[BeetleB]

> The ones that were equipped with paved walking paths, shuttle systems (looking at you, Zion), and top tier camping amenities (Bryce) were absolutely mobbed with people, making them feel like theme parks.

I probably shouldn't spoil it, but ...

For Zion/Bryce/Arches, go off season. I went twice: Once was the week after Thanksgiving (weekdays), and the other was in mid-January. It's deserted and you have most of the park to yourself. In fact, during the January trip, we stayed at a Best Western near Zion, and myself and one other party were the only people in the whole hotel that night. I believe even the staff went home (literally no one at the reception - if you really, really needed someone you'd call and they would come).

Early December is probably better, because of less snow. By January a number of trails are closed because they're not going to clear the ice. But even then, it was worth it.

[haswell]

I love cold/snow, and the only thing I could think about as I was driving home is how glorious going back in a few months will be ;)

I got got the off peak experience at a couple of the parks I visited and it’s glorious. Not for everyone, but will definitely factor into future plans.

I mean uhh, it sucked. Nothing to see here.

[__mharrison__]

A little hard (or cold) to hike the narrows in the middle of winter...

[haswell]

Cold for me is not an issue (unless we're talking about the -10F or colder kind), and in some cases it's a feature. I can't stand being boiling hot on a long hike, and going out in the winter can be just the antidote to that.

It's also a lot easier to tolerate when the reward is silence and solitude.

To your point, not every trail will be accessible in the cold, and that is certainly a factor. But most parks have trails that are perfectly hike-able in the winter, and one of my favorite recent hikes was a pre-dawn snowy hike to Dream Lake at RMNP. I was the only person up there, got to watch an incredible sunrise reflecting off of the recently frozen lake, and then enjoyed the best tasting coffee I've ever had.

Not for everyone, but can be an amazing experience.

[BeetleB]

It was not that cold right after Thanksgiving, except at higher elevations. My friend and I hiked amongst the hoodoos in Bryce Canyon in the sun. It was pleasant enough not to need a jacket.

But as I said, once snow falls, they'll either close a number of the trails (Bryce Canyon), or they'll keep them open but you'll be walking on ice (Arches).

I saw Arches only when there was ice, and it was still totally worth it!