With the end of the fall season in Southern Utah just around the corner, now is a great time to start planning your winter visit to Zion National Park.

It’s a common misconception that when colder weather and the occasional snowstorm sets in there’s little to do in Southern Utah. With the right gear, it’s easy to still enjoy a hike in Zion during your stay. In fact, with winter bringing fewer guests to the park, this is a great time to enjoy popular trails with few other hikers. But hiking isn’t the only activity you can enjoy this time of year.

If you’re thinking about planning a winter stay at Gooseberry Lodge, keep reading. We’re breaking down five more activities you can enjoy during your stay in lodges in Zion.

1. Take a Step Back in Time

If the chilly temperatures are keeping you off the trails or you just want to warm up a bit during your stay in Zion National Park lodges, head to one of the many museums in the area. From natural history to museums centered around the region’s early settlers, you’ll have no shortage of options to choose from. 

In St. George, one of the best museums is the St. George Dinosaur Discovery Site. This natural history museum is built over a large sandstone rock face where actual dinosaur footprints were discovered in 2000. Today, the museum is home to those preserved tracks, as well as other fossils and replicas.

Another great option is the Frontier Homestead State Park Museum in Cedar City. Here you can see how pioneers in the area lived. Wander historic buildings, check out the collection of horse-drawn wagons, and enjoy plenty of interpretive programs hosted there.

2. Get in a Round of Golf

While Zion gets snow a few times each year, overall, Southern Utah overall experiences a mild winter season. Some parts of the region are even more mild than others. For instance, in St. George in January, daily temperatures are usually in the 50s, with even warmer days mixed in. Later in the winter, temperatures feel more like springtime.

This mild weather makes Southern Utah a wonderful place for golfers to retreat to when other courses across the country are covered in snow. St. George is home to a dozen golf courses, with plenty of others in the surrounding towns and cities, all of which stay open all winter long.

Sand Hollow Resort Golf Club is the most popular public course in Utah. With a backdrop of coral-pink sand dunes and towering red-rock cliffs, it’s a truly stunning course. And with just a few light layers, you can enjoy a comfortable day on the greens during your winter visit to Southern Utah.

If you have a golfer in your group, our cabins in Zion National Park are the perfect place to combine a few rounds with some time in the park.

3. Shop for a Handmade Souvenir

If you’re facing a chilly day during your stay in cabin rentals near Zion National Park, head to Springdale. Here, you’ll find a variety of stores and art galleries filled with souvenirs handmade by local artists. 

Pick up a professional photo of Zion, a painting inspired by the park, handmade jewelry, and more. Not only can you easily fill a day wandering the town and its many stores, but you’ll also find some great, unique souvenirs to help you remember your trip.

4. Hit the Slopes

When most people think about Southern Utah, they think of the incredible red rock desert landscapes that you’ll find in Zion National Park. But come December, parts of the region become a winter wonderland. If you’ve only ever visited the park in the summer months, you might be surprised to learn that you can go skiing and snowboarding just a short distance from our cabin rentals near Zion National Park

Brian Head Resort is just an hour and a half from Gooseberry Lodge. Here, you’ll find eight lifts that take you to 71 runs, including multiple black diamond slopes. You can also go cross-country skiing and snowmobiling at the resort. 

Planning a Winter Stay at Lodges in Zion

Gooseberry Lodge is truly a year-round destination. But if you’ve never had a chance to stay in our cabin rentals near Zion National Park in the winter, you’re missing out.

From skiing and snowboarding to a round of golf, there’s a lot to do during a winter stay in lodges in Zion. If you’re ready to start planning your own winter stay, book your stay at Gooseberry Lodge today!