How to see Bryce Canyon by car?

If you're looking for breathtaking views on a casual drive, give Utah's Byway 12, Byway 143, or Scenic Highway 89 a try! Bryce Canyon Country also has a long list of scenic byways and backways that lead to unique backcountry locations just waiting to be explored.



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Driving through Bryce Canyon will take you approximately three hours if you do the full scenic drive and take your time at each stop. What is this? The Bryce Canyon scenic drive includes 13 viewpoints along the 38-mile roundtrip adventure.

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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.

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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.

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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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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Yes, it is possible to see both Zion and Bryce Canyon in one day, but it will be one VERY FULL day. A lot depends on where you start and end your trip, of course.

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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.

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One of the best things about Bryce Canyon National Park is there are many easy trails that are great for all levels!

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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.

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The Direct Route is safe - that said, you'll face sharp turns in the form of switchbacks. Switchbacks are roads with sharp ascents and descents cutting back one on another, so it's good to be prepared for this before you set off on your trip. If you're scared of heights, there's no need to be concerned.

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