Bryce Canyon in Winter

This blog may include affiliate links.

Before we really dive into this, you should know I plan to go back to Bryce, I love the winter and I love snow. But f you’re headed to Bryce in winter you should be prepared for literally anything.

Bryce Canyon is a little canyon paradise really out of the way for any town. Typically it’s visited in conjunction with other parks like Zion and Capitol Reef as you have to almost pass them to get there. However, since Bryce is really out there, you have to keep in mind closures for the weather. Bryce NP is made up of the main canyon with 5 lookout points but also a long beautiful “sky drive” which starts at Rainbow Gate. If there is snow this gate is closed. As you guessed it - this was closed while we visited.

The only part of the park open for our visit was the main canyon, but only three lookout points. Also because of the quick-moving storms they get, hiking was not recommended that day. So our day consisted of entering, looking at the canyon three times, and then leaving. It was an amazing sight, but we were obviously disappointed. Even more so when we learned it opened the following day at noon and was fully open the previous day. We were told by the ranger this is VERY normal during winter and that not many people prepare for this and that’s really the main point of creating this blog.

Now don’t get me wrong, the town around Bryce was like being in a snow globe. The drive from Zion to Bryce literally felt like we hit a WALL of snow and suddenly fell into the North Pole. There were wild animals galore and beautiful snow-covered mountains. But I should also mention that since Bryce NP closes a lot during this time, most of the town closes too. There were TWO open (open not vacant) hotels during our stay midweek in early December and we had to drive thirty minutes to the previous town where ONE restaurant was open but closed at 6:30 pm, but it had INCREDIBLE pizza. And gas? it had to be gotten at the little pizza place town and nothing was open near Bryce.

I am not trying to bum you out about your trip to Bryce, all I’m saying is be prepared for anything and possibly be able to come in before a storm or stay an extra day after to really get your visit out of the park!

***To redeem our Winter trip being cut a little short we went back in May 2021 and did the iconic switchbacks and further viewpoints we did not get to see on the winter trip!***

We also stayed at Bryce Country Cabins during our return trip and I would highly recommend staying there. I also would recommend going to Willis Creek Slot Canyons which is just outside Bryce and even closer to the cabins.