Zion or Bryce during Mardi Gras week

don't know but i'm jealous. i want to go back some kind of bad.

Why not Arches? All the trails there will be open. Same goes for Canyonlands.

Of your two choices I'd have a clear preference for Zion. Just much larger with a lot more varied terrain. Honestly I was't blown away by Bryce. It's cool but somewhat of a one trick pony.

Capitol Reef gets overlooked way too much but it's pretty high so I think you have a good chance of snow on the trails there.

OK, from the National Park Service:

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Bryce - TRAIL CLOSURES:
Snow is ONLY cleared from the sidewalks at the overlooks. Therefore, All hiking trails are CLOSED TO THOSE WHO wear tennis shoes, dress shoes, etc. Waterproof hiking boots or snowboots are essential if you plan to hike. Additional traction devices (see below) are necessary to traverse the most popular trails.

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quote:

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Winters in Zion National Park are cold and often wet. Temperatures can range from highs of 50-60°F during the day to lows well below freezing at night. Nearly half of the annual precipitation in Zion Canyon falls between the months of December and March. Roads are plowed, but trails may be closed due to snow and ice. After winter storms, snow typically disappears within a matter of hours at lower elevations. At higher elevations, the snow accumulates. As temperatures rise in spring, melting snow causes high water levels in the Virgin River and its tributaries.

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I went to Zion this past summer while on vacation in vegas and it was amazing. We only did the a few of the short trails but i would go back in a second.

We went to Moab last Mardi Gras, love Arches and Canyonlands. Cedar Breaks, Capital Reef, and even Great Basin NP were all options but I was worried about snow and trails being open. I really wanted to hike Bryce in the winter if open, Zion is second only because I know the Narrows Trail is not an option in the Winter, and it is truly one trail everyone should hike at least once in a lifetime. Thanks for advice.

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Why not Arches? All the trails there will be open. Same goes for Canyonlands.

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We just left Moab this morning and spent the afternoon yesterday at arches. Watching sunset and a full moonrise last night was pretty incredible! Its also closer to Park City than Zion, only 3 hours on hwy 6, which is a great drive.

At Breck now for a powder day tomorrow.