National Parks in December?
 

Is it nuts to go to the parks between Christmas and New Years? I'm trying to come up with something "different" to do over the school vacation.

Which ones?

Bryce and/or Zion.

we did it with 3 kids and it was great! we flew into Las Vegas and drove to Zion and then went to Bryce, Capitol Reef, Canyonlands, Arches and Monument Valley (and other national treasures such as Escalantes, Goblin Valley), Hoover Dam in 10 days-2 weeks (can't remember exactly). The weather was fine and we had a delightful time with less people.

It's pot luck with respect to weather. there can be snow that time of year and it will be cold at night. some things will not be "open" since it isn't high season... but the hoodoos at Bryce with snow, well, hey, they are cool. if you can avoid high country you will be fine.

yes, there was snow around and it looked magical. and yes, we took thermal underwear, etc., and I remember hiking around Bryce with the snow and feeling warm. some hotels were closed, but there was still lodging available that was fine. One winter vacation, we went to San Francisco and Yosemite and just did not go to the high country. Once, we went to Grand Canyon and Sedona. Grand Canyon gets busy then.

Bryce will have snow, Zion will just be cold especially at night. Zion is VERY popular for the holidays, so make your reservations now!