A Guide to Bryce Canyon National Park and All Those Hoodoos
We had seen photos of the place, researched some Bryce Canyon hikes that would show off the best this Utah park had to offer, but really, we didn’t have too many expectations one way or another before seeing Bryce for ourselves.
You know those colors at Bryce that you see on Instagram, so bright you figure there has to be some extensive filter action?
They’re real.
Bryce is spectacular. Visiting this place is like rocketing away to some other planet, with landscapes you couldn’t imagine if you tried.
It’s also completely accessible, even if you only have a day to explore its magical vistas. To help you plan your Bryce adventure, I’ve put together a guide of all of the highlights, including the best views, Bryce Canyon hikes and more, including some logistics.
Are you ready, explorer?
Bryce Canyon: Tips Before You Go
No matter how much time you’re able to spend exploring this land of the hoodoos, there are a few logistics to consider before you the road. Check out these tips for navigating Bryce to make sure your trip is efficient and breezy.
When should I visit Bryce Canyon National Park?
Bryce has its charms no matter when you visit. It all depends on the amenities you’re expecting to take advantage of while you’re there.
We visited Bryce over spring break one year while I was still teaching. There was still snow on the ground and covering the hoodoos, those tall rock spires that you’ll likely start seeing faces in by the end of your trip. The snow didn’t deter us at all, as we were prepared with layers and hiking shoes with some traction.
It’s just something to be aware of if you’re headed there during those cusp months. We didn’t encounter any issues with road clearance driving to the park, either.
Generally, though, Bryce will be most accessible from May through September. You’ll have the most options for ranger-led activities if you’re into that sort of thing, and you’ll enjoy the warmest weather if the inclement kind scares you a bit.
You’re at some elevation here, about 7,600′, so even in those peak summer months, you won’t see those super hot temperatures you will elsewhere in Utah.
Keep in mind that those warmer temperatures also coincide with the region’s rainy season. Prepare for inclement weather no matter when you go, and always check with the National Park Service before you head out to be aware of any weather-related incidents, or otherwise.
How do I get to Bryce Canyon National Park?
Utah’s parks just beg for a longer road trip, as you can drive from one to the next within a few hours. Bryce to Zion National Park is only a two hour’s drive. Why wouldn’t you do some more exploring if you could?
If Bryce is your focus, you’ll either need to drive from your starting destination, or fly into one of the more accessible airports and rent a car from there. The closest airports to Bryce are in Cedar City (about 95 miles) and St. George (about 145 miles).
If you’re looking for budget airfare, you could fly into Las Vegas and drive from there; that drive will take you at least four hours, but you could hit a buffet before you go and load up on crab legs.
If you are visiting Zion on the same trip, you could plan to stop there first, as it’s on the way to Bryce.
No matter your route, you’ll need a car to get there. Rent one ahead of time for pickup from the airport you’re flying into to save time. I typically use sites like Hotwire or Priceline to find the best deals on car rentals, as I’m not loyal to any one company.
How do I get around Bryce Canyon National Park?
There are two main options to explore Bryce: driving yourself or using the park shuttle. As we were visiting in the off-season, we opted for a self-drive tour. We didn’t encounter any difficulties finding places to park, even at the more popular lookout points, and didn’t encounter difficulties with road accessibility.
If you’re visiting from late spring through early fall, the park also has an optional free shuttle that will drop you off at several park highlights. Hours vary based on season, and the exact start and end dates of the shuttle change from year to year as well, depending on weather. Check with the National Park Service if you’re interested in making use of the park shuttle.
Note: While you’re there, you’ll find that the park system also has a shuttle tracker for Bryce that will give you arrival times to the minute; generally, though, you’ll find shuttles coming every 15 minutes.
What are my food options around Bryce Canyon National Park?
This guide assumes you’re good with hitting the park early, rather than lingering over breakfast. Pick something up on the way in, like some pastries and caffeine from the Bryce Canyon Coffee Co. Hours are 7am-7pm daily.
Ruby’s Inn General Store just outside of the park is a good option for the packed lunch you should bring, too. Hours are 7am-10:30pm daily.
Is there anything else I need to know about Bryce Canyon National Park?
I’ve already touched on this, but the weather in Bryce Canyon can be quite variable. Pack accordingly. If you’re traveling throughout Utah, check out my Utah guide, which includes a packing list!
As far as operating times, the park is open 24 hours. If you get there before park staff, you’ll pay your fee when you leave, as there may not be someone manning the booth. The fee to enter the park is $35.
Other than that, enjoy yourself, and take as much as you’re able taking in those views!
Bryce Canyon Hikes and Hoodoos
And for the main event, likely why you clicked on this guide in the first place, here’s an itinerary for a full day’s worth of activities at Bryce. I’ve included some additional stops at the end of this itinerary if you’re able to stay longer, which you’ll certainly want to.
If you’d like a Bryce Canyon National Park map of all of these stops, by the way, subscribe below for an instant freebie, straight to your inbox. I’m a giver!
Stop 1: Yovimpa and Rainbow Points
There’s one road that traverses through Bryce Canyon. These stops will take you from south to north on a self-drive tour of that scenic route, where you’ll be driving the 18 miles down the road to your first stops: Yovimpa Point and Rainbow Point.
My reasoning for this is that you’ll be on the right side of the road heading back north. If you’re an early bird, it may be worth it to you to stop at Sunrise Point first, just south of the visitor’s center.
