Zion has a semi-arid climate, meaning extremely high day time temps in the summers, cooler nights, and cold winters. Despite the heat, summer is the park’s busiest season. October through March is considered off season and provides a less crowded, more peaceful experience. During all but a select couple of months in the winter (usually sometime Jan – Feb) Zion’s main canyon is closed to most passenger vehicles and a free shuttle system offers alternative transportation.

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Alaska’s allure lies in its wild and untamed spaces. From the majestic peaks of the Alaska Range to the serene beauty of its coastal fjords, the state offers a remote wilderness experience unlike any other. Whether you’re drawn to the dancing lights of the aurora borealis, or the opportunity to explore wide expanses of untouched nature, Alaska promises adventure at every turn.

The best time to visit depends on your desires. For those eager to witness the spectacle of the northern lights, the aurora season runs from August through April, with the darkest and clearest nights providing optimal viewing. However, if hiking and nature exploration are more your speed, the summer months from May through September offer the best weather conditions for outdoor activities. 

Alaska is home to a wealth of attractions that showcase the state’s natural beauty and cultural heritage. Follow along for the best destinations and activities in Alaska.

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The best time to visit Colorado depends on two things: what you would like to do there, and
when the seasons are the most conducive for that activity. In this article we will explore the
highlights of each season and provide you with information on the activities that pull folks from
far and wide to the Centennial State each year.

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Established on September 15, 1928, Bryce Canyon National Park spans 35,835 acres, making it the smallest National Park in Utah. Contrary to its name, Bryce Canyon is not technically a canyon but a series of natural amphitheaters carved into the Paunsaugunt Plateau. Its unique geological formations, known as hoodoos, are sculpted by erosion over millions of years, creating mesmerizing landscapes.

While the park is open year-round, the best time to visit is from May through September. During these months, visitors can enjoy pleasant weather and a plethora of outdoor activities. However, even in the winter months, the park’s snow-covered hoodoos offer a breathtakingly beautiful sight. Travel during this time is more challenging however due to the harsh weather conditions.  

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Known for their sweeping vistas, spectacular sunrises, rocky scrambles, and alpine ponds, the high peaks of the Granite State offer year-round recreation. Summer brings berry-picking, fall offers leaf-peeping, and in winter, snowshoeing is popular. Backpacking routes and day hiking trails abound. For those balancing backcountry experience and frontcountry comfort, rustic huts staffed and maintained by the Appalachian Mountain Club offer a refreshing retreat from the elements. 

Whether you aspire to scramble up one of the 48 peaks over 4,000ft, section hike the most challenging part of the Appalachian Trail, or simply get out for a forest walk, there are endless adventures to be had. Lace up your hiking boots and join us on a rewarding adventure in the White Mountains.  

Below, we’ll share what you need to know to get started hiking in White Mountain National Forest. From how to get there, and what time of year you should visit, to which trails to hike when you do. Beginner-friendly day hikes or more strenuous multi-day options – we’ve got you covered.  

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My own time in Utah began while traveling cross country in my beat-up old Astrovan, headed to the southern terminus of the Pacific Crest Trail from my home in Florida. Spending four months as a nomad, my voyage spanned from the sandy shores of the East Coast to the craggy expanse of the American West. Yet, it was Utah that captivated my soul, and where I spent well over half my time on that trip.  

Since then, I’ve returned every spring season. Including later hiking the Hayduke Trail, a 700+ mile trek spanning the entirety of Utah from Arches to Zion, passing through every National Park and even detouring through the Grand Canyon. Here, I share my highlights and must-sees scattered throughout this grand “flyover” state.  

Choosing your route 

This is my ultimate Utah National parks road trip, refined by multiple seasons of poking around in the sand, but remember, it’s your adventure. For the sake of this route, I recommend kicking off the trip near Grand Junction, Colorado, and traveling linearly from east to west, finishing up near Zion National Park.

Utah Mighty Five National Parks Tour

While we have extensive articles on each of Utah’s National Parks and why you should visit, this guide fills in the blank spots on the map and highlights destinations around the heavy hitters of southern Utah.  Whether you’re out for a week seeking highlights or a season stopping at every pullout for “just one more photo,” feel free to mix and match, add and subtract. After all, the best road trips are about embracing spontaneity and following your heart. 

