Best Time to Visit Bryce Canyon National Park

The best time to visit Bryce Canyon National Park depends on your preferences for weather, crowds, and activities. Located at a high elevation, Bryce Canyon offers a unique climate that varies significantly throughout the year, from the warm summer days ideal for hiking and outdoor activities to the serene winter landscapes perfect for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.

Use this Bryce Canyon travel guide to learn more about what it’s like to visit during various seasons and months of the year to help you decide the best time for YOU to plan your vacation.

You’ll find a variety of things to do no matter what month you visit Bryce Canyon National Park. In the spring, summer, and fall enjoy hiking, biking, horseback riding, and canyoneering. In the winter enjoy snowshoeing and cross country skiing. Year-round activities include scenic drives, stargazing, photography, and more!

We live only a few hours away from Bryce Canyon, and this guide is based on our experiences visiting all four seasons of the year! You’ll find a list of things to do, packing checklist, travel tips and weather information for the different seasons and months at Bryce Canyon National Park.

The number one tip for visiting Bryce Canyon is to pack clothing and gear for the weather and temperatures for the time you’ll visit the park. Take a look at our Bryce Canyon Packing List and grab your free printable checklist by clicking the image below!

This site contains affiliate links which means WE may receive commissions for purchases made through these links. We only provide links to products we actually use and/or wholeheartedly recommend! As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Read the full Disclosure Policy.

A Photo Tour of Bryce Canyon National Park

Take a visual tour through Bryce Canyon National Park to see the stunning landscapes you’ll see when you visit!

Best Time to Visit Bryce Canyon

We are sharing all the important things to consider when you are looking for the best time to visit Bryce Canyon. You’ll find general travel information, list of things to do, packing checklist, travel tips, and Bryce Canyon National Park weather information for each month at the park!

Visiting Bryce Canyon by Season

• Bryce Canyon National Park in the Spring
• Bryce Canyon National Park in the Summer
• Bryce Canyon in the Fall
• Bryce Canyon in the Winter

Visiting Bryce Canyon by Month

• Bryce Canyon National Park in January
• Bryce Canyon National Park in February
• Bryce Canyon National Park in March
• Bryce Canyon in April
• Bryce Canyon in May
• Bryce Canyon National Park in June
• Bryce Canyon National Park in July
• Bryce Canyon in August
• Bryce Canyon in September
• Bryce Canyon in October
• Bryce Canyon in November
• Bryce Canyon in December

The Best Times To Avoid the Crowds at Bryce Canyon

With almost 3 million people visiting Bryce Canyon National Park each and every year, there’s no doubt that there are going to be times that the park is more crowded. The summer months will be the most crowded times of the year, typically running from May – September. High peak hours are also from 8 AM- 8 PM.

If you can avoid the summer months, an excellent time to visit would be spring or fall as the tourists will be thinning out a bit by then. You can also visit during the winter months, but due to the elevation of Bryce Canyon you will experience winter weather, cold temperatures and some areas closed.

It’s important to note that no matter what time of year (except winter) you’re planning a visit, the weekend times are typically always busy. This makes sense as people are off work and looking to travel or explore.

The Best Day of the Week to Explore Bryce Canyon

This can vary depending on the time of the year. The summer months stay packed all the time. But during the spring and fall months, if you can plan a middle of the week trip to Bryce Canyon, you’ll find that the foot traffic from others is minimal.

Keep in mind that the park is open all year long, so there are 365 opportunities to get there to explore!

Parking Tips for Bryce Canyon

The other important piece of information to keep in mind is parking. During the busy holiday weekends and summer, you may not find a parking spot at the various lots in the park. You can always use the Bryce Canyon shuttle!

If you’re exploring the Bryce Canyon scenic drive, most people are there to see the view, then they move on. So if you wait a bit you’re likely to find a spot eventually.

But our best tip for getting parking would be to enter the park EARLY, like before 8am! Another time to go would be late afternoon and evening when people are heading back to their rooms or campsites for dinner.

Finding Separation From the Crowd at Bryce Canyon

People tend to go to Bryce Canyon for many different reasons. Some people aren’t bothered by the crowds, while others will be looking for certain days and times to avoid the tourist rush.

The easiest way to still be able to go to the park anytime you want and enjoy it anytime you want is to enjoy the Bryce Canyon hikes! While you’ll certainly encounter other hikers on the trail, it’s still a simple way to get some peace and quiet away from the masses of people.

There are miles upon miles of trails that are available for all different levels of hikers. This is a simple way to get away from the crowds while still enjoying the beauty as well.

Last but not least, use your best judgment when trying to figure out the best time to visit Bryce Canyon. Remember there are many things to do at Bryce Canyon National Park. The beauty of this park is something that everyone should experience, crowded or not.

Take into consideration the seasonal temperatures and fewer people venturing to the park on cold days or on days when there is rain potential. (Just because the forecast might say there is a chance of rain doesn’t mean that it’s going to happen!) And weather can produce amazing Bryce Canyon photos!

If you use these tips, you’ll figure out the best time to visit Bryce Canyon in the best way that works for you. You might have to use these tips and strategies multiple times of the year, but they do work and tend to be pretty accurate.

Check Amazon for: Bryce Canyon Guides and Maps

Where to Stay Near Bryce Canyon:

• Bryce Canyon Places to Stay
• Bryce Canyon Hotels
• Bryce Canyon Winter Lodging
• Bryce Canyon National Park Camping
• Bryce Canyon National Park RV Vacation
• Vacation Rentals Near Bryce Canyon
• Best Western Ruby’s Inn – easy access right outside the park
• Best Western Plus – also right outside the park

Bryce Canyon Itineraries

We’ve created some done-for-you itineraries for visiting Bryce Canyon depending on the time you have to spend at the park. Click the graphic below to get a free travel bundle that includes printable daily itineraries. Or click the links below to see detailed itineraries of the best things to do at Bryce Canyon!

• Bryce Canyon National Park One Day Itinerary
• Two days in Bryce Canyon National Park
• Three Days in Bryce Canyon National Park