Bryce Canyon Shuttle 2024: Everything You Should Know
I love visiting Bryce Canyon, but I live in my camper van which is extremely large and can be difficult to drive around National Parks. The Bryce Canyon shuttle makes getting around the Amphitheater area of the park much more enjoyable.
You’re planning a trip to Bryce Canyon National Park! Hooray! But you’re not sure if you should take the Bryce Canyon shuttle or drive?
I’ve been to Bryce Canyon National Park multiple times. In this guide I’ll cover how the shuttle works, where it runs, where it doesn’t run, and when you should consider the shuttle over driving.
Best Time To Visit: The best time to visit Bryce Canyon is April-May or September-October when the weather is still warm during the day and the crowds are smaller. It’s also possible to visit during the summer, but expect more crowds and warm afternoons.
Where To Stay: There are several options for lodging inside of the park, including two campgrounds and Bryce Canyon Lodge. There’s also several options for places to stay in Bryce Canyon National Park just beyond the park’s entrance, including hotels and vacation rentals.
How To Get There: The closest airports to Bryce Canyon are either Salt Lake City (SLC) or Las Vegas (LAS), both are just 4 hours from the park. I find Las Vegas typically has cheaper airfare and car rentals than Salt Lake City.
How To Get Around: You can drive your own vehicle in the park or utilize the free shuttle service. The shuttle can be picked up inside the park entrance at the visitor center or, if parking is limited, there are also pickup locations outside of the park in town. The shuttle operates April-October.
Reservation System: Bryce Canyon has no reservation system for park entry. Reservations for camping and backpacking are required.
Safety: Bryce Canyon sits at 9,000 feet of elevation so it’s not uncommon for hikers to feel tired and become dehydrated more easily. Make sure to pack lots of water – the park recommends at least 1 liter of water every two hours.
The elevation also means temperatures can fluctuate quickly, as much as a 40℉ difference in a few hours. Always wear layers, even in the summer months.
Additionally, Bryce Canyon is home to Mountain lion and Great Basin rattlesnake, so be sure to stay alert while hiking.
Be cautious of lightning. Summer storms are common in the afternoons. If you hear any thunder make sure you are away from the plateau rim (the most dangerous spot during a storm).
Entrance Fees: The Bryce Canyon entrance fee is $20 per person, or $35 per vehicle. An Annual Entrance pass is available for $70, or you can purchase an annual American The Beautiful National Park Pass for $80 which will get you into all National Parks.
P.S There are 6 free National Park Days in 2024!
Headed to Bryce Canyon National Park? Check out my articles on the best Bryce Canyon Hikes, a one day in Bryce Canyon itinerary or how to get from Capitol Reef to Bryce Canyon.
Bryce Canyon Shuttle Map
Bryce Canyon National Park is one of the smallest parks and has only one main road. The park is divided into two sections – the Amphitheater and the Scenic Drive. For the most part, everything in the park runs along the eastern side of the road.
The Bryce Canyon shuttle runs throughout the Amphitheater area, but it does not travel past Bryce Point. This means that the Southern Scenic Drive portion of Bryce Canyon is only accessible if you drive your own vehicle – there is no shuttle service here.
How Do You Get Around Bryce Canyon? Shuttle or Drive?
There are several ways to get around Bryce Canyon. In general, Bryce Canyon is an easy park to get around. It sees fewer crowds due to its smaller size, and it has ample parking at many of the trailheads to ease parking congestion.
Of course, you can always drive your own vehicle. Unlike other parks (like Glacier National Park reservations), Bryce Canyon does not have a timed-entry vehicle reservation system. You may enter the park at any time, assuming you’ve paid the park entrance fee.
Portions of Bryce Canyon are also extremely walkable. As a smaller park, most of the primary viewpoints are along the amphitheater rim which makes them all within walking distance to each other. Biking is also a popular way to get around Bryce Canyon.
And of course, the Bryce Canyon shuttle is how many people choose to get around Bryce Canyon.
Bryce Canyon Shuttle 2024
The Bryce Canyon shuttle is a free shuttle that does not require an advanced reservation. The shuttle provides hop-on, hop-off service to 15 different stops.
Generally, the Bryce Canyon shuttle operates from early April through late October. It operates from 8am to 6pm, and during the peak summer months it runs as late as 8pm.
You can expect the shuttle to come every 10-15 minutes, and you’re even able to track where the Bryce Canyon shuttles are. Overall, this is a very efficient system.
The only downside to the Bryce Canyon shuttle system is that it does not connect to the southernmost area of the park along the Southern Scenic Drive. Fortunately, you can drive this on your own, if you choose. While the Southern Scenic Drive is incredible, it’s not the primary focus of the park and does not beat Bryce Amphitheater in terms of beauty.
