Bryce Canyon National Park

Under bright blue skies, the red, orange, and pink formations glow with intensity. At sunrise and sunset, they become even more dramatic, shifting in color as shadows stretch across the canyon walls. Whether you’re visiting for a few hours or several days, Bryce Canyon National Park offers unforgettable scenery in every season.

Bryce Canyon Overview

• Location: Southern Utah
• Park Scenic Drive Length: 20 miles
• Elevation: 8,000–9,000 feet
• Season: Open year-round
• Drive Time: ~1.5 hours from Zion National Park
• Shuttle Service: Mid-April through mid-October
• Entrance Fee: $35 per vehicle (7 days)

Bryce Canyon is easy to explore by car, shuttle, foot, horseback, or even snowshoe depending on the season.

Things to Do in Bryce Canyon National Park

From scenic overlooks to deep canyon hikes, Bryce offers activities for every interest and ability level.

Hiking in Bryce Canyon National Park

Bryce Canyon itself is huge! But the national park includes a variety of unique angles from which to experience the canyon as well as some more secluded scenic areas that you don’t want to miss. Hiking is a popular way to explore Bryce Canyon, all year round.

There are trails available throughout the park for hikers of all skill levels. Some trails are short and stay mainly in the upper areas for overlooking the canyon. Others go deep into the canyon and provide more of a challenge. Depending on what you’re looking for, you can find the perfect hike for you.

Scenic Drives & Viewpoints

The 20-mile scenic drive through Bryce Canyon National Park includes multiple overlooks where visitors can stop and take in sweeping views of the amphitheaters.

Popular viewpoints include:

• Sunrise Point
• Sunset Point
  
• Inspiration Point
  
• Bryce Point
  
• Rainbow Point

Driving the park is an excellent option for those short on time or looking to experience multiple perspectives without extensive hiking.

Horseback Riding

Another fun and unique way to explore the canyon and surrounding area is by horseback. If you’re not an experienced rider or don’t have horses of your own, you can book a guided ride through the canyon and surrounding area with local outfitters.

Many visitors pull in horse-trailers from far and wide to do some trail riding in one of the most beautiful and scenic areas in the West. Please follow all guidelines if bringing your own horse or mule.

Tourists and locals visit Bryce Canyon National Park for a variety of reasons and in a wide variety of ways. Here are the things you should know about visiting Bryce Canyon.

Stargazing And Astronomy Tours

Bryce Canyon National Park is internationally recognized for its exceptionally dark skies, making Bryce Canyon stargazing one of the most unforgettable things to do in the area. With minimal light pollution and high elevation, visitors can see thousands of stars and a vivid Milky Way stretch on clear nights.

During much of the year, park rangers and volunteers offer astronomy programs, night sky viewing events, and occasional guided night hikes within the park. These seasonal activities are weather- and schedule-dependent, so check with the Bryce Canyon Visitor Center or the official National Park Service site for current offerings.

The annual Bryce Canyon Astronomy Festival expands these opportunities with additional night hikes, telescope-viewing sessions, and special presentations, drawing star lovers from across the country.

If you’re looking for a more personalized experience, local guides offer outstanding night sky viewing options, including Dark Ranger Telescope Tours and curated stargazing experiences through Bryce Canyon Stargazing. These tours can enhance your visit with expert guidance, powerful telescopes, and insights into the cosmos that you won’t get on your own.

Aerial Tours of Bryce Canyon National Park

For a completely different perspective and some extra adventure, visitors can experience Bryce Canyon from the air. Helicopter and small aircraft tours provide sweeping views of the amphitheaters and surrounding landscape.

Aerial tours are available through Bryce Canyon Airlines. Learn more about Bryce Canyon aerial tours here.

Commercial Tours

Commercial tour fees are based on vehicle capacity for all tour groups and bus companies. Group size is determined by vehicle seating capacity, not the number of actual people in the vehicle.

• Vehicles with a seating capacity of 26 or greater will be charged a flat fee of $150

• Vehicles with a seating capacity of 16-25 seats will be charged a flat fee of $60.00

• Vehicles with a seating capacity of 7-15 seats (Passenger Van) will be charged a flat fee of $50.00
  
  
• Vehicles with a seating capacity of 1-6 seats will be charged a fee of $30.00 plus a per person fee of $15.00 for those over 16 years (not to exceed $50)

Bryce Canyon Winter Activities

Snowshoeing and Cross-Country Skiing

Don’t let a little snow or cooler temperatures stop you from enjoying the beauty of Bryce Canyon National Park! Many visitors enjoy strapping on some skis or snowshoes and trekking across the same trails available for hiking during the warmer months.

