How Long Do I Need to See Bryce Canyon Park and Is It Worth It?
Bryce Point
If you are dreaming of taking a trip to marvel at Utah’s natural beauty, Bryce Canyon is absolutely worth a visit! Part of Utah’s Mighty 5 parks, Bryce Canyon, located roughly an hour and half from Zion National Park, contains the highest concentration of HooDoos (the large columns of unique spire rock formations) in the world. The HooDoos are truly world class and are a spectacular sight to see. Beyond the hoodoos, the scenic drive winds through breathtaking canyons, unique rock formations, majestic mountains, and lush forests of pine and spruce.
What makes Bryce Canyon unique is its great mix of viewpoints and hiking. It is small enough to see in an hour or two or you can spend days wandering the beautiful canyon and HooDoos. Whether you are coming to admire the HooDoos, hike through the serene landscape, or leisurely drive through the park, Bryce Canyon is a National Park that should definitely be on your bucket list. Plus this one is easy(ish) to pair with Zion National Park or as part of a larger road trip through Utah and the Grand Canyon. We visited Bryce Canyon after Zion National Park in October and loved the diverse landscapes and beautiful HooDoos. If you are thinking of taking a trip to Bryce - it is definitely worth a visit.
Thinking about also visiting Zion National Park? Check out our blog post about how to make the most of your Zion National Park Visit.
Trying to decide between visiting Bryce Canyon National Park and Zion National Park? Check out our comparison blog post to help you decide [Coming Soon]!
Things to Know Before You Go - Frequent Asked Questions
Is Bryce Dog Friendly? While dogs are allowed in the national park, if you are planning on hiking, then we would recommend leaving your furry friends at home or in the RV. If you are planning on just sightseeing along the scenic drive, then dogs are welcome as long as they are leashed and stay on the paved pathways. Our recommendation, if you are driving through the park, feel free to bring the pup, otherwise if you are planning on hiking and exploring areas such as the Rim trail or Navajo loop, then we would recommend leaving the pup at home.
Do I need a National Park Pass? Yes, you will absolutely need one! Entrance fees are $35 per vehicle for a 7-day pass, but we highly recommend the America the Beautiful Annual Pass for $80—it covers over 2,000 federal sites and pays for itself after just a few visits. You can buy it online or at the entrance.
Are there easy hikes? Absolutely—Bryce Canyon shines for its accessible trails that let you soak in the beauty without too much effort. Easy options include the Mossy Cave Trail (a short, scenic walk to a waterfall and cave), the Rim Trail from Sunset to Sunrise Point (paved and flat with epic views, you can break up the trail into small portions), the Bristlecone Loop (a gentle 1-mile stroll through pine trees with views of the surrounding canyon), and Queen's Garden (the easiest descent into the canyon for up-close hoodoo magic). These hikes are perfect for families or anyone seeking a relaxed, feel-good outing (we kept just marveling at the hoodoos!).
Can I bike Bryce? Absolutely! Biking is a fantastic way to experience the park's fresh air and stunning vistas. Use the 18-mile Shared-Use Path, a paved, vehicle-free trail that runs from Red Canyon to Inspiration Point, offering safe, scenic rides past hoodoos and red rocks. It's ideal for a invigorating, eco-friendly adventure—rent bikes nearby if needed. There is a really cool e-bike tour as well if you are looking for a good mix of activity with some added e-bike help.
Is Bryce open year-round? Yes, the park is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, weather permitting! This means you can chase sunrises in summer or enjoy snowy hoodoos in winter for a majestic vibe. If you are traveling in winter, be sure to check road conditions for snow and ice!
Does Bryce get busy? Yes! While not as popular as nearby Zion National Park, Bryce sees over 2 million visitors annually, with peak crowds in summer (June to September). To avoid the bustle and enhance your serene experience, visit during shoulder seasons or arrive early—before 9-10 AM—for quieter trails and parking. The free shuttle (April to October) helps ease congestion in the amphitheater area. Otherwise the main trails in the amphitheater area can very busy and some viewpoints parking lots may fill up quickly. When we visited in October, we found ample parking at the viewpoints, but the amphitheater parking was pretty busy and we had to wait for a spot to open up. We found the hiking trails to be moderately busy, but not crowded.
Do I need a Car? Yes, we highly recommend renting a car for flexibility, as the park spans 18 miles of scenic drive. However, once inside, the free shuttle (included with your entrance fee) operates April to October, connecting key spots like Bryce Point and Sunrise Point. If you're car-free, consider joining a guided tour for hassle-free transport.
