Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah is a must-visit for any outdoor enthusiast. Known for its stunning red rock formations and scenic vistas, the park is compact enough to explore in just two days yet offers enough hiking trails, viewpoints and plenty of other activities (biking, horseback riding, dark sky programs and more) to fill a week-long adventure. Thanks to its high elevation, Bryce Canyon remains pleasantly cool during the summer, making it an ideal destination for warm-weather hiking.
Preparing for Your Trip
Time your visit
Bryce Canyon National Park is beautiful any time of year, but the best time to visit really depends on what you’re looking for. We visited in July and had an amazing experience—cool mountain air (40s at night, 70s during the day), minimal crowds, and full access to the park’s incredible trails.
Generally, May through early October is the prime season, with ideal weather for hiking and photography. If you’re hoping to avoid the summer rush, September and October bring stunning fall colors and fewer visitors.
For those who love quiet, snow-draped landscapes, winter (November to February) offers a peaceful, magical experience—but be aware that some park roads and trails may be closed due to snow.
Essential packing list
- Bryce Canyon National Park is located in a fairly remote area. Cell phone coverage in and around the park is spotty at best, so plan accordingly.
- Download all your trail maps, as cellphone service is super limited and you will need a way to orientate yourself while in the park.
- Bring plenty of water, as there is no water in the park.
- Bring food as well, as there are no places inside the park to buy any. However, there are so many excellent picnic areas with outstanding views. Definitely plan a picnic in the park.
- Bring plenty of sunscreen and chapstick.
- Wear layers of clothing as the temperature varies during the day.
- Wear a brimmed hat; the sun is super strong even on a cold day.
Familiarizing with park regulations
As of this writing, Bryce Canyon National Park is open year-round and does not require a reservation to visit. As for any National Park, visitors are expected to protect the natural and historic artifacts and obey posted park regulations. Pets are allowed only on paved trails and roads and must be on a leash. The use of drones is prohibited unless approved in writing by the Park’s Superintendent. For more details, please see the park’s website.
With trails ranging from leisurely strolls to strenuous hikes, it’s essential to plan your route according to your fitness level and interests. Be sure to carry plenty of water, wear sturdy footwear, and follow trail markers to stay on course while exploring the park’s diverse terrain. Additionally, keep in mind that the cell phone coverage in the park is spotty at best, so download the maps of the hikes you plan to take ahead of time.
Day 1 at Bryce Canyon National Park
Start at the Visitor Center
Be sure to stop at the Bryce Canyon Visitor Center for up-to-date park information. Multiple park rangers are on site ready to help with any specific park questions you might have. We found out how best to hike the Navajo Loop from one of the rangers and it made all the difference. You can also pick up park souvenirs, stamp your National Parks passport, refill your water, and grab some snacks here.
If you only do one hike in Bryce Canyon National Park, make it the Navajo Loop + Queen’s Garden Trail. This iconic 3.2-mile loop offers the best of Bryce in one unforgettable experience.
While the entire Navajo Loop is stunning, don’t miss the Wall Street section, where you descend through narrow sandstone slot canyons flanked by towering Douglas firs.
Continue on to the Queen’s Garden Trail, known for its whimsical hoodoos and the famous Queen Victoria formation.
These sections were easily our favorite parts of the park – peaceful, awe-inspiring, and surprisingly serene despite being part of one of Bryce’s most popular routes.
Trail details:
- 🥾 Distance: 3.2 miles (loop)
- ⛰️ Elevation Gain: 640 feet
- ⏱️ Time: ~1.5 hours
- 🎯 Difficulty: Moderate
Enjoy a picnic for lunch
We missed the chance to enjoy a picnic during our visit to Bryce Canyon National Park, but we spotted two excellent areas to keep in mind for next time: Sunset Point and Rainbow Point. Both locations offer picnic tables and restroom facilities, making them convenient spots to relax and refuel.
Keep in mind that neither area has running water, so be sure to bring plenty of your own. Also, don’t forget a trash bag—there are no garbage bins nearby. Help protect this incredible landscape by following Leave No Trace principles: pack out everything you bring in and leave the park as pristine as you found it.
Take it easy but with views
Following lunch, walk between the Sunrise Point to Sunset Point and back. This easy 1-mile trail is fully paved and wheelchair accessible, and offers multiple breathtaking canyon overlooks. Very much worth taking a little bit of time to enjoy the views.
Drive to the end of the park
Breathe in the crisp mountain air at Rainbow Point, the highest elevation in Bryce Canyon National Park at 9,100 feet (2,774 meters). From here, enjoy a short, fully paved walk to Yovimpa Point, an easy 1-mile round trip offering sweeping views of the southern reaches of the park and the Grand Staircase beyond.
Afterward, explore the Bristlecone Loop Trail, a 1.0-mile unpaved loop that’s easy to moderate. Along the way, you’ll pass ancient bristlecone pines, some over 1,800 years old, and may even spot a Peregrine falcon, the world’s fastest bird, known for diving at speeds of up to 200 miles per hour (322 km/h).
Day 2 at Bryce Canyon National Park
Divide your day 2 at Bryce Canyon National Park in two – spend the morning driving to and stopping at the many viewpoints along the Bryce Canyon Scenic Road inside the park; take a unique waterfall trail and enjoy cooling off at the end of it.
