Bryce Canyon National Park is one of the most beautiful US National Parks. Check out these Bryce Canyon tips, with the best viewpoints and hikes in the park.
Bryce Canyon National Park: an introduction
Bryce Canyon National Park is located in the US state of Utah and is one of the most spectacular national parks in Southwest USA. Why? The landscape of Bryce Canyon is unique and something you hardly see anywhere in the world. The landscape looks like something out of this world, with interesting red rock formations and lots of hoodoos.
The park is best known for its many viewpoints (one is even more beautiful than the other) and the beautiful trails for you to explore. I personally visited Bryce Canyon during a fantastic road trip in Southwest USA, and in this article I’ll share all my tips and an overview of the most beautiful sights.
Bryce Canyon sights
Let’s start with the best part! What to do in Bryce Canyon and what to see? An overview.
Check out the Scenic Drive
The Scenic Drive (Bryce Canyon Road) is a 18-mile road that takes you past some of the park’s most spectacular views. There are many places to stop along the way.
Because all viewpoints and sights are on the same side of the road, it is smart to first drive all the way to the southernmost viewpoint (Rainbow Point and Yovimpa Point). From there you can drive back quietly and stop regularly. All viewpoints are on the right.
Th best Bryce Canyon viewpoints
The viewpoints are the main people for many people to visit Bryce Canyon. There are fourteen viewpoints! They are all on the same side of the road, so it is advisable to drive all the way down Rim Road to the southernmost viewpoint (Rainbow Point and Yovimpa Point) and visit the viewpoints one by one from there. In that case, all the viewpoints will be on your right side.
In my opinion, these are the most beautiful viewpoints in Bryce Canyon National Park:
Rainbow Point and Yovimpa Point
These two viewpoints are located at the very end of Rim Road. The landscape at Rainbow Point is characteristic because of the “dip” and the red hoodoos seem to form a kind of edge (this can be clearly seen in the photo above).
From Rainbow Point, it is only a few minutes walk to Yovimpa Point. From here you can see the beautiful forest and crazy rock formations. On clear days you can even see the Kaibab Plateau and Navajo Mountain in Arizona (100 miles away).
Natural Bridge
In Bryce Canyon, you can see several stone arches, of which the Natural Bridge is the most impressive. The arch is made of bright red rocks and the view under the bridge is beautiful.
The viewpoints around the amphitheater
The most famous place in Bryce Canyon is the amphitheater. Full of bright red hoodoos, hiking trails, and endless beautiful views. You can view the amphitheater from four viewpoints: Inspiration Point, Bryce Point, Sunset Point, and Sunrise Point.
Go horseback riding in Bryce Canyon
Horseback riding is a unique and unforgettable way to experience Bryce Canyon National Park. You can enjoy the fresh air, breathtaking views and unique rock formations during a drive through the beautiful nature of the park.
There are several providers locally for a horse tour, but it is easiest to book a tour in advance to avoid disappointments.
The best Bryce Canyon hikes
There are many great hiking trails in the park. These are some of the best hikes in Bryce Canyon:
- Combination of the Queens Garden Trail and the Navajo Loop: This is the most popular hike in Bryce Canyon and you walk through the amphitheater. This is a moderate trail. You have to climb and descend quite a bit. The walk is 4.6 kilometers (almost 3 miles) long and takes about 2-3 hours. If you only have time to do one trail in the park, I would recommend this one. It is one of the most beautiful hikes I did in Southwest USA!
- Rim Trail: The Rim Trail passes the amphitheater between Fairyland Point and Bryce Point. You can make it as long as you want. There is little difference in height, it is a fairly easy hike. If you want to walk the entire trail, it is 18 kilometers or 11 miles (9 kilometers one way). However, you can also shorten it by walking back whenever you feel like it.
- Fairyland Loop Trail: A beautiful 13-kilometer (8-mile) hike on the north side of the park, which is considered strenuous as there are many elevation changes. You follow a short part of the Rim trail and then go into the canyon.
Check this page for all hikes in Bryce Canyon National Park.
Tip! Did you know that you can also take a hike in Bryce Canyon accompanied by a local guide? This way you will learn everything about the special landscape you explore while hiking. Educational and fun at the same time! Book your guided Bryce Canyon hike here.
Bryce Canyon off-road adventure
Looking for an adventurous way to see Bryce Canyon? You can also do an ATV adventure! On this 1-hour tour, experience the thrill of off-roading as you make your way through rocky terrains and winding trails. Admire the spectacular beauty of Bryce Canyon Rim as you look out over thousands of unique hoodoos (rock formations) from above.
Visit the viewpoints during sunset (or sunrise)
If your visit to Bryce Canyon doesn’t make you believe that those red hoodoos can get even redder, you’re wrong. During sunset and sunrise the sunlight is less bright and the soft light provides extra bright colors. A fantastic sight not to be missed during your visit to Bryce Canyon!
Bryce Canyon tips: practical information
Now that you know all about the most beautiful Bryce Canyon sights and the best things to do, it’s time for some practical tips for your visit to the park.
How to get to Bryce Canyon National Park?
Bryce Canyon is located in the south of Utah, roughly between Zion National Park and Capitol Reef National Park. Most people visit the park on a Utah road trip. The park is not accessible by public transport, so you must travel with a (rental) car or an RV.
- Are you coming from Capitol Reef National Park? Then you take Scenic Byway 12 from Torrey south, this is also one of the most scenic roads in the American Southwest. At Bryce Canyon City you turn left and drive straight into the park.
- From Zion National Park, first take the iconic Utah State Route 9 straight through Zion and then turn left onto Highway 89. You turn right on Highway 12 and then right again at Bryce Canyon City.
- Are you coming south from Kanab? Then follow Highway 89 north until you reach Highway 12.
The park only has one entrance, so you can’t miss it.
Entrance fee
A visit to Bryce Canyon National Park costs $ 35 (for 1 car with less than 15 occupants, valid for 7 days). .
Do you plan to visit multiple national parks in the United States? Then an America the Beautiful annual pass is almost always the cheapest option. This pass costs $ 80 and is valid for one year for all National Parks (and many National Monuments) in the United States of America.
Check this page for the most current entry fees to Bryce Canyon.
Use the shuttle bus
Although it is not mandatory, it is useful to use the shuttle bus during your visit to the park. This runs continuously back and forth and stops at almost all beautiful viewpoints and trailheads. The advantage is that you don’t have to look for a parking space at every place you want to visit, which is especially a problem in high season. The bus basically stops at the stops every fifteen minutes and you can get on and off without any restrictions.
Please note: the bus does not run all year round. This service will start again on April 5 in 2024. Check the official website to check whether the bus runs during your visit to the park.
The best time to visit Bryce Canyon
Bryce Canyon is open year-round. Due to the high altitude (over 2500 meters or 8200 feet), the temperatures can vary enormously. For example, there is a chance of snow between October and April. Usually, the road and viewpoints will always remain open, but hiking trails may be closed during that period.
In the summer months (July and August) it can get very warm during the day, about 25 to 35 degrees Celcius (from 77 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit). In the evening it cools down considerably.
If you want to hike in Bryce Canyon, I would recommend visiting the park between April and October. Do you only want to see the viewpoints? Then you can do that all year round.
How much time do you need for Bryce Canyon National Park?
Bryce Canyon is not a huge national park in terms of attractions. There is a scenic drive (the Rim Road), from the entrance to the southernmost point in the park, which is 29 kilometers long (18 miles). You can easily visit all viewpoints in half a day. If you also want to go hiking, I would spend at least a full day at Bryce Canyon National Park. Do you really want to take long walks? Then you need two days.
Where to stay in Bryce Canyon National Park
To fully enjoy your visit to Bryce Canyon National Park, it is highly recommended to spend one or more nights in or near the park. There are several places to spend the night in and outside the park.
In the park: The lodge at Bryce Canyon
The most comfortable place to spend the night in the park is The Lodge at Bryce Canyon. This lodge is right on the canyon and it is only a few minutes’ walk to the most famous viewpoints: Sunset Point, Sunrise Point, and Bryce Point. It is advisable to book a room at The Lodge at Bryce Canyon well in advance.
In the park: camping
There are two large campgrounds in Bryce Canyon National Park:
- North Campground: open all year round. From January 1 to May 17 and from October 8 to December 31, it is first come, first serve and you cannot make a reservation. You can reserve a spot 6 months in advance between May 18 and October 17. The campsite has both tent and camper pitches.
- Sunset Campground: open between April 15 and October 31. You can book for a stay between May 18 and October 14 (from 14 days in advance), the rest of the year it is first come, first served.
A spot at one of these campsites costs $30 (maximum 10 people, of which a maximum of 6 adults). The price for RVs and tents is the same.
Tip: bring a warm sleeping bag when you go camping in Bryce Canyon. It cools down considerably at night (even in summer).
Outside the park: Bryce or Tropic
You can also stay in a hotel or lodge just outside the park, for example in Bryce or the village of Tropic. It is not a far drive from both villages to the park, so you are never far away. These are a few nice places to stay:
- Best Western PLUS Bryce Canyon Grand Hotel (3⭐) – One of the highest rated hotels in Bryce. It is only a 9-minute drive to Sunrise Point. The hotel is nicely decorated and has an outdoor swimming pool.
- Bullberry inn Bed & Breakfast (3⭐) – Cozy B&B in Tropic in a beautiful rural setting.
- Bryce Trails Bed and Breakfast (4⭐) – Beautifully located in Tropic with beautiful views of the mountains. You can choose from various tasty breakfasts.
Check Booking.com for more options, availability and prices.
Where to eat in Bryce Canyon
There are a couple of places to eat in Bryce Canyon:
- The lodge in Bryce Canyon – here you can have breakfast, lunch and dinner. Opening hours are seasonal, usually open from April to October.
- Valhalla Pizzeria & Coffee Shop – great place for pizza, salads and hot drinks such as coffee. We picked up a pizza here at the time, which was very tasty!
General Store – for easy, grab-and-go meals. This is also open seasonally.
The restaurants and shops are located near Sunrise and Sunset Point. Due to the limited opening hours, it is always wise to bring something to drink and some snacks. There are also several restaurants in Bryce and Tropic.
Book your Bryce Canyon trip
These were all my Bryce Canyon tips! Do you want to visit Bryce Canyon National Park and other beautiful places in the beautiful Southwest USA? Then book your trip now!
✈️ Plane tickets – For a Southwest USA road trip you can fly into several airports, for example, Salt Lake City, Las Vegas, and Los Angeles. These cities all have major international airports, making them easily accessible. Check WayAway to find the best deals on plane tickets and get cashback.
🚘 Rental car – The best way to discover the beautiful places in West Coast USA is with a rental car or RV. Check Rental Cars to find the best deals on rental cars.
🧗🏼 Tours and activities – There are many fun day tours and activities to do in Southwest USA. Check out Get Your Guide for all the options.
Read more about Bryce Canyon
So, now you know (almost) everything about Bryce Canyon! Are you planning a trip to Bryce Canyon? Then these are great travel guides with even more tips.
Lonely Planet Zion & Bryce Canyon National Parks
Fodor’s Utah: with Zion, Bryce Canyon, Arches, Capitol Reef, and Canyonlands National Parks
Over the years, I spent a lot of time exploring America’s National Parks, that’s why you can read a lot on this website about the United States. You might like to read these articles as well:
- West Coast USA road trip: a spectacular itinerary
- Visiting the Grand Canyon: practical tips & the best things to do
- Angels Landing hike: the scariest trail in the USA
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This article was published in December 2020. Last update with more tips: April 2024.
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