Travel Guide For Visiting Utah in February

We’ve put together a guide of what it’s like to visit Utah in February, specifically the National Parks. The guide includes where to go, things to do, what to pack, and where to stay for a Utah vacation in February.

When looking for places to visit in Utah in the month of February, make sure you know the expected weather you may encounter!

February weather and temperatures will vary between Northern and Southern Utah. Also the higher elevation temperatures will have more snow and be cooler than the lower elevations by 10 to 20 degrees.

There are fun places to visit in Utah in the winter like exploring the National and State Parks. Be prepared for cold temperatures and the possibility of snow at any time around the state!

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A Photo Tour of Utah National Parks

Take a visual tour through all five Utah National Parks to see the stunning landscapes you’ll see when you visit!

Northern and Southern Utah in February

There are two main regions in Utah: Northern Utah and Southern Utah.

Northern Utah in February:

Salt Lake City and Park City are the largest cities in Northern Utah. You’ll find vibrant main streets and downtown centers with nightlife, festivals, historic buildings and performing arts. 

Northern Utah in February you can snowshoe, snow ski, snowmobile, and ice fish in the valleys and mountains in the area. 

Southern Utah:

It’s important to note that when you drive from Northern to Southern Utah you’ll pass small towns with limited services.

Be sure you know when the various Utah vacation spots are located around the state. A drive from Salt Lake City to any of the National Parks in the south can take 4 to 5 hours.

You’ll find all 5 Utah National Parks in Central and Southern Utah. In February the parks aren’t crowded, except the holiday weekend.

Be prepared with winter clothing like waterproof layers and shoes when visiting in February.

Before heading out to explore any National or Utah State Park, check with the visitor center for updated conditions. During the winter hiking trails may close, or may require traction devices due to ice.

Utah Weather in February

Average temperature in Northern Utah (Salt Lake City): highs 45 / lows 29 degrees F. The average February snowfall in the Northern part of Utah:

• Salt Lake City – 6 days / 10.7 inches
• Logan – 6.4 days / 12.2 inches
• Provo – 4.2 days / 8.7 inches
• Alta – 13 days / 81.2 inches
• Park City – 8.7 days / 25.5 inches

Average temperature in Southern Utah (St. George): highs 59 / lows 32 degrees F. The average February snowfall in the Southern part of Utah:

• Moab (Arches/Canyonlands) – 1 days / 1.4 inches
• Bryce Canyon – 7.2 days / 18.1 inches
• Capitol Reef – 1.3 days / 1.5 inches
• Cedar City – 4.5 days / 10.6 inches
• Zion – 0.2 days / 0.5 inches
• St. George – 0.5 days / 0.9 inches

It’s important to know the expected weather forecast and temperatures for the parks you’ll visit in February so we’ve written detailed guides for each National Park in Utah:

• Arches National Park weather
• Bryce Canyon National Park weather
• Canyonlands National Park weather
• Capitol Reef National Park weather
• Zion National Park weather

Remember to stay hydrated and use sun protection, even in the winter months. If you’ll be doing any outdoor activities, we recommend the following:

• WATER: Drink plenty of water (this isn’t just for the summer months) – we use hydration packs or carry refillable bottles in our backpack.
• FOOD: Pack and eat healthy snacks.
• SUN PROTECTION: Sunscreen is still important – use lip balm with sunscreen and hydrating lotion if you’re not used to dry heat.
• LAYERS: Pack an insulated jacket, fleece jacket, winter hat, and gloves.

Is February a Good Time to Visit Utah?

Northern Utah: If you like winter activities like snow skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling then February is one of the best times to visit Utah!

Southern Utah: It’s also a good time to visit the National Parks when it’s the off-season. You can still enjoy activities like hiking and biking because “most of the time”, the weather isn’t snowy and daytime temperatures aren’t too cold.

The one exception is Bryce Canyon National Park in February. Due to it’s elevation, the weather and temperatures at Bryce Canyon are similar to what you’d see in Northern Utah: expect snow, cold temperatures, and winter activities.

Yes, it does snow in the southern parts of Utah, but it doesn’t usually stay on the ground too long so you can enjoy all those fun outdoor activities without crowds or heat!

Things to Do in Utah in February

If you’re planning a trip in February, here’s a fun list of things to do and places to visit in Utah.

