10 Best Things to Do in Bryce Canyon National Park
There are so many amazing things to do in Bryce Canyon National Park. Its iconic rock formations, breathtaking vistas, and enchanting hiking trails draw visitors from all around the world! But, as full-time travelers, we know that there is a lot that goes into planning a national park trip. That’s why we created this guide to help you plan your trip to Bryce Canyon and make the most of your visit!
Why Should You Visit Bryce Canyon National Park?
Bryce Canyon is a geological wonder created by nature after millions of years of erosion from wind, water, and ice. The park is known for its iconic “hoodoos” – towering rock columns each with its own intricate shape and structure. While hoodoos are found in various countries, Bryce Canyon National Park is home to the largest collection in the world!
Imagine standing at the rim of a giant amphitheater filled with red rock spires, columns, and arches. People from all over come to enjoy this breathtaking landscape. We visited the park in August and heard a variety of languages spoken in the more crowded areas of the park. Evidently, Europeans have an admiration and fascination with the landscapes of the American southwest. Bryce Canyon is at the top of their list!
The Legend of the Hoodoo
The hoodoos are towers of rock with vibrant colors. Native American legend says they are the petrified remains of the Legend People. According to Paiute lore, the Legend People were an ancient tribe with supernatural powers. The powerful Coyote spirit turned them to stone because they used their powers for evil. As you stand before these ancient pinnacles, you’ll find yourself surrounded by a place where geological processes and timeless legends intersect, creating an experience that’s as educational as it is enchanting.
Do You Need a Reservation to Visit Bryce Canyon National Park?
Bryce Canyon does not require an entrance reservation, but it is important to plan ahead, especially if you’re visiting during the busy season. Campsite reservations are highly recommended for the Sunset Campground, as they tend to fill up quickly. Additionally, if you’re planning to embark on any guided tours or participate in ranger programs, it’s wise to inquire about reservations in advance to secure your spot.
If you intend on visiting several national parks this year, it’s worth investing in an America the Beautiful pass. We bought one when we arrived at Bryce Canyon National Park (where you pay the entrance fee). For $80, we now have unlimited pre-paid access to all national parks for the next year!
How Many Days Do You Need to Visit Bryce Canyon National Park?
Realistically, this park could be done in one day or less especially when you consider there are so many incredible things to explore in southern Utah. Most of the main viewpoints of Bryce Canyon National Park are easily accessible off the main road, so it’s easy to cruise through and see the highlights in a day.
However, if you are particularly enamored by the iconic hoodoos, interested exploring more than one of the longer trails, or want to experience stargazing, sunrise, and sunset in the park, plan for two, possibly three, days at Bryce Canyon National Park!
What is the Best Month to Visit Bryce Canyon National Park?
Bryce Canyon National Park is truly a year-round treasure. The best time to visit Bryce Canyon largely depends on your preferences and what you want to experience, but the busiest season is from May to September. Spring (April to June) and fall (September to October) offer milder temperatures, vibrant foliage, and fewer crowds, making them ideal seasons for a serene visit.
Summer (July to August) is the busiest time, drawing larger crowds and warmer weather. Bryce Canyon is one of the few higher-elevation national parks that maintain the roads throughout the park during the winter months, making Bryce Canyon National Park fully accessible by car any time of the year! A winter visit an incredible opportunity for hiking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing. The red rock formations contrasted with snow create a mesmerizing landscape.
Where to Stay near Bryce Canyon National Park
In order to get the full experience, we highly recommend booking lodging near the park to check out sunrise or sunset and be in close proximity for stargazing! Check out the link below for a variety of lodging options to fit every family, budget, and itinerary.
Note: this is an affiliate link, so we will receive a small commission at no additional cost to you if you book and stay at a destination using this link. We appreciate your support!
Are dogs allowed in Bryce Canyon National Park?
Dogs are allowed in Bryce Canyon National Park on paved surfaces only. This includes campgrounds, parking lots, paved roads, paved viewpoints (except Piracy Point), and the 0.5-mile section of the Rim Trail between Sunset and Sunrise Points. Dogs are not allowed on the Bryce Canyon shuttle, hiking trails, Piracy Point viewpoint, or public buildings. Service animals that are recognized by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) are allowed to go off pavement, but emotional support animals are not.
Can You Just Drive Through Bryce Canyon? How Long is the Scenic Drive?
Bryce Canyon feels so accessible because of the park layout with the Scenic Drive acting as the spine of the park – we joked that it could be one of the “drive-thru National Parks.”
The Bryce Canyon Scenic Drive is 18-miles from the Visitors Center to Rainbow and Yovipma Points at the end of the park and takes about 40 minutes to complete, allowing for some time to stop and enjoy the vista points. This drive provides a fantastic overview of the park’s beauty and easy access to the main viewpoints. We felt like the Scenic Drive did a fantastic job of conveying the magnificence and variety of the park, so for those short on time or with certain limitations can still enjoy what it has to offer!
10 Best Things to Do in Bryce Canyon National Park
Bryce Canyon is a playground for outdoor enthusiasts, year round recreation is available for all interests, ages, and skill levels.
1. Hiking
Hiking trails of varying difficulty levels are available for both new and experienced hikers, each showcasing different perspectives of the park’s beauty. In total, there are 60 miles of hiking trails available year round, but be sure to bring traction devices (crampons, microspikes) in winter. Hiking offers up close encounters with the enchanting hoodoos, making it a classic thing to do in Bryce Canyon National Park. Check out our Bryce Canyon Hiking Guide (with a free PDF)!
