Visiting Bryce Canyon In Winter | Seasonal Closures, Events & Best Things To Do

Visiting Bryce Canyon in winter is so different than visiting during the summer. The blue sky against the red rocks dusted with snow is really spectacular to see, and there are several winter activities and events you can’t find during other seasons.

Because Bryce Canyon sits at over 8,000 feet above sea level it gets predictable snowfall throughout the winter months. That means opportunities for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing between hoodoos.

If you’re planning an upcoming trip to Bryce Canyon National Park in the winter then you’ve come to the right place!

In this article:

• Things To Do In Bryce Canyon In Winter
• Winter Weather & Seasonal Closures in Bryce Canyon
• Best Bryce Canyon Winter Hikes

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What To Expect During Your Trip To Bryce Canyon In Winter

Visiting Bryce Canyon in winter has different logistics than visiting in the summer. During the snowy season there are more closures to keep in mind, but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth planning a trip!

There are significantly fewer crowds in winter, so you’ll actually find some peace and quiet on the more popular Bryce Canyon hikes.

Plus, there are some really fantastic free ranger programs at Bryce Canyon in winter you can’t find during warmer months.

Seasonal Winter Closures At Bryce Canyon

There are a few seasonal closures you need to know before planning a trip to Bryce Canyon National Park in winter.

First, the free Bryce Canyon Shuttle does not operate in the winter season.

You’ll need your own vehicle. Because of the higher elevation and strong likelihood of snow I recommend a high-clearance, 4×4 vehicle.

TIP: You can easily filter for snow-capable vehicles when renting from DiscoverCars. Just tick the “4×4” option under Car Specifications.

The primary road through Bryce Canyon is split into two sections. The first section follows the ampitheater and remains open year-round. The second section, Southern Scenic Drive, is prone to unpredictable road closures due to snow storms.

The dashed blue line on the left side of this map shows the portion of road which closes during snow storms. The road outlined in solid red remains open.

There are also two smaller roads, one leading to Fairyland Point and the other to Paria View, which are permanently closed during the winter.

Most of the hiking trails remain open, and there are even some cross-country ski trails added in winter!

However, the section of Rim Trail between Inspiration Point and Bryce Point is closed in the winter due to dangerous snow cornices.

Additionally, the Wall Street section of Navajo Loop Trail closes in winter due to the risk of rockfalls.

➝ Check current road and trail conditions here

Finally, Bryce Canyon Lodge closes on December 1st and doesn’t reopen until March. That means visitors to Bryce Canyon in winter must stay outside the park. Bryce Canyon City is just past the entrance and has several great options, including Ruby’s Inn and Bryce Canyon Grand Hotel.

Best Things To Do In Bryce Canyon In Winter

For a small National Park, Bryce Canyon has a big focus on ranger-led activities and has a lot of fun things to do in winter. I was surprised just how much is going on in the park, despite cold temperatures and possible snow.

Snowshoe In Bryce Canyon

There’s a high probability you’ll experience snow while visiting Bryce Canyon in winter. One of the best ways to explore hiking trails with fresh snow is with snoeshoes!

Snowshoeing is allowed on all open hiking trails in Bryce Canyon. The best trails for snowshoeing are Rim Trail (11mi), Bristlecone Loop (1.1mi), Fairyland Road (2mi), and Paria Road (1mi).

If you don’t own your own (they’re relatively affordable to buy on Amazon), you can rent snowshoes at Rubys Inn ($15/day) or join a guided ranger program (showshoes and poles are provided for free).

NOTE: Snowshoes are best for fresh snow. For compact or icy conditions you’ll need traction devices. You can rent traction devices at Rubys Inn for $10/day, or buy them on Amazon for a few dollars more.

Full Moon Hike Ranger Program

Full Moon Hike’s in Bryce Canyon are rare, and the most rare ranger program are Full Moon Hikes with enough snowfall (16″ or more) to utilize snowshoes.

Since a full moon only occurs once a month, you’ll have to time your trip to Bryce Canyon perfectly in the month to have a change to attend this program.