Some areas are not accessible when there is snow, but many still are. Snowshoes are generally permitted on the same trails available for hiking during warmer months; however, cross-country skiing is limited to the Rim Trail and other ski trails on the plateau.

Winter is actually a great time to visit Bryce Canyon Country. The crowds are usually a little smaller, but the views are even more incredible when the sunlight sparkles on the snow-covered hoodoos and canyon walls. Just be sure to dress warm!

Best Time to Visit Bryce Canyon National Park

Bryce Canyon is open year-round, and each season offers a completely different experience.

Bryce Canyon in Summer brings warm days, ranger programs, and full shuttle service, making it the most popular time to visit.

Fall and Spring in Bryce Canyon offer cooler temperatures and ideal hiking conditions with fewer crowds.

Winter transforms the park into a snow-covered wonderland. The hoodoos dusted in white create one of the most unique winter landscapes in Utah, and visitation drops significantly compared to summer.

There truly isn’t a bad time to visit, you’ll just have a different experience in different seasons.

Bryce Canyon Entrance Fees

Bryce Canyon National Park visitors must pay a fee to access the park. You have the option to buy regular passes that allow access for up to 7 days or extended use passes.

7-Day Passes

The price for these passes depends on the vehicle you use to enter the park or if you walk in on foot.

• Single Private Vehicle: $35 (7 days)
• Individual on Foot or Bicycle: $20 (7 days)
• Motorcycle: $30 (7 days)

2026 International Entry Requirement: All international visitors (ages 16+) who do not hold a Non-Resident Annual Pass (see below) are subject to a $100 per-person surcharge, which is paid in addition to the standard 7-day entrance fees.

Annual and Special Passes

• Bryce Canyon Annual Pass: $70
  
• “America the Beautiful Annual Pass” (U.S. Residents): $80. Allows access to any National Park or Federal Recreation Land
• “America the Beautiful Non-Resident Pass” (International Visitors): $250. This new pass is required for non-U.S. residents to waive the $100 international surcharge at Bryce Canyon and 10 other major western parks.
• “America the Beautiful Senior Pass” (U.S. Residents Ages 62+): $20 annually or $80 for a lifetime pass.

You can purchase any of these passes at the entrance to Bryce Canyon National Park. Be sure to bring an ID.

Please note, the “America the Beautiful Access Pass” is free to permanently disabled U.S. residents.

For more information on or to purchase passes, visit www.nps.gov/brca.

Campgrounds in Bryce Canyon

Bryce Canyon National Park has two developed campgrounds: North Campground and Sunset Campground, both located near major viewpoints and trailheads.

Each campground offers approximately 100 sites with potable water and flush toilets. North Campground sits closer to the Visitor Center and is open year-round, while Sunset Campground provides convenient access to popular hiking trails.

North Campground offers seasonal reservations, while Sunset Campground is primarily first-come, first-served. Campsite fees typically start around $20 per night, with limited group sites and some pull-through RV spaces available.

For a more remote experience, backcountry camping is permitted at designated sites along the Under-the-Rim Trail and Riggs Spring Loop Trail. A backcountry permit is required, and camping is allowed only in designated areas. Dispersed camping and open fires are not permitted inside the park.

For current availability, seasonal dates, and reservation details, visitors should check the official National Park Service website.

Visitor Center

The Bryce Canyon Visitor Center offers maps, exhibits, ranger programs, and updated park conditions.

The visitor center is open year-round!

• Summer hours are 8 am to 8 pm
• Spring/fall hours are 8 am to 6 pm
• Winter hours are 8 am to 4:30 pm

Check the visitor center for times of ranger-led walks & talks.

Interpretive programs are offered throughout the year, weather permitting.

Transportation & Shuttle Information

Shuttle service is included in the price of your entrance fee to the park. The Bryce Canyon shuttle runs from mid-April through mid-October and stops at various scenic locations, lodging, and service areas along its route.

You are welcome to drive your vehicle within the park, but we recommend saving gas and taking the shuttle instead of fighting the hustle and bustle of traffic yourself.

Limited shuttle service is also available to get you to Bryce Canyon National Park from the nearby lodging sites.

Dogs in Bryce Canyon National Park

While dogs are not allowed on the unpaved trails of Bryce Canyon, there are many other trails in the area where you and your dog can explore together. Check out the best dog-friendly hikes in Bryce Canyon Country!