Bryce Canyon National Park

Bryce Canyon NP will absolutely amaze you. Where Zion offers wonderful, yet more traditional mountainous beauty, Bryce Canyon will stun you with its colorful rock temples, spires, arches, pillars and domes. I highly recommend that you try and reserve a 2 hour or half day horseback tour, which will leave from Bryce Canyon Lodge. Call Canyon Trail Rides at [435-679-8665]; PO Box 128, Tropic, UT 84776. The horses are easy to ride and make the views more breathtaking and easier to reach. Call now! I, having never really ridden before, took a fifteen mile ride into the Sierras last year, and loved the experience. You will love it, and it's not hard on the body - not even the rump, as you move slowly. Call now to see if you can room at the Lodge - [303-29parks] - Xanterra Parks & Resorts, 6312 So. Fiddlers GreenCircle #600N, Greenwood Village, CO 80011. Staying at the park at least a night will allow more time to enjoy the park's wonders. Call [800-444-6689] for services nearby, but outside the park. Dinner at the Lodge will require reservations [435-834-5361].
Be sure to visit Fairyland Canyon (fairly hard hike), The Natural Bridge, Peekaboo Loop Trail hike (pretty tough hike), and Queen's Garden

Bryce Canyon National Park is named for one of a series of horseshoe-shaped amphitheaters carved from the eastern edge of the Paunsaugunt Plateau in southern Utah. Erosion has shaped colorful Claron limestone, sandstone and mudstone into thousands of spires, fins, pinnacles and mazes. Collectively called "hoodoos," these unique formations are whimsically arranged and tinted with colors too numerous and subtle to name. Ponderosa pines, high elevation meadows and fir-spruce forests border the rim of the plateau, while panoramic views of three states spread beyond the park's boundaries. This area boasts some of the nation's best air quality. This, coupled with the lack of nearby large light sources, creates unparalleled opportunities for star gazing.

Operating Hours, Seasons
The park is open 24 hours per day through out the year. There may be temporary road closures during and shortly after winter snow storms until plowing is completed and conditions are safe for visitor traffic. Road maintenance may require brief closures of individual areas at other times.

Getting There
Car - From the north or south on US Hwy 89: Turn east on Utah Hwy 12 (seven miles south of Panguitch, Utah) and travel to the junction of Utah 12 and 63. Turn south (right) onto Utah 63 and travel three miles to reach the park entrance. From the east: Travel west on Utah 12 to the intersection with Utah 63. Turn south (left) to reach the park entrance.

At 8,000 to 9,100 feet, summer days are pleasant (80's) and nights are cool (40's). Afternoon thundershowers are common during mid- to late summer.

Spring and Fall weather is highly variable with days of snow or days with strong sun and 70 degrees.

Cold winter days are offset by high altitude sun and dry climate. Winter nights are sub-freezing. March is our snowiest month, but snow can occur October through April. Average snowfall is 95 inches, providing cross-country skiing and snow-shoeing opportunities.

The high altitude sun can burn in any season. We recommend hats and sunscreen all year. Layered clothing is also good preparation for the plateau's temperature extremes and frequent strong winds.

Most park facilities were constructed between 1930 and 1960. Some have been upgraded for accessibility, while others could be used with assistance. Because of the park's natural terrain, only a 1/2 mile section of the Rim Trail between Sunset and Sunrise Points is wheelchair accessible. The one-mile Bristlecone Loop at Rainbow Point has a hard surface and could be used with assistance, but several grades do not meet standards. Parking is marked at all overlooks and public facilities. Accessible campsites are available in Sunset Campground.

The Bryce Canyon Shuttle is designed to leave the hassles of parking a car outside the park. Leave your car at the Shuttle Parking area and hop on the bus into the park. Our three different shuttle lines ensure smooth travel to each of the view points every 10 to 15 minutes.

You can hit all the northern view points, then hike from Bryce Point to Sunrise Point and catch the shuttle back to your car, back to the lodge, or back to your campground.

There are also cars available for rent outside the park. Horseback rides available inside the park. Biking is allowed on paved roads only. There are no mountain biking trails within the park.

Entrance Fee
Use your National Parks Pass or Golden Pass (Age, Eagle and Access) for park entry!

Private Vehicle
$20.00 for 7 Days
This fee is for one private vehicle and its occupants.

Shuttle Rides
$15.00 for 1 time.
This fee is for those who ride the shuttle into the park, and saves $5.00 from the standard entrance fee.

PERMITS
Backcountry
$5.00 for 14 Days
This permit is required for anyone planning to stay overnight in the Backcountry.

LOCAL PASSPORT
Bryce Canyon Annual Pass
$30.00 - Annual
This pass allows one private vehicle and its occupants into the park for one full year. This pass can also be used on the Bryce Canyon Shuttle.

Special Programs - Short informational Video shown on the 1/2 hour and on the hour. Short Geology talks are also available in the Visitor Center Museum during the winter months.

Available Facilities - Restrooms, Bookstore, and a Ranger staffed Information Desk. Obtain Back-country Permits at this desk.

There are excellent camping facilities for tent camping or RV camping close to Bryce Canyon National Park. You may wish to contact any of the following:

In St. George - Temple View RV -

In Virgin - Zion River Resort

In Torrey - Capitol Reef RV Park

In Bryce - Ruby's Inn & Campgrounds, Bryce Pioneer Village and Red Canyon Campgrounds:

Ruby's Inn Trailer Park
Best Western Motel
PO Box 22
Bryce , UT 84764
800-468-8660

Bryce Pioneer Village Camp
80 S Main St.
Tropic, UT 84776
800-222-0381

Red Canyon Campground
US Forest Service
225 East Center St.
Panguitch, UT 84759
435-676-8815

Red Canyon RV Park
3279 E Hwy 12
Panguitch, UT 84759
435-676-2590

Kodachrome State Park
PO Box 238
Cannonville, UT 84718
435-679-8562

Cannonville-Bryce Valley KOA
PO Box 22
Cannonville, UT 84718
888-KOA-4710

CAMPING
North Campground - Open All Year
Tent and trailer sites are available on a first come, first served basis. Some pull-through motor home sites are available. Restrooms are provided. Showers are available at the General Store near Sunrise point. There are no hookups at the sites and generator hours are restricted. There is a dump station available during the summer months.

