Four Utah National Parks in Winter: A Red Rock Journey
Winter transforms Utah's red rocks into something magical—we discovered snow-dusted arches, empty scenic roads, and a sense of community that rivals the landscape itself.
I have to admit, when I first suggested a Thanksgiving road trip to Utah instead of the usual stay-at-home feast, my family wasn't exactly thrilled :P But the moment we drove into southern Utah and saw snow dusting those red sandstone arches — everyone went quiet. That contrast of white snow against crimson rock is something that stays with you. We hit four parks in one trip — Arches, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, and Bryce Canyon — and even our teen, who normally has her earbuds in 24/7, couldn't stop pulling them out to take photos.
A Desert Paradise in Winter
Having visited about 20 national parks across the US at this point, I can honestly say that the winter driving experience in southern Utah is unlike anything else we've done. We had hours of scenic roads nearly to ourselves — no traffic, no crowds, just red rock and open sky. It was mesmerizing. That said, it also struck me how remote this part of the country is. The beauty is undeniable, but living out here full-time, with limited economic opportunities, would be a very different reality. Something I found myself thinking about as we drove through small towns along the way.
Check out some videos below:
https://youtu.be/6fwwfrnZ4ek?si=8udKzkiIQGPiea8Z
St George continues to impress us
St George is our favourite stop along the way — we've passed through it on multiple trips now and it keeps impressing us. This well-planned city of 100,000 sits against the stunning backdrop of Red Cliffs, and it's a great place to stretch your legs and refuel (both the car and the humans).
Pro tip for anyone craving Asian food in the middle of the Utah desert: Kitchen Thai Express offers genuinely Thai flavors in modest portions, housed in a small but immaculate space. As someone who grew up in Southeast Asia, I don't say this lightly — the food is legit.
Moab: Gateway to Two Parks
We based ourselves in Moab, which is perfectly positioned for visiting both Arches and Canyonlands. With less than 6,000 residents, it's tiny — but it has everything you need: gas, food, hotels, and a surprisingly good coffee shop we stumbled into. I should mention that Arches does still get busy during Thanksgiving week (similar to Zion), but the cold weather thins out the crowds compared to summer, and honestly, hiking in crisp winter air beats sweating through the desert heat any day.
Utah's Community Spirit
This might seem like a small thing, but coming from a big city, it really stood out to us. At our hotel's breakfast area, guests naturally followed a "clean-as-you-go" system — and I don't mean just returning plates. People were wiping down tables after themselves without being asked. Nobody had to tell them. As someone who grew up in Asia where collective care for shared spaces is valued, this felt genuinely familiar and warm. It reminded me that the people are just as much a part of the travel experience as the landscapes :)
Winter's Transform
Each park had its own personality in winter. I wasn't sure what to expect — we'd only seen these parks in summer photos — but the blanket of snow against the red rock formations made everything feel like a completely different world. Here's what we saw:
Arches National Park
Capitol Reef National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park
The Sphere in Vegas: A One-Time Experience Worth Having
On the way back, we made a detour through Las Vegas and checked out the Sphere. The 360-degree screen and sound system are genuinely impressive — my jaw actually dropped during the opening sequence. However. A $28 beer can? Basic AI robot interactions that felt like 2015 tech? I have to admit, the cost-conscious part of me was doing some math :D It's absolutely worth experiencing once if you're in Vegas. But once is enough, at least until they develop more compelling custom content for this incredible venue. The hardware is there — the software just needs to catch up.
More National Parks Guides
Read our complete guide: The Expat Family's Guide to US National Parks (2026) — covering all 26 parks we've visited, road trip routes, costs, and tips for international visitors.
Final thoughts
If someone had told me a few years ago that I'd be spending Thanksgiving driving through snow-covered deserts in Utah instead of eating turkey at home, I would have thought they were crazy. But this trip taught our family something: the best version of these parks might not be the postcard-perfect summer version. Winter gives you space — space to breathe, space to actually stand at a viewpoint without 50 people in front of you, and space to talk as a family without the distractions of everyday life.
My practical advice: check weather conditions before you go (roads can close suddenly in winter), pack layers, and don't underestimate the cold at higher elevations like Bryce Canyon. But don't let the cold scare you off. The quiet, the light, and the snow on red rock made this one of the most memorable trips we've done as a family.
Have you visited Utah's national parks in winter? Or do you prefer the summer experience? I'd genuinely love to hear what you think.
Cheers,
Chandler
