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.
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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.
Drive, hike, ride horses and ride along rugged dirt roads. Three days and two nights in Bryce Canyon National Park will allow you time on America's favorite byway, trails that will quickly fill up your camera and a western nostalgia for the books.
Best Time of Year to Visit Zion and Bryce CanyonFrom April to October, the weather is warm, perfect for hiking. But crowds flock to these parks in the summer. To avoid crowds, it's best to visit in either spring or fall. The best months in Zion and Bryce Canyon are April, May, September, and October.
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!
The Lodge at Bryce Canyon is one of the park's most iconic historic structures. The Lodge and its surrounding motel structures are located a short walk from the park's iconic Bryce Amphitheater, and offer 114 rooms including lodge suites, motel rooms, and cabins. Reservations are highly recommended.
Bryce Canyon climate and weather:Bryce Canyon National Park is located at a relatively high elevation of 8,000 to 9,000 feet, meaning that it is much cooler than at Utah's other national parks such as Zion, Canyonlands, and Arches.
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.
For the average national park explorer, late spring or early fall is the best time to visit Zion. From April to May and September to October, the weather is good, crowds are fewer, and hiking conditions are optimal.
If seeing the most breathtaking views of the southwest is your goal, Zion National Park might be a better choice. With its spectacular sandstone cliffs and deep canyons, it's hard to beat. There are also plenty of trails to explore and activities like rock climbing, canyoneering, and horseback riding.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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. Obviously, this means that May through September are the busiest and most crowded months of the year.
Best Time to Visit Zion National Park for Smaller CrowdsIf you have the flexibility, making the trip during the park's off-peak months of October through March means less crowded hiking trails and fewer view-blocking selfie sticks. If you're looking for a really quiet escape, January is the best time to visit.
The months of April, May, and June, as well as the months of August, September, and October, are the best months to visit Utah as the temperatures are milder and nature is either blossoming or turning a beautiful shade of orange, red, and brown.
Summer is the busiest time to visit Zion. Be prepared to share the park with around a half million other people each month. All available parking in Zion is often full by 9:00 am.
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.
The fastest route between the two parks starts on Route 12, takes you south on Interstate 89 and then west on Route 9. 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.
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.
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.
Bryce Canyon leaves every other US National Park in the dust for its unique and quirky scenery. It is best explored by driving all the way to the end early in the day, or staying within the park overnight, and then watching the rock pillars casting their shadows in the rising sunlight.