Bryce Canyon National Park
Bryce Canyon Highlights
📅 Best Time To Visit: April, May or October
⏱ How Many Days: See highlights in 1 day, explore more thoroughly with 2-3 days
✈️ How To Get There: Fly into Salt Lake City or Las Vegas and rent a car or book a camper van
🏜️ Bryce Canyon Must-See: Sunrise Point, Navajo Loop & Queens Garden Trail, Southern Scenic Drive
💵 Entrance Fee: $35 (good for 7 days) or free with an Annual Park Pass
🛌 Where To Stay: The Lodge At Bryce Canyon or Ruby’s Inn
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Best Things To Do In Bryce Canyon
🥾 Best Hikes
Mossy Cave Trail – Easy, 0.9 miles
Sunset Point to Sunrise Point Trail – Easy, 1.1 miles
Navajo Loop & Queens Garden Trail – Moderate, 3.0 miles
→ RELATED POST: Best Hikes In Bryce Canyon
🚗 Scenic Drives
Southern Scenic Drive – 15 miles, no vehicle restrictions
TIP: Download this self-guided driving tour so you don’t miss the best sights!
🎟️ Best Tours & Excursions
There are some great ways to see Bryce Canyon! My favorite is on horseback.
→ book horse tour here!
If you’re looking for something a bit more comfortable, a guided bus tour may fit your travel style better.
→ book bus tour here!
Day trips from Las Vegas are also an option. Skip the rental car and join a chartered bus tour.
→ book a day trip from Vegas here!
How To Get Around
While Bryce Canyon offers a shuttle, you’ll still want your own vehicle to explore the park fully.
The Bryce Canyon Shuttle is a great way to explore the first half of the park, along the amphitheater. This is also the busiest part of the park, so parking can be a challenge.
TIP: The shuttle operates on a one-way loop, so plan your stops strategically!
In order to see the scenic drive and Rainbow Point you’ll need your own vehicle. The shuttle does not operate in this section of the park, but it’s definitely worth seeing!
TIP: I recommend booking your rental car with Discover Cars. As one of the largest rental car companies, they negotiate the best rates to save you money. They also let you cancel for free up to 48 hours before your pickup, so you can grab a good rate now without stressing if your plans change.
Bryce Canyon Itineraries
Best Time To Visit Bryce Canyon
Weather in Bryce Canyon is lovely almost year-round, making any month a great option to visit.
However, I think the absolute best months to visit are April, May and October. You’ll get the best weather without many crowds.
As one of the smaller National Parks, it’s also one of the lesser visited so crowds tend to be manageable for most of the year.
TIP: Daily temperature variations can be extreme, sometimes ranging 30-40°F between day and night. Always bring layers when visiting Bryce Canyon!
🌸 Spring & Fall
Spring and fall offer moderate temperatures but can be unpredictable. Nights remain cold even when days are pleasant.
These seasons provide excellent hiking weather with fewer crowds.
☀️ Summer Peak
July is the warmest month, but temperatures are rarely uncomfortably hot due to the high elevation. Nights can still be cool.
Summer is also the busiest season in Bryce Canyon.
❄️ Winter Conditions
Expect plenty of snow during winter in Bryce Canyon. The park sees around 100 inches per year!
Temperatures can drop well below freezing and snow lingers at higher elevations for months.
Reservations & Important Dates
Bryce Canyon does not have timed-entry vehicle reservations. However, you will need to make advanced plans if you want to stay at Bryce Canyon Lodge or either of the campgrounds in the park.
Bryce Canyon Lodge
Open: March – November
Reservations Release: One year + one day prior
(ex. June 12, 2027 reservations are available on June 11, 2026)
North Campground
Open: Year-round
Reservations Release: 6 months prior
(ex. March 25 reservations are available on September 25)
Sunset Campground
Open: May – October
Reservations Release: 14 days prior
Additionally, permits for backpacking are required. Permits are released 3 months in advance and can be reserved online. However, for trips in December, January or February you can only obtain a permit in-person at the Visitors Center up to 48 hours in advance.
And don’t forget! All National Parks have 6 fee free days each year. This is intended to help make our public lands more accessible and inclusive (a great cause!), but may also mean busier parks.
For most visitors, I recommend you avoid planning a trip during one of these days (with one exception). You can read complete details and find dates here: National Parks Free Entrance Days
