If you’re visiting Bryce Canyon National Park, don’t miss these spots!
Bryce Canyon National Park is an incredibly unique park in the US because it’s home to a large concentration of colorful hoodoos (the stone pillars). The park is relatively small, so you can see a lot in one day, but there’s enough to do if you want to explore for two to three days, too!
We visited twice and wrote about more to do at the bottom, but first, these are the park’s highlights.
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Last Updated: June 14, 2024
What You Need to Know Before You Go
- Parking is limited, but a free shuttle takes you around the park (you need to pay for the park entrance).
- Pay attention to the weather. Flash floods can happen, especially in the summer.
- Summer is the hottest and busiest season to visit.
- The park is open year-round, although roads may close due to weather.
- If you visit multiple parks, get an America the Beautiful Annual Pass to save money.
- You can see all the highlights in a day but should spend 2-4 days if you want to explore the backcountry or multiple trails.
- Roads and trails may close in the winter, so check current conditions.
15 Amazing Things to Do in Bryce Canyon National Park
1. The Scenic Drive
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The scenic drive lets you enjoy much of the park’s beautiful scenery. It takes a minimum of 3 hours to drive to the 13 viewpoints and back.
Local Tip: Pick up an America the Beautiful park pass before to save money if you visit multiple parks within a year. It also saves you time at the gate.
2. Visit Bryce Point
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Get up early and catch the sunrise at Bryce Point. Bryce, Inspiration, Sunrise, and Sunset Points are the park’s main attractions and also the busiest spots. The morning light catches the hoodoos at Bryce Point and gives it a beautiful orange glow. It’s a short walk to the viewpoint and is among the highest overlooks along the rim.
See More: 11+ Breathtaking Things to Do in Kanab Utah
3. Get Inspired at Inspiration Point
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Follow a short trail to Upper Inspiration Point for panoramic views of the amphitheater, where you’ll find many concentrated hoodoos.
Local Tip: Photography here is best at dawn and dusk.
See More: 11 Breathtaking Canyons in the US to Add to Your Bucket List
4. Sunset Point
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It gives you views of the main amphitheater and features Thor’s Hammer. This is also where the Navajo Loop trail starts.
Photo Tip: Sunrise photos are better here. It gives you the opportunity to capture a sunstar as it rises.
5. Sunrise Point
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This is just a 10-15 min walk from Sunset Point. You can see Boat Mesa and Sinking Ship against the Pink Cliffs and Aquarius Plateau backdrop here.
Photo Tip: You can shoot here at sunrise and sunset, but we prefer sunset here. It also gives you a decent angle for shooting the Milky Way.
See More: 15 Best Hikes in Zion National Park Utah
6. Hike the Navajo Loop Trail
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This moderate 3-mile hike begins at Sunset Point and takes you down into the amphitheater. The views are entirely different down here. You’ll get a chance to see large Douglas-fir trees, stand right next to the hoodoos, and see the gorge called Wall Street (shown below).
7. Queens Garden Trail
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3.0 mi, 623 ft elevation, moderate
This is considered the easiest trail into the canyon, where you can get closer to the hoodoos. Many people like to combine the Navajo Loop Trail with this trail to see both. We didn’t find the Queens Garden Trail to be as interesting as the Navajo Trail side, but it’s a great way to add some more miles if you want the exercise.
8. See the Natural Bridge
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An easy pull-off gives you close-up views of this natural arch, which is 85 feet long and 125 feet high.
9. Fairyland Point
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You can see this viewpoint without paying the park entrance fee. The views aren’t as amazing as the other viewpoints, but they’re worth a quick stop.
10. View from Agua Canyon
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This is one of the best views in the park. You see three layers of beauty: hoodoos in the front, Pink Cliffs behind them, and the Navajo Mountain on the horizon.
11. Stop at Rainbow Point + Yovimpa Point
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The final stop through Bryce Canyon is Rainbow Point. You get panoramic views of Southern Utah. Yovimpa Point is just a minute’s walk from Rainbow Point.
See More: 15 Best Hikes in Zion National Park Utah
12. Hike the Peek-a-Boo Trail
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5.2 mi, 1453 ft elevation, moderate
The Peek-a-Boo Loop is 3 miles but can only be accessed through other trails. The shortest hike you can take starts from Bryce Point, making it a 5-mile hike that takes you to the Wall of Windows, the Cathedral, and the Three Wise Men formations. If you’re already hiking the Navajo Loop Trail, add the Peek-A-Boo Loop to get an 8.6-mile trek.
13. Mossy Cave, Turret Arch, and Little Windows Trail
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0.9 mi, 121 ft elevation, easy
This short hike takes you to beautiful hoodoos, a mossy cave, and the Tropic Ditch Falls. The trailhead is located outside of the park, so it’s free to do but also means it’s usually more crowded.
Local Tip: If the main parking lot is full, there’s an overflow lot just down the road.
14. Join a Night Hike with their Ranger Program
Check the visitor center for the most up-to-date information. They offer ranger programs like Astronomy and Full Moon hikes, where they give a short presentation. You get a closer look through telescopes. Don’t forget to check out the other ranger-guided activities.
