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Updated July 2024

Bryce Canyon National Park

Bryce Canyon National Park has the most amazing and unique landscape to explore. I don’t know if there is a bad view at Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah where you will be in awe at the beauty of this area. I have decided that on my journey of visiting National Parks (17 so far), that Bryce Canyon has been my absolute favorite!!

I am in awe at the breathtaking views of this park. The limestone hoodoos will captivate you and is unlike any scenery in any other park I have visited. The landscape here is incredible with its unique geological formations and stunning vistas. This park has the largest concentration of hoodoos in the world ranging in vibrant colors from red, orange, and white. The spire-shaped rocks seem unlike any other natural formation in the world. Whether you choose to hike the winding trails, go stargazing under the dark skies, or simply take in the breathtaking panoramic views from the various lookouts through the park, Bryce Canyon will provide the awe-struck view of this natural setting that helps you escape into the wild.

Visitor Center

Upon entering the park from the north entrance, you will find that all trails will be on your left side. You will first want to visit the Visitor Center which is on your right upon entering the park. Here you can use the restroom, buy souvenirs, watch a film about the history of the park and more. Here you can also visit the park via the shuttle bus starting at this location.

Visitor Center hours: vary throughout the year. Closed Christmas Day and Thanksgiving.

March 26 - May 6 open from 8am to 6pm
November 6 - March 26 from 8am to 4:30pm
October 2 to November 5 from 8am to 6pm
Summer 8am to 8pm

What you need to know

Park hours: Open 24 hours - 365 days a year. No reservations needed.

Fee: $35 private vehicle up to 15 passengers and is valid for 7 consecutive days.

Amenities: trails, horseback riding, camping, ranger programs, night sky viewing, backcountry camping

Pets: Only allowed on paved areas in the park such as parking lots, paved viewpoints, paved roads and campgrounds and must be on a leash at all times. Kennels near Bryce Canyon are located in Panguitch, Cedar City, and Kanab.

Weather: Some parts of the park are closed in the winter. Check out their website before you go for details.

Picnic areas: There are several picnic areas located throughout the park. Grab a pizza from Valhalla Pizzeria and stop for a picnic.

Trail maps shown below are from nps.gov

General Store

The General Store is located near Sunrise Point and is closed from January to March. You can find the following items available at the General Store for an additional fee.

Purchase grab and go hot and cold food items and drinks
Water-fill stations (seasonally)
Firewood
Camping supplies
Showers were $3 per person for 8 minutes in 2022
Laundry facilities. Laundry machines take coins (coin machine available onsite)
Restrooms when the General Store is open.

I enjoyed having the option to take a warm shower and do laundry before we headed to our next destination. You do not have to camp here to use the showers or laundry.

Restaurants at Bryce Canyon

The Lodge at Bryce Canyon. Closed during the winter from mid-November to the end of March. No reservations are required for the restaurant, first come, first served basis.
General Store, see above
Valhalla Pizzeria & Coffee Shop. Pizzeria closed from October to May. Open 7am to 8pm daily during seasonal hours.

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Lodging

The Lodge at Bryce Canyon offers 114 rooms in this historical Lodge that provides an authentic cabin feel without TV, Wi-Fi or air conditioning. Cabin and motel style rooms. Reservations are recommended. Closed during the winter from mid-November to the end of March.

Shuttle bus available

A shuttle bus is available throughout the park and is free with paid park admission. Show your ticket for proof of park admission to the bus driver or show your National Park Pass. You can get a map at the visitor center for bus stop locations. The bus typically runs every 15 minutes and is closed from April to mid-October. They are wheelchair accessible and have a rack for two bikes. No pets allowed. See map, below.

Shuttle bus route

Shuttle bus route map, below. This route starts outside of the park as well.

Parking

You will be able to find parking at each trailhead except Fairyland Point. If parking is full the staff will direct you where to go for additional parking. You can drive to each point or take the shuttle for convenience. Oversized parking is not permitted at the trailhead parking lots when the shuttle bus is in use.

