The best time to travel to Utah
With five national parks, more than two dozen national landmarks, and its award-winning ski resorts, Utah is one of the most popular adventure states in America. However, with four different seasons of the year, your mileage will vary depending on when you visit. Whether it’s hiking, off-roading, or playing in the snow or desert water, these are the best times to go.
Hiking in the Coyote Gulch, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Utah, USA © Galyna Andrushko / Shutterstock
Low season: March to May
Best time to hike in the red canyons
While not as hot as other deserts, Utah’s climate can get dangerously hot in midsummer, especially in the southern half of the state. Because of this, many hikers and outdoor enthusiasts move to Arches, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, and Zion in the spring. Make no mistake; Even in the off-season you will encounter more and more crowds and well-informed visitors. But for anyone looking to hike the best of the best, spring is much less crowded, better for waterfalls, and cheaper to book hotels and rental cars compared to summer.
Winter is usually peak season in Utah ski resorts © Erik Isakson / Getty Images
High season: December to February
Best time to ski in the “largest snow in the world”
Northern Utah gets an average of over 500 inches of the driest, fluffiest snow every year. That’s why the U.S. ski team trains here, and there are over a dozen world-class ski resorts (including Park City, the largest in North America) that welcome people from all over the world. While both the prices and crowds for snow sports are highest in winter, they are also undeniably worth it. While other states require a half-day drive to more expensive resorts, with sometimes poor-quality snow, Salt Lake City Airport can get to over half a dozen resorts in under an hour. For better powder, wait until Christmas break or beyond.
Some of Utah’s natural spaces are best seen in fall colors © Nickolay Stanev / Shutterstock
Low season: September to November
Best all-rounder for budget travelers, less crowds and autumn leaves
All in all, this is the best time to visit Utah – when prices, crowds, and extreme weather are at their lowest. You won’t get the nice runoff like springtime and temperatures will likely be too cold to enjoy the water. But if you want to see the best the state has to offer and can only visit during one season, make it this one. As a bonus, hotel rates are up to 40% lower than high season rates, you’ll see beautiful fall foliage at the higher elevations when the trees begin to crouch for winter, and you’ll likely wander in pants and short sleeves at lunchtime ( although you need a jacket at night).
Kayaking in Labyrinth Canyon on Lake Powell © Clifton Wilkinson / Lonely Planet
Hot season: June to August
Best time for water sports and alpine hiking with crowds in national parks
Thanks to the summer vacation and so much to see, Utah crowds peak during summer, when the days are hot but the nights are cool. In July and August, the national parks are flooded by international and local holidaymakers. In addition to Lake Powell, one of America’s most fun-loving lakes, there are many other recreational reservoirs in Utah, such as Flaming Gorge, which are great for both boating and fishing. Plus, it’s home to the High Uinta Wilderness, one of the state’s best kept secrets and a great way to beat the summer heat. After all, this really is the best time to enjoy two of Utah’s greatest water-filled hikes: The Narrows in Zion National Park and Lower Calf Creek Falls at the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument.
Insider tip: To avoid hot, crowded trails and to get better pictures, you should plan your national park visits in the morning and evening.
January
Ski season and winter in full swing.
Major Events: Sundance Film Festival, where you can see tomorrow’s best indie films before they hit theaters.
February
Probably the best (and cheapest) time to ski when the mountains are crushed with powder.
Major Events: Midway Ice Castles; Hike to one of the state’s numerous hot springs.
March is the start of the hiking season in southern Utah © Jim David / Shutterstock
March
In the valleys, the snow usually starts to melt. Hiking starts in earnest in southern Utah, although northern Utah is usually a little too wet to enjoy.
April
The wettest time of year when grasses and flowers peak.
Important events: Moab Jeep Safari, stargazing, trees in full bloom.
Can
A great time to hike across the country and enjoy waterfalls before the summer heat takes over.
Major Events: Tulip Festival at Thanksgiving Point, Great Salt Lake Birding Festival.
From June the summer in Utah will be really hot © blazg / Shutterstock
June
About the only decent month of summer before the heat and crowds take over.
Key Events: The fruit harvest begins in Capitol Reef National Park (through September).
July
Hot during the day and ideal conditions for boating and canyoning. In the morning and in the evening the weather is bearable.
Major Events: Freedom Festival, Pioneer Day Parade.
August
Like July, hot but never humid.
Key Events: Bonneville Speed Week to see speed demons break land speed records in an otherworldly landscape.
If the weather is too hot, turn on the air conditioning and set off © Horst Mahr / Getty Images
September
The weather is starting to cool, but it’s still nice.
Major events: Utah State Fair, buying the nation’s best peaches at one of the many roadside fruit stands, driving the Mirror Lake Scenic Highway.
October
Cooler temperatures and fewer crowds.
Major Events: Enjoy the Alpine Loop Scenic Byway, Timpanogos Cave National Monument, or an ungodly amount of trick or treating during Halloween.
November
Probably the lightest crowds of the year and the last chance for pleasant daytime temperatures in southern Utah.
December
Baby it’s cold outside Major Events: Enjoy millions of Christmas lights and the tabernacle choir in Temple Square in one of the most religious states in the country.
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