Been wanting an adventurous vacation or a staycation away from the bustling city? Considered as one of the best places to hike in North America, the Zion National Park is one of those places you must visit. Beginner and experienced hikers will like the area with the easy and moderate trails that they can choose from. Though the park itself is recommended for hikers, even those who would like to have ‘glamping’ or family staycation are truly welcome.
Due to the park’s popularity and its iconic red rocks, many hotels and accommodations opened in the area to welcome guests. The Zion National Park area is not exclusive to those who seek outdoor adventures, as the mountains and rock formations are amazing to look at from any accommodation nearby.
If this got you excited to visit Utah’s first national park, you might also be wondering what would be the best time to visit. Some could be afraid of the possible sudden change in weather being in a place full of mountains or would like to know the perfect weather to do hiking.
The best months to visit Zion National Park if from mid-April to early July. These are considered to be the shoulder season - a time between peak and off-peak seasons for travel. The average temperature ranges from 22 to 37 degrees Celsius (73 to 100 degrees in Fahrenheit). Besides, these months have less precipitation compared to the other months of the year. It is also important to note that there could be more tourists during this period, taking advantage of the perfect weather. Prepare to pay higher accommodation rates and a number of people to hike with on the park.
The narrowest section of the Zion Canyon, The Narrows, can be jampacked during this period. It is the most popular area of the park, having a thousand feet tall along a flowing river. Be warned that flash floods may happen especially during mid-July to September, which is the monsoon season. The floods are life-threatening so it is better to proceed with caution. For this reason, some areas in the Zion National Park may require a Wilderness Permit for safety purposes.
But let’s be honest – the best time to visit any place is depending on a person’s preference.
Some might hate to see a crowd of people, given that there is an estimate of more than 4 million of them who visit this area every year. To avoid the crowd, visit anytime from December to February. These are the perfect months to do a few winter sports or witnessing the wildlife. Save more money too as the hotels are the cheapest during this period. It snows in the area and can blanket the higher parts of the canyon, but winter explorations are still possible! Just make sure to bring your own car, as most shuttle buses in the area do not operate on weekdays.
The Zion National Park is one of those places where it can be visited any time of the year, depending on the person’s preference. It has pros and cons in every season, but it is highly recommended to be well-informed before visiting the park.