Entry to Bryce Canyon costs $20-$35 and passes can be purchased at the entry stations or online. No reservations are necessary.
People Also Ask
Yes, you can drive into Bryce Canyon. Most people enter the park in their vehicles. But the parking spots can fill up around the amphitheater, so you may need to use the shuttle to access that section of the park.
The best light in Bryce Canyon happens from sunrise to about 30 minutes after sunrise, when the soft light of the sun brings out allllll sorts of colors in the spectacular landscapes of Bryce Canyon. You'll want to get up early and be at Sunrise Point at least thirty minutes before sunrise (check sunrise times here).
Bryce Canyon Parking and DrivingBy 9 or 10 am, parking begins to get difficult at popular parking lots, like the visitor center and the lodge. If you'll be driving your own car within Bryce, you should get there early.
(For now, heavy hitters including Yosemite, Yellowstone, and Great Smoky Mountains parks don't have any reservation requirements in place for entry; other amenities, like campgrounds or backcountry permits, do require advance booking.)
Parking in the Bryce Canyon Amphitheater (Miles 1 - 3)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 shuttle is free with park admission: Your park entrance receipt or annual pass allows you and the occupants of your vehicle unlimited shuttle access. Buses typically arrive at each stop every 15 minutes, but with the new Bryce Canyon Shuttle Tracker you can time your next ride to the minute.
Riding the Free Bryce Canyon ShuttleWith the exception of vehicles measuring 23 feet/7 meters or longer, which are restricted from the Bryce Amphitheater during shuttle hours, riding the shuttle is not mandatory.
Start hikes, like the Queen's Garden/Navajo Loop trail, in the morning to avoid crowds. I recommend watching the sunrise and starting the hike shortly after. Wait to do the scenic drive until the afternoon after you've explored the area around Bryce Canyon Lodge. Sunrise is the best time for photography.
From April 1 to October 31, visitors are required to have a timed entry ticket to enter the park. In this video, Rangers help you plan your next trip and outline what you'll need to enter the park.
As with many National Parks across the country, tourist crowds peak during the months of June, July, and August. This is when you are going to find many families at Bryce Canyon, and the crowds will almost always be high at the iconic attractions within the park's boundaries.
May through September is considered “peak season” at Bryce Canyon National Park. The weather stays consistent in the 60s and 70s, which means conditions are practically ideal for hiking, stargazing, and exploring.