Some of the majestic scenery in Bryce Canyon National Park can be seen by auto touring, no hiking needed. You can enjoy all of the park's major overlooks if you get out of your car and take leisurely strolls out to the edge of the pavement.
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From mid-April to November, Bryce Canyon National Park offers a free shuttle service to all the major viewpoints in the park. You aren't required to use the shuttle here like you are at some other parks (like Zion and the Grand Canyon), meaning you can still choose to drive your own car if you want.
Bryce Canyon leaves every other US National Park in the dust for its unique and quirky scenery. It is best explored by driving all the way to the end early in the day, or staying within the park overnight, and then watching the rock pillars casting their shadows in the rising sunlight.
Like many national parks, Bryce gets crowded from mid-morning to mid-afternoon. Parking at popular lots, like the visitor center or lodge, is incredibly difficult in the middle of the day. I recommend arriving before sunrise to take in the glowing hoodoos in the morning light.
Bryce Canyon NP Scenic drive runs 18 miles along Highway 63 from Highway 12 until it ends at the south end of Highway 63 in Bryce Canyon National Park. Many of the park's highlights can be seen by the numerous overlooks. Please be aware that several of the side roads may be closed seasonally due to wintery conditions.
If you're visiting the amphitheater, take the shuttle because parking will be difficult to find. But if you're watching a sunrise, you'll need to drive and park by the Amphitheater because the shuttle doesn't start running until 8:00 am. For the Scenic Drive, you'll need to drive your car.
We think one day in Bryce Canyon is just about the right amount of time to see the highlights of the park. It's a relatively small park, so there's really not that much to do and see. Bryce Canyon Scenic Drive – which is the main thoroughfare through the park – is only 19 miles long (one way).
Bryce Canyon is compact, at least for a National Park. One day is all you need to explore this park. With one day, you can hike through a garden of hoodoos, take in the view from multiple viewpoints, and thoroughly explore the park. If you have less than one day, that's OK too.
While you'll need a car to get to Bryce Canyon, you can take advantage of the free shuttle service once you've arrived! Parking can definitely be a challenge during peak times and at the popular viewpoints, so if you arrive later in the morning it's probably worth hopping on the free shuttle to travel around the park.
That depends on the type of experience you are looking for. If you're interested in exploring the unique hoodoos, Bryce Canyon National Park is the better option, as it offers a variety of trails and viewpoints. On the other hand, Zion National Park has more adventurous hikes and back-country opportunities.
You can drive into the canyon, and most people do. However, the park encourages you to take the shuttle if you're visiting the Amphitheater section of the park, for two reasons: To reduce air pollution (Bryce is in a very remote area and has some of the best air quality in the country).
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.
Several days throughout the year have been designated as fee free days at your national parks including Bryce Canyon National Park. On these days, entrance fees will not be charged, however, camping and other use fees will still be collected. To find out the fee free days visit the Fee Free Days website.
If you are more interested in hiking, plan to spend more time in Zion National Park. I recommend at least 2 days. If you're more interested in scenic drives and accessible, paved trails, I recommend spending more time in Bryce Canyon National Park.
There's no option for more entrances into Bryce Canyon. So, sadly, Bryce Canyon offers only one entrance for the public. It's at the north end of the park and controls all the traffic in and out of the park.
There is no minimum recommended timeframe for a visit to Bryce Canyon. Even in just one morning you can see the most interesting areas and admire the incredible rock formations from the viewpoints. However, I would suggest spending at least 1 full day in Bryce Canyon if you would like to hike the main trails.
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.
The important thing to know is that you can't drive private vehicles into Zion National Park during “shuttle season” which is March 11 through November 26 (in 2023). On these dates, you must ride the free Zion Canyon Line Shuttle from the Visitor Center.
As amazing as this drive is, however, it can be scary and dangerous at times. The drive from Zion National Park to Bryce Canyon drive is 72 miles long, with roughly 1 hour and 50 minutes of driving time.