For those planning a trip around Southwest USA to visit some amazing national parks, Bryce Canyon National Park needs to be added to your trip itinerary.
Bryce Canyon is another popular US national park and for good reason. Bryce Canyon is has breathtaking views both because they are amazing and also because you will be out of breath doing some of these hikes.
After visiting Bryce Canyon during my road trip around the southwest of the United States it become one of my favourite destination on this trip! I want to share with you everything you need to know to have an amazing trip to Bryce Canyon National Park from how to get to Bryce Canyon, where to stay in Bryce Canyon, and things to do in Bryce Canyon.
This post is all about Bryce Canyon National Park.
Bryce Canyon National Park
Transportation
How to Travel to Bryce Canyon National Park
If you are planning a trip around Utah to visit Bryce Canyon National Park I also recommend visiting Zion National Park. We visited Zion first and then drove from Zion National Park to Bryce Canyon Nation. The drive is around 2 hours. Click here to view the Google Maps driving route between these two national parks.
How to Travel Within Bryce Canyon National Park
To enter Bryce Canyon National Park you need a permit. You will need to visit the recreation.gov website to purchase a pass. The vehicle pass costs $35, the motorcycle pass costs $30 (this includes individual use of the park shuttle), and a pedestrian/cyclist pass costs $20 (this allows use of the park shuttle). Once you purchase the pass, you must show your pass at a ticket counter before entering the park. The park is very big so I recommend driving your own car or using the shuttle to get around.
Accommodations
If you are looking for an affordable place to stay check out Ruby’s Inn RV Park and Campground. The campground is right outside the national park, around a 5-minute drive to Bryce Canyon National Park. This campground has bathrooms and showers and it’s very affordable costing around $35 CAD per night.
Activities
Best Day Hike in Bryce Canyon
Queens Garden to Peekaboo Loop
Hiking Route (+distances)
When you drive into the park you will park in the parking lots near the Bryce Canyon Lodge. From the lodge, you will walk to Sunrise Point which is the starting spot for this walk. From Sunrise Point you will take the Queens Garden Trail (0.8 miles). Where the Queens Garden Trail ends you will start the Peekaboo loop (3 miles). Once you are done with the Peekaboo Loop you will walk back up Queens Garden Trail to Sunrise Point to get back to your car.
Tips
Hikes at Bryce Canyon can be deceiving because the hikes start at the top of the canyon and you start by walking downhill into the canyon. It’s great and super easy at first but remember you have to walk back up the canyon at the end of your hike and it can be pretty difficult. The route I described above may not look very long but I found it very difficult so be prepared to walk up some steep hills. Since it’s pretty difficult make sure to bring lots of water and snacks, don’t be like us and almost run out of water. Even though the hike is difficult it’s such an amazing hike and well worth it for the amazing views you get.
Picnic
There are a lot of picnic spots around Bryce Canyon National Park and you will definitely want something to eat after that long hike. Sunset Point has an area with picnic tables where you can enjoy your lunch.
Scenic Drive
Bryce Canyon also has a scenic drive you can drive along and stop at different lookouts overlooking the canyon.
Scenic Drive Route/ Lookout Points
- Sunrise Point
- Sunset Point
- Inspiration Point
- Bryce Point/Paria View
- Swamp Canyon
- Piracy Point
- Farview Point
- Natural Bridge (my favourite)
- Agua Point
- Ponderosa Canyon
- Black Birch Canyon
- Rainbow Point
Watch Sunset
To end your night in Bryce Canyon I recommend visiting Bryce Point to watch the sunset. It’s a little confusing because there is a lookout in Bryce Canyon called Sunset Point which is good for sunrise but not for sunset so check out Bryce Point for a great sunset. At Bryce Point, if you walk from the parking lot you can turn right to the main lookout point or turn left and walk up a trail a bit. I recommend turning left because there are fewer people and you can find a nice place to sit and watch the sunset.
Hope this was helpful for anyone planning a trip to Bryce Canyon. If you are like me and only have a day do not worry you can still see tons and have an amazing time at Bryce Canyon. And if you are there for longer there are tons more things to do. Visiting Bryce Canyon was a highlight of my trip so have an amazing time and happy travels.
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