Park report: fall colors at Zion National Park

SPRINGDALE — Are you planning a trip to Zion National Park over Thanksgiving break? There’s good news and bad news.

The good news is that the park is absolutely beautiful right now. The bad news is, everyone else might have the same idea. Here’s everything you need to know if you’re visiting Southern Utah over Thanksgiving.

1. Zion National Park will be open on Thanksgiving.
2. It will be chilly.
   In Springdale, the highs next week are in the 50s and low 60s, and the overnight lows drop down below freezing. Make sure you bring a jacket. Probably best not to do the popular Narrows hike unless you have special gear like waders or a wetsuit.
3. The crowds could be crazy.
   Thanksgiving is always a very busy time for Zion National Park. Beat the crowds by arriving early in the morning, exploring less-visited parts of the park like Kolob Canyon, or visiting other parts of Southern Utah like Snow Canyon, Bryce Canyon, Kanab, Coral Pink Sand Dunes, Red Cliffs Recreation Area, and so many others.
4. You can see fall colors in Zion Canyon, but not everywhere.
   Zion National Park covers a lot of area and elevation, so in the higher areas of the park peak fall color season has already passed. The best place in the park to see fall colors is in the main canyon from the Zion Lodge to the Visitor Center, along the Virgin River. The colors get even more vibrant down SR-9 into Springdale and Rockville.

Southern Utah is the best place to be for the holidays. If you head out to play, have fun and stay safe!