Bryce Canyon contains the largest concentration of hoodoos in the world!
Certified as a Dark Sky Park, Bryce Canyon is a hotspot for stargazers, astrologists, and professional photographers. During the day, the amphitheater situated atop Grand Staircase attracts tourists and adventurers to walk amongst the irregular orange, pink and red pillars, cliffs, rocks, and natural bridges. Day or night, this park has something to boast.
In this Complete Guide to Bryce Canyon National Park, I’ll share the top hikes, the best things to do, when to go, where to stay, and more!
Complete Guide to Bryce Canyon National Park
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Quick Facts About Bryce Canyon
- Location: Utah, USA
- Established: 1923 (National Monument), 1928 (National Park)
- Size: 35,835 acres
- Annual Visitors: 2,354,660 (2022)
- Fee: $35/vehicle for 7 days or free with an annual pass
- Visitor Center: Bryce Canyon
Fun Facts About Bryce Canyon
The lowest point in the park is 6,620 feet at Yellow Creek, and the highest elevation is Rainbow Point at 9,115 feet.
The park actually transitioned to NPS management in 1924; it was named Utah National Park. In 1928, the park was renamed Bryce Canyon National Park, and more land was sold to the government.
Bryce Canyon contains the oldest tree in the world, the Bristlecone Pine.
The unique maze of hoodoos formed due to erosion by years of rainwater and snowmelt.
Bryce Canyon is the smallest National Park in Utah; it is the 12th smallest in the USA.
Hoodoos continue to change shape due to erosion and precipitation.
Top Hikes in Bryce Canyon
Figure 8 Loop – Queen’s Garden, Navajo & Peek-a-Boo
- Distance: 6.3 miles
- Type of Trail: Loop
- Elevation Gain: 1,499 feet
- Difficulty: Moderate
If you only have time for one hike in Bryce Canyon, this is the one I’d suggest.
The Figure 8 Loop combines Queens Garden, Peek-a-Boo, and Navajo Loop trails, and is 6.3 miles when looped. You will descend into the amphitheater at either Sunset Point or Sunrise Point through a maze of ice cream-colored hoodoos.
Throughout the hike, you will pass through natural tunnels carved into the rock, glimpse a labyrinth of unique formations such as the Cathedral and Wall of Windows, and descend (or ascend) the famous Wall Street switchbacks.
Remember, when you descend into the canyon, you must make the trek back up. Take plenty of breaks and drink ample amounts of water as this trail is mostly in full sun. If you can handle the heat and the physical feat, just know that is so worth it!
To read a full hiking guide on the Figure 8 Loop, click here!
Rim Trail
- Distance: 11 miles
- Type of Trail: Out & back
- Elevation Gain: 1,587 feet
- Difficulty: Moderate
This fairly easy hike offers stunning views of the canyon as you walk along the rim. The 5.5-mile trail extends from Bryce Point to Fairyland Point.
With plenty of observation points along the route, such as Sunrise, Sunset, and Inspiration Points, there isn’t one section of this trail that is devoid of incredible views. Each point offers a different angle of the amphitheater, drawing crowds specifically for sunrise and sunset.
Though this is considered a moderate trail, there is some elevation change, so it’s not handicapped-accessible.
Watch out for children near the ledges; this is a wild space, and there are no guardrails. One misstep will send you descending 800 feet into the canyon.
Bristlecone Pine Loop
- Distance: 0.6 miles
- Type of Trail: Loop
- Elevation Gain: 26 feet
- Difficulty: Easy
Wander through the world’s oldest trees on this extremely easy trail.
The loop is accessible from Rainbow Point, the highest elevation point in the entire park.
Where to Stay in Bryce Canyon
Lodging (In Park)
Lodge at Bryce Canyon. This is the only lodging inside the park. Book your stay in advance!
Lodging (Outside of Park)
Camping
North Campground. First come, first served. Located in close proximity to the lodge, amphitheater, and visitor center.
Sunset Campground. Accepts reservations on a 6-month rolling basis during peak season. Also in close proximity to the lodge, amphitheater, and visitor center.
Backpacking
Backpacking is permitted in designated campsites as long as you have a permit.
There are 7 campsites on the 22.9-mile Under-the-Rim Trail (UTTR). The UTTR connects Rainbow Point in the south with Bryce Point in the north, following the forested base of the plateau’s eastern edge.
There are 3 campsites on the 8.8-mile Riggs Spring Loop Trail. The Riggs Spring Loop Trail starts and ends at Yovimpa Point, at the southern end of the park.
Visit the park’s website to find out more information on backpacking in Bryce Canyon.
Getting Around Bryce Canyon
To avoid congestion in the park, it is highly recommended that you use the shuttle system. The shuttle station is located just outside the park and is free with park admission.
The shuttle makes 15 stops in 15-minute intervals, giving you access to all of the major viewpoints and hiking areas in Bryce Canyon.
If you’d like to venture beyond the shuttle stop limit, you can take a personal vehicle through the scenic drive all the way to Rainbow Point, the highest elevation point in the park.
For more information on the shuttle system, click here.
Bryce Canyon Shuttle Stops: Updated in 2023
- Shuttle Station
- Old Bryce Town
- Best Western + Grand
- Best Western + Ruby’s Inn
- Ruby’s
- Visitor Center
- Sunset Campground
- Bryce Point
- Inspiration Point
- Sunset Campground
- Sunset Point
- Bryce Lodge
- Sunrise Point
- Visitor Center
- Ruby’s
When to Visit
The best months to visit are May through September.
The park is open year-round, but services are limited in the winter. Snowfall usually hits the canyon around the first week of October, forcing the scenic drive and even some hiking trails to close for the season.
For current park conditions, click here.
Best Non-Hiking Activities
Hiking is my personal favorite means of exploring a National Park, but not everyone has the same preference. If you’d like to see the park but not spend all day wandering through the hoodoos in boots, there are plenty of other activities to do.
Drive to Rainbow Point
The shuttle does not venture to Rainbow Point anymore, so you will need to bike or drive a personal vehicle to the furthest end of the park.
Rainbow Point is the highest point in the park; you will be greeted by remarkable viewpoints and glimpse the oldest trees in the world on a short nature loop through the Bristlecone Pines.
Along the way to Rainbow Point, you can choose to stop at the 13 viewpoints on the scenic drive. Don’t miss Natural Bridge and Agua Canyon!
Embark on a Horseback Tour Inside the Canyon
To gain a new perspective of Bryce Canyon in a more leisurely, relaxing way, consider booking a guided horseback tour.
The NPS created 4.5 miles of horse trails that you can utilize on either a two or three-hour tour with experienced wranglers.
Fly Over Bryce Canyon and the Surrounding Areas in a Helicopter
To get an insane vantage point over Bryce Canyon and the surrounding public lands, book a helicopter tour!
There are many different companies, budgets, and locations to choose from, so head on over to this site to read more about your options.
What to Explore Around Bryce Canyon
If you’re visiting Bryce Canyon, I’d highly recommend stopping by the other four National Parks in southern Utah: Zion, Capitol Reef, Arches, and Canyonlands. Aside from these Mighty Five parks, here are some other beautiful places to visit around Bryce Canyon:
- Grand Staircase Escalante
- Kodachrome Basin State Park
- Dixie National Forest
- Lake Powell
- Antelope Canyon
- Horseshoe Bend
- Grand Canyon National Park (North Rim)
- Vermillion Cliffs National Monument
- Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