Otherwise, start your journey at the southern end of the park, to see your first glimpses of the beautiful pink cliffs of Bryce at the Yovimpa and Rainbow points.
Note: Shuttle riders, consult the park’s map of stops before hitting the park, as the shuttle does not make all of the stops listed here.
Stop 1a: Bristlecone Loop Trail (1 mile roundtrip)
While at Rainbow Point, consider stretching your legs on the Bristlecone Loop Trail.
This 1-mile roundtrip trail will give you a little something different from the rest of the park in addition to those vistas at the end: a walk through a forest to 1,800-year-old bristlecones. Birders will love the opportunity to seek out some of the local species, namely owls, grouse and woodpeckers, on this trail.
Stop 2: Black Birch Canyon
Make a quick photo stop at Black Birch Canyon next, where you can gaze out all the way back to Rainbow Point. You’ll get a good look at some hoodoos here to prepare you for the main event at the amphitheater at the northern end of the park.
Stop 3: Ponderosa Canyon
The unique features at this stop are the giant ponderosa pines at the floor of this canyon. Some of them are more than 150 feet high, but they’ll look like saplings from here.
Stop 4: Agua Canyon
You’ll meet a few hoodoos here that are special enough to have names. “The Hunter” is the taller of the two you’ll see from this viewpoint. The shorter hoodoo is named “Rabbit,” or the “Backpacker” to some. You’ll just have to decide for yourself.
Stop 5: Natural Bridge
There are several arches in Bryce Canyon National Park, but this one is its most photographed. Like the park’s hoodoos, the bridge – which isn’t actually a bridge at all, but an arch – is the product of erosion. It’s striking, nonetheless.
Revel in the colors at this stop for a bit, those pinks and oranges of the cliffs, the blue of the sky, and the deep greens of the trees beyond the arch. It’s pretty great, right?
Stop 6: Farview and Piracy Points (0.6 miles roundtrip)
Starting at Farview Point, walk the short path to Piracy Point to see two vistas in one stop.
The name at Farview checks out. You can see pretty far out there, especially on a clear day. Visitors have seen all the way out to Arizona from here, 160 miles away. You’ll have similar views from a different vantage point at Piracy Point. Both will make you feel very, very small.
Stop 7: Swamp Canyon
If you look closely enough, you’ll see why this overlook is named Swamp Canyon. In the canyon below, two little creeks and a spring keep things as marsh-like as they’ll get at Bryce.
Stop 8: Paria View
North of Swamp Canyon, you’ll pass through the Rainbow Gate and see a right turn off the main road. Follow this road to three of the most spectacular viewpoints in the park.
Start with Paria View. If you’re looking for the best sunset pics, by the way, this is where you’ll get them. This is the the most accessible overlook in the park with the cliffs and hoodoos facing the setting sun. Keep your eyes pealed for peregrine falcons here.
Stop 9: Bryce Point
If you haven’t been impressed yet, you will be at Bryce Point. This is the best view you’ll get of the park’s amphitheater.
No matter what time of day you arrive at this one, you’ll be blown away here. Gaze out at those hoodoos, and make up stories about what they’ve all gathered there for if you’re bored. I mean, you shouldn’t be bored, but just in case.
Fun Fact: Mormon pioneer Ebenezer Bryce, for whom the park is named, once remarked that the amphitheater in Bryce would be a “hell of a place to lose a cow.”
Stop 10: Inspiration Point
Get ready to feel inspired at Inspiration Point.
I’m serious. It’s awesome.
There are three levels at this viewpoint. Take your time at this one, take it all in, and observe the differences you see in the canyon’s amphitheater from the different vantage points.
Stop 11: Sunset Point
The featured image on this post, this is one of the most popular stops on any Bryce Canyon itinerary. Thor’s Hammer, on the northern edge of this viewpoint, may have something to do with that, especially if you imagine Chris Hemsworth alongside it.
Fun fact: Chris Hemsworth has multiple Thor hammers throughout his house, including one in his bathroom.
Stop 12: Sunrise Point
You’ll see two sandstone features from here, the Boat Mesa and the Sinking Ship. I’m hopeful, though, that you’ll do more than check out the views at this one. Keep reading!
Stop 12a: Queens Garden Trail/Navajo Loop Trail (1.8-2.9 miles)
The Queens Garden Bryce Canyon trail starts at Sunrise Point, also known as Stop 12 above, and it’s the most popular of the Bryce Canyon hikes.
It’s popular for a reason. If you stop at the Queens Garden Trail, it’s a relatively easy way to get up close and personal with the hoodoos and the sandstone cliffs. It is highly recommended if you only have time for one relatively easy trail, as you’ll have all kinds of opportunities to shoot some adorable photos underneath the arches, looking all casual.
Those with more time will want to extend their hike to include the Navajo Loop, which starts at the bottom of the Queens Garden Trail. While on this loop, depending on the branches you have access to, you’ll be able to check out Thor’s Hammer, Wall Street, the park’s only slot canyon, or Two Bridges on a clockwise loop.
If you’re traveling in the peak summer months, you’ll have access to all of those stops; the branch to Wall Street may be closed if you’re traveling on a cusp month, as we were. No matter what branch you choose, or are even able to choose, you’ll earn any hiking snacks with this one. The trail is short but steep. I still highly recommend it.
Want to see the more, especially if you have more time at the park? Portions of this article first appeared on Travel on the Reg at https://www.travelonthereg.com/bryce-canyon-hikes/. Check out that post for more on planning your visit to Bryce Canyon, including where to stay while you're there.
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