Utah National Parks over Thanksgiving?
 

How's the weather in the southern Utah around Thanksgiving time? Will the national parks still open at that time?

Thanks.

The parks will all be open. It's actually a beautiful time of year for hiking and visiting the parks--but the weather can be anything from sunny and pleasant to snow or rain.

We often spend Thanksgiving in Moab and love to be there that time of year.

All the parks are open year round. Bryce could have snow. Zion should be very nice. Moab in between.

Zion especially is very popular for Thanksgiving. If you don't already have lodging reservations, you may be too late.

Thanks for your responses.

Besides Zion and Bryce, which other national parks in that area will be fine for visiting in late Nov? Are they at high or low elevation?

Thanks

I was in these parks and GC in June. Don't give up on in-park lodging just because they're full now.

Tour companies reserve rooms well in advance and then begin to release them as you get much closer to the actual date.

Forget about looking on the web. Call Xanterra every day and even twice a day. That's what I did and eventually I got the exact days in each park that I was missing. It got to a point where I was on a first name basis with some of the telephone operators there.

JC,

Zion has quite a few lodging options just outside the park in Springdale, a cute, funky little town.

Bryce has Ruby's Inn and a couple other smaller places outside, but not as close as Springdale is to Zion.

Capitol Reef doesn't have a lodge, but lodging options in nearby Torrey.

Escalante Grand Staircase could be quite good in Nov. Lodging in Escalante or Boulder at Boulder Mtn Lodge, but they are probably booked for Thanksgiving.

Thanks for the useful info.

Why are those parks so popular during Thanksgiving? I thought people would stay home and have their turkey on TG and not go anywhere? :)

Zion is pretty close to 2 major cities, Las Vegas and St. Greorge. It makes a wonderful long weekend for all those folks. Zion is especially nice in November, great hiking temps and fall colors. 4 days is 4 days - I'd rather eat turkey in Zion than most other places!