Bryce Canyon National Park | Alison Vagnini

Getting to Bryce Canyon & Visiting Responsibly

Bryce Canyon National Park occupies the eastern edge of the Paunsaugunt Plateau. This geological masterpiece features a series of vast natural amphitheaters that glow in shades of pink, orange and white. Water and ice carved the landscape from the Claron Formation over millennia. Theodore Roosevelt protected the area as a national forest in 1905. Growing fame led to official national park status in 1928. Visitors today explore high-altitude trails, vibrant caprock formations and some of the darkest night skies in the American West.

The ancient hoodoos and amphitheaters are part of a delicate ecosystem that is home to dozens of wildlife and plant species. This region is also ancestral land for the Southern Paiute, Hopi, Zuni, Ute and Navajo people, and has been for centuries. Prepare for your trip in advance and visit Bryce Canyon respectfully so others can continue to experience the high-altitude desert wonder.

Help shape a Utah that lasts forever Where To Stay

Getting to Bryce Canyon

Bryce Canyon National Park is located in Southwest Utah. The closest major airports are in Las Vegas (LAS), Nevada and Salt Lake City (SLC), Utah, each approximately 270 miles from the park. There are smaller airports in Cedar City (CDC), Utah (80 miles away) and St. George (SGU), Utah (125 miles away).

Utah Airports

Getting Around the Bryce Region

The Bryce Canyon shuttle is the easiest way to get around the park. The shuttle runs from April through October and provides quick access to the park’s many day hikes and one-way scenic hikes along the Bryce Amphitheater Rim Trail.

Bryce Shuttle Info

web2000_bryce-winter_hagephoto_uttvl20170128-1361 — Photo: Hage Photo

Explore the Region Thoughtfully

Bryce Canyon rewards those who slow down and stay a while. Find your basecamp in nearby communities like Bryce Canyon City, Tropic, Panguitch or Escalante to experience the region's small towns, local restaurants and guided outfitters. Support the local businesses that make these gateway towns special. For supplies, the General Store near North Campground is open mid-April through late September. Otherwise, Ruby's Inn and the town of Panguitch have you covered year-round.

Bryce Travel Tips

Check the Weather

Bryce Canyon National Park is located at a relatively high elevation of 8,000 to 9,000 feet, meaning that it is much cooler than Utah’s other national parks, such as Zion, Canyonlands and Arches. There’s no “best” time to visit Bryce Canyon – summer daytime temperatures are comfortable, spring and fall will have cool nights, and winter is the chilliest time of year with the greatest chance of snow (although snow is a possibility at this elevation year-round). No matter what time of year you visit Bryce, it’s a good idea to bring warm clothes!

Get the Latest Information

Find updated information about road closures, trail conditions, fire restrictions and weather updates on the National Park Service website or Bryce Canyon’s official Instagram and X accounts.

Hiking Safety in Bryce Canyon National Park

Bryce Canyon National Park is ideally suited to day hiking. The many hikes in Bryce Canyon that can be accessed off the park road open up a world of possibilities for getting out, stretching your legs, and enjoying the best scenery Bryce has to offer. It’s important to be prepared any time you leave the car and head off on a hiking trail. A stop at the visitor center to discuss your hike plans with a park ranger is always a good idea.

Protect Yourself From the Elements

Before embarking on any hike in Bryce Canyon National Park, hikers should make sure they carry several essential items. First and foremost is water. Bryce Canyon is extremely hot and dry during the summer. Water sources below the rim are severely limited and must be treated before consumption. As a rule, always carry ample water to last the duration of the hike, and then some.

Carry sunscreen, eye protection and a hat to prevent overexposure to the sun’s rays. Since trails in Bryce Canyon traverse steep and rocky slopes, wear sturdy boots that provide ample support and protection. Always remember that Bryce Canyon is at a high elevation; lowland visitors should allow time to acclimate. Finally, do not overestimate your abilities or overexert yourself while on the trails.

