Visiting Bryce Canyon National Park With Kids
Here’s everything you need to know about visiting Bryce Canyon National Park with kids. Since we live so close, we have a ton of tips to share!
Use this Bryce Canyon travel guide to plan an amazing itinerary full of family-friendly activities! We also share tips for things to pack, where to stay and more!
Located in southern Utah, Bryce Canyon is a great destination for families to explore the stunning red rock formations found at this National Park!
Kids will find a variety of fun things to do like hiking, horseback riding, camping, and more! So pack up your bags and get ready for an unforgettable adventure with kids in Bryce Canyon!
Check out these done-for-you Bryce Canyon itineraries to plan your trip based on the time you have to spend at the park:
- Bryce Canyon National Park One Day Itinerary
- Two days in Bryce Canyon National Park
- Three Days in Bryce Canyon National 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 With Kids
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 current 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 Bryce Canyon activities 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 the Bryce Canyon weather and temperatures will be different so it’s important to be up-to-date with current weather and road conditions!
- Bryce Canyon in the Spring
- Bryce Canyon in the Summer
- Bryce Canyon in the Fall
- Bryce Canyon in the Winter
Things to Do at Bryce Canyon National Park With Kids
There are fun way to get the kids 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
Check out this list of fun things to do at Bryce Canyon National Park with kids:
Bryce Canyon Ranger Programs with Kids
It’s a good idea to start your visit at the Bryce Canyon visitor center. Tell the on-duty ranger what activities you are interested in doing at the park. The rangers can give you tips for the best things to do with kids. You can also find out what Bryce Canyon ranger-led programs are offered during the time you visit.
Bryce Canyon Passport Stamps with 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 Junior Ranger Program
The Junior Ranger Program at Bryce Canyon is a fun kid activity! There are activities to complete in order to earn the Junior Ranger Badge and signed certificate. Grab the free Junior Ranger booklet at the Visitor Center
Bryce Canyon Scenic Drive With Kids
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 overlooks are on the right so it’s easy to pull in and out of each parking lot.
A fun way to entertain the kids while exploring the scenic drive is using the Bryce Canyon GyPSy Guide App! You’ll hear fascinating behind-the scenes stories, local tips, and directions that play automatically as you drive, based on your GPS location. It’s like having a park ranger in the car with you!
Hiking at Bryce Canyon With Kids
There are many easy hikes at Bryce Canyon National Park that are short and easy access to see hoodoos, windows, arches, bridges, tunnels, waterfalls and more! This is what makes Bryce Canyon such a great choice for a family vacation with kids.
The Mossy Cave Trail is perfect for kids. Being one of the most accessible trails, the it’s often one of the most visited locations. During the summer, it’s a fun place to cool off in the water!
There are moderate and difficult day hikes at Bryce Canyon National Park that would be appropriate for older kids.
An important tip for hiking with kids is to make sure you select a hike that fits the kids’ abilities. Before you set out on any hiking trail, make sure you have the right hiking gear for kids.
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.
Don’t forget about Bryce Canyon winter hiking! 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.
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.
If you’ve got the right winter hiking gear, you’ll be set to enjoy the unique landscape this time of year!
Bryce Canyon Stargazing and Astronomy With Kids
If you wait for a nice, clear evening, you can see stars from almost anywhere in the park. Be sure to maximize your experience by allowing your eyes time to adjust (usually takes about 30 minutes), avoiding the moon, bringing a star chart, and using a headlamp with red light to reduce harm to your night vision.
Bryce Canyon offers astronomy programs and full moon hikes throughout the summer months!
Bryce Canyon Tours With Kids
Many Bryce Canyon National Park tours run through the end of October, and are dependent on weather.
You’ll find a variety of family-friendly tours near Bryce Canyon like guided hikes, horseback riding, photography, and ATV experiences!
Horseback Riding Tours are the most popular tourist attractions in Bryce Canyon !
- Guided Scenic Tour of Bryce Canyon
- Bryce Canyon Horseback Riding Tours
- Bryce Canyon Private Guided Hike and Picnic
- One Hour Bryce Canyon ATV Tour
Bryce Canyon Winter Activities With Kids
Due to the high elevation of the park, there will be snow at Bryce Canyon in the winter.
Kids will 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 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 With Kids Near Bryce Canyon
- Things to Do Near Bryce Canyon National Park
- Bryce Canyon to Zion
- Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park
- Best Stops Along Scenic Byway 12
- Kodachrome Basin State Park
Where to Stay in Bryce Canyon With Kids
Packing List For Bryce Canyon
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!
