To many, national parks are a summer getaway. Pack up the sunscreen and plenty of water and head to one of southern Utah’s “Mighty Five” and come back with a tan and some great memories. But what if we told you there’s another, colder season that makes for an even better getaway?
That’s right. We think winter is the best time to visit Zion National Park and neighboring Springdale. Why? For starters, traffic dwindles inside the park, which is one of the most popular in the world. (Really, Zion rivals the Grand Canyon in annual visitation.) On the trails, its most popular hikes, the Narrows and Angels Landing, are blissfully free of the human traffic jams and bottlenecks endemic to the summer season, but make sure you check conditions before you go, as flash flooding and ice can make staple routes dangerous.
Zion is Utah’s lowest park in both elevation and latitude, so its weather tends to be fair year-round. You can expect rain but rarely snow, but still pack a water-repellent outer layer and plenty of warm base and mid-layers to be safe. Springdale used to pretty much shut down during the winter season, but it’s becoming a year-round destination that makes a great base camp for visits to the park or a day trip to La Verkin to enjoy the largest hot-spring resort in Utah. More on that later.
Where to Stay, Sleep and Play in Springdale
Sleep Under the Stars at Open Sky Zion
We thought we were over glamping, it was so 2020, right? But then we visited Open Sky Zion in Virgin. They had us at luxe safari-style tents with fireplaces and heated floors. Many of the “tents” (if you can call them that) feature the resort’s namesake Open Sky roofs, allowing you to gaze on the night sky as you drift off (or reaffirm your love for your partner). Bonus: the on-site destination restaurant, Black Sage, offers farm-to-table fine dining with jaw-dropping views and an excellent wine list (open in February).
Hotel De Novo: Cabin on the Outside, Luxury on the Inside
Less than 3 miles from Zion’s southern entrance is the Hotel De Novo Springdale. Its exterior looks like many a generic western-town cabin, but Hilton has renovated this prime location and made it part of its “Tapestry Collection” with functional, well-appointed rooms suited to the traveller who wants to get out and go explore. But after a day scrambling around Zion, you’ll welcome the views of Zion Canyon from your window and the heated infinity pool on the banks of the Virgin River.
Take in the Views While Dining at Añu
Southern Utah is still a meat-and-potatoes locale. Steak-and-pie joints stubbornly dot the dining landscape.
But that’s not the case with Añu, a New American-style restaurant with South American roots that pulls in the Japanese and Chinese influences that run through South America. Basically, you’ll really want to try what’s melting in this pot. Bonus: Canyon views, a polished, rustic vibe. Try it for breakfast or dinner.
Water and Ice in The Narrows
One of the most ’grammed hikes in Zion National Park, The Narrows is less “hike” and more “scramble up the Virgin River” into an ever-narrowing canyon, over centuries of river-smoothed cobbles (against a current). In winter, however, the ’gram-rabid crowds thin to a trickle and the river’s level drops. But… you’re in a freezing river. You will need gear. Try Zion Outfitter or Zion Adventures, just outside the park in Springdale. Either can outfit you with waders or drysuits, sturdy wooden poles and felt-bottom shoes to aid your journey.
Behold the Night Sky with Stargazing Zion
Southern Utah is home to some of the West’s darkest night skies, owing to the large proliferation of national parks and undeveloped (for now) federal land. Many towns, like Springdale, have fought hard to limit exterior lighting that obscures the stars above. Springdale and Zion National Park tick both those boxes. Find yourself on one of Stargazing Zion’s expert-led telescope tours under the ultra-dark sky and finally comprehend just how tiny you are.
Soak in Natural Hot Springs at Zion Canyon Hot Spring Resort
Zion Canyon Hot Spring Resort opened in fall 2025 and features 32 natural mineral hot springs and 16 mineral pools. Plus saunas and a cold plunge. And, bonus, a 21-and-over area. The bottom line? Zion National Park is stunning during the season of ice. It’s a quieter time where its beauty can be appreciated without the crowds.
Leaving So Soon? Here Are Three More Nearby Adventures
Explore Red Rock Dunes at Snow Canyon State Park
Surrounded by the encroaching town of Ivins, Snow Canyon State Park remains an oasis of red-rock tranquility. There are plenty of hikes, which range from easy strolls perfect for kids to long scrambles over the red-rock dunes. Be sure to stop by before you head north (or south).
Play the Back Nine at Black Desert Resort
It’s a strange thing to tee off on 17 in February, but Washington County is a golfer’s paradise, with courses open year-round in mild temperatures under sunny skies. Black Desert Resort is the pinnacle of the many courses in the area. In 2024, it became the first Utah resort to host a PGA Tour stop in decades, and the course is open to the public.
Bring Back Something for Yourself
Cosy House owner Nancy Van Matre says she wanted to create the quintessential cool home store, gift go-to and “shop around the corner.” Now, her shop in St. George hosts a loyal following of local and social media friends who celebrate her effortless, laid-back aesthetic. The store features mounds of books, cozy furniture, ridiculously un-faux-looking faux foliage (because of all the second-home owners in St. George), sleek lamps, precious oil paintings, modern rugs, marble cake stands, delicate soap dishes and yummy-smelling candles.
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