A few important notes about the Bryce Canyon shuttle 2024:
- Bryce Canyon shuttles are wheelchair accessible
- There are bike racks on the front of each shuttle that can hold up to 2 bicycles
- Pets are not allowed on Bryce Canyon shuttles
Bryce Canyon Shuttle Map
The Bryce Canyon shuttle makes 15 stops in total. A list of stops is included below.
Bryce Canyon Shuttle Stops – 2024
- Shuttle Station
- Old Bryce Town
- Best Western+ Grand
- Best Western+ Ruby’s Inn
- Ruby’s Campground
- Visitor Center
- Sunset Campground
- Bryce Point
- Inspiration Point
- Sunset Campground
- Sunset Point
- Bryce Lodge
- Sunrise Point
- Visitors Center
- Ruby’s Campground
Note: Shuttle stops 1-5 and 15 are located outside of Bryce Canyon National Park.
One of the unique differences about the Bryce Canyon shuttle system compared to other National Parks is that it has pick-up and drop-off locations outside of the park. This means you don’t have to wait in the long entrance lines at the gate (you do still have to pay the entrance fee, though) and you have access to larger overflow parking lots beyond the park boundaries that are still connected to the free park shuttle system.
Bryce Canyon Shuttle Stop Schedule – 2024
The Bryce Canyon shuttle stops start at Shuttle Station, which is located outside of Bryce Canyon National Park in Bryce Canyon City. You must show proof of park admission (either a paid ticket or an America The Beautiful pass for your party) when boarding.
The shuttle stops at 15 different stops and takes 50-minutes to complete its loop.
It’s recommended that you board the shuttle at either Shuttle Station (Stop #1) or at the Visitors Center (Stop #6). You can park your own vehicle at either stop, but keep in mind that the shuttle parking at the Visitors Center is across the street and you cannot park at the Visitors Center. Parking at the Visitors Center is limited to 1-hour which makes it a poor option for anyone riding the shuttle.
The Bryce Canyon shuttle runs April – October from 8am until 6pm (or 8pm during the summer). There is no shuttle during winter in Bryce Canyon.
If you plan to watch the sunrise at Bryce Canyon you’ll have to drive in with your own vehicle because the shuttle won’t be running that early.
If you plan to hike in Bryce Canyon I recommend using the park shuttle so you’re not occupying one of the parking spaces for hours while you’re on the trail.
Bryce Canyon Shuttle 2024 FAQs
Can You Drive Your Own Car Through Bryce Canyon National Park?
Yes, you can drive your own car through Bryce Canyon National Park. There are no restrictions as to where or when you can enter with your own vehicle. Parking within Bryce Canyon is first-come, first-serve and some areas fill by 8am.
Is There A Shuttle From Bryce Point To Rainbow Point?
No, there is no Bryce Canyon shuttle from Bryce Point to Rainbow Point. The last stop serviced by the shuttles is Bryce Point. Rainbow Point is past Bryce Point along the Southern Scenic Drive, which is beyond the shuttle route. However, you can drive this portion of the park in your own vehicle.
How Long Does it Take to Drive the Bryce Canyon Scenic Drive?
It takes 45-minutes to drive from the Visitors Center to Yovimpa Point at the end of Bryce Canyon Scenic Drive and I recommend you plan for 2-3 hours total on the road.
I have found it’s best to drive all the way to the end, and then use the pull-offs on your way back to see the viewpoints along the route. The viewpoints are all located on the East side of the road, which means you’ll be aligned to easily pull into them on your return route instead of having to cross oncoming traffic each time.
Where Do I Park to Get on the Shuttle?
You can park anywhere in the park to take the shuttle, but the best place to park is either the Shuttle Station (Stop #1 located outside of Bryce Canyon National Park) or at the Visitors Center (Stop #2). It’s important to note that the Visitors Center parking for shuttle riders is across the street from the Visitors Center itself. Parking adjacent to the Visitors Center is limited to 1-hour only and is not for shuttle riders.
If you park at Shuttle Station you’ll have to show a printed or digital copy of your pre-purchased admission pass (or your America The Beautiful National Parks Pass). If you park at the Visitors Center you may experience long lines at the park entrance.
Final Thoughts – Bryce Canyon Shuttle Or Drive?
The shuttle system at Bryce Canyon is one of the easiest in all the National Parks I’ve visited. It’s easy to ride, the tracking is helpful but even without it you won’t wait more than 15 minutes for the next shuttle, and there are no transfers required.
The largest drawback to the Bryce Canyon shuttle is that it does not go past Bryce Point, so if you have plans to see the Southern Scenic Drive you’ll have to take your own vehicle.
When to use the Bryce Canyon shuttle:
- You’re planning longer day hikes
- You’re visiting the park during the busy season and don’t want to waste time looking for parking
When to drive your own vehicle:
- You plan to arrive early, before 8am
- You want to drive the Southern Scenic Drive and see points past Bryce Point (Yovimpa and Rainbow Point)
- You’re visiting Bryce Canyon after October and before April
