Hi,
We are undecided on Christmas/ New Year travel plans. We would like to visit the National Parks in Utah(drive across U), but not sure whether December would be too cold and how bad the road conditions are. Is it worth going there in December weather?

We are also thinking about Natchez, Mississippi suring that time. The weather should not be too bad, but not sure about the tour schedules.

Please help me decide!

Natchez, MS is a great place to visit. Of course Utah would be spectacular also. Try to stay at Monmouth Plantation if you can. Here's a few links. The pilgrimage will be closed but most all the old homes have daily tours..........


http://www.natchezpilgrimage.com/


http://www.natchezms.com/


http://www.monmouthplantation.com/


If you stay at Monmouth try to get one of the newer rooms out back and not in the main house but be sure to have dinner there.

I would not let the weather influence your decision about Utah in late December since it sounds like you are mainly focused on the Natl Parks in southern half of Utah. You would not encounter the mass of tourists that summer brings which is a huge advantage.

Zion for example is about 5 hours SOUTH from Salt Lake City and SLC is about sea level so it has little snow in late December(in other words it is not in the mountains). No matter if you fly into SLC and work south or fly into Las Vegas and work North, you should not encounter weather issues.

I have not hit all the Natl Parks in UT but Zion, and Mohab, is terrific, and there are easy to difficult hiking trails in both.

Interesting choices.

Because of the high elevation, Bryce Canyon in December will likely be the diciest of the parks in winter. The road conditions for the rest of the NPs should be fine, but be prepared for anything. The parks in winter can be beautiful with a dusting of snow. If you're worried about being cold, you could use St. George, UT as a base for visiting Zions NP. Good luck.

Thanks a lot for all your comments. I was really worried about weather in Utah, but seems like it will not be a problem to visit the parks

I am rethinking about Natchez since the pilgrimage will not be open. Thanks, Ike, for the Natchez links. I will check those out rightaway!

"Zion for example is about 5 hours SOUTH from Salt Lake City and SLC is about sea level so it has little snow in late December(in other words it is not in the mountains)."

This is news to me. SLC is about 4300 feet above sea level and is surrounded by mountains. Take this account when deciding if you want to fly in there.

Utah option: If we fly into Vegas and fly out from Grand Jn, CO, will we be able to escape the snow?

There is a possibility of snow in all of the National parks in Utah in December and you may encounter snow on your way to Grand Junction. The average high is 52, average low 29 at Zions. But the photos look amazing http://www.zionnational-park.com/ima...ms/index36.htm

The area around Moab can be chilly-average december temps are highs in the low 40s and lows in the the low 20s. But, as someone else pointed out, you get to see the parks without the crowds. You might call the parks to see how road conditions usually are in the winter.

Thanks for all your messages. I am leaning towards visiting Utah NPs only after Winter - don't want to get stuck in airports in bad weather. Mississippi may be our choice with the daily tours.