Bryce Canyon is one of Utah’s “Mighty Five” national parks, along with Zion, Capitol Reef, Arches, and Canyonlands. People usually visit Bryce Canyon for a day on their way between Zion and Capitol Reef on a Mighty Five road trip. So here’s the ultimate Bryce Canyon National Park itinerary.

Tips for Visiting Popular National Parks

Fun Fact: The Bryce Canyon Amphitheater is home to the largest collection of hoodoos in the world.

Here’s the ultimate Bryce Canyon National Park itinerary!

When To Go

Bryce Canyon National Park is open 24 hours a day, every day of the year. But from October through May, some roads, campgrounds, and other visitor facilities are closed or operate on reduced hours. This park’s elevation ranges from 6600 to 9100 feet, so it can be cold even in the summer months.

May – September is the peak travel season, so be prepared for lines and crowds. You can avoid some of the other tourists by going on weekdays and arriving early in the morning. Daytime temperatures range from the high 60s to low 80s, with nighttime temperatures dropping into the 50s, so you’ll want layers.

Accommodations are expensive and book up fast during the summer months, so make your reservations as far in advance as possible. The rainy months are July and August, with frequent, usually brief, afternoon thunderstorms which produce heavy rain and frequent lightning. So you’ll need to monitor the weather continuously and don’t start a hike if you could get caught in a storm.

April and October are the shoulder months. Daytime temperatures will be in the 50s, but it’ll drop below freezing at night. You could have snow (I did in mid-April), but you could also have beautiful sunny days. Unpredictable weather is the trade-off for avoiding the peak summer crowds and prices.

December – March are the best months to avoid the crowds and get cheap accommodation, but it will be cold and windy, and you’re almost guaranteed snow every day. Some roads and trails close because of snow and ice. Winter temperatures rarely get above freezing during the day and go well below freezing at night, so come prepared with the right shoes, clothes, and gear.

What To Do

If you’re only visiting Bryce Canyon for a day, arrive as early as possible and stay as late as possible.

Start your day with the Queen’s/Navajo Combination Loop. Hike down the Queen’s Garden trail at Sunrise Point, then take the connecting trail to the Navajo Loop Trail. Next, hike up the Wall Street side of the Navajo Loop to Sunset Point (if you’re here in Winter, Wall Street is closed, and you’ll need to hike up the Two Bridges side of the Navajo Loop). End your hike with the flat, easy walk along the Rim Trail back to Sunrise Point.

Next, take a lunch break. Then do the scenic drive to Rainbow Point, making sure you stop at all the named viewpoints along this route.

If you’re spending the night in or near Bryce Canyon and have a second day to explore the park, here are my recommendations. Start your day with the Tower Bridge hike (moderate-difficult, 3 miles round trip, 760 feet elevation gain).

Eat lunch, then if you’re here from April to October, do an afternoon guided horseback ride into the Bryce Amphitheater along a dedicated horse trail and the Peek-a-boo Loop Trail. If you’re here from November to March, do the Mossy Cave hike (easy, 0.8 miles round trip to a grotto filled with icicles in the Winter).

If you’re up for a late night, check if there’s a “Dark Ranger” stargazing program when you’re here.

Know Before You Go

Bryce Canyon is open year-round, but some trails and roads close due to snow and ice in winter.

The Bryce Amphitheater Shuttle runs from April to October. Using the shuttle system is a great way to avoid the limited parking at the popular viewpoints and trailheads in the northern part of the park. The shuttles don’t run past Paria View, so you’ll need a car for the scenic drive to Rainbow Point.

I highly recommend having a walking stick on every trail. Bryce Canyon’s trails are steep, on cliff edges, and can be slippery with wet rocks, ice, or loose rocks.

There is limited food available in the park (the Bryce Canyon Lodge has a restaurant that usually requires reservations, and there’s a General Store at Sunrise Point), so I recommend packing out your lunch and having snacks with you. Bryce Canyon City has restaurants for dinner.

There is limited cell service inside the park, so download or screenshot maps and trail guides before you arrive. There is WiFi at the Visitor Center and the Lodge.

Pets are only allowed on paved areas and must always be on a leash no more than six feet long.

Bryce Canyon is at a high altitude (between 6000 and 9000 feet), so it’s easy to get “winded.” Take lots of breaks, sit down when you can, and always have plenty of water, sun protection, and snacks.

There is no gas inside the park, so make sure you have a full tank before getting to the park entrance.

In the winter, snowshoes or shoe traction devices are required on every trail.

Bikes, including e-bikes under 750 W, can only be ridden on paved surfaces, campground roads, and the Shared-Use Path.

Where To Stay

Bryce Canyon has many accommodation options inside the park and in the nearby towns. So I’ve rounded up the best hotels, vacation homes, and glamping near Bryce Canyon.

For camping, I highly recommend staying at one of the two campgrounds inside the park. Sunset Campground is open from mid-April to October, and these sites fill up fast, so make your reservation as early as possible. North Campground is open year-round, and all of its sites are first-come, first-served.

If you’re bringing an RV or motorhome, opt for Ruby’s Inn RV Park & Campground or Bryce Canyon Pines Campground.

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This Bryce Canyon National Park itinerary is not a sponsored post, and, as always, the thoughts and opinions expressed in this Bryce Canyon National Park itinerary are entirely my own. Some of these links are affiliate links, and, at no cost to you, I may earn a small commission from this Bryce Canyon National Park itinerary.