Camping (more details below)

North Campground open 24 hours. Check in/Check out at 11:30am. Fire grates and flush toilets provided. $20 per tent site, $30 per RV site. Dump station and potable water available in North campground in the summer months.
Sunset Campground open 24 hours. Open April 15 to October 31. First come/first served. Closed in the winter months. Check in/Check out at 11:30am. Fire grates and portable toilets (seasonal). $20 tent site, $30 RV site.

Hiking Navajo Loop Trail

Sunset Point, Wall Street and Bryce Canyon Amphitheater

You can begin and end your journey at Sunset Point. Below is the view from that area overlooking the Bryce Canyon Amphitheater, so so pretty. From Sunset Point we went to the right which took us to Wall Street (Wall Street is closed in the winter). Wall Street trail is a set of switchbacks so take your time and enjoy the view of the limestone walls and Douglas-fir trees as you travel this trail. Since we were going down these switchbacks it was fairly easy. If you choose to start at Sunrise Point you will come back up these switchbacks if you take the full loop trail.

At the bottom of Wall Street there is a reprieve from the heat as you are against the limestone walls, so it is much cooler. Stop and take a break and have a snack before you head on to the rest of the trail.

Wall Street switchbacks

Below are the Wall Street switchbacks and the tree at the bottom where you can relax and enjoy the cooler weather against the canyon walls.

Navajo Loop trail continued

After completing Wall Street, you will then veer to the left and continue along the Navajo Loop trail (0.7 miles). At the end of this section, you can go one of three ways.

Right trail: takes you on an extended trail to Bryce Point (Peekaboo Loop Trail) or toward Tropic.

Left trail: takes you to Two Bridges and Thor’s Hammer and back to Sunset Point. You will encounter another set of switchbacks before you get to Sunset Point. (0.6 miles). This is the trail we took.

Straight trail: takes you to Sunrise Point and Queen’s Garden. This path will avoid the second set of switchbacks.

Navajo Loop Trail as seen above and below.

Thor’s Hammer

Along the hike you will see Thor’s Hammer, which stands proudly among the hoodoo’s, on your way back to Sunset Point (0.6 miles). See below.

More Switchbacks

You will then come to another set of switchbacks but this time you will be going up them so be prepared to stop as needed. This is a strenuous hike and by the time we got to the top we were exhausted. You wouldn’t think switchbacks would be that hard, but they are. Although strenuous, they were so beautiful and definitely worth the hike. (seen below)

Navajo Loop Trail need to know

1.3 miles total, approximately 1-2 hours
It is recommended you hike this trail counterclockwise in the summer months
In the winter you can only access this trail by Two Bridges and is out and back
No oversized vehicles at the trail head when the shuttle is in use
Sunset Point has restrooms available year-round. Seasonally there is access to water-fill stations.
No pets allowed on this trail

Bryce Canyon National Park

Sunset Point and Sunrise Point

You can walk the trail from Sunset Point to Sunrise Point which is 0.5-mile one way on a paved path. The view along this path is absolutely stunning of the surrounding hoodoos of Bryce Canyon Amphitheater. (see pic below).

24-hour restrooms and water are available at the Sunrise Point trailhead along with picnic tables and trash.

Path from Sunset to Sunrise Point

As you can see from the picture below, the path from Sunset to Sunrise Point is very easy to navigate on the paved trail. This trail is dog friendly.

1 hour roundtrip and marked as easy.

Queen’s/Navajo Loop Trail combination

The most popular and recommended trail is the Queen’s/Navajo Loop Trail combination. You will combine the Navajo Loop Trail along with the switchbacks and onto Queen’s Trail. This allows for more open views of the hoodoos along this naturally scenic path. See the Queen’s/Navajo Loop Trail map below.

2.9-mile loop/ 2-3 hours
Trailhead at Sunrise or Sunset Point
trail is listed as moderate
Pets are not allowed on this trail
no oversized parking at the trailhead when shuttle bus is in use

Queen’s Garden Trail

From the Sunrise Point trailhead, you can hike out and back on the Queen’s Garden Trail. This is listed as one of the least difficult trails from the rim at Bryce Amphitheater and leads you to the Queen Victoria hoodoo. See Queen’s Garden Trail map below.