Unlike the snowshoe hikes, this ranger program requires advanced registration. Tickets are released 14 days ahead, and a few more are released 5 days in advance. Each hike is 1-2 miles.

➝ You can register online here.

If enough snow is present, this activity is automatically upgraded to a snowshoe hike and all snowshoes and poles are provided for free.

NOTE: Participants must be at least 7 years old.

Cross-country Skiing

There are ample opportunities for cross-country skiing in Bryce Canyon in the winter. In addition to Rim Trail and Bristlecone Loop trail, additional cross-country ski trails are open starting in December each year.

Paria Ski Loop is 3.5 miles of designated cross-country skiing trail. It starts at the entrance to Paria View Road, which is closed to vehicles in winter.

Cross-country ski rentals are available at Ruby’s Inn for $15/day.

Additional Things To Do In Bryce Canyon In Winter

There are several great hikes I recommend for your winter trip to Bryce Canyon. Keep in mind that you’ll probably need traction devices or snowshoes for these hikes.

Additionally, these trails start at the rim and head down into the amphitheater. That means the hard part is at the end of the hike so conserve your water for the hike back up.

• Sunset Point to Sunrise Point – 1.1 miles
• Navajo Loop & Queens Garden Trail – 3 miles
• Rim Trail – 11 miles, can be done in shorter sections
• Mossy Cave – 0.9 miles

NOTE: Mossy Cave trail is not accessible from the main park road. Trailhead parking is located along RT-12.

Ice skating is another fun thing to do in Bryce Canyon in winter. Ruby’s Inn, just past the main entrance to the park, has a rink open to the public at their Winter Adventure Center.

Exact opening dates vary by year as the rink is outside and dependent on weather conditions. They typically post announcements on their Facebook page here.

Special Events At Bryce Canyon In Winter

There are a few unique events held each winter in Bryce Canyon National Park. If your trip aligns with any of these dates be sure to add these to your Bryce Canyon itinerary!

Christmas Bird Count (December)

The Christmas Bird Count is an annual program hosted by the National Audubon Society. It’s exactly what it sounds like – a volunteer event to count birds.

The purpose of the Christmas Bird Count is to collect valuable statistical data regarding the bird populations within the Bryce Canyon National Park ecosystem. This has been ongoing since 1900!

The park makes this somewhat tedious event of counting into a festive holiday tradition. Various hiking and driving routes are available depending on your preferences.

This Bryce Canyon winter event is free to attend, and is typically held on the Saturday before Christmas.

The 2025 Christmas Bird Count at Bryce Canyon will be on Saturday, December 20.

Bryce Canyon Winter Festival 2026 (February)

Each February, Ruby’s Inn hosts the Bryce Canyon Winter Festival. This isn’t technically an official event by the National Park, but it’s still a fan favorite with plenty of things to do.

Usually, the event is held on the weekend before or after Valentines Day. The 2026 Bryce Canyon Winter Festival will be held February 14- 16.

Activities include cookie decorating, ski clinics, photography classes, yoga, pottery, archery, watercolor painting, leather working and a ton more.

Bryce Canyon Winter Weather

Bryce Canyon is a high desert, so the daily temperatures can fluctuate significantly from sun up to sun down. As soon as the sun sets, temperatures drop 10-20°F so remember to bring layers!

Bryce Canyon Snow

Most years, Bryce Canyon gets over 8 feet of snow! Flurries can be seen by late October, although they tends to melt quickly.

However, the most consistent snow cover usually occurs from December through February. During the winter months, you can expect at least a foot of snow in Bryce Canyon on average.

Because there’s a significant change in elevation as you get farther into the park, there tends to be more snow at the end of Scenic Southern Drive than you’ll see near the visitor center as you enter Bryce Canyon.

➝ Check for current Bryce Canyon snow levels here.

More Bryce Canyon Planning Guides

• Bryce Canyon National Park Planning Guide
• Bryce Canyon Itinerary
• Zion To Bryce Canyon National Park Road Trip (+ Map)
• One Day In Bryce Canyon National Park