Visiting Zion, Bryce Canyon national parks in the snow can be a special experience

Southern Utah's red-rock scenery is always a major draw for travelers, but the past few days brought a little added flavor with a snowy winter storm.

Visitors at popular destinations like Zion and Bryce Canyon national parks were treated to snow-capped visuals over the first two days of 2023, with storms leaving snowfall across much of Utah. And another potential round of precipitation was in the forecast for later this week, according to the National Weather Service.

There was a 25% chance of more precipitation on Wednesday and then a 90% chance on Thursday, followed by a 40% chance on Friday at Zion, according to the NWS. At Bryce, it was 20% on Wednesday, 65% on Thursday and 25% on Friday.

The ice and snow could require some careful driving on the way in, but with holiday crowds slowing down, it could be the perfect time to visit. In recent years, Utah parks have reported fewer than half as many visitors during winter months as they count in the summer.

Park rangers recommended traction devices and to "layer up" with extra clothes for hiking. Try to go during the warmest parts of the day and get off the trail before dark to avoid getting stuck on the trails when they ice over.

At Zion, the park's usual shuttle service into the main canyon was officially closed for the season as of Monday and not set to reopen until March 10. That means private vehicles are permitted to make their way all the way down the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive, although the road closes once the parking lots are full.

While there was only a dusting of snow at Zion as of Tuesday, there was much more at Bryce Canyon, which sits at about 8,000 feet in elevation. There were 18 inches at the park, with more possible later in the week.

Despite the snow, the main road into the park remained open for several miles, with visitors treated to a dramatic wintertime scenery. As of late Monday, the main road was open to Bryce Point, about three miles into the canyon. Visitors were urged to drive carefully and to be aware that some trails were covered in compacted snow, with officials recommending hikers use traction devices.

This article originally appeared on St. George Spectrum & Daily News: Visiting Zion, Bryce Canyon national parks in the snow can be special