main park road will temporarily close at mile 3 of 18. This happens due to the additional snowfall and drifting at the park’s higher elevations. Miles 3 to 18 are known as the “Southern Scenic Drive” and are usually plowed within 48 hours of the last winter storm.

“No matter the weather, visitors can still reach the first three miles of the park, which includes the popular Bryce Amphitheater area,” he said.

Visitors are advised to dress warmly in layers for the park’s one-of-a-kind outdoor activities.

“There are also ways to enjoy the park that are completely unique to winter,” Densmore said. “Opportunities abound for both cross-country skiing and snowshoeing when ample snow falls. The park typically offers ranger-led snowshoe hikes when the park has at least 14 inches of snow.”

These and all other ranger-led programs are advertised on the park’s calendar page. Sign-up is first come, first served the day of the program beginning at 8 a.m. at the Visitor Center. And Densmore said if conditions are just right, they may offer full moon hikes, which are limited and permitted through a lottery.

Visitors can rent snowshoes and skis from Ruby’s Inn Winter Adventure Center if the park isn’t holding a ranger-led program.

Snowshoeing is permitted on all park trails, though it’s typically most enjoyable on top of the plateau, where there tends to be more uncompacted snow, Densmore said, adding that he recommends the 1-mile Bristlecone Loop trail at Rainbow Point. Cross-country skiing is permitted along the Rim Trail, roads to Fairyland and Paria View, and the Paria ungroomed Ski Loop.

“We usually recommend the road leading to Fairyland Point. If you’re looking for groomed trails, Ruby’s Inn Winter Adventure Center grooms over 18 miles of U.S. Forest Service roads just north of the park boundary, including the Fairyland Point road,” Densmore said. “Neither sledding, downhill skiing, or snowboarding are permitted in the park, but there are plenty of areas to enjoy these activities nearby.”

If planning a winter trip, visit this website. The park can be reached via social media channels or by email.

Visitors also can read more about park snowplow operations at this link.

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