Do you want to visit Bryce Canyon National Park but aren’t sure where to begin? Bryce Canyon National Park is the second most visited of the “Mighty 5” Utah national parks, with about 2.5 million people per year. Bryce Canyon is well-known for its unusual geology and spectacular sunrises. There are plenty of hikes and scenic drives, so there’s never a dull moment. Guide to Bryce Canyon National Park, we’ll tell you when to go, how to get around the Park, where to stay, and what to see and do. So let’s get started on organizing your visit to Bryce Canyon National Park!
At a glance:
- Date of Establishment: February 25, 1928
- Annual visitors: 2.6 million visitors every year
- Size of the land: 35,827 acres of land
- best time to visit: Spring and fall
- Entrance Fees: Utah’s entrance fees are $35 per car and person
- What It’s Known For: “Hoodoos,” or pillar-like rock formations
Where is Bryce Canyon National Park?
Bryce Canyon National Park is located in Utah, in the United States of America’s Southwest. Utah is blessed with a variety of excellent outdoor destinations. The state contains something for everyone who appreciates exploring wild areas, from towering snowcapped peaks to arid deserts to small, twisting stone canyons. There are no significant cities nearby, but there are several small towns. Tropic is the nearest, at 14 miles from the Park’s entrance.
Panguitch, Hatch, Panguitch Lake, and Escalante are among the communities within a fifty-mile radius. Cedar City, the largest city, is 81 miles away, or roughly an hour and a half of driving. Bryce Canyon National Park is one of the best of these locations, with some of the most spectacular and memorable landscapes anywhere in the American West.
Why Should You Go?
Bryce Canyon National Park is recognized for its hoodoos or distinctive rock formations. Erosion has shaped these gravity-defying rocks for millions of years. Water expands when it freezes, chipping away at plateaus and eventually generating hoodoos. Hoodoos can be found in the Southwest of the United States and other arid regions worldwide, such as Cappadocia, Turkey. So, that’s the end of the geology lesson.
So, why should you be concerned about hoodoos? Bryce Canyon National Park, on the other hand, has the world’s highest concentration. Every year, millions of travelers flock to witness the hoodoos shine in the early dawn light.
Bryce Canyon National Park has more hoodoos than anywhere else on the planet. However, once offers around 150 miles of visibility on a clear day because it elevates 9,115 feet. In addition, because it receives relatively little light pollution, the Park provides the perfect situation for stargazing. As a result, Bryce Canyon was named an International Dark Sky Park by the International Dark-Sky Association in 2019.
What is the best month to visit Bryce Canyon National Park?
July is the best month to visit Bryce Canyon National Park because it is the hottest month of the year. In most other National Parks in Utah, the summer months are best avoided because they are pretty hot. However, because Bryce is higher in elevation than the others, it is generally more relaxed, particularly at night.
Visiting Bryce from May to September allows you to take advantage of the area’s most famous treks and sports. The Park should be mostly snow-free during these months, and there should be little rain.
There are fewer people, cooler weather, and beautiful autumn foliage and wildflowers. The Park is changed by snow in the winter, and visitors can enjoy cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. But keep in mind that, due to its high elevation, Bryce Canyon’s weather in the fall, winter, and spring can be highly unpredictable. It’s a great way to check the National Weather Service website for current weather conditions.
How many days do you need in Bryce Canyon National Park?
If you’re wondering how many days to spend at Bryce Canyon National Park, we will help you figure out how much time you should budget for this national Park, considering the activities you want to do while you’re there.
What is the best number of days to spend at Bryce Canyon? Although this Park is tiny and can be seen in a single day, staying for two days will allow you to see all of the top overlooks and walk one of the Park’s longer routes. Spend at least two days here if you want to go hiking.
Throughout Bryce Canyon, there are a variety of activities to participate in. You can take various types of trips based on how much time you have. There are two types of trips you can plan with your vacation time.
Long trip – Seven days
Spending seven days in the National Park and its surroundings allows you to experience more than just the hoodoos. Spend a couple of days in Bryce Canyon and then visit Dixie National Forest to break up your journey.
Short trip – Two days
A drive around the Park and short pauses at the viewpoints will reveal most of Bryce’s iconic features. On the other hand, taking two days offers you to get up and personal with the Park. Take the first day to climb around the Rim Trail and take in as many spectacular views as possible. When you want to do some more hiking on the second day, proceed to the Peek-a-boo loop to get closer to the hoodoos. Take a guided equestrian trail ride or an ATV ride if you don’t want to hike.
What should you see while visiting Bryce Canyon National Park?
Sunset Point
Sunset Point is a fantastic place to end a day of hiking in the Park. If you wish to visit another one of the viewpoints, it can be a bit of a trek. You can also drive up to the location and walk a little distance to get to the point. On a crowded but wonderful day, you get to witness the other side of the amphitheater lit up by the sun’s fading rays as the sunsets.