15. Rent a Bike
A bike is a great way to get around the park. They have traditional and e-bike rentals, but we recommend e-bikes even if you’re confident in your athleticism and biking ability. The park is at high elevation, so even if you’re used to biking, you’ll get more winded. There are tons of mixed-use paths through the park, and you can even bike up to a view with hoodoos right outside of the park at Dixie National Forest.
Bryce Canyon Map
Winter Activities
In the winter, you can get a unique park experience by snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, or sledding.
If you are there to explore even more, here’s a list of the other viewpoints and hikes. Several viewpoints are connected, where you get a slightly different perspective of the same view. If you’re strapped for time, visiting them all is unnecessary.
Other Viewpoints in Bryce Canyon
- Paria View
- Swamp Canyon
- Piracy Point
- Farview Point
- Ponderosa Canyon
- Black Birch Canyon
Best Photography Spots at Bryce National Park
- Inspiration Point (sunrise + sunset)
- Bryce Point (sunrise)
- Sunrise Point (sunrise + sunset)
- Sunset Point (sunrise)
- Natural Bridge (mid-morning)
- Agua Canyon (late morning)
- Thor’s Hammer (sunrise, after sunset)
- Rim Trail
- Paria View (sunset)
Pro Tip: The Photopills app helps you map precisely where the sun will be at a specific location. I use it the most for astrophotography, but it’s also great for planning sunrise and sunset shots.
More Hikes in Bryce Canyon National Park
- Mossy Cave (0.8 Mile, easy)
- Rim Trail (11 Miles, easy)
- Bristlecone Loop (1 Mile, easy)
- Tower Bridge (3 Miles, moderate)
- Hat Shop (4 Miles, moderate)
- Swamp Canyon (4.3 Miles, moderate)
- Fairyland Loop (8 miles, strenuous)
- Riggs Spring Loop (8.5 miles, strenuous)
Pro Tip: Download AllTrails+ to have the trail maps offline.
Bryce Canyon Visitor Center, Hours, and Fees
Visitor Center: 4.5 miles south of the intersection of Hwy 12 & Hwy 63
HOURS:
Spring Hours (April): 8 AM-6 PM
Summer Hours (May-Sept): 8 AM-8 PM
Fall Hours (Oct): 8 AM-6 PM
Winter Hours (Nov-Mar): 8 AM-4:30 PM
435.834.5322
We always recommend visiting the Visitor Center first to get the most up-to-date information from park rangers. They have great insight into what’s happening in the park.
ENTRANCE FEES
$35 per vehicle ($30 for motorcycles)
$20 per person if entering by foot or bicycle
Admission is for seven days and includes unlimited use of the Shuttle
$70 Bryce Canyon National Park Annual Pass
$80 Annual Pass to National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands (we have this!)
CAMPGROUNDS
Two campgrounds near the Visitor Center have restrooms with flush toilets and drinking water. Daily rates start at $30. During the summer, coin-operated laundry and shower facilities are available. There are no hookups, but a dump station for RV users is at the North Campground.
How to Get to Bryce Canyon National Park
BY PLANE:
The closest major airports to Bryce Canyon National Park are LAS (Las Vegas, NV) and SLC (Salt Lake City, UT). Both are roughly 270 miles from the park.
Two smaller airports are nearby: CDC (Cedar City, UT), which is 80 miles away, and SGU (St. George, UT), which is 125 miles away.
BY CAR:
From the North: Take I-15 South to UT-20 East. Follow US-89 south to UT-12 East to UT-63. Take UT-63 south to Bryce Canyon.
From the South: Take I-15 North to UT-9 East through Zion NP to US-89. Go North on US-89 to UT-12 East to UT-63. Take UT-63 south to Bryce Canyon.
Bryce Canyon National Park Shuttle
The free shuttle system (with proof of entrance fee) in Bryce Canyon is a great way to see the park without worrying about parking.
The Shuttle Service Hours are as follows:
April 5 – May 9: 8 AM to 6 PM
May 10 – Sept 22: 8 AM to 8 PM
Sept 23 – Oct 20: 8 AM to 6 PM
Buses typically come every 15 minutes, but you can also track them live here. The shuttle stops at these points in the order listed:
Bryce Canyon City
- Shuttle Station (recommended parking)
- Old Bryce Town
- Best Western + Grand Hotel
- Best Western + Ruby’s Inn
- Ruby’s Campground
Bryce Canyon National Park
- Visitor Center
- Sunset Campground (Southbound)
- Bryce Point
- Inspiration Point
- Sunset Campground (Northbound)
- Sunset Point
- Bryce Canyon Lodge
- Sunrise Point (General Store)
- Visitor Center (Northbound)
- Ruby’s Campground (Northbound)
The Rainbow Point Shuttle Tour is currently closed but typically offers a free guided tour to Rainbow Point twice a day (9 AM and 1:30 PM). The tour is 3.5 hours long and covers 40 miles.
