Bryce Canyon National Park Utah
Bryce Canyon National Park Utah is actually a series of natural amphitheaters sunk into pink cliffs and filled with delicate red rock "hoodoos". Millions of years of wind, water, and geologic mayhem have shaped and etched the surreal landscape. The most brilliant hues of the park come alive with the rising and setting of the sun, and the snow continues into the night with the canyon`s brilliant "dark skies" at night.
Located 24 miles southeast of the town of Panguitch, the park is open year-round. During the winter months, the area is popular with cross-country skiing and snowshoeing enthusiasts. Summertime offers myriad walking and hiking trails along the rim and toward the bottom of the canyon. Many visitors think it`s even better seen by horseback. The 37-mile scenic drive will also access key overlooks and vistas, such as Sunrise Point, Sunset Point, Rainbow Point, Yovimpa Point, and Inspiration Point.
The visitor center is open year-round. Bryce Canyon Lodge, a National Historic Landmark, is open April-November.
Bryce Canyon is a stunning National Park in southern Utah filled with rock sandstone hoodoos uniquely shaped by erosion of millions of years. Millions of tourists flock to southern Utah each year to see Bryce Canyon National Park Utah in person. It is a sight to behold. A few words come to mind; breathtaking, stunning, speechless, mind-boggling, wow, and "are you kiddin' me?" These are some of the first reactions people have when they first see the Bryce Canyon hoodoos at several of the overlook viewpoint in the park. National Park located in southwestern Utah in the United States. Bryce Canyon is not really a canyon as you might envision one, it is more of a collection of massive natural amphitheaters along the eastern side of the Paunsaugunt Plateau.
Our Latest Blog Article about Bryce Canyon
Learn from a Utah native all the hows, whats and whys of visiting Bryce Canyon
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Bryce Canyon Park Information
Location: Bryce Canyon National Park, southern Utah; Bryce Canyon is located approximately 4.5 miles south of the intersection of Hwy. 12 & Hwy. 63
Area: 55 square miles
Park Hours: Open 24 hrs, year round
Phone: (435) 834-5322
Established: February 25, 1928
Management: U.S. National Park Service
The visitor center is open year-round and is located 1.5 miles inside the park. It is open daily during the following hours:
May - September: 8:00 am to 8:00 pm
October - April: 8:00 am to 6:00 pm
November - March: 8:00 am to 4:30 pm
The visitor center and fee booths are closed Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
Bryce Canyon National Park Map
Bryce Canyon Fees and Passes
The best deal if you plan to visit multiple parks within 12 months is the America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass. It costs $80. This pass is available to purchase online as well.
- Individual entrance to Bryce Canyon: $12 (good for 7 days) This includes individuals entering by foot, bicycle, motorcycle, or non-commercial group (pay per person).
- Vehicle Entrance to Park: $30 (good for 7 days) This includes all occupants of a vehicle.
- Backcountry Permits: Permits are required for all overnight stays. Permits may be purchased at the Visitor Center from 8 a.m. until one hour before closing. We do not accept advance reservations via the internet or mail. Reservations may be made up to 48 hours in advance, in person, at the visitor center.
Each includes unlimited use of the Shuttle during its operating season.
Utah "hot spot" distances in miles to Bryce Canyon
- St George, Utah - 85.4 miles
- Green River, Utah - 144 miles
- Moab, Utah - 156 miles
- Salt Lake City, Utah - 217 miles
- Las Vegas, NV - 192 miles
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Driving Directions From Salt Lake City
Take I-15 south to UT-20 (exit 95). Travel east on UT-20 to US-89. Follow US-89 south to UT-12. Travel east on UT-12 to UT-63. Take UT-63 south to Bryce Canyon National Park.
Driving Directions From Las Vegas
Take I-15 north to UT-9 (exit 16) east which takes you through scenic Zion National Park (or you can take UT-14 (exit 59) east as an alternate) to US-89, then go north to UT-12 (Scenic Byway) then go east to UT-63 which is in entrance to Bryce Canyon National Park.
From Grand Junction. Take I-70 west to US-89 (exit 23), then go south to UT-12 (Scenic Byway, then go east to UT-63.
Closest Airport
The closest major airports are Las Vegas (LAS), Nevada and Salt Lake City (SLC), Utah, each approximately 270 mi from the park. There are smaller airports in Cedar City (CDC), Utah (80 miles) and St. George (SGU), Utah (125 miles).
Train (car rentals)
Amtrak stops at Grand Junction, CO, Green River, UT, and Salt Lake City. Car rentals and shuttle services are available from Grand Junction and Salt Lake City. We offer up to 20% off car rentals from our rental car partners Enterprise and Dollar for guests staying at Paradise Village at Zion.
Public Transportation
There is no public transportation to Bryce Canyon National Park.
Vacation Home Lodging Accommodations Near Bryce Canyon National Park Utah
When visiting Bryce Canyon National Park Utah - located just 2 hours northeast of St. George - be sure to stay a couple days to experience all there is to do and discover here. One of the best places to stay within 2 hours of Bryce Canyon, and the most perfect "homebase" when visiting with friends, family, or groups, is our vacation homes at Paradise Village at Zion located in Santa Clara, Utah.
Paradise Village at Zion is located just 2 hours from the entrance to Bryce Canyon National Park Utah and offers over 120 private vacation homes for rent, a private water park with slides and drop buckets that kids go nuts over, tiered resort pools with waterfall, pickleball courts, volleyball, fitness room. It was awarded "Best of State" 2 years in a row for best vacation resort in Utah. It is the best place to gather everyone in one vacation home (or multiple) and enjoy privacy, while also being together for a reunion, golf trip, short family visit, or a bus tour through all the National Parks in the area. We can accommodate families and groups of all sizes big or small. Rent one vacation home or several within Paradise village. Call reservations or book online above.
