Plan a Winter Vacation in the Southwest USA
If you’re looking for winter vacation ideas in the US, add the Southwest to your list. You can find something for everyone when you plan a winter vacation in the Southwest USA.
The US Southwest is a region filled with stunning landscapes and cultural attractions to explore and photograph. During the winter, the temperatures are more moderate for hiking in Arizona or New Mexico. You can embrace winter cold and snowshoe around the trails in Bryce Canyon in Utah!
With so many US southwest vacation ideas for the winter, the hard part will be deciding what NOT to add to your bucket list!
In this guide you’ll find travel tips, attractions, recommended activities and a packing checklist to help you plan a fabulous vacation this winter.
Use our Winter Vacation Packing List to make sure you have the right clothing and gear for the destination you’ll visit! Grab your free printable packing checklist by clicking the image below!
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Best Times to Visit the US Southwest
One of the first things you need to research is what it’s like visiting these locations at various times during the year to decide when it’s the best time to go!
- Best Time to Visit Arizona
- Best Time to Visit Colorado
- Best Time to Visit Nevada
- Best Time to Visit New Mexico
- Best Time to Visit Utah
- Best Time to Visit Utah National Parks
Spring and Fall are the most popular times for visiting the Southwest because the temperatures are best for outdoor activities, but they are the most crowded times as well. Summer is HOT in the Southwest. It’s not our favorite time to visit.
We prefer winter Southwest vacations to avoid the crowds and heat. Yes, some locations will be cold with possible rain and snow storms occurring any time, but we pack for the weather and know we need to be flexible!
Ideas To Plan A Winter Vacation in the Southwest USA
For this article, we’re sharing information about visiting these five Southwest US states: Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah.
Visiting the US Southwest National Parks in the winter is a good time to go to escape the crowds you find in the spring and fall. You also escape the summer heat!!
Arizona Winter Vacation Ideas
Winter is the perfect time hike along the desert spires, river canyons, and mazes of red rock formations in Arizona… without the heat! Here are a list of places to visit and things to do in the winter in Arizona.
- Grand Canyon in the Winter
- Antelope Canyon in the Winter
- Horseshoe Bend in the Winter
- Monument Valley in the Winter
- Sedona, Arizona in the Winter
Arizona Winter Tours
- Antelope Canyon Tours
- Grand Canyon Tours: Helicopter Tours, Grand Canyon Railway
- Sedona Tours: Jeep and ATV Tours, E-bike Tours
Colorado Winter Vacation Ideas
The southern part of Colorado is a wonderful place to explore the native history of this region. Here are a list of places to visit and things to do in the winter in Colorado.
- Mesa Verde National Park in the Winter
- The Great Sand Dunes in the Winter
- Black Canyon of the Gunnison in the Winter
- Garden of the Gods in the Winter
- Winter Getaways in Colorado
Colorado Tours
- Colorado Tours: Jeep Tours, Zipline Tours
Nevada Winter Vacation Ideas
The winter season in southern Nevada is just about perfect for outdoor activities. There are plenty of things to do in Nevada during the winter months:
- Grand Canyon West Rim in the Winter
- Valley of Fire State Park in the Winter
- Hoover Dam
- Red Rock Canyon in the Winter
- Las Vegas in the Winter
Nevada Tours
- Nevada Tours: Jeep and ATV Tours, Helicopter Tours, Hoover Dam Tour
New Mexico Winter Vacation Ideas
You can’t beat New Mexico during the winter months to enjoy outdoor activities. There are plenty of things to do in New Mexico in the winter:
- White Sands National Park in the Winter
- Carlsbad Caverns National Park in the Winter
- Chaco Culture National Historical Park
- Bandelier National Monument Hike
- Petroglyph National Monument
- Southern New Mexico Road Trip
New Mexico Tours
- New Mexico Hot Air Balloon Tours
- New Mexico Tours: Food Tours, Ghost Tours, Walking Tours
Southern Utah Winter Vacation Ideas
The contrast of white snow against the red rock landscape in Southern Utah in the winter is stunning! There are plenty of places to visit and things to do in Southern Utah during the winter months:
- Utah in the Winter
- Arches National Park in the Winter
- Bryce Canyon in the Winter
- Canyonlands National Park in the Winter
- Capitol Reef National Park in the Winter
- Zion National Park in the Winter
- List of Utah State Parks
- Moab in the Winter
Utah Tours
Use these travel guides, itineraries, and tour ideas to plan the perfect itinerary to explore the area!
CLICK TO SHOP FOR US NATIONAL PARK GUIDES & MAPS
Plan a Southwest US Vacation
- American Southwest Road Trip Guide
- Southwest USA Road Trip Ideas
- Spring Vacation in the Southwest USA
- Summer Vacations in the Southwest
- Fall Vacation in the Southwest USA
- Southwest National Parks
Road Trip Planner
Be sure to grab the Road Trip Packing List that includes all the winter road trip supplies you need for comfort, organization, eating, and first aid to make the family vacation a success. You’ll also receive a Road Trip Itinerary to plan the day-to-day schedule of the trip! Simply click the graphic below to get your free copy!