Tips for Visiting Bryce Canyon National Park
- The park is busiest from 10 am to 4 pm.
- The park reaches elevations of 9,100 feet.
- Bryce is open year-round, and the roads are plowed and sanded after heavy snowstorms. However, some roads may still close due to weather.
- Summer is the busiest and hottest (highs of 70s or low 80s) time to visit. With that said, fall, winter, and spring are great times to visit to avoid peak crowds and heat, but the weather can vary greatly. Between October and May, temperatures fall below freezing at night, and you may still get snow. Between December and February, you’ll get the coldest temperatures in the area.
- You can take the free shuttle to get around the park.
- Get AllTrails+ if you plan on hiking so you have access to the trail maps offline.
- Save money by picking up an America the Beautiful Annual Pass if you want to take your own vehicle and you’re visiting multiple national parks.
Frequently Asked Questions
HOW LONG SHOULD I SPEND IN BRYCE CANYON NATIONAL PARK?
You can easily see all the major points in Bryce Canyon in one day. If you want to do longer hikes or more backcountry adventures, 2-4 days will give you more flexibility.
WHAT IS THE BEST TIME OF YEAR TO VISIT BRYCE CANYON?
Summer is the most popular time to visit, with roughly 60% of visitors coming at this time. The weather is the warmest and crowds are the highest. Shoulder seasons in late spring or early fall help avoid the crowds but still gives you decent weather, although Spring and Fall can still bring snow. Winter is cold and can have heavy snow.
WHICH IS BETTER, ZION NATIONAL PARK OR BRYCE CANYON NATIONAL PARK?
It’s hard to answer which is better between the two. They offer very different landscapes. Zion is much busier and crowds are very hard to avoid during the busy seasons. It is also a much larger park requiring more days to see everything. Since they are so close, we always recommend spending a day at Bryce then the remainder of the time exploring Zion.
WHAT IS BRYCE CANYON FAMOUS FOR?
Bryce Canyon National Park is best known for its hoodoo formations and the density of the features. A hoodoo is a spire or pinnacle shaped rock left standing by erosion.
Best Places to Stay
Staying in the park at The Lodge at Bryce Canyon is amazing! They have rooms in their Main Lodge, the Sunrise and Sunset Motel, and Cabins. We stayed in a Cabin, which had two queen beds, a full bathroom, a porch, and a gas-log fireplace. The best part was that it was a one-minute walk to the rim. Since we were there for astrophotography, it made it easy to pop in and out to the rim. I even woke up for sunrise shots because it was so convenient! Cabins fill up fast since the location is so good. Book your room here.
If the lodge or the cabins are fully booked, then check the map below for other accommodation options.
Where to Eat
Since we stayed in the park, we had breakfast, lunch, and dinner at the Bryce Canyon Lodge Dining Room. Most National Park food isn’t great; it’s mainly for convenience and sustenance. At Bryce, however, we were so impressed by the food. The only other national park with memorable food was Mesa Verde National Park.
- Breakfast: They have a buffet or an a la carte menu. We always opted for the buffet because of the amazing fresh fruit spread, including berries, melons, and more. We also really enjoyed the biscuits and gravy.
- Lunch: Their Canyon Southwest Caesar was tasty. I love how they mixed Southwest flavors with the classic Caesar salad. I also enjoyed the Warm Trail Bowl for something healthy. Both portions are big!
- Dinner: The Fish and chips were good, and the Grilled Ribeye was cooked perfectly medium rare. We also enjoyed the Jumbo Shrimp Fettuccine. Save room for dessert! We tried the Croissant Beignets on our last meal but wished we had ordered them at every meal.
Things to Do Near Bryce Canyon NP
- Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument (19 mi east / 25 min)
- Kanab (76.5 mi southwest / 1 hr 21 min)
- Zion National Park (72 mi southwest / 1 hr 18 min)
- Capitol Reef National Park (112 mi northeast / 2 hr 5 min)
- Glen Canyon National Recreation Area / Lake Powell (150 mi / 2 hrs 30 min)
- Page, AZ (151 mi southeast / 2 hrs 35 min)
Planning Checklist
- Get comprehensive insurance for your trip.
- Download these helpful language apps.
- Find a great deal on Bryce hotels.
- Arrange a rental car for your trip.
- Book a tour for your visit.
- Get airport lounge access.
- Buy a travel charger to keep your devices charged.
- Get a new backpack for your trip.
- Buy a Bryce travel guide.
- Pack the appropriate shoes for your trip.
- Don’t forget your in-flight essentials.
- Save money on attractions with a Go City Pass.
Where else have you seen hoodoos? Can you think of any other things to do in Bryce Canyon that can’t be missed?
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“Discovery consists not of seeking new lands but in seeing with new eyes” – M. Proust
Esther + Jacob
Esther and Jacob are the founders of Local Adventurer, one of the top 5 travel blogs in the US. They believe that adventure can be found near and far and hope to inspire others to explore locally. They explore a new city in depth every year and currently base themselves in Las Vegas.
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