Your first view of the park is a dramatic unveiling. Wind through stands of pine trees until they break at the rim of Bryce Canyon National Park, revealing a panorama of goblins, towers and fins of a color you can’t quite name.
Najo Loop: It’s easy to see why this trail is one of the most popular in the park. It starts with a horizon-sweeping view at Sunset Point, then makes its way past the Silent City — a rock metropolis of hoodoos and spires — to Wall Street, where the trail heads into a narrow slot canyon surrounded by sweeping sandstone walls.Fairyland Loop: Nine out 10 fairies agree: This windswept, mind-boggling vista is the place to be. Stand on the edge and keep it casual or lace up your boots and descend into intricate hoodoo architectures on a strenuous 8-mile trail that will he even the biggest skeptics believing in magic.Sunset Point: Want to gawk without a big walk? Head over to Sunset Point, where you can take in the most awe-inspiring sections of the park without moving a muscle. The vista looks over the Silent City and gives you a 20/20 view of Thor’s Hammer — an imposing and isolated hoodoo — and provides hours of bird-watching fun. If you want to stretch your legs, take the Najo Loop Trail that departs from the parking lot.Bristlecone LoopMossy CeView all hikes at Bryce Canyon.Getting Around Bryce CanyonOnce you get to the park, you can ditch your wheels and ride in style on the park’s free shuttle service (when in it's operation). This trusty metal steed takes visitors to all the must-see viewpoints and trails. It’s not required but it conserves gas, money and time — so why not?
Other Things to Do at Bryce Canyon National ParkATVBackpacking*Mountain BikingCampingHikingHorseback RidingTours*Overnight backpacking in Bryce Canyon requires a permit.
When to visit Bryce CanyonWeather-wise, Bryce Canyon makes the mercury mercurial, with big temp shifts from season to season and even day to day. This is due to Bryce’s dizzying elevation — a cool 8,000–9,000 feet — and makes it a much cooler park than nearby Zion. Below are some quick tips to maximize fun and minimize frostbite.
Spring: Bryce’s spring is closer to winter and temps don’t really start warming until May. Be prepared for snowstorms in March and April.Summer: Summer is beautiful in Bryce Canyon. The temps hover in the low 70s in June and hit the 80s in July and August, making hiking a much less sweaty affair than in other parts of southern Utah. It’s a perfect time to beat the city heat and head out into the fresh, thin air. Exercise caution, however: Summer rains start in late July and August and can lee you drenched and exposed to lightning. So be smart. When the thunder starts, stop hiking.Fall: Winter can come quickly in Bryce, but September temperatures are ideal, usually staying in the 70s during the day. October is a weather checkerboard, with storms some days and perfect blue skies the next. As always, check the weather forecast and bring one layer warmer than you think you’ll need.Winter: Snow-capped hoodoos might be dazzling, but they come at a cost: Winter temps in Bryce almost always dip below freezing and the days can be brisk. Snow can start in October and can last until April, but the coldest months are December through February. So layer up, pack warm and check the weather. It might be nippy but it’s worth it.Where to Eat Near Bryce Canyon National ParkHe you gobbled all your snack packs, granola, and other trail treats? Not to worry. With an array of food options — from affordable comfort food to fine dining — Bryce is a great place to get your grub on. Below are some of our forite options that will please foodies and coupon-cutters alike.
Family-FriendlyEbenezer’s Bar and GrillBryce Canyon PinesThe Pizza PlaceFancyStone Hearth GrilleBryce Canyon LodgeFrugalBryce Canyon Coffee CompanyValhalla PizzaView a list of nearby restaurants.
Accessibility at Bryce CanyonTrailsOnly a half-mile section of the Rim Trail between Sunset and Sunrise Points is wheelchair accessible. The one-mile Bristlecone Loop at Rainbow Point has a hard surface and could be used with assistance, but several grades do not meet standards.
Camping / LodgingCamp sites 223 and 224 in Loop A of Sunset Campground are reserved for those with mobility impairments. The Sunrise Unit of Bryce Canyon Lodge has rooms designed for handicapped access.
Dogs at Bryce CanyonDogs are allowed (on leash):
At campgroundsIn parking lotsOn ped roadsOn ped viewpoint areasOn the ped trail between Sunset Point and Sunrise PointOn the ped shared-use path between the park entrance and Inspiration PointDogs are not allowed:
On any unped trails or viewpointsIn public buildingsOn public transportation vehiclesService animals are permitted anywhere in the park.
Also NearbyDone with your bucket list? Well here’s another bucket. There’s more to the Bryce Canyon area than the park and you can cross all of them off your list without breaking your bank or your gas tank.
Highway 12 — Scenic BywayIt’s not often that a road makes a must-see list, but Highway 12 is not like most roads. Winding between Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef, the 124-mile road takes you on a whiplash tour of some of the most remote and diverse landscapes on earth, from sagebrush plains to rugged red buttes and alpine forests. Plus, the road is a gateway to a bevy of state parks, national monuments, and old-time ranching communities, offering dozens of chances to stretch your legs and blow your mind.
Kodachrome Basin State ParkThis local gem of a park was named after Kodak’s brilliant color film and it’s easy to see why. With varied hues of pink, red and white set against an azure sky, it’s full of living color. Visitors come to gawk at the park’s collection of cylindrical chimneys (known as sand pipes) and to wander the trails, box canyons and vistas that dot the landscape.
Grand Staircase Escalante National MonumentThis 1.9-million-acre stretch of land is some of the remotest in the lower 48 and it’s packed with geological impossibilities and surprises. The Grand Staircase is just that — a giant-sized series of geological steps descending from the Kaiparowits Plateau to the Grand Canyon. The plateaus are riddled with canyons, wildlife and Native American artifacts and the canyons of the Escalante house snaking streams and rivers that flow through canyons and amphitheaters on their way to the Colorado River.
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