Bryce Canyon Tripadvisor (2024)

FAQs

How many days is enough in Bryce Canyon? ›

Bryce Canyon is one of those national parks that can be explored in just one full day, but it is best to allocate two days if you can. Having two days means you will be able to catch sunset the day you arrive, sunrise the next morning, and spend a full day hiking some park trails.

The best time of year to avoid the crowds at Bryce Canyon is the fall (October-November), winter (December-February), or spring (March-April).

Both of these Parks offer great outdoor activities for all ages. For canyoneering and rappelling, Zion beats Bryce. You'll find world-class hiking in either Park, but in Zion you can find yourself hiking through streams or on sandstone ledges, like Angels Landing – one of the scariest hikes in the world!

Bryce Canyon itself is simply breathtaking and I encourage everyone to visit at least once! Arrive in time for sunset over the Canyon. The hoodoos dance in the fading sun light! What a unique sunset experience.

Short answer: You can see both parks in one day if necessary. Long answer: To really see what these amazing Southwest parks have to offer, it's best to dedicate at least one day to each, or two days for Zion and one day for Bryce.

Bryce Canyon and Zion National Park are approximately 80 miles apart and one can be reached from the other in under 2 hours by car, about 1 hour and 40 minutes without traffic. The fastest route between the two parks starts on Route 12, takes you south on Interstate 89 and then west on Route 9.

Keep in mind: Park rangers estimate that the drive takes a minimum of three hours. The park encourages visitors to start their driving tour of Bryce Canyon National Park by driving straight to Rainbow Point at the very southern end of the park. From there, the whole park stretches out before you as you travel north.

The rainy season occurs in July and August with frequent, usually brief, afternoon thunderstorms which produce heavy rain and frequent lightning. If visiting during these months remember that lightning kills and "when thunder roars go indoors!"

Also during the summer it gets hot, much hotter than Bryce Canyon. Zion is further south and at a lower elevation, so it gets pretty toasty. If you're visiting in the summer, you will be limited to hikes that are shaded or in a river system during the heat of the day.

See the Bryce Amphitheater

By far the most iconic section of the park, the Bryce Amphitheater is home to the greatest concentration of irregular rock spires (called "hoodoos") found anywhere on Earth.

Why is Bryce Canyon so famous? ›

Bryce Canyon National Park in Southwestern Utah is famous for the largest collection of hoodoos—the distinctive rock formations at Bryce—in the world. Bryce Canyon is also home to horseshoe-shaped amphitheaters carved from the eastern edge of the Paunsaugunt Plateau, scenic vistas, and the dark night sky.

Which is better: Bryce Canyon or Arches? Although both of these parks are in Utah, they offer very different experiences! Choosing which one you should visit depends on what you are looking for. While Bryce offers stunning views of hoodoos, taking an Arches park tour will bring you close to the iconic natural arches.

Two days in Bryce Canyon will give you enough time to see the main sights and hike some of the park's gorgeous trails without feeling rushed. I've put together this 2-day itinerary to help you plan your own trip and see the best of Bryce Canyon, from epic hikes to breath-taking view points.

Summer is the most popular time to visit Bryce, but spring and fall will have fewer people, and winter offers the chance of snowfall and winter activities.

Each viewpoint has a parking area that is open to private vehicles, however, due to the popularity of this area, parking spaces can be sparse during our peak seasons. To avoid full parking lots, we recommend using the free shuttle to see the Bryce Amphitheater.

The drive is an 18 mile scenic bonanza with many pull off points with room enough for parking while you take your photos. Don't get hung up on the first few views near the entrance.

Are you wondering if 1 day in Bryce Canyon is enough or worth it? Short answer is Yes! Bryce is not a huge National Park so you can easily drive around and hit the overview spots in a couple of hours and even tuck in a great hike or two. Read along to find out what to see in Bryce Canyon in one day.

Bryce Canyon National Park has hiking trails for every guest, from beginners to more experienced hikers. Take a leisurely stroll around the infamous Bryce Amphitheater on the Rim Trail or choose a more challenging hike to explore the hoodoos on the Peekaboo Loop. Whichever trail is chosen, the hoodoos will enchant you.

Two of the most popular National Parks – Zion and Bryce Canyon – can be easily visited together, even if you only have a day or two-three. The drive from Zion to Bryce Canyon is just about 2 hours, so this is one of the best Utah road trips, allowing you to see some of the best scenery and viewpoints in the state.