Fun List of Bryce Canyon Activities

This stunning National Park in southwest Utah boasts unique colorful spire-shaped rock formations called hoodoos. You’ll find a variety of Bryce Canyon activities and things to do near the park to explore the amazing landscape!

This Bryce Canyon travel guide will help you plan an amazing itinerary full of fun activities! We also share tips for things to pack, where to stay and more!

Distinguished by its mesmerizing hoodoos and crimson-hued amphitheaters, this park offers some of the best outdoor activities in Bryce Canyon National Park.

Also, the park’s stunning vistas promise unforgettable moments, whether you’re hiking along the rim to catch sunrise’s first light or embarking on Bryce Canyon tours and activities guided by seasoned experts.

We live only a few hours away from Bryce Canyon so we’ve had the opportunity to visit many times. The activities and tips we share are based on our experiences visiting the area throughout the years during all four seasons!

Check out these done-for-you Bryce Canyon itineraries that detail the best activities to do based on the time you have to spend at the park:

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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!

Tips for Visiting Bryce Canyon National Park

Bryce Canyon National Park is open 24/7, 365 days a year! Be sure to check the NPS website for the most current Bryce Canyon hours and closures for the time you plan to visit.

You will need a National Park pass to enter Bryce Canyon. The annual park pass can be purchased online or at the park entrance booth. If you purchase a digital pass be sure to print or save it on your mobile device since connectivity is limited in the park.

The best time to visit Bryce Canyon is during the off-season, between the months of October and May. Not only are there fewer people in the park, but the temperatures are cooler too. A fact that makes hiking Bryce Canyon much more pleasant.

Additionally, seasonal Bryce Canyon National Park weather variations create dazzling fall foliage displays, awe-inspiring fields of wildflowers throughout spring, and heavy blankets of snow that are perfect for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in the winter.

Zion & Bryce Canyon AUDIO TOUR
(GuideAlong)

“Download the app to your phone – no cell or wifi service needed. Based on your GPS location, the app takes you on a guided tour of the park and points out all the interesting features and stops. It’s like having a park ranger in the car with you.”

Must-Do Bryce Canyon Activities

Check out this list of fun things to do at Bryce Canyon National Park and discover the most iconic Bryce Canyon landmarks such: as Bryce Point, Bryce Canyon National Park Sunrise Point, and Lower Inspiration Point.

If you’re visiting Bryce Canyon National Park with kids, there are fun way to get them excited before, during and after the trip with National Park activities:

Bryce Canyon Coloring Page
Bryce Canyon National Park Facts
National Park Activity Pack (FREE PRINTABLE)
National Park Activity Books for Kids

Bryce Canyon Ranger Programs

Check out the Visitor Center when you first arrive to talk with the park ranger about the activities you plan to do. They will share important things to know as well as the conditions of the hiking trails.

There are fun Bryce Canyon ranger-led programs available in October: Hoodoo Geology Talk, Full Moon Hike, and the Junior Ranger Program for kids!

Kids, and adults, will enjoy collecting stamps in their National Park Passport book! Passport booklets and stamp sets are “usually” available at the park visitor centers, but we recommend you get the passport book before the trip, just in case!! We’ve seen sad kiddos when a visitor center is out of passport books. Rangers can stamp a piece of paper, but it’s not just the same experience!

Bryce Canyon Scenic Drive

The Bryce Canyon scenic drive is the best way to see the variety of hoodoos, arches and windows at the park.

We always recommend you start by driving to the end of the road at Rainbow Point then working your way back to the amphitheater. This way all the Bryce Canyon must see viewpoints are on the right so it’s easy to pull in and out of each parking lot.

Check out the Bryce Canyon GuideAlong App to hear fun behind-the scenes stories and local tips that play automatically as you drive, based on your GPS location. It’s a great way to have a tour guide in your car as you drive!

Hiking at Bryce Canyon

Exploring the Bryce Canyon hikes is the best way to appreciate this National Park that encompasses over 35,000 acres of picturesque expansive views!

The best day hikes at Bryce Canyon National Park are perfect for any type of hiker with easy, moderate and strenuous trails:

Hiking at Bryce Canyon is definitely a unique experience where you walk right along hoodoos, windows, arches, bridges, tunnels, waterfalls and more!

