Snowmobile National Park Country
Some of world's most scenic snowmobile trails can be found in the mountains overlooking Bryce and Zion national parks, and nearby Cedar Breaks National Monument. Trails groomed for snow machines lead to majestic viewpoints located just outside the park boundaries, overlooking amazing national park backcountry areas. As a general rule, snowmobiles are not allowed to operate inside Utah national parks, but these nearby trails provide outstanding recreational opportunities.
Some people are surprised that good snowmobiling is associated with Zion National Park. The floor of Zion Canyon, where most tourists go, is located at a low elevation where winters are mild. But the park stretches for miles beyond the canyon walls, up onto the Kolob Terrace where the snow piles deep. Narrow, cliff-lined canyons bisect Kolob Terrace, creating some of the park's most stunning landscape.
Cedar Mountain, which overlooks Kolob Terrace, is one of America's great snowmobile play areas.
Strawberry Point Trail
Riders who know the area call the Strawberry Point trail a national treasure. The trail starts out wide and flat, but the easy section soon gives way to a steep narrow climb to Strawberry Point, an incredible vista overlooking Kolob Terrace and the Zion backcountry. People interested in the route need to be aware that wind conditions along the trail may cause drifting - they need to be prepared to handle windy conditions and riding windblown snow.
Cedar Breaks Trail
The wide, well-groomed Cedar Breaks Trail is an ideal ride for snowmobilers wanting to experience the grandeur of Cedar Breaks National Monument. The trail provides winter access to many scenic overlooks on the edge of the national monument. Easy access to this trail is through the Mammoth Summit Trailhead located just off Highway 143, and via the Midway Trailhead located adjacent to Highway 14.
Bryce Canyon National Park is well known as a winter playground. The rim at Bryce usually gets heavy snowfall, which creates perfect conditions for a wide variety of recreational activities, including snowshoeing and cross country skiing. Snowmobiling is not allowed inside the national park boundaries.
East Fork Trails
The East Fork snowmobile trail system originates from Ruby's Inn, just outside Bryce Canyon, and stretches for 18 miles into a winter wonderland contrasted by red cliffs and giant ponderosa pines. From lofty mountain overviews, you can see the snow covered, delicately carved spires of Bryce Canyon. These trails allow riders access to miles of open play areas and ungroomed trails on the rugged Paunsaugunt Plateau. The Paunsaugunt is famous because it produces large elk and deer (the big game animals migrate to lower elevations during winter).
Utah offers many other great snowmobile trails, located throughout the state.
Bryce Canyon Winter Festival
Bryce Canyon Winter Festival, held every year over Presidents Day weekend (Feb 17-19, 2007), offers the chance to learn about and participate in a wide variety of winter recreational activities including:
Events are held at or around Ruby's Inn, just outside the park.
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