When to go

When are we taking this trip? A very important question.  

Winter and summer can be extreme in these harsh environments, so the best times to visit Utah are either spring or fall. While most people visit these National Parks in the heat of summer, I’d recommend the cool and vibrant spring time. The best time of year to enjoy this Utah National Parks road trip is March through May, although October through November is quite pleasant as well. Any earlier and we’ll be shivering in our sleeping bags and feeling snow on our toes. Any later and we’ll be hiding in the shade as the canyons turn into an oven around us.  

Pro tip: Try to avoid Moab during Easter Weekend as this is when Easter Jeep Safari, a massive off-roading event, takes place. Every camp within an hour of town is usually mobbed as the air thrums with the growl of off-road rigs day and night. 

Following Leave No Trace Principles

The desert environment is full of exceptionally fragile flora and fauna that can take hundreds of years to grow. It is paramount that visitors tread lightly, staying on established trails and roads to avoid damaging cryptobiotic living soil crusts.  

Cryptobiotic soil (crypto meaning “hidden” and “biota” meaning life) is a complex matrix of cyanobacteria, lichens, algae and fungus that help hold sand in place, preventing erosion and giving life a chance to grow.  

Appreciate wildlife and rock art from afar, and please refrain from touching either. Resist the urge to turn these delicate arches into your adult jungle gym, nature already undergoes significant transformation without our help. Consider future generations while visiting Utah, and help to preserve it.  

Leave No Trace principles are especially important in this delicate ecosystem. In the desert environment, human waste is a serious issue. Use toilet facilities whenever you can. When these are not available, all solid waste, including toilet paper, must be packed out in WAG bags. WAG bags are specially made solid waste disposal bags that are strongly encouraged and sometimes required while recreating in a desert environment.  

Visitors can find WAG bags at gear shops in town and visitor centers in the National Parks. It is our collective responsibility to keep these parks clean and to provide sustainable outdoor recreation – do your part!

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Seattle, renowned for its vibrant culture and innovative spirit, is not only a bustling city but also a hub for outdoor enthusiasts. Nestled amidst the stunning natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest, Seattle offers unparalleled access to some phenomenal hiking. From lush forests to majestic mountains, there’s a trail for every adventurer just a stone’s throw away from the city center. 

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It’s a bitter cold morning in the depths of the Colorado winter. The sun is just starting to rise behind Hallet Peak as we enter Rocky Mountain National park. The pristine snow reflects light as the breeze lifts snowflakes up to dance in the golden glow. It’s a sight to behold.

As we drive toward our trailhead we see the mountains come to life as the sun comes up. We stop the vehicle for our first animal sighting of the morning, a couple of deer prancing through the trees. We wind up the road and get nearer to the trailhead. This is the point where we all begin to mentally prepare. Snowshoeing is fun, and yet I will admit the first fifteen minutes are often cold (and often a time you often question the life choices that lead you there). 

The car is parked and we all squeal as we get out. We know it will be worth it in the end but no one is going to pretend that it isn’t cold and early out here. We gather the rest of our things strap on the snowshoes. The magical journey begins.

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Before opening to the public as a National Park, the lands within and surrounding Yosemite, and continue to be, the ancestral home of the Ahwahnechee peoples of the Southern Sierra Miwok tribe, as well as the Paiute and Mono tribes. These indigenous peoples had a deep connection with the land, utilizing it for food, medicine, shelter, and spiritual practices.

It is important to recognize this heritage and respect these lands so that both present and future visitors can continue to enjoy it.  

More recently, John Muir, a Scottish born conservationist, was awe-struck by the grandeur of wild Yosemite and successfully motivated the establishment of Yosemite Valley and its surrounding areas as a National Park in 1890. Predating this, President Abraham Lincoln signed the Yosemite Grant of 1864 which protected Yosemite Valley and Mariposa Grove, making it the first time in history that land was set aside for preservation and public use.

Over the years, the park has continued to expand its boundaries and in 1984, it became a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  

Yosemite has continued to be popular year after year, receiving over 3.8 million visitors in 2023, making it the 6th most visited national park in the country. With such high visitation, Yosemite reservations may be needed to enter the park if you plan to go in 2024. 

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