Is it worth staying inside Bryce Canyon?

Known for its glowing orange rock hoodoos and otherworldly landscape, Bryce Canyon National Park is a must see. While the nearby town of Bryce, Utah offers many lodging options, spending a night inside the park at the Lodge at Bryce Canyon is an unforgettable experience.



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Bryce Canyon City is one of the best towns near Bryce Canyon National Park because it is steps away from the park entrance. This cute little town is incredibly scenic and has easy access to the park and its must-see sights. There is also a shuttle from Bryce Canyon City into the park.

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Bryce Canyon Lodge is the only lodging inside Bryce Canyon. With some national parks, staying inside the park is a big advantage because it's closer to the action and you don't have to wait in line to enter the park. But with Bryce Canyon, that's not the case.

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Is it better to stay at Bryce Canyon or Zion? 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.

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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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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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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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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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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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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.

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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.

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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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If you're planning a trip to Bryce Canyon, it is important to take into consideration your tolerance for crowds and unpredictable weather. By and large the busiest time to visit the park are the summer months (June through September). In fact, sixty percent of park visitors come during this time.

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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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Should I Spend More Time in Zion or Bryce Canyon? Chances are, if you're heading to Bryce Canyon, you're probably also wanting to visit Zion National Park at the same time. These parks are only two hours apart, making it easy to see both! Zion definitely needs more time than Bryce Canyon.

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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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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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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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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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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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The rainy season occurs in July and August with frequent, usually brief, afternoon thunderstorms which produce heavy rain and frequent lightning. If visiting during these months remember that lightning kills and when thunder roars go indoors!

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Route 12 is one of the most scenic roads in Utah, and all of the US for that matter, so this is a drive to enjoy. I definitely recommend doing this hike during the day so you can soak up all of the views along the way.

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The best way to get around Bryce Canyon National Park is by shuttle and car. The park's free shuttle system operates from April through late October. If you're visiting outside those months, a car is the best way to get around.

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