MindTheGap

I am thinking of the following driving trip for late February: Las Vegas-Grand Canyon-Page-Bryce-Zion-Las Vegas. This would be over the period of about 8 days plus the days in Las Vegas. Is this a good time of year for this trip or will we likely encounter problems due to bad weather? We want to spend some time exploring each park and don't want to regret taking the trip at a bad time of year when it's not possible to see or do some things there.

If this is not a good time to take the above trip, another option is a trip to San Francisco and include Yosemite for a couple of days and Napa Valley plus anything else in the area that there would be time for.

Depending on the trip, the total time spent on this will be 10-14 days. Any thoughts on which would be better in late February?

bobludlow

Don't forget to bring tire chains if you choose the northern California trip. The mountains haven't gotten much snow yet but if that changes the highway patrol might send you back down the hill if you don't have chains.

There's nothing like winter in Yosemite but I also think that February is a great time to visit the desert parks down south. Really different geographies - which one appeals more to you?

jtrandolph

Ummmmm.....unless you are planning to drive Hwy's 50 or 80 to the Truckee/Tahoe area, I so not think you will need chains. There won't be snow on the way to Yosemite, (although there will be snow at Tuolomne Meadows...but never mind that road is closed in winter. nor, of course, in the Napa Valley.

I do not know about weather conditions in the first choice....

Dayle

Hi Mind,

February is not really the greatest time for this trip -- unless you really don't mind snow. Yosemite usually has snow - they even have a ski area there. Bryce Canyon will have snow, lots of it and hiking will not be recommended due to icy trails. Bryce is at 8,000 ft. Zion gets a little snow in the canyon sometimes too and also might have some of the longer, higher trails "not recommended" due to icy conditions.

That said, if you just want to see scenery, winter in either Yosemite or Utah is awesome!

sharondi

We went to Yosemite in Feb about 10 years ago and had a great trip. They had just gotten a huge snowstorm and no one was there. We were able to get a cabin in the park and did some cross country skiing. It was awesome! We are from upstate NY though and do plenty of winter driving. I have not done the southern Utah trip in winter although I'm sure it's gorgeous. We love hiking though and would be bummed if we couldn't hike because of snow on the trails. Tough call.

utahtea

Not sure why jtrndolph said you don't need chains in Yosemite in February, because the National Park site says they you are required to carry them in the winter! It can and will snow in Yosemite in February!!!

Februrary in either Yosemite or Utah can get snow. Can you make the trip at another time?

Utahtea