If you are going to Bryce Canyon national park, you are in for a beautiful sight with lots of sandstone pillars, the largest collection of hoodoos, and fresh mountain air. While Bryce Canyon in Utah is a grand park, the town just outside of Bryce is a small and quaint town known as Bryce Canyon city. I found this city much more charming and inviting than the other towns I drove through; conveniently it is also the closest to the park’s gates. If you are wanting to stay in Bryce, I have created a guide to make it easy for you to plan your stay in Bryce Canyon.
Why visit Bryce Canyon
This national park has landscapes like no other. It’s as if you stepped foot inside a fairytale book and waiting for fairies to come out to sprinkle some magical rock dust on you. It is fitting that some of their trails are called Fairyland, Peekaboo, and Queen’s Garden. It is a fantasy like dream for hikers, even for people just passing through.
One of my favorite parts about this national park is that you can see the hoodoos by stopping at the scenic overlooks without actually having to do an intense hike. Mother Nature’s beauty can be witnessed by everyone. It is doable to see Bryce Canyon’s beauty in just a one day timeframe, but recommended to spend 2-3 days there if you want to make it a hiking trip. If you choose to go on a hike, there are plenty of trails to hike on. Keep in mind the elevation might wind you a little more than usual, but the views are worth every step. There is not much to do in the town, so I would not stay longer than a few days.
From McCarran International airport, Las Vegas Nevada
- 4 hours
From Salt Lake International airport, Utah
- 4 hours
From St George Regional airport, Utah
- 2:35 hours
From Zion National Park
- 1:40 hours
Entering the Park
To get into the park, it will cost $35 per vehicle. You can pick up a map as you pass through, or you can stop at the Visitor Center which is just before you enter the park to get more information from the ranger on duty.
*If you plan on visiting several national parks, consider purchasing an America the Beautiful All Parks Annual Pass for $80 for unlimited entrances into every US national park! I saw 3 national parks in one week, and it saved me a lot of money by having a pass.
Driving around Bryce Canyon
- Drive your own vehicle
- Take a shuttle
There are parking lots near the trailheads, but they are small. I went to Bryce Canyon during the off season and the lots were still very crowded with lines of cars waiting for an open parking spot. If you are going during the high season, it is highly recommended to take a shuttle that runs from April through October.
Bryce Canyon Shuttle
Operates: April through October
Fee: Paying your park entrance fee allows you to take the shuttle at no additional charge. Just show your ticket to the shuttle driver.
Shuttle stops: every 15 minutes
- Bryce Point
- Inspiration Point
- Sunset Point
- Bryce Lodge
- Sunrise Point
- Best Western Grand
- Best Western Ruby’s Inn
- Ruby’s campground
- Old Bryce Town
- Visitor Center
Things to do in Bryce Canyon
Stay awake for the starry night
Because Bryce is at such high elevation, it escapes the light pollution and has clean air to allow you to get a clear visual of the night’s sky. Look out for the Milky Way if the moon is not shining so bright!
Go for a hike
Take a look at my post here to see my favorite sights in Bryce Canyon.
Check out the Visitor Center
You can go to the visitor center year around to see what programs they have going on. Topics range from astronomy to geology to wildlife. For activities and programs, you can contact 435-834-5322.
Visit Ebenezer’s Bar and Grill
After a long day of hiking, come enjoy dinner and a show. Here you’ll find talented country musicians playing music as part of a show. Maybe you can work on your two step while you listen!
Eat at a buffet
If you thought the hoodoos were magical, just wait until you have a buffet to chow down at for dinner after your long active day. You deserve a buffet after losing all those calories out on the trails! Ruby’s Inn serves dinner with amazing comfort foods including pot roast, ribs, pulled pork, chicken, mashed potatoes, and more.
Where to stay in Bryce Canyon
Bryce Canyon Lodge
Bryce Canyon Lodge is the only lodge within the national park. This lodge books up several months in advance, so you will need to plan ahead of time if you want to stay at this very convenient location, just a short walk away from the trails.
Best Western Grand
Luckily, there are a few hotels to stay in just a short 5 minute drive into the park. I stayed at Best Western Grand, which is also a shuttle stop during the on-season. It had very nice accommodations, including a hot breakfast each morning. There is a pool/spa on site, which came in handy to relax our muscles after those long hiking days.
Best Western Ruby’s Inn
This Best Western Ruby’s Inn is located right across the street from the Best Western Grand. This hotel is conveniently located next to a stretch of shops, including the general store. Inside the general store you can find a small grocery store with frozen foods, camping supplies, and fresh fruits/vegetables/salads. There is also a souvenir shop connected to it. On the other side of the Inn is Ruby’s Diner which had very delicious comfort foods. I ended up eating there each day of my trip. They had quite the display for their dinner buffet for $21/person. After a full day of hiking, a buffet is exactly what I needed!
Campgrounds
There are 2 campgrounds, both located close to the visitor center as you are about to enter the park. You can make a reservation by clicking here: Bryce Canyon Campgrounds.
North campground:
- First come, first serve
- 99 sites
- Loop A: open year around
- Loop A, B, C, D: open April- October
- Loops A & B: RV camping
- Loops C & D: tent only
Sunset campground:
- Reservation only
- 100 sites
- Loops A, B, C: open April- October
- Loop A: RV camping
- Loops B & C: tent only
Trails in Bryce Canyon
Check out my post here on my favorite hikes in Bryce Canyon. My favorite trails include:
- Navajo Loop
- Peekaboo Trail
- Fairyland Trail
- Rim Trail
For those who are not looking to go on a long hike, I recommend stopping at the scenic overlooks known as Sunrise Point and Sunset Point, with a well paved 1 mile trail connecting the two. This is a great option for those who are not wanting to hike or for those unable to hike. The trail is dirt, but well paved that it is wheelchair accessible. There are several log benches along the rim to sit down and enjoy the hoodoos below. You can even see Thor’s hammer from Sunset Point!
Safety Tips
Watch the weather
Because Bryce Canyon is at a high elevation of 8,000 feet, it is susceptible to extreme temperatures. It is not advised to hike if lightning or thunderstorms is in the forecast. Monsoon season is at an all time high between July and September. Similarly, if you go hiking when there is snow on the ground, be careful for the ice on the ground or slippery mud trails when the snow is melting.
Sun protection
Because Bryce Canyon is at a high elevation, the sun is stronger than you think! I was surprised how sunburnt I got even in 30 degree weather! Make sure to wear sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses to protect your body from the sun overhead.
Bring water
Bryce Canyon has the powerful trio: sun, elevation, distance. The strong sun (even in cold temperatures) and a lot of hiking at high elevation can dehydrate you quickly. I like to bring my camel pack to hold plenty of water to get me through my long hiking days.
Bring snacks/lunch
To keep your energy up, be sure to pack snacks for you day of hiking. You might underestimate how long a hike might take you, so it is best to be prepared with enough food to get you through the day. I like to pack a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, protein/granola bars, apples, and of course beef jerky (this girl likes her jerky)!
Stay on the trails
The trail is marked for a reason. Don’t stray off of it. This will put you at risk for getting lost or going off a steep drop off.
Wear proper footwear
It is the worst when you have miles to go, but you feel those foot blisters getting worse and worse. It is recommended to wear comfortable hiking boots or shoes when hiking these trails. Even if you don’t plan on doing a long hike, it is still recommend to wear shoes with good grip to prevent slipping on the gravel or muddy trails.
If you end up going to Bryce Canyon, I would love to hear how your trip goes and if this guide was helpful to you. Happy trails!