Utah National Parks Weather in February
It’s important to be prepared for Utah National Parks weather during the winter months. The temperatures will be COLD and snow storms are possible any time during the winter season.
We’ve written this Utah National Parks weather in February guide to help you know specifically the weather and temperatures to expect during this month at all five parks!
We live only hours away from all Utah’s Mighty 5 National Parks and have visited during all four seasons. The information and tips we share about the February weather at Utah National Parks is based on our experiences over the years!
Be sure you know the expected temperatures, weather, services available, things to do, what to pack, and where to stay at Utah National Parks in February.
Check the expected weather and temperatures for the park you’ll be visiting so you’re prepared with clothing layers and the supplies you’ll need for the activities you want to do.
Use our packing list for Utah National Parks to make sure you have the right clothing and gear for visiting in February! Grab your free printable packing checklist by clicking the image below!
This site contains affiliate links which means WE may receive commissions for purchases made through these links. We only provide links to products we actually use and/or wholeheartedly recommend! As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Read the full Disclosure Policy.
Packing List for February at Utah National Parks
Pack and wear warm winter clothing so you’ll actually want to get out of the car and explore the parks: winter coat, fleece jacket, winter hat and gloves.
Hiking boots should be warm and waterproof. No one wants soggy feet!
Utah is a dry environment so don’t forget lip balm and lotion! Even in the winter you’ll want to use sunscreen.
Staying hydrated is also important in the winter so pack your water bottles and healthy snacks!
Visiting Utah National Parks in February
The national parks are must-see places to visit in Utah! The best thing about a February vacation to see the Utah National Parks is the solitude and serenity you’ll experience during the off-season.
You’ll find fun things to see, do, and photograph at Utah National Parks in the winter. But some activities may be a bit more limited due to cold or snowy conditions!
When planning a Utah National Park road trip it’s important to be up-to-date with current weather and road conditions!
Use these resources to plan your Utah National Park vacation:
- Arches National Park travel guide
- Bryce Canyon travel guide
- Canyonlands National Park guide
- Capitol Reef National Park guide
- Zion National Park travel guide
Utah National Parks Winter Photos
We’ve created winter photo galleries of the Utah National Parks so you can see what to expect when visiting this time of year!
Utah National Parks Weather in February
For us, February is one of the best months to visit Utah National Parks to avoid the crowds you’ll find in the spring and fall or the heat of the summer!
Here’s what you can expect at each of the 5 Utah National Parks in the month of February.
Arches National Park Weather in February
Here’s what you can expect when visiting Arches National Park in February:
In February the Arches National Park weather is cold and can be unpredictable if a storm rolls through. The average highs are near 52 degrees with the lows near 28 degrees Fahrenheit.
Remember that Arches National Park is located at 5,653 feet above sea level so it does get cold in the winter, even if the sun is out. If you’re dressed for the weather, you can still enjoy many Arches National Park winter activities!
Usually Arches National Park doesn’t see large amounts of snow in February. But it’s common to get a dusting of snow, or even a few inches of snow, when storms roll through the area.
The snow is a terrific contrast with the red rocks for Arches National Park photography!
The Arches National Park scenic drive might be closed after a snowfall for several hours for plowing. Park roads, parking lots, and pullouts can still be icy, especially in shaded areas. Check at the visitor center for the latest information on road conditions in the park.
Most of the Arches National Park hiking trails remain open year-round. You may find there are parts of the Delicate Arch trail and Devil’s Garden trail that can be slippery from packed snow and ice and may require traction devices and trekking poles.
If you want to do Arches National Park winter camping, all camping sites at Devil’s Garden Campground are first-come, first served.
There are RV parks near Arches National Park open in the winter if you’re looking for a campground with more amenities than Devil’s Garden Campground in the park.
Bryce Canyon Weather In February
Here’s what you can expect when visiting Bryce Canyon National Park in February :
You can’t beat visiting Bryce Canyon without the crowds you find in the summer. And you can take advantage of the offseason rates in the winter. Yes there will be snow at Bryce Canyon in February, but that’s what makes it magical! If you’re not a fan of exploring the outdoors in cold weather or snowy conditions, then you should probably skip visiting this park in February.
The February Bryce Canyon National Park weather usually brings the coldest temperatures of the year with highs around 38° F and lows around 13° F. Be prepared with winter gear and clothing!
The main Bryce Canyon scenic drive could be closed due to weather and road conditions, which means you’ll only be able to see the amphitheater section of the park.
But the amphitheater has some of the best Bryce Canyon views and photo spots to capture stunning winter landscape photography.
You can enjoy Bryce Canyon winter activities like hiking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing. When you visit in February you’ll find ranger-led programs at Bryce Canyon include the Hoodoo Geology Talk and Snowshoe Hikes. You can get snowshoes at the visitor center if you don’t bring your own. This snowshoe adventure takes about 1 ½ to two hours to complete. You must be at least 8 years old to go on the hike.
