Visiting Zion National Park in February

Do you want to visit Zion National Park in February, but are not sure if it is a good month to visit or what to do while visiting Zion National Park in February then make sure to read this guide. By the end you will know if you want to visit in February or wait for another month.

steep cliff faces of mountains in a valley, with a small covering of snow on a sunny day and a few trees in the foreground

Don’t Leave for Zion Without This! Claim Your FREE Packing Checklist and Be 100% Prepared!

* This article contains affiliate links. This means that if you make a purchase after clicking on the link, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. *

Table of Contents

Zion National Park Weather in February

By the end of February it has started to get warmer in the park, though you can still expect during the day to find temperatures between 5°c and 16°c, on an evening it can drop cold with temperatures ranging -5°c to 0°c.

At the start of the month Sunrise is at 7.35am, with it finishing the month at 7.05am and sunset is at 5.55pm at the beginning of February and is at 6.25pm by the end of February.

On average you can expect around 8 days of rain or snow in Zion in February, with it being overcast 50% of the time in February. On days when it is overcast you can expect it to feel colder than it is because of the wind.

Does the Zion Shuttle run in February?

The Zion shuttle does not run in February, it starts again in March. This means that you are able to take your car down the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive to the place you want to stop at or hike. There is very limited parking in places, though in general in February the park is quite quiet.

How many people visit Zion National Park in February?

In February 2023 there were 132,000 visitors to Zion National Park, making it one of the quietest months of the year, with the quietest month being January with 115,000 visitors. In March the number increased significantly to 338,000 visitors.

Camping in Zion in February

It is possible to camp throughout the year in Zion National Park, with the Watchman Campground open all year round. You need to make sure that you have reserved in advance to stay at this campsite and it is possible to make reservations for this campground 6 months ahead.

In 2024 it will not be possible to camp at the South Campground until June 1, as it is closed due to rehabilitation work.

Lava Point Campground, is generally only open from May to September, though it is dependent on the weather.

Hiking Zion in February

a wide valley with steep cliffs to the side and a river running through it with trees alongside it

There are many hikes to do in Zion National Park all year round and most are open in February, though it is best to check the National Park website, for up to date information to see if there are any closures.

Weeping Rock Trail, can be closed due to snow and ice fall during winter. *Since 14 November 2023 The Weeping Rock Trail has been closed once again due to a rockfall. The trail is currently closed while the park scientists access the area.
Angels Landing is still a popular hike to do in February, though you will need a permit and it can be shut if there is a lot of snow and ice.
The Emerald Pools, is a nice trail that is usually open all year round, with trails to the lower and upper pools.
The Riverside Walk is one of the most popular trails in the park, which is partly paved and leads to the start of The Narrows hike. It is quite flat, though there are a few areas with slopes.
Zion Canyon Overlook Trail is a quiet trail at this time of the year, with a beautiful down into the canyon, though it can be quite icy at this time of year. You will need to drive through the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel and park in the car park just after the tunnel to start this hike.

Things to do in Zion National Park in February

There are many things to do in Zion National Park, though you may find in February you are able to do less things that in Spring, Summer or Fall. In February the Zion Human History Museum is closed, with only the visitors center open.

If the weather is good then it is possible to do all of the hikes in the park, though if there is snow and ice, you will find that some trails may be closed.

Can you hike The Narrows in February

It is possible to hike The Narrows in February, you just need to make sure that you are prepared as the water is very cold, on average between 38°F to 45°F (3° to 7° Celsius) in February.

You will need to make sure that you are using a dry suit when hiking The Narrows in February as you can get hypothermia after just a short time walking through the water. At certain points it is possible that you will walking up to your chest in the water.

If you don’t have a dry suit , then it is possible to rent all the equipment, boots, poles that you need in Springdale.

Can you hike Angels Landing in February

Angels Landing is open all year round, though you now need a permit to hike Angels Landing. You can apply for this in the seasonal lottery or try the daily lottery the day before.

In February the hike to Scouts Point is normally open though past this point could be closed due to snow and ice. If there is snow or ice you may decide that it is too dangerous to carry on, but if the weather is good, then as long as you have your permit, then you can hike Angels Landing.

What to wear in Zion in February

You will need to make sure that you wrap up warm and have plenty of layers. If you are visiting in February, then you really will need to have a car to explore the park as the park shuttle is not operating, meaning that you do not need to carry everything with you all day.

You can keep spare water, food and clothes in your car and you won’t need to carry them all day. Though you will need to make sure you have layers with you, as the early mornings will be cold and the evenings before sunset will be getting cold too.

This can be a good time to hike The Narrows despite the cold water as you don’t need to carry all your wet clothes around with you all day and you can change your clothes at your car.

Where to stay near Zion in February

There are many options of places to stay close to Zion National Park, or you can even stay in the park, camping or at Zion Lodge.

Within walking distance of the park is Springdale, a little town that has built up around the tourism of Zion National Park, here you will find many hotels, motels and bed & breakfasts from you to choose from.

Save for Later