Plan the Perfect Trip to Bryce Canyon National Park: Complete Guide + One Day Itinerary
Plan the perfect trip to Bryce Canyon National Park with this complete travel guide. Featuring everything you need to know before you go, including when to go, what to bring, things to do, and much more.
After leaving the Utah’s least visited National Park, Capitol Reef, where we hiked Cassidy Arch & explored The Narrows, we made it to our next place of exploration, Bryce Canyon!
There is so much to see at Bryce Canyon National Park, from hiking through bright orange hoodoos, to driving the 18 mile scenic drive, to ranger led full moon hikes, Bryce Canyon has something for everyone.
We spent a week exploring this amazing park over the summer and then came back in the winter and we’ve got to say, Bryce Canyon is breathtaking! If you have just one day or a few days to spare Bryce Canyon National Park is a great place to visit.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
About Bryce Canyon
Getting to Bryce Canyon
When to Visit
What to Bring
Amenities Nearby
Things to Do
One Day Itinerary
ABOUT BRYCE CANYON
Bryce Canyon is a 36,000 acre National Park located in South Central Utah. It was established in 1928 and is one of Utah’s Mighty 5 National Parks. The park is known for having the largest collection of bright orange hoodoos in the world and features 65 miles of jaw dropping hiking trails, night sky viewing, horseback riding, scenic drives, camping, as well as seasonal ranger programs.
ENTRANCE FEE
$35 per vehicle which is valid for 7 days. You can also use the America the Beautiful Pass to enter for free.
PET POLICY
Pets must be leashed at all times and no longer than 6 feet in length. They are allowed on the Rim trail from Sunrise Point to Sunset Point, on the Shared Use Path, Scenic Viewpoints ( except Piracy Point ), campgrounds, parking lots, and paved roads. They aren’t allowed on any other trails or unpaved paths.
GETTING TO BRYCE CANYON
Bryce Canyon is located off Utah State Highway 12 in South Central Utah in between Capitol Reef National Park and Zion National Park. The parks central location to Utah’s popular destinations make Bryce Canyon a great stop to add on your road trip.
Zion National Park - 72 miles or 1 hour and 20 min
Capitol Reef National Park - 122 miles or 2.5 hours
Page, AZ - 151 miles or 2.5 hours
Las Vegas, NV - 260 miles or 4 hours
Salt Lake City - 268 miles or 4 hours
NEAREST AIRPORTS
Cedar City Regional Airport
St. George Regional Airport
Salt Lake City International Airport
Harry Reid International Airport
WHEN TO VISIT
Bryce Canyon National Park is open all year long giving you the opportunity to see this park in a variety of ways. The busiest months are May to September for the parks ideal hiking and camping weather. Hoodoo Geology Talk Ranger Program runs year round.
SPRING & SUMMER
Summers in Bryce extremely busy. Average highs are in the 70’s and 80’s with frequent brief thunderstorms. Evening Ranger Programs in the North Campground, and Astronomy Programs are available. There are also extended visitor center hours during the summer.
FALL & WINTER
Winter brings fewer crowds and much colder days in Bryce Canyon. Average highs are in the 30’s with lows in the teens. The park receives several feet of snow which limits the number of roads and trails available for use. Available ranger programs are, Snowshoe Hikes, Full Moon Hikes, & Astronomy. Sunset Campground and Bryce Canyon Lodge are closed during this time.
Always check for current conditions before venturing into Bryce Canyon National Park.
WHAT TO BRING
Plenty of Water
Bryce Canyon National Park is high desert which means hot and dry especially in the summer. Be sure to pack extra water and stay hydrated while exploring. We love using our insulated water bottles to have ice cold water for the whole day.
Hiking Shoes
While there are many easy paths to explore in Bryce Canyon there are a few trails that are rocky, sandy, and steep. To have the most comfortable experience on the trails we recommend wearing a proper hiking shoe or boot to provide traction and support.
Sun Protectant
There is not much shade on any trails in the park so it’s best to bring your favorite sunscreen and wear sun protectant clothing when exploring.
