Beginner's guide to Bryce Canyon National Park

As the smallest of Utah's 'Mighty 5' national parks, Bryce Canyon delivers an unforgettable experience. The first glimpse of its iconic hoodoos—those surreal rock spires adorned in shades of orange, pink, and red—is a moment that lingers in your memory, even if you've seen images beforehand. This remarkable park boasts the highest concentration of hoodoos in the world.

With an elevation averaging over 8,000 feet and peaking near 10,000 feet, Bryce Canyon holds a unique advantage. The natural cycle of freeze and thaw over thousands of years has sculpted the soft sandstone and limestone into an extraordinary terrain. Interestingly, despite its name, Bryce is not a canyon but rather a plateau (a canyon is formed by flowing water).

Adventurous hiking trails trace the plateau's edge before plunging into a forest of bizarre pinnacles, aromatic juniper trees, and ancient bristlecone pines. Here’s everything you need to know to plan your visit to Bryce Canyon National Park.

When is the best time to visit Bryce Canyon National Park?

Over half of Bryce Canyon National Park's visitors arrive between June and late September, making summer the peak season for many. Thanks to its elevated location, the average high in July is a comfortable 79°F—much cooler than the scorching averages of 100°F in Arches and Canyonlands, or nearly 90°F in nearby Zion National Park.

In 2023, the most popular month for Bryce Canyon National Park was September, attracting 367,425 visitors, while January saw only 29,457 adventurous souls. Winter transforms the park with a delicate dusting of snow on its 'fairy chimneys,' creating an enchanting atmosphere, though some trails and accommodations may be closed during this season.

How long should I plan to stay at Bryce Canyon National Park?

Some visitors make a day trip to Bryce Canyon from Zion National Park, located about 80 miles away (roughly a 1.5-hour drive from Zion’s east entrance), but spending a full day or two at Bryce Canyon is highly recommended. (Wondering how to pick between Utah’s top national parks? Don’t! Explore them both.)

Bryce Canyon truly reveals its vibrant hues at sunrise and sunset, when the amphitheater of hoodoos glows with a fiery golden-red light. Once the sun sets, the park’s crisp, dry air provides exceptional visibility for stargazing, reaching as far as the Andromeda Galaxy, 2.5 million light-years away.

Is accessing and navigating Bryce Canyon National Park straightforward?

Absolutely! Bryce Canyon is easily reachable by car, with just a few hours’ drive from the nearest airports and major cities.

From April to October, complimentary shuttle buses operate within the park to assist visitors. These shuttles are free with park admission and do not require reservations. There are 15 stops, nine of which are inside the park, and it also services several hotels in Bryce Canyon City, allowing you to leave your car behind. Unlike Zion National Park, using the shuttle at Bryce Canyon is optional, so visitors can drive their own vehicles into the park.

Biking is another fantastic way to explore the park, allowing you to reach all major trailheads. A paved multi-use path traverses the park, leading to the Inspiration Point viewpoint, and beyond the park, it connects to the Red Canyon Bicycle Trail, which takes you past additional hoodoos and stunning rock formations just outside Bryce's limits.

Must-see activities at Bryce Canyon National Park

The hoodoos of Bryce Canyon are the park's main attraction, and you’ll want to take your time marveling at them from various perspectives, letting your imagination – and your feet – wander. Many of these hoodoos carry intriguing names, like Thor’s Hammer, and the Native Paiute people believe these formations are ancient 'Legend People' transformed into stone as a consequence of their misdeeds.

The Rim Trail, one of the most accessible hikes in Bryce Canyon, follows the upper edge of the plateau, offering stunning views of the bowl filled with hoodoos below while connecting multiple viewpoints. Although many visitors gather at these popular overlooks, you can take a short stroll along the Rim Trail to soak in the scenery in peace.

However, you can't leave Bryce without venturing among these iconic formations rather than just viewing them from above. Several hiking trails descend from the rim into the beautifully sculpted high-mountain desert, winding through the hoodoos. The most favored hike in Bryce Canyon National Park is the Queen's Garden–Navajo Loop Combination Trail, which showcases the park's signature features in a relatively brief journey, beginning (or concluding) with a memorable series of switchbacks flanked by towering ocher canyon walls.

For a quieter and more demanding hiking experience, consider the Fairyland Loop, an eight-mile trek that provides a solid workout due to its 1900-foot elevation gain. This trail meanders around hoodoos, dips into washes, climbs over ridges, and passes ancient bristlecone pines that cling tenaciously to the rocky cliffs.

My favorite activity at Bryce Canyon National Park

There are numerous breathtaking viewpoints to observe the hoodoos, but I believe nothing compares to enjoying the scenery from the saddle of a horse. During my last trip to Bryce Canyon, I joined a three-hour horseback riding adventure with Canyon Trail Rides, the park's official concessionaire, which offers excursions on the Peekaboo Loop from April to October.

My companion for the day was a feisty, sandy-colored horse named Twerp, and our guide kept us entertained with funny anecdotes and insights about the rock formations we encountered along the trail.

If you don’t have your own horse, booking a ride with Canyon Trail Rides is the only way to experience this national park from horseback. These trail rides fill up quickly, so it’s wise to make reservations as early as possible. Even if you prefer hiking, the Peekaboo Loop is considered one of the best hikes in Utah.

What should I budget for Bryce Canyon National Park?

The standard entrance pass for Bryce Canyon National Park is priced at $35 per vehicle or $20 per individual if arriving on foot or bicycle, and it remains valid for seven days. If you're planning to explore multiple national parks on a road trip through Utah and beyond, consider purchasing the America the Beautiful pass for $80. This pass grants access for a year to all national parks and federal recreation areas across the nation for one vehicle or up to four individual entries—arguably one of the best travel bargains out there.

Inside the park, you’ll find a lodge and two campgrounds. Bryce Canyon Lodge prices range from $200 to $330 per night, depending on the season and room size. Campgrounds charge $30 per night for tents and RVs. During certain times of the year, campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis, but in peak season (mid-May to mid-October), it's necessary to book in advance through recreation.gov.

Which city is nearest to Bryce Canyon National Park?

Bryce Canyon City is located right at the entrance of Bryce Canyon National Park. Although it's a small place, it features a few hotels and dining options. For more choices, you can head to the towns of Tropic and Cannonville, situated to the east of the park.

What’s the best accommodation option near Bryce Canyon National Park?

Within Bryce Canyon National Park, you'll find two campgrounds and the historic Bryce Canyon Lodge, which has been welcoming guests since 1925. Ideally located between Sunrise Point and Sunset Point, this lodge puts trailheads right at your fingertips. If possible, opt for a cabin as they offer more charm compared to the motel-style rooms that feel somewhat outdated.

Just south of Cannonville, Bryce Glamp & Camp features stunning geodesic domes that provide a cozy retreat, complete with kitchenettes, full bathrooms, and comfortable mattresses. Unwind in the evenings around your own outdoor gas firepit while enjoying the serene red-rock landscape illuminated by the setting sun.

Continue planning your Utah adventure:

Maximize your America the Beautiful Pass by exploring Utah's other national parks Hike your way through six of the best trails in the state Check out our guide for visiting Utah with kids for a family-friendly experience