Plan Your Visit to Bryce Canyon National Park
This Bryce Canyon National Park travel guide helps you plan a first visit without spending hours figuring out what is actually worth your vacation time. Bryce is unlike anywhere else in Utah, with thousands of orange, pink, and white hoodoos packed into natural amphitheaters that look completely different as the light changes throughout the day.
You will find what not to miss, where to stay, when to visit, and the practical details you need before you arrive. I’ve also included the experiences that make Bryce memorable, from watching the hoodoos glow at sunrise and hiking below the rim to driving to Rainbow Point and staying after dark to see the Milky Way.
READ 10 Day Utah Road Trip Itinerary: Mighty 5 Grand Circle
Bryce Canyon National Park at a Glance
Location: Southern Utah
How many days: 1 day for the highlights
Best time to visit: May through October, with smaller crowds in spring and fall
Best place to stay: Inside the park or Bryce Canyon City
Don’t miss: Sunrise Point, Sunset Point, Inspiration Point, Bryce Point, and the Queen’s Garden/Navajo combination
Best scenic drive: Southern Scenic Drive to Rainbow and Yovimpa Points
Best first hike: Queen’s Garden/Navajo Combination Loop
Best sunrise: Sunrise Point or Bryce Point
Best sunset: Sunset Point or Paria View
Best for stargazing: Anywhere away from developed areas and vehicle lights
Good to know: Bryce sits around 8,000 feet, so temperatures can be much cooler than elsewhere in southern Utah
Getting around: Drive or use the free seasonal park shuttle in the Bryce Amphitheater area
Bryce Canyon National Park Travel Guide
Top 10 Things to Do in Bryce Canyon National Park
1. Watch the sunrise over Bryce Amphitheater
2. Hike the Queen’s Garden/Navajo Combination Loop
3. See the hoodoos from Inspiration Point
4. Stop at Bryce Point for a sweeping view of the amphitheater
5. Walk the Rim Trail between Sunrise and Sunset Points
6. Drive the Southern Scenic Drive to Rainbow Point
7. Stop at Natural Bridge
8. Hike the Mossy Cave Trail
9. Take a guided horseback ride below the rim
10. Stay after dark for stargazing
Where is Bryce Canyon National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park is located in southern Utah. The closest airports are Las Vegas and Salt Lake City. It is a 4-hour drive to Bryce Canyon from both places. If you are planning to visit Zion National Park, fly into Las Vegas and stop there first. Bryce Canyon is a 1.5 drive from Zion National Park and 4.5 hours to Arches National Park.
Facts About Bryce Canyon National Park
- Bryce Canyon became a National Monument in 1923 and was designated as a National Park in 1928.
- It is the second most popular of the “Mighty 5” Utah national parks and has around two million visitors each year.
- The park is 35,835 acres, and it is the smallest national park in Utah.
- Bryce Canyon is not a canyon; it is several natural amphitheaters. The largest is Bryce Amphitheater; it is 12 miles long, 3 miles wide, and 800 feet deep. It includes Bryce,
- Inspiration, Sunset, and Sunrise Points.
- Bryce Canyon has the largest collection of hoodoos in the world; some are up to 200 feet high.
- Hoodoos are tall, skinny spires of rock formed over thousands of years of repeated freezing and thawing of water.
- Bryce Canyon’s pink cliffs are the first step in the Grand Staircase.
- The endangered Utah prairie dog lives in Bryce Canyon.
- This is a certified dark sky park and a great place to view the Milky Way.
One Day in Bryce Canyon National Park
Sunrise: Bryce Amphitheater
Arrive early and watch the hoodoos change color as the sun comes up. Sunrise Point is the obvious choice, but Bryce Point also gives you a beautiful view over the amphitheater.
Morning: Hike Below the Rim
Hike the Queen’s Garden/Navajo Combination Loop, the route NPS recommends most often for first-time visitors. Descend from Sunrise Point through Queen’s Garden, climb back toward Sunset Point on the Navajo Loop, and walk the Rim Trail back to Sunrise Point.
Late Morning: Inspiration and Bryce Points
Stop at Inspiration Point and Bryce Point for two very different views over the hoodoos.
Afternoon: Southern Scenic Drive
Drive south to Rainbow and Yovimpa Points, then work your way back toward the amphitheater. Stop at viewpoints that interest you along the way, including Natural Bridge, Agua Canyon, and Farview Point.
Late Afternoon: Sunset Point and Rim Trail
Walk part of the Rim Trail between Sunset and Sunrise Points when the afternoon light begins to soften.
