Sunrise at Bryce Canyon is a truly magical experience. I’ve been to Bryce Canyon National Park many times, especially while traveling full-time in my camper van, and watching the Bryce Canyon sunrise is one of my favorite activities in the park.

Imagine standing amidst a natural amphitheater of towering hoodoos, their spires glowing in hues of orange, pink, and red as the first light of day breaks the horizon. This is the magic of sunrise at Bryce Canyon National Park.

In this guide:

• Best viewpoints for sunrise at Bryce Canyon National Park (+ sunset spots)
• Tips for catching a Bryce Canyon sunrise or sunset
• Calculator to find the times for sunrise and sunset at Bryce Canyon during your trip dates

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Read my complete Bryce Canyon National Park Itinerary and Travel Guide here.

Tips For Sunrise At Bryce Canyon

Here are a few quick recommendations to make the most of your sunrise at Bryce Canyon experience!

• Use the sunrise & sunset times in Bryce Canyon tool below to find exact times for your trip dates. Sunrise is between 6:00 am and 8:00 depending on the season.
• Arrive about an hour early. You’ll need time to find parking and a good spot to avoid crowds. The best part of sunrise are the early colors that occur about 20 minutes before the sun pops over the horizon.
• Dress in layers. Bryce Canyon is a high desert climate, so it’s much colder before the sun rises. A headlamp or flashlight is also handy to have.

7 Best Viewpoints To Watch Sunrise At Bryce Canyon

Honestly, you can’t go wrong with any of these viewpoints for sunrise at Bryce Canyon. They all face east so you’ll be able to catch the sun rising up over the hoodoos.

There are a few popular spots for sunrise, like sunrise point. However, this means they’re usually crowded, too (unless you come at a less popular time, like winter in Bryce Canyon).

Some less popular viewpoints, like Bryce Point, are where you can find a stellar sunrise without mobs of people. Or, if you’re up for an early morning, consider hiking down into the amphitheater before sunrise so you can watch it from between the hoodoos.

#1 Bryce Canyon Sunrise Point

Sunrise point is the most popular spot in the park for sunrise at Bryce Canyon National Park… probably because it’s named specifically for sunrise.

While it’s definitely an incredible view of sunrise, it also tends to be a bit more crowded. It’s fairly easy to find a quiet place to enjoy a peaceful sunrise though. Just walk along Rim Trail to find a quieter spot.

Sunrise Point in Bryce Canyon offers an unparalleled view of the park’s famous amphitheater, making it a prime spot for witnessing the day’s first light.

Located at an elevation of about 8,000 feet, Sunrise Point viewpoint provides a panoramic view of the hoodoos and spires that Bryce Canyon is renowned for.

As the sun begins to rise, it illuminates the amphitheater, revealing a stunning array of colors. The geological formations, known as hoodoos, are the main attraction here.

These spire-shaped rock formations are the result of erosion and are particularly striking at dawn when the angle of the light accentuates their shapes and textures.

Accessibility is a primary benefit of Sunrise Point. It’s easily reachable from the nearby parking area, making it an ideal spot for all ages and abilities. Strollers or wheelchairs can easily navigate this part of the trail.

The viewpoint is also the starting point of the Rim Trail, a relatively flat and easy hike in Bryce Canyon that offers extended views of the amphitheater.

#2 Sunset Point Bryce Canyon

While Sunrise Point offers a direct encounter with sunrise at Bryce Canyon, Sunset Point presents a contrasting, yet equally beautiful, sunrise experience in Bryce Canyon.

This viewpoint, known for its evening allure, reveals a different view of the park’s beauty at dawn. While Sunrise Point looks more towards the South, Sunset Point faces the East.

Perched at the edge of the Bryce Amphitheater, Sunset Point allows you to witness the sunrise from a unique vantage point. As the sun rises, it illuminates the amphitheater from a different angle compared to Sunrise Point, casting a warm glow that gradually reveals the intricate details of the hoodoos and spires.

One of the highlights here is the view of the Silent City, a dense collection of hoodoos below the point. The morning light accentuates the textures and layers of these formations, offering a visual feast that evolves as the sun rises higher.

#3 Inspiration Point

A little farther along the amphitheater is Inspiration Point. This location is less popular for sunrise at Bryce Canyon and has fewer crowds. It faces mostly East-Northeast. 

