S Utah, Spring or Fall?
Mar 22, 2015 10:38:30 #
gvarner
Loc: Central Oregon Coast
Planning to do the canyons tour next year in S Utah. Don't want to go mid-summer, sometime in May or September. Want to do foliage and geology. Not locked in on May or September either. Any recommendations would be appreciated. Thanks.
Mar 22, 2015 10:57:01 #
gvarner wrote:
Planning to do the canyons tour next year in S Utah. Don't want to go mid-summer, sometime in May or September. Want to do foliage and geology. Not locked in on May or September either. Any recommendations would be appreciated. Thanks.
I would go with either April or October myself. There would be more blooming flowers and other green plant life as the moisture would still be in the ground in April and less heat in October than in September.
Mar 22, 2015 11:16:18 #
jethro779 wrote:
I would go with either April or October myself. There would be more blooming flowers and other green plant life as the moisture would still be in the ground in April and less heat in October than in September.
I would agree. I have been in both April and May. Both are fine, but temperatures are starting to rise in May and you do miss the best flower blooms. October is a much better choice as well in that you have a greater chance of getting the cottonwoods turning color, and usually more dramatic skies.
Mar 22, 2015 11:30:41 #
I've been there at both times of year and have always had a great time. In the spring you'll see some flowers and in the fall you will see leaves turning. Go late enough and maybe you'll get some new snow, too.
Mar 22, 2015 11:39:21 #
Mar 22, 2015 13:35:33 #
Mid April, if I recall correctly. (I went with Roger Newbold once. . .I think it was on about the 20th)
You can call forestry in advance and ask about the state of the desert wildflowers and the yellow cactus blooms. ( a must, IMHO) Expect heat and cooling thundershowers possible in the same day.
May can be already be nasty unless you are a lizzard. Go in April to decide if and where you want to return in fall. (???)
You can call forestry in advance and ask about the state of the desert wildflowers and the yellow cactus blooms. ( a must, IMHO) Expect heat and cooling thundershowers possible in the same day.
May can be already be nasty unless you are a lizzard. Go in April to decide if and where you want to return in fall. (???)
Mar 23, 2015 08:48:24 #
gvarner wrote:
Planning to do the canyons tour next year in S Utah. Don't want to go mid-summer, sometime in May or September. Want to do foliage and geology. Not locked in on May or September either. Any recommendations would be appreciated. Thanks.
Both times. Go twice :thumbup:
Mar 23, 2015 08:48:24 #
accuseal
Loc: Cleveland, Ohio
jethro779 wrote:
I would go with either April or October myself. There would be more blooming flowers and other green plant life as the moisture would still be in the ground in April and less heat in October than in September.
And fewer tourists.
Mar 23, 2015 09:48:55 #
I worked at Bryce for 7 weeks and Zion for 5 weeks as an AstroVIP. Most people stop for a day or so. Go and stay as long as you can. You will seee more. There are many State Parks and much more that can only be discovered by exploring. I experienced hurricanes and monsoons that I did not even know existed in Utah. They created waterfalls and creeks (floods) that only lasted a day or so. I tried to photograph pronghorns but only got close on one late morning, You will miss so much by not being there longer.
Mar 23, 2015 10:06:41 #
BigRed01
Loc: Corona de Tucson, AZ
Well, like any travel it can be hit and miss because of weather. Spring of 2010 (May 10 thru May 20th) we visited all of the canyon parks in Southern Utah. We had the heater going every night in the RV. Two mornings we woke to snow cover on the grass. Jackets were necessary for all the mornings into mid afternoon. So plan for the worst (cold/hot wet/dry) and enjoy the trip, a couple things are a sure thing in that area...July will be HOT and December will be COLD.
Mar 23, 2015 10:08:24 #
gvarner wrote:
Planning to do the canyons tour next year in S Utah. Don't want to go mid-summer, sometime in May or September. Want to do foliage and geology. Not locked in on May or September either. Any recommendations would be appreciated. Thanks.
If you are going to the National Parks September seems to have become the season for international visitors. You might find substantially less crowds a month earlier or later. I recommend a little later. November is fabulous in Zion but you might have snow in Bryce by then.
We're headed back down to Zion for a couple of weeks in a couple of weeks.
Mar 23, 2015 10:15:01 #
CarolynJ
Loc: Dexter, MO
I've been there many times in both April to very early May and October. Both are outstanding as others have described.
There is also a third season that I love and it's during the annual monsoon that lasts about 3-5 weeks from third week of July to third week of August. The skies and geology are outstanding with storm clouds and afternoon rains. Also will get a flush of flowers, fresh leaves, and wet rocks or waterfalls. The days aren't so hot and by August, most tourists have headed home except at the National Park visitor centers. Two things: stay out of the slot canyons and areas that can flashflood from storms far upstream, and make sure a monsoon will occur (90 to 95% likelihood each year).
There is also a third season that I love and it's during the annual monsoon that lasts about 3-5 weeks from third week of July to third week of August. The skies and geology are outstanding with storm clouds and afternoon rains. Also will get a flush of flowers, fresh leaves, and wet rocks or waterfalls. The days aren't so hot and by August, most tourists have headed home except at the National Park visitor centers. Two things: stay out of the slot canyons and areas that can flashflood from storms far upstream, and make sure a monsoon will occur (90 to 95% likelihood each year).
Mar 23, 2015 10:20:27 #
I vote for April & October also. Most of September can be really uncomfortable. Early May is probably ok.
Mar 23, 2015 10:31:13 #
I live in Northern UT. Have a 2nd home in Springdale (Zion). Spend a LOT of time wandering throughout UT. For pleasant temperatures...March/early April or late Oct/early November. Many professional photogs hit Zion early Nov when the leaves change & tourists diminish. Native flowers in May, thunderstorms early Aug (but temps can be hot = 105*f, although low humidity often allows pleasant nights). My favorite is late Fall...cool, brisk sunny skies with colorful leaves. Note: May - July...bring insect repellent...gnats (no see-ums) can be real pests.
Mar 23, 2015 10:45:42 #
MtnMan wrote:
If you are going to the National Parks September seems to have become the season for international visitors. You might find substantially less crowds a month earlier or later. I recommend a little later. November is fabulous in Zion but you might have snow in Bryce by then.
We're headed back down to Zion for a couple of weeks in a couple of weeks.
We're headed back down to Zion for a couple of weeks in a couple of weeks.
:thumbup:
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