Bryce Canyon National Park
Utah
Bryce Canyon National Park was the fourth stop on my trip to visit the “Mighty Five” National Parks in Utah. I remember being in awe of the astounding monoliths climbing towards the sky: They seemed to greet me at every turn! Should you choose to visit this park, don’t miss out on Sunrise Point, Navajo Loop Trail, and the Queen’s Garden for some of the most beautiful views in the park. And be sure to bring warm clothes! This park sits at a high elevation and it can get a lot colder than the other parks in the Mighty Five.
Read on for more tips and tricks on camping and backpacking in the park, and other things to see and do for a wonderful stay.
Bryce Canyon National Park Stats
When to Visit Bryce Canyon National Park
Below is a chart outlining the average number of visitors and temperatures for each month in Bryce Canyon National Park as of 2023.
Plants and Animals at Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah
The national park service tracks each animal and plant species sighting in the park. The data below is a summary of the NPS Species database, updated in 2024.
Bryce Canyon Sunrise Point
Sunrise Point is the northernmost viewpoint in the park that overlooks the iconic Bryce Amphitheater. The amphitheater is full of rock formations called “hoodoos” which are formed by weather and erosion over the years. Most hoodoos are made when softer mudstone is capped by harder limestone through many years of freezing and thawing, contracting and expanding.
Sunrise Point is accessible by car, a short drive from both the Visitor Center and the North Campground. You may park your car at Sunrise Point and then take a short, 1 mile, paved hike from Sunrise to Sunset Point for astounding views of the hoodoos and other rock formations in the canyon.
Bryce Canyon Trails
Adventurous hikers may choose to go the backcountry camping route, but according the National Park website, day hike trails offer the best views of the hoodoos and other rock formations that make Bryce Canyon unique.
Navajo Loop Trail
This 1.3 mile moderate hike begins and ends at Sunset Point and takes you down into the canyon for great views of the hoodoos close up. This trail is not pet friendly, and ascends about 1,000 feet. It’s made up of two sides: Wall Street and Two Bridges. During the summer months, these two sides combine to form a loop, but during the winter months (November-April or so) the Wall Street side is closed, so it is just an out-and-back using the Two Bridges trail. This hike takes about 1-2 hours on average.
You can combine it with the Queen’s Garden Trail to create a 2.9 mile round trip trail with even more views. Hikers typically start this hike at Sunrise Point and come out at Sunset Point, then hike the easy 1 mile paved trail between the two to get back to their cars.
Queen's Garden Trail
Queen’s Garden Trail is accessible from Sunrise Point. This is the easiest trail into the Amphitheater, 1.8 miles out-and-back. The main attraction is the Queen Victoria Hoodoo, a large hoodoo in the Amphitheater that was thought to be reminiscent of a statue of Queen Victoria in London. As mentioned above, this hike is most commonly combined with the Navajo Loop Trail for the best experience.
Fairyland Loop Trail
A more strenuous hike, this 8-mile trail combines hiking along the plateau rim near Boat Mesa with a hike in the canyon. It takes most hikers about 4-5 hours to complete. You can start this hike at Fairyland Point or on the rim trail at the Tower Bridge trailhead. No pets are allowed on this trail, and it may not be the most family friendly option due to the length. It’s better suited to individuals with more experience seeking a longer excursion. The long views across the Amphitheater make it worth it!
Bryce Canyon Camping
Bryce Canyon has two campgrounds: North Campground and Sunset Campground. The North Campground is open all year-round and is RV and tent camping friendly. This campground offers flush toilets and a potable water station. Other amenities are offered on a seasonal basis (like firewood and laundry services). This campground is located near the Visitor Center.
Sunset Campground is closed from November into April. This campground is also RV and tent camping friendly and is located close to Sunrise Point with a shuttle available to take you through the park.
You may reserve a spot at either campground using recreation.gov.
Backpacking in Bryce Canyon
For those seeking to fully immerse themselves in Bryce Canyon, backpacking is an option. All backpackers must purchase a permit and camp only in the designated areas of the park, to make as little of an impact on the natural ecosystem as possible. Permits may be purchased up to three months in advance on recreation.gov.
Not every area of the park is backpacker-friendly. Most of the backcountry campsites are located on the Under-the-Rim Trail and the Riggs Spring Loop Trail. A few additional tips for those looking to backpack in Bryce Canyon:
- You must bring (or you can loan one at the visitor center) bear spray to backpack in this park. Canisters must be reviewed with a park ranger at the Visitor Center to make sure they meet regulations.
- Pets are not allowed in the backcountry area.
- Carry plenty of water (4 liters recommended) and check water availability with a park ranger at the visitor center before you head in.
- No open fires are permitted in the backcountry. You’ll need to bring a camp stove for cooking and boiling water.
- As with all hiking and camping, be sure to carefully follow the Leave No Trace principles!
- Backcountry campsites are limited to 6 people on a regular site and 15 people per group site.
Bryce Canyon National Park History
The Paiute people occupied the area that is now Bryce Canyon as long ago as 1,200 AD. It is suspected that they mainly used the area for hunting and gathering, and there is little evidence that they settled in the area permanently.
In the late 1700s, European settlers began making their way into this region. In the early 1900s, there began talk of preserving this space and its unique natural beauty for future generations. After years of discussion, President Warren G. Harding established Bryce Canyon as a National Monument in 1923. In 1928, it was designated as Bryce Canyon National Park.
Other Resources:
If you’re planning a trip to Bryce Canyon National Park, check out the additional resources below for help.
