Visiting Zion during the offseason is the perfect way to experience the beauty of the park without all the crowds. Since Phil has been during peak season as well he can say with confidence, offseason is better.

When it comes to visiting National Parks, we love going during the offseason.  With fewer people around you can enjoy nature and get a more personal experience.

Our friends signed up for the Zion Half Marathon and it only took seconds for us to accept their invite. Since the marathon takes place at the end of February we were able to head into the park during a less busy time.

Winter is the official offseason for Zion National Park going from December to February. Even though those months may sound cold the weather is mild for a winter typically ranging from low 30s to high 60s.

Sometimes there are closers for rock slides as the more coming during the offseason winter months but the park does well to get as much up and running as possible. The trade-off of fewer crowds is worth any trail closures you may encounter.

If Zion National is on your travel bucket list, the offseason is the way to go. We promise you will not be disappointed.

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Perks of Visiting Zion During the Offseason

We're not just telling you to go during the offseason for the fun of it. There are reasons why the offseason is better.

When we plan a National Park trip together we always plan for the offseason. Time and time again it proves to be the best decision for our adventurous vacation.

Zion National Park in the Winter is just as amazing, if not better, than during the summer. You get the same park with many perks.

Fewer Crowds

We are big fans of less is more. It's why we're minimalists.

Traveling is no exception to why less really is more. Fewer people means a more serene experience enjoying our time just us two.

Part of the reason why we wake up at 5-am every day, even when traveling is to get out before the crowds hit. Anytime we can avoid crowds when traveling is a win in our book.

Avoiding crowds in Zion National Park makes the experience significantly better. With fewer crowds you get...

• • Decreased wait times
  • Better parking spots
  • Safer hiking experience

Save Money

Who doesn't like to save a little money? Going during the offseason means more bang for your buck. The same hotels are priced down due to the decrease in demand.

If you are looking for a great way to budget travel then offseason exploration needs to be a go-to. You get the same experiences but for less.

Hiking in Zion

Hiking is the main activity to do in Zion National Park. Even during the offseason hiking trails are available and can be easier to navigate with fewer people around.

Like we mentioned before there are times trails are closed for rockslides which unfortunately do occur more during the winter months. Luckily, Zion has so many trails to offer even if one is closed you can still have plenty to explore.

Just make sure to check out the website for any trail closures and plan ahead. If you are going during a weekday or early enough you can park at the trailheads instead of taking the shuttle.

Angel's Landing

Angel's Landing is one of the more popular hikes in Zion but is also one of the more dangerous. The last part is a steep climb with chains to increase your safety.

Because we did this hike during the offseason we saw maybe 20 people on the trail. This meant we climbed up with fewer delays and fewer times stepping away from the chain to let others pass.

The total distance for this hike is about 5.5 miles and 2,000 ft of elevation gain so it can be pretty steep at times but it is well worth the views. Just make sure you come prepared by bringing a water pack and going early to avoid the crowds.

Watchman Trail

We picked this trail so we could see the sunset as we heard this was THE place to be in Zion for sunset. We didn't end up staying for sunset but the hike up was beautiful and the lookout point is amazing

This hike is a short 3.5 miles roundtrip on a relatively flat trail. It is right by the visitor center parking lot so it is very easily accessible. Once at the top it gives great views of the canyon as well as an overlook of Springdale.

Riverside Walk

This hike leads into the Narrows but even if you aren't going all the way into the narrows, this is well worth it. At only two miles and very flat, this is one of the most accessible trails in the park.

As the name suggests, you walk along the river the whole way and can access the river for most of it. It is a very calming hike but you can make it more challenging by exploring the river or practicing your yoga on the rocks as Kelsey did.

The Narrows

As we mentioned above, this is the continuation of the riverside walk. It can be as long as 6 miles round trip and as short as you want it to be. Since it is the offseason the water is very cold so you have to make sure you're prepared.

Renting Canyoneering shoes is a must at any of the adventure companies in Springdale. They keep your feet warm and they let you grip the rocks as you walk down the river which can get pretty slick at times. This might not be for everyone in the offseason but if you bring the right gear it can be a great time no matter what season you go.

Lodging around Zion

When you visit Zion National Park, stay in Springdale. There are other surrounding cities you COULD stay in but Springdale is the best option.

The proximity to the park makes it easier to drive in (or walk-in).

Springhill Suites

This was a last-minute booking by us but that's the great thing about Zion in the offseason, you can book things last minute! Springhill Suites is a Marriott hotel and it was very well done.

They had breakfast every morning, a hot tub to enjoy all year round and even fun games to play including giant Jenga and pool. The views are perfect being situated by towering red rocks.

Our room was amazing as well! We booked a King suite and it was very well priced and had a ton of space for us to spread out.

We had a very comfy couch, a desk area for working on this blog and a great, super comfy bed. It made getting up for the Zion half marathon very challenging!

The Lodge

We have never stayed here but since it's a popular choice we at least wanted to mention the Lodge. It's the only "in-park" lodging option so it fills up fast.

There is a shuttle stop right outside the lodge making it easier to adventure throughout the park. Plus a hiking trail takes you from the lodge to surrounding park areas.

There are several options for rooms and cabins so you get a variety to choose from. Another perk of going during the offseason is you are more likely to get a reservation.

Zion Half Marathon

The Zion Half Marathon is part of the vacation race series and is one of the best races we have ever completed. If you are a runner or just always wanted to try a half marathon we highly suggest this run.

Even though you don't run IN the park you are still surrounded by similar views of beautiful rock formations unlike anywhere else. The race starts 13 miles out of town and ends right by the park.

The race is held during the offseason to avoid crowds. This means you can visit Zion for the race but stay for the hikes.

Zion National Park is always amazing but Zion during the offseason is even better. You get more uninterrupted time with nature and easier, less crowded access to all of the hikes.

For us, Zion during the offseason is the only way to go. We loved our time visiting the National Park and felt wintertime made it even better.

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