1.8-mile roundtrip, out and back/ 1-2 hours
listed as moderate
no pets allowed on this trail

Inspiration Point

Check out Inspiration Point to see this magnificent view, below. It was so spectacular, and the hoodoos continue to be breathtaking.

Restrooms are available at the trailhead.

Lower and Upper Inspiration Point

There are three points to view the hoodoos from this location. We walked to Lower Inspiration Point first to see the views (to the left). There is a cement walkway that leads you to a deck for an overview of the area. So beautiful. Then go back to the middle and continue straight to Upper Inspiration Point. This is a steep incline and once at the top you will turn to the left to the overlook. It is about a 10-minute walk.

Bryce Point Trail

From Inspiration Point, you can hike to Bryce Point which is a 1.3-mile hike one way, or you can drive to Bryce Point if you prefer like we did.

Path along Inspiration Point Bryce Canyon NP.jpeg

Upper Inspiration Point Bryce Canyon NP.jpeg

Bryce Point

Bryce Point creates one final view of the hoodoos within this park. No view in this park is mediocre. Each viewpoint shows an amazing display of the different colored limestones and all the natural beauty this park offers.

Hiking The Rim Trail

Staring at Bryce Point, you can hike The Rim Trail to Fairyland Point. This trail follows Bryce Amphitheater and connects to Inspiration Point, Sunset Point and Sunrise Point. See The Rim Trail map below.

Approximate 5.5 miles one-way, 11 miles roundtrip/ 7.5 hours roundtrip
listed as easy to moderate
No shuttle service at Fairyland Point
In the winter months, Bryce Point to Inspiration Point is closed

Other hiking trails in Bryce Canyon National Park

Easy

Mossy Cave Trail - 0.8 miles/1 hour. Located at the Northern end of the park
Bristlecone Loop Trail - 1 mile/1 hour. Accessible from Rainbow Point. May be closed in the winter months.

Moderate

Tower Bridge - 3 miles roundtrip/2-3 hours. Trailhead North of Sunrise Point.
Swamp Canyon Loop - 4 miles roundtrip/3-4 hours. Trailhead at Swamp Canyon Viewpoint. May be closed in the winter months.

Strenuous

Hat Shop - 4 miles roundtrip/3-4 hours. Trailhead at Bryce Point. Not advised during the winter months unless you are prepared and an experienced winter hiker.
Peekaboo Loop - 5.5 miles roundtrip/3-4 hours. Trailhead at Bryce Point. May be closed in the winter months. Recommended to hike this trail clockwise.
Navajo/Peekaboo Combination Loop - 4.9 miles roundtrip/3-4 hours. Trailhead at Sunset Point.
Figure 8 Combination - 6.4 miles roundtrip/3-4 hours. Trailhead at Sunrise or Sunset Point. May be closed in the winter months. Recommended to hike clockwise from Queen’s Garden.
Bryce Ampitheater Traverse - 4.7-mile one way/3-4 hours. Trailhead at Bryce Point. May be closed in the winter months.

Camping at Bryce Canyon National Park

We camped at the North campground within Bryce Canyon National Park. There were several other people camping while we were there, but it wasn’t crowded at all. Shade trees provide comfort from the sun.

North Campground: This campground has 100 camping sites. No hookups available. Reservations required May 19 to October 7. First come, first serve October 8 to May 18.

Amenities: flush toilets, fire grate, picnic table, trash. Dump station is available in the summer and is included in camping fee and potable water is available seasonally. No hammocks can be hung from trees and there are only certain times during the day when a generator can be run.

Cost: $30 RV site, $20 tent site. 50% discount with Senior/Golden Age/Access pass.

South Campground: This campground has 99 sites. There are no hookups. Dump station is located in the North campground and is included in camping fee. Potable water near dump station.

Amenities: fire grate, potable water, pit toilets, trash are all available seasonally.

Cost: $30 RV site, $20 tent site. 50% discount with Senior/Golden Age/Access pass.

Hike the Hoodoos along Bryce Canyon National Park’s Unique Landscape

Bryce Canyon National Park

Visitor Center