Summary
Open year-round
Entrance
$35
7-day fee
Historic Crowd Data
Avg. monthly visitors, 2015–2024 · National Park Service
Light
Moderate
Busy
Very Busy
Peak season is May–September, when around 71% of annual visitors arrive. For lighter crowds, aim for November–March.
Plan Your Visit
High-Elevation Safety9,115 ft max▾
Park Entrance & Scenic DriveOpen year-round · $35▾
Main Access
Open Year-Round
UT-63, off Highway 12
A single main road leads into the park from Highway 12. The visitor center sits right past the entrance station.
💡 Winter road maintenance keeps the park open year-round, but snow and ice are common Nov–Mar — carry tire chains or traction devices.
NPS directions ↗
Bryce Amphitheater Shuttle
Optional, Peak Season
Free shuttle, spring – fall
Unlike Zion's mandatory system, Bryce's shuttle is optional — you can drive and park yourself, but riding the shuttle avoids the amphitheater's limited, often-full parking lots in peak season.
💡 Check current shuttle operating dates before you go — service is seasonal.
Shuttle info ↗
Winter Conditions
Icy Trails
Rim and inner-canyon trails, Nov – Apr
Trails below the rim get packed snow and ice for months at a time. Traction devices (like microspikes) are strongly recommended, not optional, for anything past the rim in winter.
💡 Snowshoe and cross-country ski rentals are sometimes available seasonally near the visitor center.
NPS conditions ↗
Campgrounds2 areas▾
North Campground Mostly Reservable ▾
Sites100
SeasonYear-round, weather permitting
NotesOnly Loop A open Jan 1–Apr 15; Loops A & B Oct 5–Dec 31
Campground details ↗
Sunset Campground Reservable & First-Come ▾
Sites99
SeasonApril – October (closed in winter)
NotesMix of reservable and first-come sites — check Recreation.gov for the current split
Campground details ↗
Landmarks & Trailheads5 stops▾
Bryce Amphitheater3 stops▾
Sunrise & Sunset PointsShort walks
Easy · classic amphitheater overlooks
Navajo Loop / Queen's GardenModerate
Moderate · descends among the hoodoos
~2.9 mi combined
Bryce PointOverlook only
Easy · widest amphitheater view
Southern Scenic Drive2 stops▾
Rainbow & Yovimpa PointsEnd of the scenic drive
Easy · highest viewpoints in the park
Natural BridgeOverlook only
Roadside · large natural arch
Things to Do7 categories▾
Hiking Trails6 trails▾
Rim TrailEasy
Follows the canyon edge from Fairyland Point to Bryce Point; walk any portion or the whole thing
1–11 mi · 719 ft
Mossy Cave TrailEasy
Short walk to a seasonal waterfall and a moss-lined alcove, on the park's east side near Tropic
0.8 mi RT · 150 ft
Queen's Garden & Navajo Loop ComboModerate
The park's classic below-the-rim loop through hoodoo formations, connecting two trailheads
2.9 mi RT · 625 ft
Tower Bridge TrailModerate
Descends from Sunrise Point to a natural rock-bridge formation resembling its namesake
3.0 mi RT · 760 ft
Peekaboo Loop TrailStrenuous
Below-the-rim loop through the Wall of Windows and Cathedral formations; shared with horse traffic
5.5 mi RT · 1,560 ft
Fairyland Loop TrailStrenuous
The longest amphitheater loop, passing Tower Bridge and China Wall with far fewer crowds
8.0 mi RT · 1,900 ft
Horseback Riding2 options▾
Guided Rides — Canyon Trail RidesApr–Oct 31
2- and 3-hour rides on a dedicated horse trail through the amphitheater and the Peekaboo Loop · 435/679-8665
Private Stock Rides~May–Oct
Reserve via Recreation.gov (no walk-ins); up to 10 riders per half-hour slot, 4:30–7:30 PM; health certificate & proof of ownership required
Biking2 notes▾
Canyon to Canyon Shared-Use Path22 mi total
Paved path linking Bryce Canyon City through the park to Red Canyon in Dixie National Forest
Final Segment Construction (2026)Late May–~Oct 2026
The last 2.3-mi segment from Hwy 63 to Bryce Point is fully closed to bicycles during construction, weekdays 8 AM–6 PM
Winter Sports2 ways▾
Cross-Country SkiingSnow-dependent
Marked routes above the rim; skiing down into the amphitheater is prohibited
SnowshoeingSnow-dependent
Allowed park-wide on all trails; no rental program, but traction devices are sold at the visitor center bookstore
Ranger & Astronomy Programs2 programs▾
Annual Astronomy FestivalFree w/ admission
Multi-day June event: daytime solar telescopes, evening speaker talks, public stargazing 10 PM–midnight, and an astrophotography workshop (15-person cap, registration required)
Full Moon HikesPermit via Recreation.gov
Ranger-led 1–2 mile moonlit hikes on the night of each month's full moon (except Jan); canceled below 10°F or under cloud cover
Stargazing & Night SkyDark Sky Park▾
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Bryce Canyon was certified an International Dark Sky Park in 2019, on the 50th anniversary of its astronomy programs, and its high, dry elevation makes for some of the clearest air in the country. Rangers run regular night-sky and telescope programs at the visitor center in summer. Bring warm layers — rim temperatures drop fast after dark, even in July. NPS night sky info ↗
Bird WatchingTop 5 species▾
California Condor
Critically endangered, huge wingspan
Peregrine Falcon
Nests among the hoodoos
White-throated Swift
Circles the amphitheater
Steller's Jay
Ponderosa pine forest
Clark's Nutcracker
High-elevation conifers
Concession Information3 locations▾
Bryce Canyon Lodge2 locations▾
Lodge Dining RoomSeasonal
Sit-down dining
Gift ShopSeasonal
Books · Gifts
General Store1 location▾
North Campground General StoreSeasonal
Groceries · Camp supplies
Park Contact Information