Sunset: Paria View or Sunset Point
Paria View faces west and works particularly well near sunset. Sunset Point is another easy option if you don’t want to move the car again.
After Dark: Stargazing
If you still have energy, stay until the sky is completely dark. Bryce’s high elevation and remote location make this one of the best places on your Utah road trip to look for the Milky Way.
Best Time of Year to Visit Bryce Canyon National Park
Fall is the best time of year to visit Bryce Canyon National Park. Crowds are thin and temperatures are in the mid-50s to mid-60s. Snow is possible anytime between October and April; trails may be closed. Winter temperatures are between 30 and below zero. Most overlooks are open during the winter months. Trails may still have ice in early spring and rain is common in late spring. Summer brings temperatures in the mid-’80s but can get hot midday. July and August are high seasons; expect crowds.
Accommodation in Bryce Canyon National Park
There are 2 campgrounds with 200 sites at Bryce Canyon National Park, the North Campground and Sunset Campground. Campsites are available first-come, first-served, and fill quickly. There are 8 backcountry camping sites available by permit. Bryce Canyon Lodge is the only accommodation in the park. WiFi is only available in the lobby, and rooms do not have TVs. Hotels are located in Bryce Canyon City, Tropic, Cannonville, and Henrieville.
Where to Eat at Bryce Canyon National Park
Seasonal food options include the Bryce Canyon Lodge Dining Room, Valhalla Pizzeria & Coffee Shop, the General Store, and Hoodoo Food Truck. Hours and opening dates vary by season. It is also possible to purchase a picnic lunch at the general store near Sunrise Point.
Bryce Canyon National Park Highlights
- Take the 37-mile RT scenic drive, stopping at Sunrise Point, Sunset Point, Bryce Point, Paria, and Natural Bridge viewpoints.
- Climb Inspiration Point for the best view in the park.
- Hike the Navajo Loop through Wall Street.
- Stop by the Mossy Cave waterfall.
Bryce Canyon National Park Hikes
- Walk a section of the rim between Sunset Point and Sunrise Point.
- Navajo Loop Trail, 1.3 mile RT past Wall Street, Twin Bridges, Thor’s Hammer, and the switchbacks.
- Queens Garden Trail, 1.8 mile RT past a silhouette of Queen Victoria on a hoodoo.
- Rim Trail is 4.7 miles one way, beginning at Fairyland Point and ending at Bryce Point.
- Peekaboo Loop Trail, 4.8 mile RT past the Wall of Windows.
- Fairyland Loop Trail, 8 miles.
- Mossy Cave Trail, 1 mile RT to a waterfall.
Things to Do at Bryce Canyon National Park
- Stop at the visitor center museum and learn the geology of Bryce’s hoodoos.
- Watch the sunrise at the SUNSET point, and watch the sunset at the Paria viewpoint.
- Take the scenic drive and stop at all 15 viewpoints.
- Take a ranger-led horseback ride.
- Go stargazing or take a ranger-led full moon hike.
- Cross-country ski or snowshoe in the winter.
- Stop for souvenirs in Old Bryce Town and enjoy a huckleberry ice cream cone.
- Enjoy dinner with live music at Ebenezer’s Barn and Grill.
- Cycle the shared trail system between Red Canyon and Bryce Canyon.
- Check the Bryce Canyon National Park Service for current events.
Tips for Visiting Bryce Canyon National Park
- Bryce Canyon is open 24/7, and the visitor center opens at 8 am.
- Sunrise is the best time to photograph the hoodoos without harsh shadows; 2 hours before sunset is also gorgeous.
- Arrive early; there is only 1 parking spot for every 4 cars that enter the park.
- Parking lots are small and fill quickly. Utilize the free shuttle, which runs every 15 minutes.
- RVs larger than 23′ cannot park in most of the parking lots.
- Bring a picnic lunch to the park and avoid wasting time waiting for a table at the restaurant.
- Stop and rest often if you are not used to hiking in high elevations.
- Start your hikes early in the day, bring plenty of water, and wear sunscreen.
- Begin the scenic drive at Rainbow Point and work your way back; all viewpoints are on the east side of the road.
- Leashed pets are allowed on paved surfaces, including viewpoints.
- Watch for thunderstorms and seek shelter in a car or building if there is lightning.
- Drones are not allowed in Bryce Canyon National Park.
- Buildings, restrooms, and the path connecting the Sunrise and Sunset viewpoints are wheelchair accessible.
- Practice Leave No Trace Principles.
- Purchase an America the Beautiful Pass and keep exploring National Parks.
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