Can you swim in Bryce Canyon?

Hiking, boating, swimming, and fishing are popular pastimes with the stunning, red-rock canyons as a backdrop in this Southern Utah hotspot. Whether on land or water, over two million travelers gather with family and friends each year to experience the second-largest manmade reservoir in the United States.



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With elevations ranging from 3,000 to 9,000 feet in Zion and Bryce Canyon national parks, altitude sickness is a very real possibility.

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One of the important differences between Bryce Canyon and Zion is that Bryce is at significantly higher elevation than Zion. In fact, Bryce has areas that are as much as 5,000 feet higher in elevation than Zion. This means that Bryce is significantly colder—and snowier—than Zion for a significant portion of the year.

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Thin air. The high elevation at Bryce doesn't just mean chilly weather, it also means less oxygen due to the lower air pressure. While you might not feel the difference in your breathing when you're still, as soon as you start moving around, you're very likely to get winded much faster than you're used to.

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Bryce Canyon National Park in Spring and Fall: April and October. These are probably the best months to visit the park if you're looking for a quiet, reflective experience with mild weather.

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The NPS has advised visitors against swimming or submerging their heads in the affected Zion waterways and warned people not to drink water from anywhere in the park. The watches and warnings extend to popular areas of the park, including The Narrows and Emerald Pools.

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Water levels in the Virgin River Narrows, even when the CFS of the river is low, can range from ankle deep to full swims. Most of the time the river is ankle to knee deep, but all top-down hikers should be prepared for deep sections where swimming is required.

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Bryce Canyon is much higher in elevation so temperatures can swing fast when cold fronts come in. Visitors can enjoy Bryce Canyon's mild weather during any season. Summer days in Bryce are pleasant and nights are cool at 8,000-9,000 feet.

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Utah has several certified Dark Sky Parks, with Bryce Canyon being Utah's fourth national park, and 13th location altogether, to receive dark sky certification from the International Dark-Sky Association.

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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.

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Drugs and Alcohol Possession of any controlled substance is prohibited. Operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or other intoxicants, or having open containers of alcohol in a vehicle, is prohibited. Help us protect the park resources and other visitors by identifying a designated driver.

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Can a Beginner do the Zion Narrows Day Hike? Yes, beginner hikers can absolutely do the Zion Narrows day hike! Even if you don't have much hiking experience, you will be perfectly fine hiking the Narrows.

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The Narrows and Emerald Pools, two well-known parts of the park, are included in the watches and warnings. The NPS also advised consumers to seek immediate medical assistance after exposure. The agency ascribed the blooms in Zion to a protracted stretch of dry weather that allowed cyanobacteria to grow unfettered.

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You should plan to spend at least 1 to 2 days in Bryce Canyon National Park. While you can see the highlights in just one day, you'll be able to explore the hiking trails more with a full 2 days in Bryce Canyon.

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Since southern Utah is a bit of a haul from any major cities, many visitors make Bryce Canyon part of a larger Utah road trip. Though it's a smaller park and some people will spend less than a full day in Bryce Canyon, I recommend spending one to two full days here to really explore all that the park has to offer.

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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).

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