A red rock landscape and plateau forest glows with the morning sun

National Park · UT

Bryce Canyon National Park

Bryce Canyon isn't a canyon. It's a series of natural amphitheaters carved into the edge of a plateau, filled with thousands of orange-pink hoodoos. It sits at 8,000-9,000 feet, which makes it cool in summer and snow-dusted half the year.

Best time to visit

May-June and September-October. Summer is pleasant due to altitude. Winter is magical — hoodoos in snow — but trails get icy.

How long you need

One to two days. It pairs naturally with Zion (90 minutes away).

Don't miss

  • Sunrise at Sunrise Point, then walk the rim to Sunset Point
  • Navajo Loop and Queens Garden combined — descend into the hoodoos
  • Bryce Point overview
  • Drive to Rainbow Point at the south end, 18 miles of viewpoints
  • Stargazing — Bryce is one of the darkest places in the lower 48

What people get wrong

Staying on the rim. The whole point of Bryce is to walk down inside the amphitheater — the hoodoos tower over you and the perspective flips. The Navajo/Queens combo is 3 miles and not technical.

Entrance fees

  • Entrance - Private Vehicle

    Admits one private, non-commercial vehicle (15 passenger capacity or less) and all occupants.

    $35.00

  • Entrance - Motorcycle

    Valid for 7 days. Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers.

    $30.00

  • Entrance - Per Person

    Admits one individual with no car to the park - typically used for bicyclists and walk-ins. Youth 15 and under are admitted free.

    $20.00

  • Nonresident

    Each non-US resident aged 16 and older visiting Bryce Canyon National Park must pay a $100 nonresident fee (in addition to the standard entrance fee), unless admitted with an Annual or America the Beautiful Pass. This includes nonresidents entering as part of a commercial tour group, commercial use authorization (CUA) group, or concessioner tour group.

    $100.00

Operating hours

Park is Open 24-7

Bryce Canyon National Park is open 365 days a year, 24 hours a day.

Campgrounds

FAQ

Do I need a timed reservation?
No timed-entry system. The park uses a free shuttle in summer that you should use to avoid the parking circus.
How does it compare to Zion?
Different planet. Zion is a deep narrow canyon you walk through. Bryce is an open amphitheater you walk into. Do both.
Is the altitude a problem?
Mild for most people, but the climb back out of the amphitheater gains 500 feet at 8,000 feet of elevation. Take it slow.