Can I just take a tour? Of course! Tours are a wonderful, stress-free way to dive into Bryce's wonders, especially if you prefer guided insights. Options range from bus sightseeing tours to hiking excursions—more on the best ones below. You can also take a tour from Las Vegas if you want a quick highlights tour.
View from Bristlecone Loop Trail
Best Time to Visit
We think the best time to visit is during the shoulder seasons of late Spring and early Fall, which offers fantastic weather without many of the crowds. For us, this time also offers the best hiking weather with cool mornings and warm afternoons. If you love winter wonderlands, December to February brings snow-dusted hoodoos and fewer people, though some roads may close due to the ice and snow (so be sure to plan accordingly).
Ponderosa Canyon Overlook
How to Get to Bryce Canyon
The best way to get to Bryce Canyon National Park is by flying into either Las Vegas International Airport (roughly 4 hours away driving) or St. George, Utah (about a 2 hour and 15 minute drive away). Another option is flying in and out of Salt Lake City, Utah, which is about a 4 hour drive away. If you want to pair Zion with the Grand Canyon, then you could also considering flying into Phoenix, AZ, but expect about a 7 hour drive from Phoenix or about a 5 hour drive from the Grand Canyon.
Your most cost effective option is going to be flying in and out of Las Vegas, which will connect you to most US hubs and many international hubs and destinations if coming from outside of the USA. We would recommend comparing and booking flights through Expedia.
Favorite Hikes and Lookouts in Bryce Canyon National Park
Hikes:
Queens Garden to Navajo Loop combination - this was our absolute favorite hike in Bryce Canyon. If you do one hike, make it this one. You wander through the towering HooDoo landscape, one of the most unique features of Bryce Canyon. As you wind down into the canyon you are presented with gorgeous views over the canyon and surrounding landscape. As you make your way down into the canyon you are greeted with massive HooDoos towering above you and even wander through a few of the tunnels cut directly through the sandstone. This is a hike that gives you an opportunity to really experience the uniqueness of the HooDoos and the surrounding landscape. This hike will probably take you about an hour and half to two hours, but is completely worth and offers stunning photo opportunities!
Bristlecone Loop - Located at the end of Bryce Canyon National Park road (park at Rainbow Point), this short 1 mile hike is a wonderful and easy stroll amongst the spruce and pine trees and offers glimpses of the the vastness of the canyons. This is a great warmup hike or a nice way to stretch your legs and enjoy the area. There are plenty of picnic tables around as well if you want to bring a packed breakfast or lunch.
Rim Trail (we did a very small part of it at just a little over 1 mile but the entire trail is 11 miles) - The Rim Trail is a really great hike to some of the most popular viewpoints in the park. We did a small section which connected inspiration point to sunset point. If you prefer a nice easy hike around the HooDoos without actually having to hike down into the canyon, this is a great alternative! This hike will provide you amazing views of the HooDoos, the amphitheater, and surrounding landscape.
Favorite Viewpoints:
One of the great things about Bryce Canyon is its ease and driveability. These were our favorite viewpoints as we stopped along the main route through Bryce Canyon:
Yovimpa Viewpoint - Expansive views of the Grand Staircase.
Natural Bridge Viewpoint - A massive red rock arch framing the landscape
Bryce Amphitheater (Inspiration Point was our favorite!) - We also really enjoyed Sunset Point as well as Bryce Point—both are fantastic for sunrise or sunset glow on the hoodoos.
Ponderosa Canyon - Serene forest and canyon overlooks.
Agua Canyon - Dramatic hoodoos and distant vistas.
Best Hotels and Places to Stay Near Bryce Canyon
We personally stayed in the Mountain Ridge Cabins and Lodging located in Hatch, Utah (about a 45 minute drive away from Bryce Canyon. The cabin was a really cool experience! Each individual cabin has a bedroom and bathroom and a small front porch to enjoy the views of the surrounding mountains. The cabin site also offers fire pits and a place to roast marshmallows which is a really great way to unwind and relax after a long day of hiking.
Other Hotels and accommodations to consider:
The Lodge at Bryce Canyon: Historic lodging inside the park, steps from the amphitheater—ideal for immersion (open seasonally).
Best Western Plus Bryce Canyon Grand Hotel: Luxury option in Bryce Canyon City with pools, breakfast, and easy access.
Ruby's Inn Resort: Popular, family-friendly spot with RV sites, indoor pool, and on-site dining—great value.
