Plan a Winter Vacation in the Southwest USA

If you’re looking for US travel ideas during the winter, add the Southwest to your list.

You can find something for everyone when you plan a winter vacation in the Southwest USA.

winter vacations in the USA Southwest

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!

You’ll find so many ideas of things to do in the Southwest USA, the hard part will be deciding what NOT to add to your bucket list!

Check out our list of winter road trip supplies we recommend if you’ll be traveling by car.

winter vacation packing list optin
Some of the links on this site are affiliate links, meaning if you book or buy something through one of these links, we may earn a small commission – at no extra cost to you! Read the full Disclosure Policy.

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!

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!

Activities To Do in the Southwest USA

Check out all the activities, tours, and things to photograph in the US Southwest.

Road Trips in the Southwest

If you’re looking for the best way to explore the states in the Southwest, we recommend a US Southwest road trip!

Scenic Drives in the Southwest

You’ll find beautiful scenic drives at various National Parks and other locations in the Southwest USA.

Hiking in the Southwest

Hiking is one of the best ways to experience the US Southwest, and really see the spectacular landscapes up close!

Southwest USA Photography

The American Southwest is a landscape photographer’s dream! The arches, balanced rocks, hoodoos, and river-carved canyons provide stunning photographic opportunities.

Utah National Parks photography guides bundle optin box

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.

sedona arizona in the winter with snow

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.

Arizona Winter Tours

garden of the gods in the winter with snow

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.

Colorado Tours

valley of fire state park

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: 

Nevada Tours

  • Nevada Tours: Jeep and ATV Tours, Helicopter Tours, Hoover Dam Tour
hot air balloon with New Mexico symbol

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: 

New Mexico Tours

hikers on the trail at Bryce Canyon in the snow

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 Tours

Use these travel guides, itineraries, and tour ideas to plan the perfect itinerary to explore the area!

Plan a Southwest US Vacation

get the free road trip planner

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *