Est. 1928 | Utah | 35,835 acres

The Grand Staircase is earth’s geologic history book featuring layers of sedimentary rock spanning from the depths of Arizona’s Grand Canyon to the upper reaches of Utah’s Bryce Canyon and beyond. Perched atop this regional staircase, Bryce Canyon National Park is a storehouse for one of nature’s most curious geological spectacles—the hoodoo. Drive along the park’s rim for stunning panoramas of the endless eroding rock formations or drop down into the canyon on one of the many trails to get close and personal with these vibrant limestone statues.

Perched high atop the Grand Staircase, Bryce Canyon faces almost exclusively east towards the rising sun. To access the park, visitors follow UT-12 to Bryce Canyon City and head south 2 miles on UT-63. At the park entrance, UT-63 turns into Southern Scenic Drive, a single, 18-mile, out-and-back road running north-south along the rim opening up to 15 unique viewpoints and trailheads with ever-changing perspectives of the canyon below. Back in the north, UT-12 briefly passes through the upper tip of the park granting access to the isolated Mossy Cave section of the park, but beyond that, Southern Scenic Drive is the exclusive access to all park attractions.

Along the rim, the famous Bryce Amphitheater in the northern half of the park contains the greatest concentration of hoodoos. Many trails launch from Southern Scenic Drive down into the amphitheater, some wide open, others winding tight through the spectacular rock formations, but all with unparalleled views of the park’s sweeping hoodoo arena. There are no trails or attractions on the western side of the road above the rim. Everything runs east down into the canyon.

Must-see highlights in Bryce Canyon

1. Sunset Point—One of 15 overlooks along the Southern Scenic Drive, Sunset Point is ironically the perfect place to catch sunrise. Facing east, the the sun breaks the horizon and illuminates the amphitheater. The lightplay bouncing around the electric orange rock is incredible—one of the most notable experiences among all national parks. Because it is a popular viewpoint, arrive before dawn to reserve a spot along the edge.
2. Navajo Loop Trail—This may be the most iconic hike in Bryce Canyon National Park. Beginning and ending at Sunset Point, this 1.3-mile hike passes Thor’s Hammer, switchbacking 500 feet down through narrow walls of limestone rock punctuated with tall Douglas firs in what is referred to as Wall Street. This section of the loop is closed in the winter, but the opposing Two Bridges side of the loop is open as an out-and-back trail in the icy months. Hikers often combine this trail with Queen’s Garden Trail for a longer more immersive experience. For this option, start at Sunset Point, descend Two Bridges and turn north on Queen’s Garden Trail ascending to Sunrise Point. Complete the loop between Sunrise and Sunset along the Rim Trail. Note: Hiking down is deceptively gentle while the ascent returning to the rim can be grueling. Carry water and food and take plenty of breaks as needed.
3. Thor’s Hammer—Thor’s Hammer is a lone-standing hoodoo flanking Navajo Loop on the Two Bridges side. It is recognized by its iconic sledge hammer shape. Though you can see the landmark from Sunset Point, the best view of the hoodoo is from below looking over at it as it breaks the horizon and punches the sky.
4. Natural Bridge—12 miles down Southern Scenic Drive, in the southern half of the park, visitors can pull over to view a rare sight—a hoodoo in the making. As water and froze and thawed over the years, the limestone cracked and eroded leaving behind Natural Bridge, a 125-foot archway. Today water and snowmelt run beneath it in seasonal flows. One day, the arch will collapse leaving new spires in its place.
5. Bryce Point—Because the sun sets in the west behind the rim, sunset arrives early in the park—roughly an hour before it dips below the horizon. And because the majority of viewpoints face east, the best place to catch sunset is from Bryce Point on the southern tip of Bryce Amphitheater. As it points north, this overlook is able to catch the setting light on the hoodoos below. This widespread view of the hoodoos is what many call the “silent city”—a stone-still maze of structures catching the last light of day, much like an urban sunset.

Best time to visit Bryce Canyon

Typically, late spring and fall are ideal times to visit Bryce Canyon. Temperatures are generally cooler, crowds are smaller and the park is fully operational.

• Spring (April to June): Temperatures start warming up, ranging from cool to mild (40–70°F). It can still be chilly, especially in the mornings and evenings. However, because it sits at higher elevations Bryce Canyon receives occasional snowfall in early spring, so be prepared for unpredictable weather in April. May is generally snow-free, though be aware of thunderstorms that can roll in

• Summer (July to mid-September): At the onset of summer, the park is fully accessible and all services are available, including ranger-led programs. However, expect decent-sized crowds, especially in July and August, as this is the most popular time to visit. Arriving early, staying late and visiting during mealtimes offer the best chances to avoid the high volume of people. Even though the higher elevation temperatures of Bryce Canyon are usually cooler than the surrounding desert regions, summer still brings hot days (70–90°F). Always travel with water in the heat of summer as the hike back up the canyon is more exhausting than the hike down. Historically, August and September see the most rainfall and thunderstorms are most abundant at this time of year so plan accordingly.