Inspiration Point, true to its name, offers a wider view of the park compared to Sunrise or Sunset Points.

Here, you’re treated to a sweeping view that encompasses the Silent City – a dense collection of hoodoos that appear to be frozen in time.

The higher elevation at Inspiration Point provides a unique view that allows you to see the intricate layers and colors of the rocks, offering a deeper appreciation of the geological history and beauty of Bryce Canyon.

#4 Bryce Point

Bryce Point is an exceptional spot for viewing sunrise at Bryce Canyon National Park. Standing at one of the highest elevations accessible to visitors, it offers a broad and elevated perspective of the park’s famous amphitheater.

This elevation provides a comprehensive view of the amphitheater, allowing you to see the full extent of the hoodoos and the surrounding landscape.

Changing light conditions during sunrise create a dynamic scene, with the colors of the rocks shifting from deep oranges to vibrant reds.

While Bryce Point is a popular spot, it’s typically less crowded than Sunrise or Sunset Points, especially in the early morning. This can offer a more relaxed and less hurried experience for you to enjoy sunrise at Bryce Canyon.

Bryce Point is easily accessible, with a parking area and viewing platform. I recommend you arrive early to find a good spot, as the best views are just as the sun begins to rise.

#5 Rim Trail

If you’re looking for a more active sunrise experience, consider hiking Rim Trail. The Rim Trail in Bryce Canyon offers a unique sunrise experience, blending accessibility with a dynamic view of the park’s famous amphitheater.

Stretching for about 11 miles along the rim of the amphitheater, this trail provides multiple vantage points for sunrise watchers.

Because the path runs along the rim of the amphitheater it’s a great mix of Bryce Canyon sunrise views along with an easy to navigate, mostly flat, hike.

While the full hike is 11 miles long, most visitors hike it in smaller sections. You can hike a shorter section of the trail, and then catch the Bryce Canyon shuttle back to your starting point.

For sunrise at Bryce Canyon, the best section of the Rim Trail is between Sunrise and Sunset Point.

#6 Southern Scenic Drive Viewpoints

The viewpoints for sunrise at Bryce Canyon mentioned so far on this list are along the amphitheater, but there are still some great views to see along the Southern Scenic Drive.

This drive follows the canyon away from Bryce Amphitheater and towards Rainbow Point – the highest point in the park.

There are many viewpoints along the Southern Scenic Drive, including Swamp Canyon, Piracy Point, Farview Point, Natural Bridge, Agua Canyon, Ponderosa Canyon, and Black Birch Canyon. In my opinion, the best viewpoints are Natural Bridge and Agua Canyon.

Parking at the viewpoints can be limited, but as long as you arrive before sunrise you shouldn’t have a problem finding a spot.

#7 Navajo Loop And Queens Garden Trail

While I highly recommend watching sunrise from the canyon rim, if you’re spending more than one day in Bryce Canyon I recommend catching a second sunrise below the rim.

Navajo Loop and Queens Garden Trail is one of my favorite trails and a great way to view sunrise at Bryce Canyon while hiking among the hoodoos.

Queens Garden Trail is the easiest trail from the canyon rim down into the belly of the canyon. It’s an out and back, but I recommend combining it with Navajo Loop Trail (this is what I did), so it forms a loop from the rim down into the canyon and back.

The ascent on the Navajo Loop side is steeper, so I have found it better to start from the Navajo Loop trailhead (and descend the switchbacks), then hike counterclockwise, ending with the gentler Queens Garden trail ascent.

3 Best Viewpoints For A Bryce Canyon Sunset

While a Bryce Canyon sunset is not as incredible as sunrise due to the geography of the park, it’s still a spectacular view.

The primary road in Bryce Canyon runs North to South, with the canyon (Bryce Amphitheater) running along the Eastern side of the road.

This means all of the overlooks and viewpoints along this road face East – that’s what makes them so fantastic for sunrise at Bryce Canyon. Unfortunately, very few face West, which means your view at sunset is a parking lot or roadway and a very unimpressive horizon for most locations within Bryce Canyon National Park.

All of that said, there are still a few good spots to catch the sunset in Bryce Canyon.

