Bryce Canyon Vacation Ideas to Plan the Perfect Trip
We’ve put together a list of Bryce Canyon National Park vacation ideas: things to do, hiking trails, scenic drives and photography spots as well as best times to visit, where to stay and what to pack!
Use this Bryce Canyon travel guide to plan the most amazing vacation to this park! With its unique rock formations called hoodoos, scenic hiking trails, and stunning viewpoints, it offers plenty of opportunities for outdoor adventures and sightseeing.
We live close enough to the park to visit various times throughout year so we have lots of Arches National Park vacation ideas to share! This guide includes tips from us as well as our travel friends!
Check out these done-for-you Bryce Canyon itineraries to help you plan your vacation based on the time you have to spend at the park:
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
There are important things to consider when you are looking for the best time to visit Bryce Canyon: weather, services available, things to do, and what to pack.
Here’s a list of what to expect during various seasons and months at Bryce Canyon.
- Bryce Canyon in the spring
- Bryce Canyon in the summer
- Bryce Canyon in the fall
- Bryce Canyon in the winter
Bryce Canyon Vacation Ideas
Here's a list of Bryce Canyon National Park vacation ideas: things to do, hiking trails, scenic drives, photography spots, and more!
Visiting Bryce Canyon National Park is amazing! There are many ways to explore the park: scenic drives, hiking, biking horseback riding and more! Use our Bryce Canyon travel guide and the information in this article to plan your vacation. We share tips for when to visit, where to stay, things to do and what to pack when visiting Bryce Canyon!
One of the reasons that we love Bryce Canyon is because it is so accessible for everyone. Many of the viewpoints are paved, and even the Rim Trail by the huge amphitheater that Bryce is known for is wheel-friendly. If you are looking for a park with easy access to enjoy, then we believe Bryce Canyon is a great fit.
How many days should you spend in Bryce Canyon? This park is small and can be seen in one day, however, staying for two days will give you time to see all of the best viewpoints and hike one of the park’s longer trails. If you’re hoping to hike, spend at least two days here.
When you see the stunning landscapes at Bryce Canyon, you’ll want to take pictures! We’ve created this list of the best Bryce Canyon photo spots to guide you through the park so you don’t miss anything! We share tips for each photo spot so you can take the most amazing pictures at Bryce Canyon.
Don’t be fooled. For such a small park, Bryce Canyon isn’t short on activities. We’ll dive into some of the best things to do in and near Bryce Canyon so you can plan the perfect itinerary that fits your travel style.
Everything You Need to Know About the Best Bryce Canyon Hikes (+ Must See ViewPoints)
The stunning viewpoints of the concentrated red rock pillars, known as hoodoos, make it one of the most unique places in the United States. The park is relatively small but there are lots of beautiful viewpoints and hikes. We recommend spending one to three days in the park depending on the amount of hiking you want to do. Read to find all there is to do in Bryce Canyon National Park!
The trailhead for Mossy Cave is located outside of the main section of Bryce Canyon National Park, though this trail is part of the park and maintained by the Park Service. The trail is very short, and there are two great payoffs along the way, a waterfall, and Mossy Cave.
While the view from the rim of Bryce Amphitheater is spectacular. It is best to view the hoodoos from the canyon rim and then below the rim. The Peekaboo loop trail leads down below the canyon rim and into the world of hoodoos. The trail whines up and down and allows for close up views. The Peek-A-Boo Loop Trail provides some of the best views of the hoodoos in Bryce Canyon National Park.
There are so many fun things to do in Bryce Canyon whether you’re hiking a lot, minimally, or not at all. But today we’re focusing on the last two of that list. If you’re limited on time and will just be doing a park drive-through or you don’t like to hike or don’t feel like it or can’t, then look no further. This is the guide for you. These are the best things to do in Bryce Canyon that aren’t hiking.
Bryce Canyon is a great place to visit, and it is easy to see in one day. We have visited this park a handful of times over the years, both during the late spring when there is still snow along with the early summer just when it is beginning to get hot. We have written this itinerary so you can avoid crowds, get the most out of your time, and see as many of the viewpoints and sights as possible! We’ll share what not to miss in Bryce Canyon National Park when you only have a day!
One Day in Bryce Canyon National Park: Splendid Hoodoos, Gorgeous Views, and More!
Although you could spend several days exploring the park, it is possible to see the main sites during one day in Bryce Canyon National Park. Even though it is not as popular as the nearby Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon is the perfect addition to any Utah Road Trip and a great weekend getaway.
- How to visit Bryce Canyon in one day and not feel rushed
- The best time to visit Bryce Canyon National Park
- Accessing the park
- One-day itinerary for Bryce Canyon National Park including ways to beat the crowds.
- Quick tips for visiting Bryce Canyon National Park
- Additional Southern Utah travel resources
Camping overnight in Bryce is a special experience and gives you a jump on viewing the sunrises and sunsets of the park. Sleeping in a tent is a must to try experience Bryce Canyon National Park. Here's everything you need to know about camping at Bryce Canyon!
Check Amazon for: Bryce Canyon Guides and Maps
Bryce Canyon Packing List
Our biggest tip is to be prepared for the temperatures and weather for the time you’ll visit so you can enjoy the outdoor activities you want to do! 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!
What to Pack for Bryce Canyon
Hiking Shoes & Socks – Did you know the #1 and #2 causes of injury at Bryce Canyon is bad choice of footwear. Be sure to wear hiking boots with good ankle support and ample traction. Sport-sandals & “trainers” are NOT safe hiking footwear. We use and always recommend our Merrell Moab hiking shoes or Oboz hiking shoes worn with Darn Tough socks.
Hydration and Food – The #5 cause of injury at Bryce is dehydration. Drink 1 quart / liter every 1-2 hours. Always carry water with you during all hiking activities. Refill stations at Bryce Canyon: Bryce Canyon Visitor Center, Sunset Point, Sunrise Point and Bryce Canyon Lodge. We use hydration packs or carry Hydroflask bottles in our packs. Also eat plenty of healthy snacks and food. Remember it’s just as easy to become dehydrated in the cold as it is in the heat so carry plenty of water during the winter, and not just during the summer.
Sun Protection – Sunburns also lead to dehydration. Wear a sun hat, sunscreen and sunglasses to protect from the sun overhead and reflected UV light. Utah’s high elevation and dry air can be hard on your skin so we always carry lip balm with sunscreen and hydrating lotion to apply as needed when we’re out exploring the trails.
Clothing – Bryce Canyon summers mean high temperatures, unrelenting sunlight, and low humidity. To keep cool, wear light colored, loose fitting clothing that does not absorb sunlight. During the winter, be sure to wear layers and winter clothing to stay dry and warm.
National Parks Pass – Before you visit Bryce Canyon National Park be sure to pack your The America the Beautiful Annual Pass.
Other items we recommend you pack for visiting Bryce Canyon:
- Fleece jacket
- Buff headbands
- Hand sanitizer
- Maps
- First aid kit
- Insect repellent
- Camera gear – FREE CHECKLIST DOWNLOAD
