Is Bryce Canyon worth it?

We decided we would drive to Bryce to spend the day after we visit Horseshoe Bend, to discover more incredible rock formations and landscapes. Although we did not spend enough time in Bryce Canyon National Park to visit each of the most important places, even spending half a day was completely worth it.



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While the most popular time to visit Bryce is May through September, it can be a great place to visit year round. While summertime brings crowds and heat, Bryce's elevation (at 9,100 feet!) creates a much cooler environment than the other Utah national parks.

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Both parks are incredibly popular destinations with unique features that draw in visitors from all over. While Zion tends to be busier due to its proximity to Las Vegas, Bryce Canyon offers incredible views of its iconic red-rock hoodoos and stunning natural landscapes.

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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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Zion to Bryce Canyon 1 Day Itinerary & Map. 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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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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The great thing about Bryce is there's something for everyone: from easy flat trails along the rim to epic adventures inside the canyon itself. If you're fanatical about hiking like us then you'll be happy to know that with just a few days you can actually hike virtually every single one of them!

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The Highlights of a Visit Bryce Canyon is not a single canyon, but a series of natural amphitheaters or bowls, carved into the edge of a high plateau. The most famous of these is the Bryce Amphitheater, which is filled with irregularly eroded spires of rocks called hoodoos.

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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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Crowds and wildlife at Bryce Canyon National Park Crowds are common at most scenic overlooks and a number of trails, especially in summer, but the atmosphere is quieter than at Zion.

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A Utah roadtrip route If you're only doing these two parks then it doesn't matter which you do first. If you're going over to the other Utah national parks (on the east side of the state), then it makes sense to do Zion first, then Bryce and head on east.

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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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Both are beautiful. There are similarities and differences that make these two bucket list worthy national parks exciting to visit. If you can only visit one of the Grand Canyon or Bryce Canyon on your trip, you should choose the Grand Canyon, as it is the more memorable park.

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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.

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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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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.

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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.

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Ideally, plan to spend four days in Zion and Bryce Canyon combined. In Zion, spend two days exploring the canyon floor and hiking to scenic spots on the rims. Then, drive to Bryce Canyon and do some afternoon sightseeing. On the fourth day, hike on the canyon floor and explore the rest of the park.

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