Bryce and Zion in December?

We have a son and DIL who live in Phoenix, we have planned to visit them over Christmas next December...

I'm thinking Zion and Bryce as a photo op side trips in late'ish Dec...

Any opinions on that from those in the area, or that have experience with winters there?

Thanks a lot of any/all input.
Tom H

The top end of Bryce is likely to be closed by snow, but when I've been there in December many lower regions were still accessible. It's high and can get brutally cold overnight. Unless something has changed since my last December visit a couple of years back the lodge is open and at least one of the motels "downtown" is open.

Zion is a treat in December. Some of the high trails will likely be closed to ice and snow, but the valley is remarkable. I'm especially fond of stopping and exploring the creek bed and side canyons between the tunnel and Checkerboard Mesa. Add a little snow to Checkerboard, and you'll be glad you're shooting digital rather than film. Speaking of that, bring lots of memory cards! We sometimes stay in Springdale, sometimes in the lodge. Both have their charms.

I love Bryce Canyon in winter. White snow and red rocks are prefect match. Be sure to bring a pair of snow/ice cleats so you can walk on the icy trails, otherwise it will be very dangerous.
Here is one I took in 2011 Christmas:

http://www.yiminghuphoto.com/portfolio/landscape/Bryce-sunrise.jpg

I have mixed feeling about Zion. Yes it will not be crowed and you can drive your own car in the main valley. However, it is difficult to shoot Zion canyons because the high peaks nearby. Moreover, the bare trees are not as attractive as fall/spring leaves.

Yiming,
Great shot - thanks for the link.

I have been to Bryce over Christmas break and Yiming's suggestion on the cleats is excellent. I did not have any and ended up on my ass way too many times. It is beautiful though and not very crowded.

One cue to watch for in winter Bryce. Several times in December I've seen mountain lion or their tracks. Even had one "trailing" me for a couple of hours. Everywhere I went, when I backtracked I'd find his tracks in or crossing mine. Never did see him, but based on the tracks it was a young-of-year, and I'm pretty sure male based on other signs.

In a nutshell, while your emphasis might be landscape with shorter lenses, I'd carry a longish zoom lens as well. Opportunities are too sporadic to predict, but they can happen. I've also encountered mule deer (hence the cat), coyote and a bobcat over the course of my visits.

Hey Tom, I also have a son and DIL moved to Phoenix last year. We did the Christmas trip and will probably do it again this year. We had a great time. We camped in Lost Dutchman's State Park at the base of the Superstition Mtns. while in Phoenix, which was great for some desert shots and hiking. Went to Joshua Tree NP in California which was fun and spent a week in Sedona. I absolutely loved Sedona. Both the hiking and photo ops were outstanding! This year we anticipate doing Death Valley, and maybe get up as far as Canyonlands, Arches, etc. We may also try monument valley as well. We have done Bryce and Zion in the past so we have lots of other places to see first. They are a pretty good haul from Phoenix. There are so many great places to visit out there. Maybe we'll see you at one of these.

I spent a couple of cold -10 nights camping for a Bryce visit a few winters ago. I prefer fresh snow mixed with the spires over the summertime views. Yaktrax or Kahtoolas area definite yes. When I was there, the roads were cleared as fas as Bryce Point.

Walt, we visited Sedona, but just as a day trip... that was another possibility instead of Bryce and Zion.
Thanks for the suggestions, we have some time to get it figured out.
Doug, we passed through Flagstaff on our way back to Phoenix from the Grand Canyon...
beautiful area you are blessed to live in...
Hank... I'll have my 70-300.... best I can do :)
Thanks everyone!!!