Sunset Campground - Open from about 05/01 to 10/10
Tent and trailer sites are available on a first come, first served basis. Restrooms are provided. Showers are available at the General Store near Sunrise Point. There are no hookups in the park, and generator hours are restricted. There is a dump station available for use in the summer months near North Campground.

Developed Campgrounds:
Bryce Canyon has two campgrounds, North and Sunset, with 218 sites available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Cost is $10 per site per night (Golden Age and Access Passport holders receive a 50% discount).

There is a limit of 6 people, 3 tents, and 2 vehicles per site. There are no hook-ups, but a fee-for-use sanitary dump station is available seasonally near North Campground.

Sites fill by early afternoon during the summer months. Loop A of North Campground has a heated restroom and remains open through the winter.

Backcountry Campsites:
A $5 backcountry permit is required for overnight backcountry camping. Permits must be obtained in person and are issued at the park visitor center from 8:00 a.m. until two hours before sunset. No reservations are accepted.

Bryce Canyon's backcountry is a primitive area and managed according to regulations that protect its wilderness values. Backcountry camping is allowed on a limited basis and ONLY at designated campsites.

Plan to spend from one to several days, depending on your personal interests. Because of the wide variety of recreational opportunities on nearby private, state and federal lands, you can easily plan an extended vacation in this area.

Stop at the Visitor Center for information, exhibits, and a 12-minute video. Publications and maps are available for purchase through our Bryce Canyon Natural History Association.
Drive to Sunrise, Sunset, Inspiration and Bryce viewpoints.
Hike a canyon trail or stroll along the rim. Check at the Visitor Center for current trail conditions.
Lunch at one of the designated picnic areas.

With one or more days to spend in the park (in addition to the above):

Drive to Rainbow Point (18 miles one way) and stop at the 13 viewpoints on your return trip. Check at the Visitor Center for current road conditions and closures.
Attend a Ranger guided activity.
Take a wrangler-guided horseback ride for 2 hours or half a day.
In winter, snowshoe or cross-country ski a designated trail on the plateau top. Snowshoes are loaned free-of-charge at the visitor center with deposit of a credit card whenever snow depth measures 18" (46 cm) or more at the visitor center. Rental cross-country ski equipment is available outside the park.

Pets are not recommended in Bryce Canyon National Park.
Pets are not allowed on pathways or walkways (even concrete walkways), including at the visitor center. Very Strict policy due to accidents involving dogs and people.
Pets are not allowed on any of the park trails or overlooks.
Pets must be on a leash at all times, (no longer than 6'), and never left unattended.
It is not advisable to leave pets in vehicles. Desert heat can produce dangerous temperatures inside of vehicles, jeopardizing the health of your pet.

Day Hikes in Bryce Amphitheater:
The easiest trail is the 1/2-mile (one way) section of Rim Trail between Sunset and Sunrise Points. Other sections of the Rim Trail (which extends 5.5 miles between Fairyland and Bryce Points) have steeper terrain.

Trails which wind down below the rim through the rock formations include:
Fairyland Loop (8 miles round trip);
Peekaboo Loop (4.8 or 6.8 miles round trip);
Queen's Garden (1.8 miles round trip) and
Navajo Loop (1.5 miles round trip).

Keep in mind that all trails below the rim involve steep climbs out of the canyon. Wear hiking boots with good traction and ankle support. Drink plenty of water. Know and respect your own physical limitations.

Backcountry Hikes: The Under-the-Rim Trail extends 23 miles from Bryce Point to Rainbow Point and has eight backcountry campsites. The Riggs Spring Loop Trail (8.8 miles round trip) from Yovimpa Point has four backcountry sites. Both trails drop below the rim of the plateau and lead through forested areas. A backcountry permit is required for all overnight hiking. Permits are available at the Visitor Center for $5.

In spring, summer and fall, Canyon Trail Rides wranglers lead 2-hour and half-day horse and mule rides into Bryce Amphitheater along a dedicated horse trail and the Peekaboo Loop Trail.

For information, visit their web site at www.onlinepages.net/canyonrides/. For reservations, write or call Canyon Trail Rides, P.O. Box 128, Tropic, UT 84776, (435)679-8665 or (435)834-5500.

The new shuttle system enables visitors to enjoy the park and its natural and cultural beauty without the hassles of traffic. It also relieves some pressing natural resource protection concerns. This shuttle will reduce the expenditure of tax dollars toward road maintenance and will provide for better backcountry access.

When you visit Bryce Canyon you can park your car outside of the park at the Shuttle Staging Area, located at the intersection of Hwy 12 and Hwy 63. From the Staging Area, the "Blue Line" Shuttle will pick you up and bring you into the park to the Visitor Center. At the Visitor Center you can then ride the "Red Line" Shuttle to the most famous viewpoints and scenic trailheads in the Main Amphitheater. You can also make arrangements to tour the southern portion of the park on the "Green Line" Shuttle. This service is limited, and seats must be reserved in person at the Visitor Center Desk, up to one day in advance. These three shuttle lines run all day and are completely voluntary. Feel free to use any of the shuttle buses at your convenience while visiting Bryce Canyon National Park.