Go Back  Fodor's Travel Talk Forums > Destinations > United States
Reload this Page >

Southwest Utah: Is May a good time to visit?

Search

Southwest Utah: Is May a good time to visit?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Oct 13th, 2009, 10:48 AM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Southwest Utah: Is May a good time to visit?

I am planning to visit Utah next year for the purpose of hiking in Zion & Bryce Canyon. I would like to avoid the crowds and heat of the summer season and yet be warm enough to comfortably hike wearing shorts. Is late May a good time for me to visit?
Davemeister is offline  
Old Oct 13th, 2009, 11:04 AM
  #2  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,204
Likes: 0
Received 8 Likes on 1 Post
I was in Bryce & Zion two years ago right at the end of May and start start of June.

Bryce was nice the first day and then snow flurries for an hour the next morning. By 10AM it had melted, the sun was out and people were hiking down.

A couple of days later I was in Zion that's 4,000 ft lower. It was pretty warm.
Myer is offline  
Old Oct 13th, 2009, 11:49 AM
  #3  
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 10,965
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
When we traveled all over Utah during the first two weeks of May, 2009, the weather was perfect for sightseeing.

In case you don't know, the drive between Bryce Canyon NP and Torrey, UT, on Highway 12 is one of the most beautiful and unusual in the forty-eight contiguous states.

HTTY
happytrailstoyou is offline  
Old Oct 13th, 2009, 12:40 PM
  #4  
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 10,334
Received 2 Likes on 1 Post
We were at Zion & Bryce at the end of May/early June last year. The weather was perfect, no crowds, easy parking.
MichelleY is offline  
Old Oct 13th, 2009, 03:41 PM
  #5  
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 5,904
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
This year it showered several afternoons when we were there over Memorial Day week. We just planned our days to hike in the morning and drive to our next hiking place in the afternoon. Someone said the monsoons were early, we had a great time anyway.
emalloy is offline  
Old Oct 16th, 2009, 10:07 AM
  #6  
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 9,754
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Davemeister,

The first two weeks in May are usually quite good, the last two weeks could be too hot. The two parks are worlds apart in altitude, so it could be cold at Bryce and hot at Zion.

Since I live here, I don't go to Zion to hike from mid-May to end of Sept. Oct is great!

Bryce is wonderful in the summer.

Recommend going first two weeks in May.
Dayle is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
motorhead9999
United States
7
Apr 25th, 2015 07:20 PM
bargem
United States
10
Nov 12th, 2014 01:56 PM
Travelkitty
United States
11
Aug 29th, 2013 10:59 AM
CaribbeanChick
United States
5
Mar 9th, 2010 02:50 PM
zaksgrandma
United States
13
Jun 2nd, 2005 03:56 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On



Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -