By mid-March it starts to turn crazy here and it stays that way until fall. Henderson's observation holds true for three of the other four National Parks in Utah. Arches, Capitol Reef and Zion National Parks see tremendous declines in visitor numbers between November and the first part of March. Bryce Canyon, which is considerably higher in elevation than the other four parks, has long attracted snowmobilers and cross-country skiers, so there's a higher level of visitor services available than at its sister parks. Although there are opportunities for overnight hikes, bicycle tours or four-wheel drive trips, most winter visitors content themselves with day hikes or vehicle tours.
Short days make for short trips.
If you plan on hiking into a canyon, for example, you must consider both the temperatures and the daylight hours. The light in early morning can be spectacular, but it is the coldest part of the day. Sand and rock absorb cold as well as they do heat, so hiking through a narrow canyon before the sun has had a chance to warm it can be like moving through a walk-in freezer. Better to linger over a cup of coffee and wait a few hours, until 9 a.m. or so, before venturing into the country. Plan to make your hikes shorter than you might at other times, because the sun will be well on its descent by 6 p.m.