If you only have time for one hike, we recommend the Navajo Loop Queen’s Garden Trail! We like to start at Sunset Point and end at Sunrise Point.

hiking trails at Bryce Canyon in the winter — Hiking trail at Bryce Canyon in the winter

Don’t forget about Bryce Canyon winter hiking! If you’ve got the right winter hiking gear, you’ll be set to enjoy the unique landscape this time of year!

Traction devices are recommended for all winter hikes at Bryce Canyon. They can be rented in Bryce City if you don’t bring your own.

We also recommend you talk to a park ranger to get the most updated information about trail conditions and weather. Some trails close in the winter due to unsafe conditions.

sunrise at the Bryce Canyon amphitheater — Sunrise at the Bryce Canyon

Bryce Canyon Photography

Bryce Canyon photos showcase the vibrant color as the light creates a spectacular glow on the multi-colored hoodoos that cannot be missed. Be sure you pack your camera equipment for this stunning national park!

We’ve got a free Bryce Canyon photo spots checklist you can download. Here are a few of our favorite photography spots:

Rainbow and Yovimpa Points
Agua Canyon
Natural Bridge
Bryce Point
Paria View
Amphitheater Overlooks

Bryce Canyon in the winter hoodoos with snow — Bryce Canyon in the winter

You’ll also love taking Bryce Canyon winter photos with the contrast of white snow against against the red rocks!

Grab our Bryce Canyon Photography Guide with tips and the best times of day to take pictures at each viewpoint!

Bryce Canyon Stargazing and Astronomy

Bryce Canyon National Park is designated as a Dark Sky certified park. You need to definitely take time to enjoy the night sky during your stay!

During spring, summer and fall the milky way is visible in the sky. It’s a popular location for astrophotography.

Check out all the Bryce Canyon astronomy and night sky programs available throughout the year!

Biking at Bryce Canyon

There is a 5 mile section of road for bikers to ride from Bryce Canyon City to Inspiration Point, with various stops in between. There is an elevation climb of 746 going north to south. If you prefer a downhill ride, you can take the park shuttle to Inspiration Point then ride back going downhill.

All viewpoints, the Lodge, Visitor Center and Shuttle Station have bike racks so you can stop at various places in the park to explore the area.

The Shared-Use Path is 18 miles and connects Red Canyon with Inspiration Point. Pedestrians, leashed pets, cyclists, skaters, longboards, non-motorized scooters and wheelchairs can use this path.

You can rent bikes in Bryce Canyon City. Read more about biking at Bryce Canyon and the Shared-Use Path.

You can enjoy mountain biking in nearby Red Canyon where the landscape is similar to Bryce Canyon.

bryce canyon horseback riding photo credit: Jennifer Wolff — Horseback riding tour

Guided Tours at Bryce Canyon

There are a variety of Bryce Canyon National Park Tours available to fit your needs: guided hikes, horseback riding, photography, and ATV experiences!

If you’re looking for a unique way to see Bryce Canyon, the horseback tours are amazing!!

Bryce Canyon Camping

There are two campgrounds for Bryce Canyon National Park camping: North and Sunset Campgrounds.

Due to the high elevation at Bryce Canyon (8,900 feet above sea level), be sure to pack for the weather conditions. The temperatures drop at night, so it’s important to be prepared.

North Campground requires reservations through Recreation.gov from May 27 to October 1. From October 2 to May 26 all sites are first-come, first-served for Bryce Canyon winter camping. Sunset campground is open April 15th – October 31st. It has 98 first-come, first-served sites and 3 reservable sites.

Here are a few more camping ideas near Bryce Canyon, but check to see if they’re open for the dates you’ll visit:

Bryce Canyon Winter Activities

Due to the high elevation of the park, there will be snow at Bryce Canyon in the winter. You’ll enjoy fun Bryce Canyon winter activities like snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.

The park does a great job of plowing the roads around the park as well as the parking lots near the viewpoints.

If visiting during President’s Day weekend you can take part in the Bryce Canyon Winter Festival. This is a free festival with lots of activities to do for the whole family. Events include:

Cross country ski tours
Snowshoe tours and races
Archery clinics
Photography clinics
Photo contests
Kids snowboot races
Ski archery competition
People-powered sled races
Kayaking demonstrations
Snow Sculpture contests
Clinics on waxing
Lots of entertainment for you and the family to enjoy

Check Amazon for: Bryce Canyon Guides and Maps

Things To Do Near Bryce Canyon

Bryce Canyon Packing List

Use our Bryce Canyon Packing List to make sure you have the right clothing and gear for visiting any time of year! Grab your free printable packing checklist by clicking the image below!