List of Fun Things to Do at Bryce Canyon National Park

With a variety of things to do at Bryce Canyon National Park, you’ll be sure to enjoy a one-of-a-kind adventure!

Use this Bryce Canyon travel guide to plan the most amazing vacation! We share everything you need to know: what to pack, where to stay, things to do and more!

Things to do at Bryce Canyon National Park

Bryce Canyon National Park has something for everyone: hiking, biking, horseback riding and more!

Check out these done-for-you Bryce Canyon itineraries:

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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 Do at Bryce Canyon National Park

Visiting Bryce Canyon National Park you’ll learn about the rich pioneer history of the area.

Bryce Canyon National Park attracts 1.5 million visitors every year from around the world, and it is truly breathtaking.

Here’s a list of Bryce Canyon activities we recommend!

Thor's Hammer
Thor’s Hammer

Discover Bryce Canyon’s Famous Hoodoos

Bryce Canyon is famous for the largest collection of hoodoos in all the world. These stunning rock formations are odd-shaped rock structures that have been left behind after eons of erosion; each one is unique, and they are all fascinating to look at.  

Visiting the hoodoos in the area is one of the tourist attractions in Bryce Canyon. Thor’s Hammer, The Hunter and The Rabbit, and Queen Victoria are three of the most popular and they really are incredible, but there are plenty of other smaller and beautiful ones located throughout the park.

Horseback riding tour at Bryce Canyon
Horseback riding tour at Bryce Canyon

Explore Bryce Canyon on Horseback

Bryce Canyon National Park gives you a wonderful opportunity to step back in time and explore the park from the back of a horse, or mule.

Horseback and mule riding is an exciting and nostalgic way to experience the Bryce Canyon trails.

There’s a dedicated horse trail that will take you into the Bryce Amphitheater. You just ride and enjoy the views! You can choose a 2 or 3 hour tour, and they can accommodate all experience levels.

Even if you have never ridden horseback before, this is the destination to challenge yourself and try something new. There is no better place for it!

Bryce Canyon hoodoos
Bryce Canyon hoodoos

Book a Bryce Canyon Guided Tour

Escorted tours at Bryce Canyon are a safe and secure way to explore the park that does not disappoint. When you take part in a tour to explore the park, you get to experience the best of what Bryce Canyon has to offer, learn about the history, and get to know the in’s and out’s of the area.

There are a variety of group tours, ATV and covered wagon tours, tours by air and helicopter, professional telescope tours and more near Bryce Canyon.

The Bryce Canyon ranger programs are educational, fun and a great activity for the entire family.

hikers on the Navajo Loop Trail at Bryce Canyon
Navajo Loop Trail hikers

Witness Spectacular Scenery on Bryce Canyon Hiking Trails

Someone once said that hiking and happiness go hand in hand, and we couldn’t agree more. Hiking is the perfect way to immerse yourself in nature and escape the busyness of life.

The Bryce Canyon hikes are spectacular; all with unique views and structures, and a variety that can suit even the most adventurous hiker.

Popular trails include the Navajo Loop Queens Garden Trail, Fairyland Loop, the Peek-a-boo Loop, Tower Bridge Trail, and the Mossy Cave Trail.

If you only had time for one hiking trail, we recommend the Navajo Loop Trail. It’s one of the best day hikes at Bryce Canyon National Park! This is an easy/moderate trail that takes you through hoodoo formations like Thor’s Hammer, Twin Bridges and Wall Street. The trail is well-maintained and takes you from the Rim at Sunset Point down to the valley floor. It’s impressive and stunning.

We do know that wheelchair accessibility is troublesome because of the rugged, natural terrain and several grades do not meet standards. Only a ½ mile section of the Rim Trail is wheelchair accessible, but the views you’ll see from the rim are breathtaking!

You can also enjoy Bryce Canyon winter hikes! We 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.

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.

milky way
Milky way

Stargaze and See the Milky Way at Bryce Canyon

Bryce Canyon National Park is Dark Sky certified and it’s one of the places in the US you have the privilege of viewing the Milky Way.

The Bryce Canyon night sky is a blanket of natural darkness, an on a moonless night it offers the best in stargazing; thousands of stars light up the sky and its magical to witness. Set-up a telescope and you might also get to see Venus and Jupiter shining bright.

Because of it’s amazing celestial views, the park offers professional telescope tours and a variety of Bryce Canyon stargazing and astronomy programs. If you’re fascinated with the stars above, you’re going to love this place.