Hiking Sticks
These have been a LIFE SAVER. Hiking sticks are so helpful in giving you extra support as you climb up steep trails as well as coming down steep trails. They provide extra stability and we no longer hike without them.
First Aid Kit
It’s never a bad idea to carry a small first aid kit while exploring in Bryce Canyon. Cell service doesn’t really exist in the park so it’s good to be prepared in case of an emergency.
AMENITIES NEARBY
IN THE PARK
VISITOR CENTER
Open year round and a great place to start your adventure in Bryce Canyon National Park. Load up on info, pick up a park map, and get exploring. Here you can also find water filling stations, restrooms, gift shop, museum exhibit, and permits for backcountry camping. Hours and services vary by season so it’s best to check for current conditions before planning a trip.
BRYCE CANYON LODGE
Historical structure offering 114 lodging suites, motel rooms, and cabins. The dinning room at Bryce Canyon Lodge offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Open from April to November.
NORTH CAMPGROUND
Open year round. The North Campground has 100 sites each offering a picnic table , grill/firepit, and can accommodate up to 10 people. There are no hook ups at any sites. Dump station and water are available during summer months.
Tent Sites are $20 per night.
RV Sites are $30 per night or 50% off with a Golden Age/Senior Pass.
May 19th - October 7th sites are on a reservation system only.
October 8th - May 18th sites are on a first come first served basis.
Reservations can be made up to 6 months in advance at recreation.gov
SUNSET CAMPGROUND
Open from April to November on a first come first served no reservations basis. The Sunset Campground has 100 sites each offering a picnic table, grill/firepit, and can accommodate up to 10 people. There are no hook ups at any sites. Dump station and water are available.
Tent Sites are $20 per night.
RV Sites are $30 per night or 50% off with a Golden Age/Senior Pass.
GENERAL STORE
Located near Sunrise Point and the North Campground. The General Store offers restrooms, showers ( during summer ), camping supplies, as well as. varies grab & go food items. Closed January to March.
TOWNS NEARBY
BRYCE
Located 3 miles from the entrance and is known as the gateway to Bryce Canyon National Park. The town was founded in 1916 when Reuben C. “Ruby” Syrett built series of lodges & cabins known as Ruby’s Inn. The town sits at 7,600 feet and has a population of 198.
LODGING
Best Western Plus Ruby’s Inn
Best Western Plus Bryce Canyon Grand Hotel
Bryce View Lodge
Bryce Canyon Resort
RV PARKS
Ruby’s Inn RV Park & Campground
FOOD
Ruby’s Inn Cowboy Buffet & Steak Room
Canyon Diner
Cowboy Ranch House Bar & Restaurant
Subway
Ebenezer’s Barn & Grill Dinner Show
TROPIC
A small town located 10 miles from Bryce Canyon National Park. It was founded in 1891 and got its name from the semi tropical fruits that would grow there.
LODGING
Bryce Canyon Inn
Red Ledges Inn
Bryce Canyon Log Cabins
Happy Trails B&B
Bryce Valley Lodging
Stone Canyon Inn
Bybee’s Steppingstone Motel
The Bulberry Inn
Bryce Trails Bed & Breakfast
Bryce Canyon Hotels
RV PARKS
Bryce Village RV Park
Bryce Valley Ranch RV & Horse Park
Bryce Canyon RV Resort by RJourney
FOOD
Stone Hearth Grille
Showdowns
Rustlers Restaurant
Pizza Place
i.d.k. Barbecue
Route 12 Grill
Clarke’s Country Market
Bryce Canyon Coffee Company
Stage Stop Station
THINGS TO DO
Visitor Center Exhibit & Store
Start your exploration of Bryce Canyon at the Visitor Center. Grab a park map and check out the park movie to learn about the history and geology of Bryce Canyon National Park. Stop at the restroom and get the latest scoop from the park ranger. Don’t forget to pick up a souvenir at the park store.