Stargazing
Bryce Canyon is one of the top 10 national parks for stargazing in the United States. Bryce Canyon’s night sky is spectacular! So you won’t be upset to have a few nights to bundle up and go stargazing outside. You can also participate in an astronomy program conducted by a ranger to observe the sky through a large telescope. You can view more than 7,500 stars that make up the Milky Way at any time of year if you look up in the dark of night. Then, take a nighttime hike to observe the sky framed by the hoodoos’ arches.
The National Park Service frequently hosts astronomy events in June. If you can’t capture one of them, get a phone app that will assist you in recognizing star patterns during a beautiful night.
Sunrise Point
Sunrise is the most incredible time to photograph Bryce Canyon’s iconic hoodoos, so plan on getting out a few mornings to see the Park in its best light. Getting up bright and early in Bryce Canyon is a great way to start an enjoyable vacation. We assure you that it will be well worth the effort.
Sunrise Point provides a breathtaking view of the world-famous hoodoos as the sun rises above the red granite crags, ushering in a new day. It’s easily accessible, but you won’t be the only one heading for the light during peak season.
Thor’s Hammer
Thor’s Hammer, the hoodoo’s Hammer, is the Park’s most iconic image. Start from Sunset Point to get to the popularly photographed view of Thor’s Hammer. Then, walk down to the Two Bridges for a different perspective. You’ll see the perspective of Thor’s Hammer just past this point.
Rim Trail
The Rim Trail is the Park’s most famous trail. It follows the rim of the famous Bryce Canyon Amphitheater. You’ll see the amphitheater from practically every aspect available, or at least those easiest to reach, over this moderate route.
Wall Street
Wall Street is a hike in Bryce Canyon that brings you through some of the area’s fantastic slot canyons. Start at either the Navajo Loop at Sunset Point or the Queen’s Garden trailhead to reach this section of the path.
The trees that have built their home in the canyon are one of the most remarkable aspects of this trek. They’ve grown straight up, tall, and towering to get as much light as possible towards the top of the canyon walls.
Bristlecone Pines
While hiking, keep an eye out since the red granite pillars aren’t the only thing to see. For many years, the bristlecone pines in this area have grown robust. Some are over 1,800 years old and have grown there for that long.
What is the best way to get to Bryce Canyon National Park?
Drive
- Highway 12 – Highway 12 is considered an All-American Road in Utah. It runs through the majority of the United States and, in some places, serves as a picturesque byway. Even before you arrive at the National Park, the unusual sights you’ll see along this road are enough to justify the trip.
- Interstate 15 highway – Interstate 15 is largely a north-south highway. It connects some of the West’s biggest cities, such as Las Vegas and Salt Lake City. It is easier to get onto Interstate 15 and follow it to Dixie National Forest if you come from these two cities. From here, you have several alternatives for continuing into Utah and reaching Bryce Canyon.
- Highway 63 – To get into and out of Bryce Canyon City and the National Park, take Highway 63. It will take you across southern Utah and directly through Park. This highway provides access to most of the Park’s picturesque viewpoints and popular trailheads.
Flights
- Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) – SLC serves the Salt Lake City area and is located in the state capital of Utah. It is located in Utah’s northern half and takes around four hours.
- McCarran International Airport (LAS) – LAS is located in Nevada’s southernmost region and serves the Las Vegas metropolitan area. Several airlines fly in. You can rent a car and travel to the National Park from this airport.
Public transport
There is no public transportation available to get you to Bryce Canyon right now. If you want to fly near the Park rather than drive there, you should rent a car. You might also consider taking a tour of the neighborhood. Some of these trips begin in significant locations such as Las Vegas and Salt Lake City. In addition, they transport you to several National Parks and plan much of your itinerary for you.
Where to Stay?
Bryce in Utah
It’s impossible to beat the ease of staying in Bryce Canyon. The visitor center and park entrance are only a 5-minute drive from Bryce Canyon. In addition, the park shuttle and Rainbow Point trips depart from the hotels. A tiny tourist resort offers hotels, restaurants, RV parks, and campgrounds outside the Park.
The Best Western Plus Ruby’s Inn or the Best Western Plus Bryce Canyon Grand Hotel are excellent choices. A laundromat, hot showers, a swimming pool, and a hot tub are available at Ruby Inn’s RV Park and Campground. This campsite also has cabins available for rent.
Bryce Canyon Lodge
The historic and rustic Lodge at Bryce Canyon, built-in 1924, is a famous place for visitors. With only 114 guest rooms, booking the lodge is critical as soon as bookings open. A stay at the lodge can be booked up to 13 months in advance. The lodge is unbeatable for tourists looking for in-park convenience. Sunrise Point, where you can see the sunrise and the night sky, is just a few feet away.
Tropic in Utah
Consider lodging in Tropic if you’re ready to forego park closeness for a more affordable choice. Tropic provides inexpensive accommodations and inns only 15 minutes from the Park.
Bryce Canyon National Park is a popular place for backpackers and road trippers both. We recommend spending at least 1-2 days at Bryce Canyon to fully appreciate everything. Hope you have a better understanding of Bryce Canyon National Park. So this is your turn to explore Bryce Canyon in the National Park.
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