Bryce Canyon National Park Itinerary Ideas

If you’re wondering how many days to spend in Bryce Canyon, check out these Bryce Canyon National Park itinerary ideas for 1, 2, or 3 days in the park!

This Bryce Canyon travel guide includes everything you should see, do and photograph at this stunning park.

Bryce Canyon National Park itinerary ideas instant download

When you visit Bryce Canyon National Park you’ll see a stunning landscape filled with hoodoos, natural arches, windows, fins, and other unique rock formations.

You’ll want to plan enough time at Bryce Canyon to see and photograph the sunrise, explore the scenic drive, and enjoy some activities like day hikes, biking, ATV or horseback riding tours, and more!

Grab our travel bundle with printable 1, 2 and 3-day Bryce Canyon National Park itineraries to print and use to plan your vacation!

Bryce Canyon Travel Bundle
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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!

Things to Know Before Visiting Bryce Canyon

Bryce Canyon National Park is open 24 hours a day, every day of the year, even on holidays! Be sure to check the NPS website for the most updated information for the Bryce Canyon hours and closures when 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.

Bryce Canyon Seasons and Weather

We get asked often: When is the best time to visit Bryce Canyon? The time of year will definitely play a big part in what you can see or do at the park. 

Most of the year you’ll enjoy fun outdoor things to do at Bryce Canyon National Park like scenic drives, hiking, biking, and horseback riding. During the winter, the activities are a bit more limited due to the cold and snow!

Due to the higher elevation at Bryce Canyon compared to the other Utah National Parks, the weather and temperatures will be different so it’s important to be up-to-date with current weather and road conditions!

Here’s a list of the average temperatures and Bryce Canyon weather during all four seasons:

Bryce Canyon spring weather: Due to the elevation, it will be cold, and may even be snowy, in early spring which usually means fewer (but steady) crowds.

It is especially important to pack for all types of weather because you never know when the weather will change. It is not unusual to get a heavy snowfall in March or April. We recommend you pack winter clothes when going to Bryce Canyon in March and April. 

Bryce Canyon summer weather: the temperatures aren’t as hot as the other Utah National Parks which is nice!

We recommend having a fleece jacket for the cooler mornings and evenings. Summer monsoon rain storms are common as well so check the weather to see if you may also need a rain jacket.

Bryce Canyon fall weather: temperatures are cooler and there are fewer people taking vacations this time of year, making it the perfect time for visiting this park.

Bryce Canyon winter weather: it will be cold and snowy, but the crowds are gone and you can truly appreciate this park in all its natural beauty. It is especially gorgeous with the white snow contrasting against the red orange hoodoos.

Late spring, summer, and fall are the best times of year to visit Bryce Canyon so you don’t need to worry about the cold weather and snow storms closing roads during the winter months.

But…if you’re prepared with winter clothes and gear you will have an amazing trip to Bryce Canyon in the winter months. You’ll enjoy fun snow activities like snowshoeing, sledding and cross-country skiing in a setting like no other!

The park does a great job of plowing the Bryce Canyon roads as well as the parking lots near the viewpoints. Always check the Bryce Canyon website for current conditions.

Bryce Canyon entry sign in the winter
Bryce Canyon entry sign in the winter

Map of Bryce Canyon Scenic Drive Points of Interest

Use this Google map of the Bryce Canyon scenic drive points of interest to navigate through the park.

Map of Bryce Canyon viewpoints along the scenic drive

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 views and photo spots are on the right so it’s easy to pull in and out of each parking lot.

bryce-point-hoodoos-bryce-canyon-national-park-photo-jeepers-1
Sunrise at Bryce Point

Bryce Canyon National Park Itinerary: Day 1

Here’s what we recommend for your Bryce Canyon National Park One Day Itinerary. Click that link to see the detailed 1-day itinerary!

We always recommend you stop at the Visitor Centers first thing to get the updated weather forecasts, trail conditions, and ranger activities happening while you’re visiting.

