All About Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah
Visit Bryce Canyon National Park in Southwestern Utah to view the world’s largest concentration of rock spires called “hoodoos”.
If you only have a few hours in Bryce Canyon, make sure to stop by the Bryce Amphitheater. This can be seen from Bryce Point, Inspiration Point, Sunset Point, and Sunrise Point.
Once the sun sets, Bryce Canyon is a great place for stargazing. Take in the fantastic dark skies of Bryce Canyon country. The park gained International Dark Sky status in 2019.
What to do at Bryce Canyon National Park
The Best Trails and Hikes at Bryce Canyon
Sunset Point to Sunrise Point
- Mossy Cave Trail
- Sunset Point to Sunrise Point Hike
- Queen’s Garden Trail
- Navajo Loop Trail
- Bristlecone Loop Trail
- Peekaboo Loop
- Tower Bridge
- Fairyland Loop
Things to do at Bryce Canyon National Park
- Some of the darkest skies in the area can be viewed in the park. Go stargazing after dark.
- Hike through the amphitheater for the best views of the hoodoos or the other hiking areas for different but amazing views.
- Take one of the Ranger guided tour hikes through the park.
- Bike your way through Bryce Canyon National Park
- Go on a horseback riding adventure.
- Attend a Sunday morning interdenominational religious service.
- Complete the Junior Ranger book.
What to see at Bryce Canyon National Park
Points of Interest
Bryce Canyon Visitor Centers
Park Visitor Center
The only visitor center in Bryce Canyon National Park is located just past the entrance gates. Stop here to talk to a park ranger about your plans for the day, pick up a Junior Ranger booklet for any kids in your group, and get your Passport Book stamp. You can also get a schedule of ranger-led programs, visit the park exhibit, and watch the award-winning park movie.
There are flushing toilets at the visitor center and a water bottle-filling station. You can hop on the shuttle from here to start your adventure through Bryce Canyon National Park.
Passport Book Stamp Location
General Store
In addition to the park’s visitor center, there’s also a general store near Sunrise Point along Lodge Loop Road. It has grab-and-go foods available for purchase along with drinks, camping supplies, and firewood. You can also buy park souvenirs here and use the restrooms and showers. The general store is usually closed from January through March.
National Park Passport Book Stamp Locations
- Bryce Canyon Visitor Center
Bryce Canyon National Park Basics
Off of UT-63
Bryce Canyon City, Utah 84764
$35 per vehicle
Valid for 7 days
Mountain Time Zone
1928
Location, Phone Number, and Address
Bryce Canyon National Park is in southern Utah on the eastern edge of the Paunsaugunt Plateau which is in the High Plateau Region in the Colorado Plateau geographic province in the United States.
While the park itself doesn’t have an exact address, you can find the park off of UT-63 in Bryce Canyon City, Utah 84764.
From the North: Travel on I15 South to UT-20 at exit 95. Then go east on UT-20 to US89 south to UT-12. Follow UT-12 to UT-63 south to the National Park.
From the South through Zion National Park: Travel on I-15 north to exit 16 for UT-9 and follow that through Zion to US89. Go north on US89 to UT-12 and take that east to UT-63 south into the park.
Bryce Canyon can be reached by phone at 435-834-5322.
What are the Entrance Fees for Bryce Canyon?
When visiting Bryce Canyon, there are a few options for entrance fees. The standard pass is good for 7 days from the date of purchase.
Private Vehicle: $35 per vehicle
Motorcycle: $30 per vehicle
Pedestrian: $20 per person entering on foot or on bicycle
You can also purchase an annual pass for Bryce Canyon for $70 which is good for one year to date from the date of purchase. Otherwise, if you will be visiting more than one park, the America the Beautiful Pass is available for $80.
Bryce Canyon does not have a timed entry or additional pass needed to enter the park.
Current as of July 2024
What Time Zone is Bryce Canyon National Park in?
The entirety of Bryce Canyon National Park is in the Mountain Time Zone.
When is the Best Time to Visit?
There are two ideal times during the year to visit Bryce Canyon National Park.
Early Spring, from about March through May, or early in the Fall during September and October, are the best times to visit based on multiple factors.