Bryce Canyon amphitheater
Bryce Canyon amphitheater

See Incredible Views from the Bryce Amphitheater

The most visited section of the park, the Bryce Amphitheater is the main attraction. Here you can see iconic hoodoos, impressive geological formations, spectacular viewpoints, and take advantage of excellent hiking opportunities.

At the amphitheater you will see the cliffs, hoodoos, and windows that make Bryce Canyon National Park famous. This is where you’ll find the best Bryce Canyon sunrise photography!

The best Bryce Canyon views can be seen at Fairyland, Sunrise, Sunset, Inspiration and Bryce Point. Thor’s Hammer and other notable formations can be seen here as well.

Check out our Bryce Canyon photography guide with tips and best times to take pictures at each viewpoint!

The park lodge, visitor center, and campgrounds are also located in this area. Every visitor to Bryce Canyon should make it a point to visit this area.

deer at Bryce Canyon
Deer at Bryce Canyon

Observe Wildlife at Bryce Canyon

Bryce Canyon National Park is a wonderful place to observe animals in the wild. Several interesting wildlife species call the park home. With a diverse population of both desert and mountain wildlife Bryce Canyon is an excellent place for wildlife viewing, and bird watchers can look forward to over 175 species of birds.

Porcupines, racoons, the Utah prairie dog, and the mule deer are plentiful here; while the mountain lions, elk, bobcats, and coyotes may be seen occasionally.

Wildlife is most active at dawn or dusk and the staff can give you great advice so you can come up with a plan before venturing out. For your safety and theirs, always view wildlife from a safe distance and never feed them.

Natural Bridge at Bryce Canyon
Natural Bridge

Take a Scenic Drive at Bryce Canyon

The Bryce Canyon scenic drive is the best way to experience the entire park! We always recommend driving to the end of the road then work your way back to the amphitheater.

As you enter the park, drive the 18 miles to Rainbow Point at the end of the Scenic Drive first with no stopping. All the scenic overlooks are on the east side of the road so if you start at Rainbow Point, you can avoid left turns on the busy road. You can instead stop at each pullout on your right.

This is the order of stops when you start at Rainbow Point:

  • Rainbow Point
  • Agua Canyon
  • Natural Bridge
  • Bryce Point
  • Paria View
  • Inspiration Point
  • Sunset Point
  • Thor’s Hammer
  • Navajo Loop Trail
  • Sunrise Point
  • Fairyland

Rainbow Point is a good introduction to Bryce Canyon. It’s fun to see how the scenery and geological formations dramatically change as you drive back toward the entrance of the park. Ending the scenic drive at the Amphitheater viewpoints is a spectacular sight!

Fairyland hoodoos at Bryce Canyon
Fairyland hoodoos

Camp Overnight at Bryce Canyon

Being out in nature surrounded by fresh air naturally makes us happier and camping is a great way to soak up all that nature has to offer. Bryce Canyon national park camping can be done at two popular campgrounds. The North and Sunset campgrounds are near the visitor center, the Bryce Canyon Lodge, and the Amphitheater.

Both campgrounds offer RV and tent camping. North Campground is first-come, first-served while Sunset Campground accepts reservations. There is no sewer, water, or electrical hookups available at these campgrounds. They do have a couple ADA/accessible sites and primitive camping is available for those who prefer solitude.

For Bryce Canyon winter camping, only North Campground is open and sites are first-come, first-served.

It is not uncommon for experienced campers to drive out on Forest Service roads and find boondocking near Bryce Canyon with a great view and spend the night.

If camping isn’t your thing, check out these popular and unusual Bryce Canyon places to stay.

Bryce Canyon with snow
Bryce Canyon with snow

Discover Fun Winter Activities at Bryce Canyon

We love that you can enjoy the outdoors year-round at Bryce Canyon National Park. The Bryce Canyon winter photos you can capture are unique this time of year!

You can enjoy Bryce Canyon winter activities like snowshoeing, winter hiking, cross-country skiing, winter astronomy, and backpacking.

Bryce Canyon also hosts two popular annual events in the winter season, The Winter Festival and Christmas Bird Count.

If you have the opportunity, we highly recommend you take a full moon snowshoe hike; the contrast of Bryce Canyon’s dark sky above and the white snow below is nothing short of breathtaking. You’ll also find many Bryce Canyon winter hikes to explore during the day.

Since it’s the offseason, there aren’t as many Bryce Canyon winter lodging options available. Even though it will be cold, you can still enjoy Bryce Canyon winter camping!

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