Overall, April to May and September to October is the perfect time to visit Utah’s national parks and other attractions.. Then you can enjoy the main attractions with moderate crowds and the most moderate temperatures.. From April to May, parks in southern Utah are at their busiest due to milder temperatures, spring blossoms, and beautiful scenery. While spring is undoubtedly the most pleasant time of year in southern Utah, I personally like to avoid peak travel periods such as Spring Break, Memorial Day, and the weeks after graduation..
Be prepared to deal with big crowds on iconic trails and plan to visit other less crowded areas as well. Check out this list of my favorite Utah hikes to help you plan. Also watch out for event dates — such as Jeep Week in Moab — which attracts a large audience every year in April.. Moderate crowds and temperatures from April to May and September to October make these months the best time to visit Utah and its national parks..
Spring offers active wildlife and blooming flowers. Pleasant autumn wraps Utah in colorful foliage along scenic drives. June to August is the season of spectacular activities such as Bonneville Speed Week or stargazing, but these months are the hottest and most touristy. From December to February, it can be snowy and freezing cold in the north, and you’ll have the chance to explore ice castles, warm up in Mystic Hot Springs, or ski in dramatic mountains.
For the average national park researcher, late spring or early fall is the best time to visit Zion. From April to May and September to October, the weather is good, there are fewer crowds and hiking conditions are ideal. Zion National Park is open all year round, but a whopping 70% of visitors come between April and September. If you have the flexibility, planning a trip during the off-peak months of October to March ensures that you have to deal with fewer selfie sticks and crowded hiking trails that block your view.
Visiting South Utah in winter can also mean lower prices for accommodation in popular destinations such as Moab, although services may be limited in some of the more remote parks, such as Capitol Reef.. While not essential, a 4WD vehicle allows you to explore some of the most scenic parts of this itinerary by crossing dirt roads in Capitol Reef National Park. There’s certainly no wrong time, but there are ways to strategically plan your trip to Utah so you can have the best experience possible — whether it’s to avoid summer heat or large crowds.. Utah National Park Road Trip Tip While you should take steps to reduce your impact in all national parks, Arches has a particularly fragile environment..
There’s nothing better than waking up to the beauty of Zion National Park, which is why camping is probably one of the park’s most popular activities. In addition to Lake Powell, one of America’s funniest lakes, Utah is home to many other recreation reservoirs, such as Flaming Gorge, which are suitable for both boating and fishing.. The evening dinner and boat tour will be the highlight of your vacation in Canyonlands National Park. In Arches National Park, you’ll find more than 2,000 arches formed from the region’s characteristic red rock.
Although not as warm as other deserts, Utah’s climate can get dangerously hot in the middle of summer, particularly in the southern half of the state. This 28-page e-book includes the best things to do in all 63 national parks as well as exclusive travel planning tips. You can still see the sights for the rest of the year, but all you have to do is from one of the park shuttles that run every day from spring to the end of November before you pick up again for the winter vacation. With just one day in Arches National Park, make the most of it by starting the day early to beat the crowds..
Everything you see in Utah is impressive, and these bright ponds in the desert are completely beyond your imagination.. More than half of your road trip to Utah National Parks is Day 7 a day that allows you to sleep in, slow down, and recover.
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