Sunrise

Morning

Lunch

  • Bryce Canyon Amphitheater

Afternoon

Sunset

Night Photography / Stargazing

  • Bryce Canyon Amphitheater
Thor's Hammer at Bryce Canyon
Thor’s Hammer at Bryce Canyon

Bryce Canyon National Park Itinerary: Day 2

Here’s the Day 2 itinerary if you’ll be able spend two days in Bryce Canyon National Park. Click that link to see the detailed Bryce Canyon 2-day itinerary!

Sunrise

  • Sunset Point

Morning

Lunch

  • Bryce Canyon Amphitheater or Bryce Canyon City

Afternoon

Sunset

  • Mossy Cave

Night Photography / Stargazing

  • Ranger-led Night Program
  • Mossy Cave
horseback-riding-bryce-canyon-national-park-utah-jennifer-wolff
Bryce Canyon guided horseback riding tour

Bryce Canyon National Park Itinerary: Day 3

Here’s the Day 3 itinerary if you’ll be able spend three days in Bryce Canyon National Park. Click that link to see the detailed Bryce Canyon 3-day itinerary!

You can spend Day 3 doing all the Bryce Canyon activities you didn’t get to do on Days 1 or 2. Or you can explore Highway 12 beyond the park!

Sunrise

  • Inspiration Point

Morning

Lunch

  • On the road (Restaurants in Boulder, Utah: Burr Trail Outpost, Hell’s Backbone Grill)

Afternoon

Sunset

  • Your choice

Night Photography / Stargazing

  • Your choice

The drive from Bryce Canyon to Zion is full of amazing things to see as well:

hiking trails at Bryce Canyon in the winter

Bryce Canyon Winter Itinerary: Day 1

You can enjoy these Bryce Canyon winter activities IF everything is open.

  • Sunrise at Bryce Point
  • Scenic Drive
  • Short Hike(s) or Ranger-led Snowshoe Hike
  • Sunset at Paria View

Sometimes the scenic drive road will be closed to Rainbow Point due to weather and bad road conditions. You can still explore the other viewpoints around the amphitheater.

Be sure to check with the rangers at the Visitor Center to know whether the hiking trails are open, and if you’ll need traction devices or snowshoes. You can purchase traction devices at the Bryce Canyon Visitor Center. You can rent both traction devices and snowshoes in Bryce City.

Bryce Canyon Winter Hikes

Be sure you have winter hiking gear before hitting the trail:

Some fun Bryce Canyon winter hikes include Sunset to Sunrise, Rim Trail, Bristlecone Loop, and Mossy Cove. 

With all trails keep in mind that snow is only cleared from sidewalks as well as the overlooks. The snow can become muddy and slippery so you want to be extremely careful while hiking. 

Ranger-led Snowshoe Hikes at Bryce Canyon

A fun Bryce Canyon winter activity is snowshoeing with a Ranger! The snowshoe hikes accommodate all levels from beginner to expert.

The Ranger-led snowshoe hikes at Bryce Canyon last about 2 hours, and you’ll hike about 1 mile. This program is free and available to anyone 8 years and older. The snowshoes and poles are provided (free) for those who sign up. You’ll need to wear winter clothing and waterproof boots, and pack water.

If you’re lucky, you can sign up for the Full Moon Snowshoe Hike, but the full moon and weather have to cooperate for this program to take place!

Bryce Canyon Winter Itinerary: Days 2 and 3

Here’s the list of activities for Days 2 and 3 at Bryce Canyon if you’re visiting in the winter.

  • Sunrise at Sunset Point
  • Day Hikes
  • Cross-country Skiing
  • Winter Astronomy – On some Saturdays, you can enjoy looking at the constellations with the telescopes at the Visitor Center. 
  • Ruby’s Inn Winter Activities (Ice Skating, Sleigh Rides)
  • Sledding
  • Sunset at Mossy Cave
Bryce Canyon maps and guides

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Where to Stay Near Bryce Canyon:

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