2. Scenic Drive
The park offers an 18-mile scenic drive with pull outs to enjoy panoramic viewpoints and a great opportunity to see wildlife, like mountain elk and pronghorn. We highly recommend driving (preferably with the windows down) all the way out to Rainbow Point to get away from the crowds and enjoy some of the more quiet and still areas in the park (you could also ride the shuttle). Black Birch Canyon, Ponderosa Canyon, and Swamp Canyon were some of our favorites vista points.
3. Backpacking & Camping
Those who desire more of an intimate experience at Bryce Canyon may choose to go backpacking and camping! Backpacking options include the 9-mile Riggs Spring Loop or the 23-mile Under-the-Rim Trail. Backcountry permits are available on a first-come, first-served basis at the Visitors Center up to 48-hours in advance. RV and tent camping are both available at the North and Sunset Campground. North Campground sites are first-come, first-served and are open through winter. Sunset Campground is open seasonally, April – October, and requires reservations via recreation.gov.
4. Picnicking
Picnic spots are scattered throughout the park: Sunset Point, North Campground (with grills), General Store, Mile 4.6, Whiteman Bench, and Yovimpa Point. We recommend stopping at Mile 4.5 for a secluded meal and rest under the Ponderosa pine forest. We saw a family eating lunch and watching nearby elk grazing from the picnic tables! It looked like such a special moment.
5. Ranger Programs
Free ranger programs are offered everyday and most do not require reservations! The programs differ for summer and winter seasons. Ranger Program including Geology Talk, Rim Walk, Evening Programs, Telescopes, and snowshoeing (in winter) are available on a daily-weekly basis.
Bryce Canyon Park Rangers also offer guided Full Moon Hikes in summer and Full Moon snowshoeing in winter. The moonlight glow and nocturnal shadows dancing along the hoodoos makes for an exclusive and spooky experience. Check out the website for more information on Full Moon hikes! Park Rangers have the greatest knowledge on the social and geographical history of the area. We always make an effort to speak with the rangers and we’ve always walked away from those interactions with profoundly more insight and appreciation for the park.
6. Photography
Inspiration Point and the switchbacks of the Navajo Loop Trail are easily the most iconic photography spots in the park. Any viewpoint or hiking trail within the Bryce Amphitheater is a photographer’s dream too! To get away from the crowds, a walk down the Rim Trail offers an opportunity for undisturbed composition.
Sunrise is the best time to shoot as the sunrays charge the rocks in vibrant hues of red and orange. Shoot sunrise at Sunrise Point, Sunset Point, or Inspiration Point. For some more low-key photo spots, check out Wall Street (Bryce Canyon’s only slot canyon), Mossy Cave, Fairyland Loop, and Rainbow Point.
7. Horseback Riding
That’s right! From spring through fall, you can explore Bryce Canyon via horseback for 1.5 or 3-hour rides. Privately owned horses are not allowed. Contact Bryce Canyon Lodge for inquiries and email brca_horserides@nps.gov for reservations.
Who else can say they’ve been horseback riding through a maze of hoodoos? Not many! Be sure to add this to your list of things to do in Bryce Canyon National Park!
8. Snowshoeing & Cross-Country Skiing
In winter, snowshoe around the Rim Trail, Bristlecone Loop, Fairyland Road, and Paria Road. If you don’t have your own snowshoes, join the free ranger-led snowshoe hike and the equipment will be provided for free!
Cross-country skiing is popular along certain trails during winter. Sections of the Rim Trail, the Bristlecone Loop Trail, and Paria Ski Loop are plowed. Those looking to shred it up on an unplowed trail can opt for Paria View or Fairyland Point roads. It is illegal to ski off of the rim into the canyon.
9. Stargazing
Bryce Canyon is as an official International Dark Sky Park which means it has very little (if any) light pollution disturbing the view of the expansive night sky. In addition, Bryce Canyon National Park hosts numerous astronomy programs and has telescopes available through its Astronomy Rangers program.
Bryce Canyon is one of the few places on earth that enjoys excellent air quality and limited light pollution. That makes for some of the best stargazing conditions in the world! If visiting between March and August, the Milky Way stretches from horizon to horizon with a vast array of pinkish silver haze. Throughout the year on clear moonless nights, you can see thousands of stars and planets illuminating in the sky. Stargazing is an absolute essential thing to do in Bryce Canyon National Park.
10. Check out the Visitors Center
In addition to stickers and merch (a necessary stop for any national park trip), the Bryce Canyon Visitors Center is home to a museum and theater. Explore exhibits about geological, ecological, and the human experience throughout different time periods. There is a film about the indigenous perspectives from the area in the Human Experience exhibit. Don’t forget the theater which displays an additional film “A Song of Seasons,” which explores the park in all four seasons!
Conclusion: Best Things to Do in Bryce Canyon National Park
To plan a trip to Bryce Canyon National Park is to embark on a journey of natural wonder! From the captivating formations of the hoodoos to the mesmerizing stargazing opportunities, this park has something for everyone.
Whether you’re an adventure-seeker, a photography enthusiast, or a nature lover, Bryce Canyon National Park is a must-see destination! It will leave you in awe of nature’s beauty and resilience. And, now that you know all the best things to do in Bryce Canyon National Park, you’re ready for an incredible adventure!