#1 Sunset Point Bryce Canyon

Sunset Point in Bryce Canyon is typically the first on everyone’s list of best places to catch the Bryce Canyon sunset, largely due to its name more than anything else.

I’m not trashing on Sunset Point, but this location is more about the orange sunset glow than actually watching the sun dip below the horizon.

The viewpoint here faces mostly South, so you won’t see the sun dip below the hoodoos in the canyon. However, the glow of the sun as it sets casts a magical glowy orange light across the canyon which is worth seeing.

#2 Paria View

Paria View is situated similarly to Sunset Point – it faces South/Southeast. Like Sunset Point, you won’t catch the sun dipping below a horizon of hoodoos, but you will see the orange haze cast across the hoodoos as the sunset colors bounce around the amphitheater.

Unlike Sunset Point, Paria View will be far less crowded which, in my opinion, makes your Bryce Canyon sunset experience far more enjoyable.

#3 Yovimpa Point

Yovimpa Point is one of the southern most viewpoints in Bryce Canyon National Park. While it faces mostly South, the canyon opens up to the West of it slightly so you’ll have a better view of the Bryce Canyon sunset.

Yovimpa Point is along the Southern Scenic Drive, which is past where the park shuttle runs, so you can only reach this area for sunset if you’re driving your own vehicle – making it a bit less crowded than anything along the Bryce Canyon Amphitheater. 

Why Sunrise At Bryce Canyon Is So Special

Living on the road full-time means I’ve witnessed sunrise in many places, but there’s something truly magical about the sunrise at Bryce Canyon.

It’s not just the unobstructed view of the horizon or the crisp, clean air at this elevation. It’s the way the first rays of the sun interact with the unique geology of Bryce Canyon that makes these sunrises extraordinary.

As the sun peeks over the horizon, it illuminates the amphitheater of hoodoos – those tall, thin spires of rock that Bryce is famous for.

The light plays off each hoodoo, casting intricate shadows and bathing the rock formations in a warm, golden glow.

The colors are phenomenal – it’s like watching the canyon come alive with hues of pink, orange, and red, changing every minute as the sun rises higher.

Additional Bryce Canyon Planning Guides

Keep planning your trip to Bryce Canyon National Park with these additional guides:

• Bryce Canyon National Park Itinerary And Travel Guide
• One Day In Bryce Canyon National Park Itinerary
• Zion To Bryce Canyon National Park Road Trip (+ Map)
• Best Time to Visit Zion And Bryce Canyon National Park

FAQs – Sunrise At Bryce Canyon

How Is The Sunrise At Bryce Canyon Different Than A Bryce Canyon Sunset?

Bryce Canyon is a long and thin National Park. The primary road runs on the west side of the amphitheater. This means the beautiful hoodoos you’re familiar with are to the east of the road.

For this reason, watching sunrise at Bryce Canyon means you’re watching the sun rise up over the amphitheater and the hoodoos.

During sunset at Bryce Canyon, your back is to the beautiful hoodoos. And while a Bryce Canyon sunset is still beautiful, it’s simply just not the same as sunrise.

Is Sunrise At Bryce Canyon Worth It?

Yes – sunrise in Bryce Canyon is definitely worth it. It’s an incredible sunrise to watch over the hoodoos in Bryce Amphitheater and there’s really nothing else like it.

Where Is The Best Sunrise At Bryce Canyon?

The best sunrise at Bryce Canyon is Sunrise Point. It’s easily accessible, has plenty of parking, and if you’re looking to get away from the crowds you can walk along the Rim Trail a bit to get to a quieter spot.

Where Is The Best Place To See The Sunset At Bryce Canyon?

The best place to see a Bryce Canyon sunset is Yovimpa Point. This viewpoint is less crowded than Sunset Point Bryce Canyon but still has a great view of the glowing canyon at sunset.

How Early Should You Get To Bryce Canyon?

The National Park is open 24-hours a day, so you can arrive as early as you’d like. If you’re planning to watch the sunrise at Bryce Canyon, I recommend getting to the park at least 30 minutes before sunrise (but preferably 45+, especially if you’re driving further south from the entrance gate). This will give you time to get parked, walk to the viewpoint, and find a good location to view the sunrise from.

Note: The free Bryce Canyon Shuttle does not begin running until 8 a.m, and only runs during the summer.