• Fall (mid-September to November): The crowds start to thin out after Labor Day, making it an excellent time for a quieter visit. However, as crowds die down so do the temperatures (50–70°F). Cold spells in October can be unpredictable and snowstorms are not unusual, so bring layers in case of cool evenings and brisk mornings. But this cold weather has a benefit. Beautiful autumn foliage from aspens and gambel oak start to peak around the same time in mid-October.

• Winter (December to March): The park receives its coldest and snowiest days December through February, with each night dipping below freezing. Southern Scenic Drive can close temporarily at various points due to snow conditions so check for updates before visiting. Wall Street on Navajo Loop Trail is notorious for treacherous conditions so it closes down around late-November and reopens in late-March as the park thaws. However, despite these limitations, winter is still a wonderful time to visit Bryce Canyon with sparse crowds and snow-covered hoodoos creating a magical winter escape. While some trails might be closed due to snow and ice, the park is still accessible and open to winter activities like cross-country skiing or snowshoeing.

How long should I visit Bryce Canyon?

Bryce Canyon is best explored in 2–3 days. With a single road, Bryce Canyon is a fairly simple park to navigate. Many of the park attractions are consolidated and can be seen consecutively in a single day. But allowing an extra day or two to fully explore the far reaches of the park is worth the extra time. If your schedule permits, consider a horseback tour or bike the rim for a more adventurous spin on Bryce Canyon.

Getting to Bryce Canyon

Located 20 miles east of Interstate 15, Highway 89 runs north-south from Kanab to Salt Lake City and beyond. Bryce Canyon lies just 14 miles east of Highway 89 along UT-12. Zion sits 60 miles south of Bryce Canyon on Highway 89 and Capitol Reef is 115 miles east on UT-12. At 80 miles away, Cedar City Regional Airport (CDC) located along I-15 in Cedar City, Utah, is the nearest airfield. St. George Regional Airport (SGU) in St. George is an alternative option at twice the distance. However if distance is not a limitation, both Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) in Salt Lake City and Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas, Nevada are larger cheaper options 240 miles away.

Where to stay in Bryce Canyon

Bryce Canyon hosts 1 lodge and 2 campgrounds within park boundaries. Additional lodging can be found in the nearby town of Bryce Canyon City.

Lodge: The historic Bryce Canyon Lodge is located minutes from the rim of Bryce Amphitheater with 114 rooms available across lodge suites, hotel rooms and cabins. Open year round, the lodge also provides all-day dining and a gift shop.

Campgrounds: Both in close proximity to Bryce Amphitheater, Sunset Campground and North Campground offer reservations. Sunset Campground is the only campground to offer first come first served accommodations.

• Sunset Campground—99 sites (RV and tent), open April–October
• North Campground—100 sites (RV and tent), open year-round

When should I book?

For stays during peak season (June–September) it is best to book hotels and lodging 3–6 months in advance. As the only hotel in the park, Bryce Canyon Lodge can fill up during busy months. Do not expect to book onsite. Sunset and North campgrounds can also book up quickly, but reservations for these sites open 14 days in advance so check often for openings.

Winter is a different story. Lodging and North Campground are open year round and need only a couple weeks or days notice for reservations. Chance are last-minute onsite reservations could also be possible.

How much should I budget?

As one of the more affordable parks, an 2–3 day trip to Bryce Canyon National Park can range from $500–$800 depending on your required needs. Here is a breakdown of what to expect:

Roundtrip Airfare to St. George	$150–$350
Car Rental	$45–$80/day (not including taxes/fees)
Campsite	$30/night (not including taxes/fees)
Hotel Lodging	$250–$320/night
Restaurant Meals	$10–$20/meal
Horseback Ride	$85–$125/person
Entrance Fee	$35/vehicle for 7 days

Packing list for Bryce Canyon

Each park requires different gear for its unique characteristics. For Bryce Canyon National Park, we wouldn’t want to be caught without hiking shoes, water bottle, snacks, jacket, sunscreen, hiking poles, hat and sunglasses.

Want to learn more? Check out our detailed trip report for a peek into our trip to Bryce Canyon.

For more detailed information on Bryce Canyon National Park, visit the official park website.