Bryce Canyon National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park in southern Utah is known for hoodoos, tall rock spires carved into amphitheaters, and trails that descend from the rim.
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Bryce Canyon National Park sits on a high plateau in southern Utah, at elevations of roughly 8,000 to 9,000 feet. Its best-known feature is a set of amphitheaters filled with hoodoos, thin rock spires shaped by frost and erosion in soft orange and pink limestone. The park takes its name from Ebenezer Bryce, a settler who ran cattle in the area in the late 1800s.
Most visitors walk the rim viewpoints first, then take trails down into the amphitheaters, where the color of the rock shifts through the day. The park works well as a stop of a day or two on a wider southern Utah trip, and it is often paired with Zion National Park, a few hours away by car. Late spring through early fall gives the most open roads and trails. Winter brings snow and colder temperatures. Plan one full day for the rim and a walk into the amphitheater, and a second day if you want longer hikes.
Bryce Canyon National Park in five
- Budget for the $100 nonresident feeNon-US residents aged 16 and over pay $100 each on top of the $35 vehicle fee, unless they hold an annual pass. Bryce is one of the 11 parks on the NPS list.The $100 fee, explained
- Ride the free shuttle in seasonIn 2026 the shuttle ran April 3 to October 18 with 15 stops, including all four main viewpoints. It is optional and free with admission, but vehicles over 23 feet cannot park at the main viewpoints.Bryce shuttle (NPS)
- Walk the Queen's Garden and Navajo loopThe most popular hike drops from Sunrise Point and climbs out at Sunset Point. The Wall Street side of the Navajo Loop closes for winter.Bryce Amphitheater hikes (NPS)
- Stay for the starsBryce is an International Dark Sky Park, so a clear night adds more than a day pass. Dress warm: nights are cold even in summer at this elevation.
- Pair it with Zion and Utah's other parksZion is about 1.5 to 2 hours west and Capitol Reef and Arches lie east. Plan the route before booking rooms.Zion in 2 days
Things to do in Bryce Canyon National Park
See all attractions in Bryce Canyon National Park
Need to know
- Entrance
- $35 per vehicle for 7 days; non-US residents 16+ add $100 each Read more
- Permits
- None for day use; backcountry camping needs a permit
- Season
- Open all year; shuttle Apr 3–Oct 18 in 2026 Read more
- Nearest town
- Bryce Canyon City, Tropic and Panguitch
- Getting there
- Drive from Las Vegas (about 4 hours), St George or Salt Lake City
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Snowy days
- Days with storms
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryClear6 rainy days4 snowy daysHigh0°Low-9°Snow, quietJanuaryClear
Poor
- High
- 0°
- Low
- -9°
- Precipitation
- 39 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 4
- Days with storms
- 0
Snow, quiet
- FebruaryClear6 rainy days3 snowy daysHigh1°Low-8°Snow, hoodoosFebruaryClear
Poor
- High
- 1°
- Low
- -8°
- Precipitation
- 34 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 3
- Days with storms
- 0
Snow, hoodoos
- MarchPartly cloudy9 rainy days4 snowy daysHigh5°Low-4°Cold, shuttle offMarchPartly cloudy
Poor
- High
- 5°
- Low
- -4°
- Precipitation
- 41 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 4
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, shuttle off
- AprilClear5 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh12°Low0°Shuttle startsAprilClear
Good
- High
- 12°
- Low
- 0°
- Precipitation
- 21 mm
- Rainy days
- 5
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Shuttle starts
- MayClear6 rainy daysHigh17°Low5°Mild, crowdsMayClear
Best
- High
- 17°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 28 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, crowds
- JuneClear4 rainy daysHigh24°Low11°Dry, dark skiesJuneClear
Best
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 31 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, dark skies
- JulyClear7 rainy daysHigh27°Low15°Peak, stormsJulyClear
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 31 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Peak, storms
- AugustClear8 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh26°Low14°Monsoon stormsAugustClear
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 47 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Monsoon storms
- SeptemberClear4 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh22°Low10°Cool, clearSeptemberClear
Best
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 27 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Cool, clear
- OctoberClear4 rainy daysHigh15°Low3°Fall colorOctoberClear
Good
- High
- 15°
- Low
- 3°
- Precipitation
- 38 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Fall color
- NovemberClear3 rainy days2 snowy daysHigh8°Low-3°Cold, quietNovemberClear
Mixed
- High
- 8°
- Low
- -3°
- Precipitation
- 32 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 2
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, quiet
- DecemberClear5 rainy days3 snowy daysHigh2°Low-7°Snow, holidaysDecemberClear
Poor
- High
- 2°
- Low
- -7°
- Precipitation
- 31 mm
- Rainy days
- 5
- Snowy days
- 3
- Days with storms
- 0
Snow, holidays
Average daily high and low in Bryce Canyon, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Bryce Canyon National Park
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
5
- Feels like
- 1°
- Humidity
- 60%
- Wind
- 23 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 21%
Bryce Canyon National Park
02:14 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today3°-2°21%Monday: Fog. High 3°, Low -2°. Chance of rain 21%.
- Tue6°0°0%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 6°, Low 0°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Wed6°-1°1%Wednesday: Clear. High 6°, Low -1°. Chance of rain 1%.
- Thu7°-1°0%Thursday: Cloudy. High 7°, Low -1°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Fri11°1°1%Friday: Cloudy. High 11°, Low 1°. Chance of rain 1%.
- Sat13°1°1%Saturday: Partly cloudy. High 13°, Low 1°. Chance of rain 1%.
- Sun13°3°0%Sunday: Clear. High 13°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 0%.
Updated 11:14 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 EUR = 1.116 USD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Zion National Parkabout 1.5 to 2 hours by carSlot canyons and the Narrows. Add a night in Springdale.Read the guide
- Red Canyon and Scenic Byway 12about 30 minutes west of the parkRed rock arches and a classic Utah drive east of the park.
- Grand Canyon North Rimabout 3 hours by carA quieter rim that is open only in the warmer months.Read the guide
Before you go to Bryce Canyon National Park
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Plan around Bryce Canyon National Park
Parks, cities and the rules every visitor needs
Read the guideZion National ParkThe most visited park nearby, with a permit lottery
Read the guideUtah's parks and regionsPlan the full Mighty 5 route
Read the guideArches National ParkTimed entry and desert arches in the east
Read the guideGrand CanyonThe next park on a Southwest loop
Read the guide$100 national parks feeWhich parks charge non-US residents, and the pass
Read the guideBryce Canyon National Park FAQ
How long do you need at Bryce Canyon?
Half a day covers the four main viewpoints by shuttle or car. A full day adds the Queen's Garden and Navajo loop hike. Add a night if you want sunrise at Sunrise Point and a dark sky after dinner.
Is Bryce Canyon worth it after Zion?
Yes, if you have a spare half day. The hoodoos are a different landscape from Zion's canyon walls, and the two parks are only about 1.5 to 2 hours apart by road.
Do you need a shuttle at Bryce Canyon?
No, it is optional. The free shuttle ran April 3 to October 18 in 2026, serves 15 stops and saves parking at busy viewpoints. Outside that window you drive to the viewpoints.
How much does Bryce Canyon cost for foreign visitors?
The 7-day vehicle pass is $35. Non-US residents aged 16 and over pay an extra $100 each, unless they hold an annual or America the Beautiful pass. Cards only at the fee stations.
What is the best time of year to visit Bryce Canyon?
June and September to October are the most comfortable. July and August bring afternoon thunderstorms, and winter snow outlines the hoodoos but closes some trails and the shuttle.