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Nature|National & State Parks

Be In Awe Of The Frozen Utah Landscape At Bryce Canyon National Park

Bryce Canyon National Park offers stunning winter landscapes with snow-covered hoodoos and ample hiking opportunities.

Updated Jan 22, 2022

Written by 

Catherine Armstrong

When the weather gets cold and the winter storms roll in across the state, you might feel like snuggling up with a blanket and a cup of cocoa. While we wholeheartedly endorse that idea, you might also lace up your snow boots, put on your parka, and get out there to enjoy Utah's frozen landscape. Bryce Canyon National Park is particularly pretty in the snow, and you're going to want to get a look. When you are searching for the best national park to visit in Utah during the winter, we highly suggest Bryce Canyon.

Bryce Canyon National Park covers 35,835 acres and its amphitheaters of hoodoos are famous all over the world for their unique beauty.

Snow-covered red rock formations in a canyon landscape under a bright blue sky with scattered clouds.
Dave Tang/EyEm via Getty Images

During the winter in Utah, Bryce Canyon's beauty is amplified when a dusting of snow covers the hoodoos. The bright, white snow against the deep orange sandstone is a truly stunning sight.

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A stunning winter landscape of Bryce Canyon, featuring snow-covered orange rock formations under a dramatic sunset sky.
Noppawat Tom Charoensinphon/Moment Collection via Getty Images

The main road through Bryce Canyon National Park is typically open, even in inclement weather, and the overlooks at Sunrise Point, Sunset Point, Inspiration Point, and Bryce Point are well worth a stop.

A stunning winter landscape at sunrise, showcasing snow-covered cliffs and rock formations in a canyon.
sguophotography/Moment Collection via Getty Images

There's plenty of hiking at Bryce Canyon National Park, even when there's snow on the ground! While some trails do close occasionally due to ice and snow, most remain open. These hiking trails in Utah may even become your favorite places to explore during the winter months.

A hiker walks along a snowy path in Bryce Canyon, surrounded by towering red rock formations and pine trees.
Cavan Images/Cavan Collection via Getty Images

If you're considering a national park to visit in Utah during December, January, and February, be prepared for cold temperatures and snow at Bryce Canyon. Though this national park is located in the southern part of the state, it's on a plateau at an 8,000 to 9,000-foot elevation. You'll definitely want to bundle up during your visit!

Snow-covered landscape with a winding path, red rock formations, and pine trees under a blue sky.
Larry N Young/iStock via Getty Images Plus

Bring your winter clothing and traction devices so you can hike safely, and stand in awe at the spectacular frozen landscape this season.

Sign for Bryce Canyon National Park, featuring stone structure and snowy landscape, with trees in the background.
Bryce Canyon National Park/Facebook

Learn more about Bryce Canyon National Park on its website, and follow its Facebook page to see the latest weather updates.

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We love Bryce Canyon National Park and truly believe it is one of the best parks in Utah. Plus, the history of this park goes way back. Check out these vintage photos of the beautiful Bryce Canyon. 

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Nature|Hiking

Hike Snow Canyon State Park’s Scout Cave Trail in Utah for an Unforgettable Adventure

In my opinion, one of the best hikes in Utah is the Scout Cave Trail at Snow Canyon State Park. It's open all year, not super challenging, and showcases views that are almost too breathtaking to be real.

Published Nov 5, 2024

Written by 

Katie Lawrence

Utah is a nature lover's dream, and we're blessed with some of the best hiking trails in the country. It just doesn't get much better than our vast canyons and stunning rock formations. I could spend the rest of my life hiking in the Beehive State and still get excited about hitting the trail each day! In my opinion, one of the best hikes in Utah is the Scout Cave Trail at Snow Canyon State Park. It's open all year, not super challenging, and showcases views that are almost too breathtaking to be real. Plus, it's kid and pet-friendly!

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AllTrails Zach Schuster

Scout Cave Trail is a 3.4-mile out-and-back hike that passes over lava flow fields, Navajo Sandstone rocks, and stream beds. Although it's rated as intermediate on AllTrails, most hikers describe it as being easy, so you definitely don't need to be super skilled. The elevation gain is about 350 feet, and just a few moderate climbing sections make up the bulk of it. You're unlikely to get lost because the trail is very well-marked, and the variation in terrain makes for an interesting adventure from start to finish.

By far the coolest part of the trail (and the main reason anyone hikes it in the first place) is Scout Cave. It's located right before the turnaround point and showcases unbelievable panoramic views of the surrounding landscape and the city below. You can actually go inside the cave, which makes this trail a favorite among kiddos.

Shade is minimal, so if you're visiting in the summer, you'll definitely want to wear a hat and load up on sunscreen. Getting started early in the morning also helps with the temperature issue - although the views at sunset are equally as mesmerizing. You should also bring plenty of water and a snack or two, and make sure you have durable footwear for the rock scrambling sections of the trail (however brief they may be).

Visit AllTrails to learn more about the Scout Cave Trail, including the parking fee for Snow Canyon State Park. I also recommend signing up for AllTrails+ if you do a lot of hiking. The app offers exclusive perks like offline and 3D maps, ensuring you never miss a turn.

Have you ever hiked this trail? If so, do you think it's one of the best hikes in Utah? Tell us your thoughts in the comments! Check out our previous article for some of the best things to do in the nearby town of St. George. It's perfect for a family getaway!

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Nature|Hiking

The Iconic Trail in Utah Everyone Should Hike Once in Their Lifetime

One of Zion's most popular trails is the Scout Lookout via West Rim Trail, and for good reason. It's not easy by any stretch of the imagination, but it's one of those bucket list-worthy adventures everyone should experience at least once.

Published Oct 28, 2024

Written by 

Katie Lawrence

When it comes to iconic hikes in Utah, Zion National Park is the first place I think of (along with Arches and Bryce Canyon, of course). After all, it's home to some of the most stunning views our state has to offer, and millions of people travel from all over the world each year to revel in its magic. One of Zion's most popular trails is the Scout Lookout via West Rim Trail, and for good reason. It's not easy by any stretch of the imagination, but it's one of those bucket list-worthy adventures everyone should experience at least once.

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AllTrails Kristin Kozelsky

At 3.6 miles long, the Scout Lookout via West Rim Trail is by no means the longest hike in the park, but it is one of the most challenging. The out-and-back trail is rated as hard on AllTrails due to its steep ascent. You'll climb over 1,100 feet in a relatively short distance, navigating tight switchbacks before arriving at the final viewpoint known as Scout Lookout.

While the view at the top is definitely the pièce de résistance, you'll enjoy breathtaking scenery along the entire trail. At the beginning, the path crosses the Virgin River on a bridge before paralleling the river for a short time. From there, the ascent begins, and as the scene unfolds before your eyes, it only gets more picturesque with every step you take. With the ancient, majestic canyon walls rising up all around, you'll swear you're looking at a painting or a postcard. That's just part of living in Utah - what a blessing to call such a state home where the scenery is almost too beautiful to be real.

If you're feeling adventurous, you can continue past Scout Lookout to Angel's Landing, but only experienced hikers should attempt this. Additionally, the trail does not offer much shade, so consider starting either in the early morning or late afternoon to beat the heat if you're visiting in the warmer months.

Visit AllTrails for more information about the Scout Lookout via West Rim Trail. I also recommend signing up for AllTrails+ if you're an avid hiker. The app is an incredible resource with features like 3D flyovers, wrong-turn alerts, and offline map access. Your first week is free, so there's no risk involved in trying it out.

Have you ever embarked on this once-in-a-lifetime adventure? What are your favorite iconic hikes in Utah? Tell us in the comments!

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