Visit Zion National Park anytime of the year

There is really no best time of the year to visit Zion National Park.  The best time for people with children to visit Zion is in the summer when the children are out of school.  Visiting Zion in the summer has its drawbacks.  This is the busiest time of the year for Zion National Park.  It is very crowded with tourists from all over the world.

An advantage is that in the summer Zion has many children’s activities.  Lodging rates are much higher in the summer.  If you can visit Zion at another time of the year you will miss the huge crowds and higher costs of everything.  There are fewer tourists at Zion in December, January and February.  During these months Zion can be chilly.  There will also be some snow and ice but it will not last long. 

Zion has 4 seasons.  The winters at Zion are mild.  Zion’s elevation is from 3700 to 8720 feet.  Very little snow falls in the canyon.  Zion has its best weather in the spring and fall.  The temperature ranges from 40 to 80 degrees.  The temperature in the summer will go over 100 degrees in the day and be 70 degrees at night.  In the summer if you want to go hiking you must do it early in the morning because of the heat in the afternoon.  There are frequent afternoon thunderstorms in July and August.

Many people say March, April, October and November are good times to visit Zion.  The weather is usually good and there are less people.  Many people also like May and September.

Winter can also be a good time to visit Zion.  Zion is simply beautiful in the winter.  With less people around you will be able to see more deer, elk and other animals.  The disadvantage of visiting Zion in the winter is that some of the squirrels and reptiles are hibernating.  Most of the park's birds have flown south.

The disadvantages are there are less ranger led programs and activities in the winter.  There can also be sudden storms that can make it impossible to go hiking.  If you go to Zion in the winter be sure to take warm clothes and lots of them.

It does not matter what time of the year you visit Zion you will be amazed.  There is nothing that can compare with its huge red and white sandstone cliffs.  Zion National Park is open year around.  It is an amazing place to visit year around.

Article sources:

http://www.theearthtraveler.com/an-arid-paradise-in-the-us.html