Stone Canyon Inn: Cozy B&B in Tropic with hot tubs and views.
Bryce Canyon Log Cabins: Rustic cabins in Tropic for a charming, affordable stay.
Weather and What to Pack for Bryce Canyon
Bryce Point Overlook
At 8,000-9,000 feet elevation, Bryce's weather is cooler than you might expect—summers bring warm days (70-80°F) with chilly nights (40-50°F), while winters can dip to 20°F with snow. Spring and fall are mild (50-70°F days), but always prepare for sudden changes (we got stuck in a short rainy down pour for about 20 minutes). Pack in layers: moisture-wicking base layers, fleece, a waterproof jacket, sturdy hiking shoes, sun hat, sunglasses, reusable water bottle (stay hydrated!), sunscreen, snacks, and a daypack. For winter, add gloves and crampons if snowy. This setup ensures you're comfortable and ready to embrace the park's invigorating air!
We recommend bringing:
Daypack - really important for packing snacks and layers
Sunscreen
First-Aid kit
Headlamp if you plan to be out at night
Tripod and Camera for stargazing and night photography
Plenty of snacks
If visiting during the spring or fall (like we did) here is our short recommended packing list:
Pack Layers - Dry-fit long sleeves and pull-overs are great for under jackets.
Bring Sturdy Hiking Shoes or boots - You can definitely hike in normal sneakers, but some of the trails can be slippery, wet, and sandy, so make sure you have good grip! We swear by these Columbia hiking boots for men and Salomon boots for women.
Hat
Hiking Pants - We packed a pair of water-resistant hiking pants for park hikes. Matt also really likes these travel pants from Chubbies that are great for travel, dressing up for dinners, and hiking.
Beanie (if you are going in early spring or late fall)
Gloves (if you are going in early spring or late fall) - we like these fingerless gloves
If visiting in the Summer:
Hiking Shorts
Dry-fit shirts
While we would recommend bringing hiking shoes or boots, some people prefer hiking in sandals - if you hike in sandals make sure you have a good pair of hiking sandals with straps like these tevas.
Best Tours to See Bryce Canyon National Park
For a guided, feel-good experience, consider these top tours that add education and ease:
Bryce Canyon Scenic Tours: Private or public bus tours with expert commentary on geology, flora, and history—perfect for all ages (3 hours, ~$50-100/person).
Guided Hiking Tours: Like those from East Zion Adventures or Wildland Trekking—explore trails like Navajo Loop with a knowledgeable guide (~$100-200).
Horseback Rides: Summer concessioner rides through the canyon for a unique, adventurous vibe (~$75-100).
E-bike tour of Bryce Canyon: For something a little different, book a guided e-bike tour through Bryce Canyon!
Ranger-Led Programs: Free geology talks, rim walks, astronomy nights, or full moon hikes—book early!
These tours enhance the experience and let you see a different side of Bryce while also making some memories to take back with you.
Booking Resources
If you need help with booking your vacation, check out these resources to set you up for success:
Permits: Recreation.gov for overnight stays in the backcountry.
Shuttles: Free in park; check NPS for schedules
Passes: NPS.gov
Flights and Rental Cars: Expedia
Hotels: Hotels.com or Booking.com
Lessons Learned after visiting Bryce Canyon:
Inspiration Point
Easily drivable but the most popular parking lots fill up fast, consider taking the shuttle during peak season
There is one long road to the end of the park - we recommend going all the way to the end and then working your way back
The most popular area is the amphitheater, if you are visiting during peak season (summer) then we recommend heading there first before the parking lot fills up. Or consider taking the shuttle to avoid having to find parking
If visiting in the summer, plan your long hikes early because it can get very hot during the peak of the day
Bring lots of water!
Bryce Canyon town is not very built up, so bring snacks and a packed lunch if you plan to explore all day.
Bryce Canyon can easily be visited in 1-2 hours if you are just driving. If you plan on seeing the majority of the viewpoints and hiking 1 or 2 trails plan on staying for 4+ hours depending on which hiking trails you choose.
The most popular hike is the Queens Garden to Navajo Loop combination. This trail is very popular and absolutely worth it. If you do one hike - make it this one!
The visitor center museum is worth the visit - short and sweet but provides a lot of good information.
Bryce Canyon is an amazing destination that offers beautiful views, wonderful hikes, and world-class hoodoo formations. We hope you enjoy visiting Bryce Canyon as much as we did and seeing how amazing this Mighty 5 Utah National Park truly is!
Navajo Loop Trailhead
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