Get on a trail
A great way to explore the incredible nature of Bryce Canyon National Park. Whether it’s an easy scenic stroll or a challenging day hike, Bryce Canyon has something for everyone. The most popular in the park are the Rim Trail, Queens Garden, and Navajo Loop.
For easy trails consider | Mossy Cave, Rim Trail, Bristlecone Loop.
For moderate trails consider | Queens Garden, Navajo Loop, Swamp Canyon Loop, Tower Bridge.
For strenuous trails consider | Hat Shop, Fairyland Loop, Peekaboo Loop, Figure 8 Combination.
Fairyland Loop.
For more info on hiking in Bryce Canyon, check out our trail guides to Fairyland Loop & Queens Garden + Navajo + Peekaboo ( Figure 8 Loop ).
Scenic Drive
If you’re not interested in hiking, then look no further than the scenic overlooks along the Main Park Road. These are some of best places to take in the views, have a picnic and marvel at the forces of nature at work. The overlooks you cannot miss are Natural Bridge and Rainbow Point.
Horseback Riding
Another unique way to experience Bryce is by horseback. You can bring your own horse or join a guided ride from Canyon Trail Rides. Guides are offered as 2 or 3 hour rides and take you right down into the amphitheater on a dedicated horse trail. Horseback rides are available April to October, weather pending.
For more information about horseback riding in Bryce Canyon National Park visit the park website.
Parks as Classrooms
What better way to learn then by bringing the classroom to the park! The National Park System provides a series of curriculum covering topics such a math, science, social studies, and language arts for elementary and middle school learners. A great option for homeschooling or field trips.
Experience the Dark Skies
Designated as International Dark Sky Park in 2019, Bryce Canyon National Park provides spectacular viewing of the night sky. For a memorial experience join an evening ranger program or stay overnight in the campground and experience what a truly dark sky looks like.
Backpack the Wilderness
For a more in depth exploration of Bryce Canyon National Park pick up a backpacking permit and tour the parks remote wilderness. This is a great way to avoid the crowds and experience the incredible night sky. It’s recommended to make a reservation as early as you can. Reservations can be made online up for 3 months in advance. If available, walk up permits can be picked up at the visitor center.
For more information on backpacking in Bryce Canyon, visit the park website.
Junior Ranger Program
If you’re not able to plan a visit to Bryce Canyon National Park then this is great way for you’re kids to still learn about the park without actually being there. The Virtual Junior Ranger Program consists of a series of videos and activities to complete with a Virtual Badge to be given at the end.
Attend an Event
To learn more about Bryce Canyon National Park, attend one of the parks many events held throughout the year. Bryce Canyon Geology Festival occurs mid July and features two days of guided hikes, exhibits, activities, and family friendly geology and evening programs. Astronomy Festival occurs mid June and features 4 days of family friendly day time activities and ranger led evening programs and constellation tours. December holds the Annual Christmas Bird Count where visitors can take part in counting different species of birds as they explore varies trails in the park.
For more information on events held in Bryce Canyon, visit the park website.
ONE DAY ITINERARY
Stop 1. Check out the Visitor Center & watch the park movie.
Stop 2. Join Hoodoo Geology Talk Ranger Program.
Stop 3. Walk the Rim Trail.
Stop 4. Hike the Queen’s Garden Trail to Navajo Loop.
Stop 5. Take a scenic drive to Rainbow Point.
Stop 6. Join an Evening Ranger Program.
Let us know in the comments if you’ve ever been to Bryce Canyon National Park.
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HEY THERE!
WE’RE MIKE & DEANDRA.
Two adventure seekers traveling the U.S in our 37 FT. travel trailer with our two companions, Griffin & Lucy. We share our life on the road and travel guides to our favorite destinations.
This post contains affiliate links, so we may earn a small commission when you make a purchase through links on our site at no additional cost to you.
Enjoy this scenic hike through the world’s largest collection of bright orange hoodoos on Bryce Canyon’s Fairyland Loop Trail. Featuring everything you need to know before you go, including when to go, what to bring, about the trail, & much more.