Southwest Utah Snowshoeing

Snow does fall in southwest Utah, especially in the higher elevations, in and around the Dixie National Forest. When it does fall snowshoeing replaces hiking as the best way to explore Utah's largest national forest.

The Dixie National Forest sprawls across southwest Utah for 170 miles, providing plenty of options on where to snowshoe. There are miles of snowshoeing trails off of Scenic Byway 143 (northeast of Cedar City), making this area one of Utah's best kept secrets with snow enthusiasts. The area's anonymity allows you to enjoy Utah's backcountry in absolute solitude. Depending on how ambitious you feel you can even snowshoe from here to the outer fringes of the Cedar Breaks National Monument.

Zion National Park's Kolob Canyon's area, located just south of Cedar City off of Interstate 15, also rates high for snowshoeing. As does Bryce National Park, where you can snowshoe anywhere, excluding, of course, the park's cross-country ski trails.

Snowshoe rentals are offered at mountain shops in Cedar City and Brian Head, one of Utah's fastest developing ski areas. There are also rental shops just outside of Bryce.