Drive the Bryce Canyon Scenic Drive
This 18-mile (one-way) paved road runs from the Visitor Center near the park entrance all the way south to Rainbow Point and Yovimpa Point. It has 13 major viewpoints along the way, offering incredible views of the park’s famous hoodoos, amphitheaters, and forested plateaus. If you are an early riser, on a sunny day you will be treated with absolute magical views of the hoodoos. It is well worth the effort. Alternatively, sunsets are not as stunning in the park as the sun sets on the opposite area of where most of the hoodoos are.
Scenic Road details
- Length: 18 miles one way (36 miles round trip)
- Access: Begins at Park Entrance/Visitor Center, ends at Rainbow Point
- Driving Time: ~1 to 2 hours without stops; half-day if you visit all viewpoints
- Shuttle Option: Free shuttle operates April–October (serves northern points only)
We recommend driving all the way to Rainbow Point and then stopping at the viewpoints on the way back to the Visitor Center as they will be conveniently located on the right.
Main viewpoints
- Bryce Point – One of the most iconic views with sweeping vistas of the Bryce Amphitheater
- Inspiration Point – Views of many hoodoos and dramatic elevation drops; great at sunrise
- Sunset Point – View of Thor’s Hammer and access to Navajo Loop Trail
- Fairyland Point – Less visited; near entrance, panoramic views and access to Fairyland Loop
- Swamp Canyon – Quieter stop; wooded canyon with trail access
- Piracy Point – A short walk to overlook; great pine-framed views
- Farview Point – Allegedly, on clear days, views stretch over 100 miles across multiple plateaus
- Natural Bridge – Stunning red rock arch – a personal favorite.
- Agua Canyon – Distinctive hoodoo formations like “The Hunter” and “Backpacker”
- Ponderosa Canyon – Overlook of a dense pine forest dropping into deep canyons
- Black Birch Canyon – Beautiful contrast of conifer forests and red rock
- Rainbow Point – Southernmost point; high elevation views and start of Bristlecone Loop Trail
- Yovimpa Point – View of Grand Staircase to the south and a great geology stop
Hike Mossy Cave trail
Don’t skip the Mossy Cave Trail – this easy, 1-mile out-and-back hike is short, accessible, and surprisingly rewarding. Technically located just outside the main entrance to Bryce Canyon National Park, it’s still considered part of the park’s official trail system, and it’s well worth your time.
There’s no major elevation change, making it a great low-effort option for all ages. But what really makes this trail special is the refreshing payoff at the end: a small waterfall, a mossy cave, and a shallow creek where you can dip your feet and cool off on a sunny day.
💧 Pro tip: Bring water shoes, as the creek bed is rocky and much easier to navigate with foot protection.
This trail is especially fun for families with kids – the cold water doesn’t seem to bother them one bit! Whether you’re looking for a break from longer hikes or just a scenic stroll, Mossy Cave was one of our favorite easy trails in the area.
Where to stay around Bryce Canyon National Park
Let’s be honest – accommodations around Bryce Canyon are pretty basic. If you’re looking for luxury, you’ll want to look into glamping options like Under Canvas Bryce Canyon (check out my review) or Clear Sky Resorts, both of which offer a more comfortable and memorable stay.
We did spot a main chain hotel under construction, but for now, there aren’t many such options in the area – mostly small motels and campgrounds. That might explain why the park doesn’t feel overrun with tourists.
Still, don’t let the limited lodging stop you from going. The scenery, trails, and peaceful atmosphere of Bryce Canyon National Park more than make up for it.
Where to eat around Bryce Canyon
Food options around Bryce Canyon National Park are pretty limited. Most nearby restaurants have a country-style vibe, and while we were hopeful to find a few we liked, we actually ended up walking out of a couple. In the end, we found it more enjoyable to grab groceries and have a picnic, or dine at the Under Canvas Bryce Canyon restaurant. Their menu is small but everything is made to order—and surprisingly delicious.
If you’re planning to shop for your own meals, there are two main grocery stores in the area:
- Ruby’s Inn General Store in Bryce Canyon City, Utah
- Clark’s Country Market in Topic, Utah
Locals often recommend the following spots, though we didn’t get a chance to visit them ourselves:
- Stone Hearth Grille – Upscale American cuisine with beautiful views of the canyon
- Bryce Canyon Lodge Restaurant – Classic American dishes in a historic, national park setting
- The Pizza Place – Hand-tossed pizza, a popular option for families
- Valhalla Pizza – Known for its wood-fired pizza, Italian-style entrees, and fresh baked goods
What we loved about Bryce Canyon National Park
- Super manageable: Easy access to all major trails with clear, well-marked signs
- Trail-friendly layout: No long drives between viewpoints or trailheads
- Perfect summer hiking weather: Cool mornings, mid-70s during the day, low humidity
- Comfortable hiking conditions: Stay cool even under direct sun – no heavy sweating
- Fewer crowds: Much less congested than many other major U.S. national parks
- Fresh air + pine scent: Noticeably clean air and the amazing smell of Ponderosa pines
- Dark sky wonder: Little to no light pollution – unreal stargazing
- Nighttime magic: A must if you’ve never experienced a true dark-sky destination
In closing, Bryce Canyon National Park truly captivated us. We expected stunning scenery and the iconic hoodoos to impress – but the park still managed to exceed our expectations in every way. From the peaceful trails to the crisp mountain air, it’s a place that leaves a lasting impression.
If you’re considering a visit, don’t hesitate – go. Bryce Canyon is every bit as magical as it looks, and then some. You won’t be disappointed.
[All pictures taken by the Styled Traveler]
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