In the summer months, the temperatures often stay pleasant at this higher elevation, but it is very dry. Make sure you have enough water for the trails if you go hiking.
The winter months bring a very different experience to the park. If you’re visiting when there’s snow on the ground, you have options such as snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and winter hiking.
When did Bryce Canyon become a National Park?
Bryce Canyon became a National Monument in 1923 by President Warren G. Harding. Just a few years later Bryce Canyon was redesignated as a National Park on February 25, 1928.
How Big is Bryce Canyon National Park?
The total area of land under the National Park Service for Bryce Canyon is 35,835 acres which is about 56 square miles.
Park Website
Always check the official park site for the most up-to-date information, hours, prices, and conditions.
Travel Tips for Bryce Canyon National Park
Driving Through Bryce Canyon National Park
While you can drive through Bryce Canyon, visitors are encouraged to use the free Bryce Canyon Shuttle. It will take you to many of the park’s viewpoints, trails, and facilities. If you go during peak season, the parking lots will fill up quickly, making the shuttle a great option to maximize your time.
Where are the National Park Entrances?
Bryce Canyon National Park only has one entrance into the park on UT-63 South. The visitor center is one mile inside the park boundary.
What is the Nearest City to Bryce Canyon?
Just outside the entrance to the park is Bryce Canyon City. There are a few amenities in the town including lodging and food.
What is the Nearest Airport to Bryce Canyon?
The closest airports to Bryce Canyon are Las Vegas (LAS) in Nevada and Salt Lake City (SLC) in Utah. Both of these are about 270 miles from the park entrance.
Itineraries including Bryce Canyon National Park
Lodging Near Bryce Canyon National Park
Where to Stay
Inside the park, you can stay at the Bryce Canyon Lodge. The historic structure and it’s surrounding buildings have lodge suites, motel rooms, and cabins available by reservation. The lodge also has a dining room available for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Outside the park, the closest place to stay is Ruby’s Inn in Bryce Canyon City. For those planning to go to multiple parks and hit Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef, we stayed at Boulder Mountain Guest Ranch which was in between both of the parks.
Campgrounds in the Area
There are two campgrounds within the park: North Campground is open year-round and Sunset Campground is closed in the winter. Depending on the time of the year, some of the sites are first-come-first-served. Both campsites charge $30 per night whether you are in an RV or in a tent.
There is a group site that can be reserved in the Sunset Campground.
Two trails in the park offer backcountry camping. You have to have backcountry permits, which are available at the visitor center. There are a total of 10 sites available and both are considered strenuous hikes with major changes in elevation.
What are the Closest National Parks to Bryce Canyon National Park?
Facts about Bryce Canyon National Park
The Plants and Animals of Big Bend
Bryce Canyon National Park is home to over 400 species of native plants. At the lowest elevations, you’ll see pinyon pines, juniper, antelope bitterbrush, aspen trees, cottonwood trees, and willow trees. The middle elevations are dominated by ponderosa pine forests including blue spruce and Douglas fur. Higher elevations boast limber and pine trees including the Great Basin bristlecone pine.
Bryce Canyon’s forests and meadows support a diverse animal life including badgers, elk, skunks, foxes, black bears, bobcats, mule deer, elk, pronghorns, and woodpeckers. Some of the common birds in the park are swifts, swallows, jays, ravens, eagles, and owls.
What is the Highest Point? What is the Lowest Point?
Rainbow Point is the highest place within Bryce Canyon National Park. It sits at 9.115 feet above sea level.
Thanks to the park’s high elevations, the lowest point in the park is still at a staggering 6,620 feet above sea level. This is at Yellow Creek.
The Visitor Center is 7,894 feet above sea level and the infamous Sunset Point is at 8,000 feet.
Bryce Canyon Fun Facts
- Bryce Canyon has the largest concentration of hoodoos anywhere on Earth.
- The canyon is named for Ebenezer Bryce, a Mormon who homesteaded .
- Bryce Canyon National Park is at the top of the Grand Staircase and is part of the youngest layer of steps.
- "Hoodoos" are irregular columns of rock formations made when the sedimentary rocks have water freeze in the small cracks and break away pieces.