There are many Bryce Canyon winter hikes to explore, but you may need snowshoes or traction devices. Keep in mind the Wall Street side of the Navajo Loop is closed, but the Two Bridges side of the Navajo Loop remains open. We love the Navajo Loop Queen’s Garden trail for down-and-back hiking to explore the canyon below the rim. The Rim Trail between Inspiration and Bryce Points will also be closed in February.
Even with the snow and cold, you can enjoy Bryce Canyon winter camping! Only loop A of North Campground is open in the winter months. It is first come, first serve. You can also opt to enjoy a Bryce Canyon National Park RV vacation instead of camping.
There are many Bryce Canyon winter lodging options as well with hotels, cabins, and vacation rentals to choose from.
Canyonlands Weather In February
Here’s what you can expect when visiting Canyonlands National Park in February:
Visitor services are reduced at Canyonlands in the winter. You’ll need to be more self-reliant when visiting either Island in the Sky or Needles. Remember that both areas of the park are remote locations so always be prepared with water, food and proper clothing so you can be self-reliant.
The Canyonlands National Park weather is unpredictable in the winter. It may snow in February, but it’s not usually large amounts. When a storm rolls through, the park can get a dusting of snow, or even a few inches.
The average highs are near 52 degrees with the lows near 28 degrees. Remember that Island in the Sky is located at 6,100 feet above sea level, and Canyonlands Needles is 5,920 so it does get cold in the winter, even if the sun is out. If you’re dressed for the weather, you can enjoy all the Canyonlands winter activities!
After a snow storm, the park road might be closed for plowing for a few hours. Keep in mind that the roads, parking lots, and pullouts in the park can still be icy, especially in shaded areas. Check to make sure the Island in the Sky scenic drive is open after a snow storm.
The snow creates a beautiful contrast with the red rocks for Canyonlands National Park photography!
If you plan to explore some of the Canyonlands National Park Winter Hikes, you may experience slippery trail conditions from packed snow and ice. Check with the Visitor Center to see if any trails require traction devices and trekking poles.
If you want to do Canyonlands winter camping, all camp sites are first-come, first served.
There are RV parks near Canyonlands National Park open in the winter if you’re looking for a campground with more amenities than the campgrounds in the park.
Capitol Reef Weather In February
Here’s what you can expect when visiting Capitol Reef National Park in February:
The visitor center is open daily. The Gifford House Store and Museum is closed in the winter.
The Capitol Reef National Park weather in February will be cold, and you may encounter snow. Expect highs around 45 and lows around 23 degrees Fahrenheit. If you’re dressed for the conditions, you can enjoy a variety of Capitol Reef National Park winter activities!
In February the Capitol Reef scenic drive is a must-do activity to see and photograph the cliffs, canyons, domes and bridges!
If you’re up for adventure, you can explore the Cathedral Valley District or Waterpocket District of Capitol Reef. They are remote, rugged regions that requires vehicles with high ground clearance. In the winter you may need four-wheel drive depending on road and weather conditions.
You’ll find a variety of Capitol Reef National Park winter hikes for all levels of hiker.
We highly recommend Capitol Reef National Park photography at sunrise. Yes, it will be cold, but if you’ve got photographer gloves and rechargeable hand warmers, then you should be good! Our favorite sunrise spots are Panorama Point and Sunset Point.
If you want to do Capitol Reef National Park winter camping, all camp sites at the Fruita Campground are first-come, first served.
There are RV parks near Capitol Reef National Park open in the winter if you’re looking for a campground with more amenities than what you’ll find in the park.
Zion National Park Weather In February
Here’s what you can expect when visiting Zion National Park in February:
The Zion National Park shuttle buses resume in mid-February – check the NPS website for the most current shuttle dates and information. The Zion Canyon scenic drive is closed to private vehicles during the shuttle season.
Zion National Park weather can be unpredictable so be prepared for sunny, rainy, snowy days in February. The days and nights are definitely cooler this time of year at Zion. In February the highs are usually around 60 degrees and the lows hover around 34 degrees Fahrenheit.
Normally Zion does not see a lot of snow, only about 5 inches a year in the park. After a snow storm the roads, parking lots, and trails could be wet, snowy, or icy so be prepared with the right clothing and shoes!
All four Zion National Park scenic drives are open in the winter, but when a storm rolls through, they may close if conditions are bad so always check the park service website for updated road conditions. The upper part of the Kolob Terrace Road, including Lava Point, closes in the winter. Kolob Canyons regularly closes during inclement weather.
On some Zion National Park hikes you may encounter ice, snow, and mud in shady areas of the trails . You may need traction devices on some trails. And some trails may close due to bad conditions. Check with the visitor’s center for the most current trail conditions.
You’ll need an Angels Landing permit if you plan to hike that trail in February.
We often wish for snow when we take our February trip to Zion. The landscape of colorful rocks with white snow is so pretty for Zion National Park photography!
If you want to do winter camping in Zion National Park, the Watchman Campground is the only one open year-round, but has reduced availability.
There are RV parks near Zion National Park open in the winter if you’re looking for a campground with more amenities than what you’ll find in the park.