February Winter Activities in Utah

• Park City Winter Tours and Rentals
• Dog Sledding in Park City
• Snow Skiing in Utah
• Snowmobiling in Utah

Utah National Parks in February

All of the Utah National Parks are open year-round, and every single day in February, but the Visitor Centers at all five parks will have shortened hours.

Some of the National Parks in Utah now have permits to enter or do certain activities, so be sure to check about reservations required when determining the best time to visit Utah National Parks.

We’ve written specific guides about visiting Utah National Parks in February:

• Arches National Park in February
• Bryce Canyon National Park in February  
• Canyonlands National Park in February 
• Capitol Reef National Park in February
• Zion National Park in February

Utah State Parks in February

Here’s a list of Utah State Parks where you can enjoy hiking, biking, climbing, photography, and stargazing in February:

• Antelope Island State Park
• Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park
• Dead Horse Point State Park
• Goblin Valley State Park
• Kodachrome Basin State Park

Hiking in Utah in February

In February you can enjoy snowshoeing in Northern Utah and hiking in Southern Utah. You may need traction devices on trails that are icy.

There are plenty of trails that offer a variety of different terrains all around the state at National parks, State parks, National forests, and Wilderness areas.

Check out these fun Utah hiking ideas:

• Best Hikes in Arches National Park
• Best Day Hikes at Bryce Canyon National Park
• Canyonlands Island in the Sky Hikes
• Canyonlands Needles Hikes
• Capitol Reef Hikes
• Easy Zion National Park Hikes
• Zion Hikes Without the Shuttle
• Moab Utah Hiking Trails
• Dead Horse Point State Park Hiking Trails
• The Best 8 Hikes Near Salt Lake City, Utah (A Local’s Guide)
• Utah Slot Canyon Hikes

Utah Scenic Drives in February

The Utah scenic drives in the lower elevations around the state are open to explore in February. Check out the list of scenic drives we recommend in the winter: 

• Arches National Park Scenic Drive
• Bryce Canyon Scenic Drive
• Island in the Sky Scenic Drive 
• Capitol Reef Scenic Drive
• Zion National Park Scenic Drives
• Potash-Lower Colorado River Scenic Byway in Moab
• Best Stops Along Scenic Byway 12 between Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef
• Logan Canyon Scenic Drive
• Mirror Lake Scenic Byway – awesome winter snowmobiling area!

Utah Photography in February

If you’re prepared for cold temperatures, then February is a good time of year to photograph snowy landscapes and forests in Northern Utah.

In Southern Utah we get excited when it snows so we can capture the contrast of snow on the red sandstone cliffs.

In February the sunrise and sunset times aren’t too early or too late, but it will be cold:

• Sunrise at Arches National Park 
• Sunset at Arches National Park
• Bryce Canyon Sunrise Photography
• Sunrise at Zion National Park

Here’s a list of our favorite year-round photography spots in Utah:

• Arches National Park Photo Spots
• Bryce Canyon Photo Spots
• Best Photo Spots at Canyonlands Island in the Sky
• Capitol Reef National Park Photography
• Zion National Park Photo Spots
• Guide to Moab Photography
• Guide to Kanab Photography

We highly recommend rechargeable hand warmers and photographer gloves for those cold early morning sunrise outings!

Utah Stargazing in February

We definitely recommend you take time to view the Utah night skies during your vacation.

Did you know that Utah has the highest concentration of certified International Dark Sky Parks in the world!?

Northern Utah Stargazing Locations:

• Antelope Island State Park
• Dinosaur National Monument
• East Canyon State Park
• Jordanelle State Park
• North Fork Park

Southern Utah Stargazing Locations:

• Arches National Park
• Canyonlands National Park 
• Dead Horse Point State Park
• Goblin Valley State Park
• Goosenecks State Park
• Hovenweep National Monument
• Natural Bridges National Monument

Utah Travel Guides & Maps

Utah Vacation Ideas

• Utah Bucket List – FREE printable
• Best Time to Visit Utah
• Utah National Parks
• Utah State Parks
• Tours in Utah

Places to Stay in Utah

• Coolest Hotels in Utah
• Places to Stay Near Arches National Park
• Bryce Canyon Places to Stay
• Where to Stay Near Canyonlands
• Places to Stay at Capitol Reef National Park
• Places to Stay at Zion National Park