Bring The Right Gear

It’s also important to have the proper supplies with you so you can enjoy your hike in comfort and be prepared for emergencies. You may find some—or all—of these items useful on your hike in Bryce Canyon National Park:

Day pack
Water and water bottles or a hydration system
Food: high-energy snacks
First-aid kit
Map, compass and GPS unit
Sunscreen and sunglasses; wide-brimmed hat or ball cap
Rain gear
Warm coat, hat and gloves
Backpacker’s trowel, toilet paper, and resealable plastic bags
Flashlight or headlamp
Pocketknife
Camera and/or smartphone
Guidebook

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FAQs

How far is Bryce Canyon from other Utah National Parks?

Bryce Canyon is centrally located between Utah’s western and eastern parks, making it a natural midpoint for a "Mighty 5" road trip. It is closest to Zion, located just 72 miles (about 1.5 hours) to the southwest, while Capitol Reef sits roughly 112 miles (about 2.5 hours) to the northeast via Scenic Byway 12. Arches and Canyonlands are the farthest away, requiring a drive of approximately 245 to 255 miles, which typically takes 4 to 5 hours.

What is the drive time from Bryce Canyon to Zion?

The drive from Bryce Canyon to Zion National Park takes about 1.5 to 2 hours. The route follows Scenic Byway 12 to US-89 South, then enters Zion’s east entrance via UT-9, passing through the famous Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel.

What is the drive time from Bryce Canyon to Arches and Canyonlands?

The drive from Bryce Canyon to Arches National Park in Moab takes approximately 4.5 to 5 hours via I-70 or scenic UT-24 E. Canyonlands is an additional 30-40 minutes from Moab. The trip to both parks is approximately the same time, though scenic routes will take longer.

What is the drive time from Bryce Canyon to Capitol Reef?

The drive from Bryce Canyon to Captiol Reef National Park takes abot 2.5 to 3 hours via scenic Highway 12. This scenic drive takes you on a beautiful route that connects Bryce to Torrey.

Passes and Fees

7-day entrance passes to Bryce Canyon National Park cost $35 for vehicles and $20 per person for motorcyclists, bicyclists, and pedestrians. The fee includes unlimited use of the free shuttle bus that runs from late May through early October. Non-US residents (16 and over) must pay an additional $100 per person fee unless admitted with an annual or America the Beautiful Pass.

Bryce Canyon Passes & Fees

panguitch_Utah-Mighty-Five-Bryce-Canyon_payne-angie-02 — Photo: Angie Payne

Visit With Respect

Experiencing the otherworldly beauty of Bryce Canyon should inspire you to want to preserve and protect this remarkable landscape. Practice Leave No Trace principles to ensure that all parts of the park are left as nature intended. Leave places as you found them, respect wildlife, plant life and geology, dispose of waste properly and be considerate of others.

Pack it in, pack it out. Leave no trash or human waste behind. Bryce Canyon requires visitors to pack out solid human waste, toilet paper and hygiene items when camping in the backcountry.
Leave rocks, plants, animals and natural objects as you found them. Never leave marks or scratches on the iconic hoodoos or other surfaces, and admire artifacts and natural formations from a distance without touching or disturbing. Tree carvings, rock etchings and spray painting are forms of vandalism and graffiti that are illegal on public lands.
Due to growing visitation, damage and erosion are increasingly visible throughout the park. Respecting permit requirements, trail closures and other national park regulations helps protect the irreplaceable geology that makes Bryce Canyon unique.
Stay on existing trails and do not travel off course or "bust the crust." Bryce Canyon's fragile biological soil crust, known as cryptobiotic soil, is essential to the ecosystem and can take decades to recover from a single footstep. Camp only in designated areas on durable surfaces and follow all campfire rules and regulations.
Drones are prohibited by law throughout Bryce Canyon National Park.
Pets are restricted to paved roads, parking areas and a small number of designated trails. Bryce Canyon also experiences extreme weather, so leaving your pets at home is recommended.
Be courteous to other visitors by minimizing noise, yielding to others on the narrow canyon trails and respecting all trail and transportation signage.
Show consideration for other visitors and be a mindful photographer. Avoid blocking trails or viewpoints for extended periods, especially at the park's famous sunrise and sunset overlooks.