One Day in Bryce Canyon: Complete Bryce Canyon Itinerary

From the 13 National Parks we visited in the United States in 2020 during our road trip across the country, including the renowned `Mighty 5` parks in Utah, Bryce Canyon National Park stood out as our favorite destination. It was not in our top five parks or even top three. Rather, it became our most preferred park. Despite its relatively small size, it packs in uniquely beautiful scenery and landscapes thanks to the distinctive hoodoo rock formations dispersed throughout.

If you have more time, there are certainly more ways to fill a couple of days exploring and experiencing more of what Bryce Canyon has to offer. But if your time in Bryce Canyon is limited to just one day, we believe this is the best approach for making the most of it. Please keep reading for our recommended plan for spending a single day in Bryce Canyon National Park.

Spending a day in Bryce Canyon as part of a broader Utah road excursion? Be certain to examine our guide to planning an epic Utah National Parks road trip, where we detail where to lodge and relax in Utah’s five National Parks.

Is One Day in Bryce Canyon National Park Enough?

We allocated two and a half solar days within Bryce Canyon, and I didn`t completely realize precisely how compact this national park is. Unlike areas like Yellowstone and Yosemite, where one can literally maneuver for hours and still not leave the park, there exists essentially one 19 mile route that constitutes the entirety of Bryce Canyon National Park.

We feel one day in Bryce Canyon is just about the proper amount of time to see the highlights of the park. It’s a relatively small park, so there truly isn`t that much to do and see. Bryce Canyon Scenic Roadway – which is the primary route through the park – is only 19 miles long (one way).

There are different vantage points and spots to get out and marvel at the unusual rock formations, but compared to areas like Canyonlands and Capitol Reef National Park, the park has a more compact layout.

You can realistically see the highlights of the park and continue your drive to the next stop – likely Zion or Capitol Reef – with a day in Bryce Canyon.

By “the highlights,” we mean tackling the primary hike in Bryce Canyon – the Figure 8 Loop – stopping at some of the best viewpoints along the scenic drive, and hitting the brief but charming Mossy Cave Trail.

With an extra morning amounting to around thirty-six hours within the park, you can add on a second hike – the Fairyland Loop – which we also felt was exceptionally worthwhile doing. It evokes walking through Tatooine in the Star Wars universe.

Tips for Your Day in Bryce Canyon National Park

Here are some things to be aware of before you arrive in Bryce Canyon.

Entrance Fees

To enter the park, you’ll need to either pay the $35 admission charge, which covers access for your vehicle and the individuals within it for 7 days, or present a valid America the Beautiful Pass (which is the US National Parks Permit).

Should you purchase the America the Beautiful Pass? If you plan to visit three or more national parks in the next 12 months, the pass will save you money. It costs $80 USD for one year, and it is valid for 12 months from the purchase date. If you are visiting Bryce Canyon National Park as part of a broader Utah National Parks road trip, it is likely sensible to obtain it. You can obtain it from REI.

Using the Park Shuttle

Bryce Canyon has a handy shuttle system which is helpful if you’re planning on arriving later in the morning, when parking inside the park can be difficult.

Parking areas at the most popular trailheads fill up early as visitors enter the park and spend a few hours hiking, resulting in congested traffic within parking lots as people search desperately for spaces, following unsuspecting hikers back to their autos in hopes of swiftly obtaining a prime location.

If you’re planning on hiking in Bryce Canyon, this option allows you to avoid shuttling between parking areas and trails. It’s particularly useful for one-way trails like the Fairyland Trail, cutting off distance having to walk back to the starting point at the end of a long, hot hike.

The shuttle is free of charge, and only operates from April to October when visitor numbers are highest in the park, with park entry proof or an America the Beautiful Pass needed for travel.

Here’s a map of the shuttle routes. 

The shuttle comes around every 15 minutes, and the best places to obtain it are stop 1 (the shuttle station) and the Bryce Canyon Visitor Center – both should have adequate parking. The other stops in Bryce Canyon City are helpful if you’re staying at one of the hotels / campgrounds outside the park.

More information on utilizing the shuttle network here.

Stay Hydrated

Because of the elevation, make sure to drink plenty of water. If you’re coming straight from somewhere that is at sea level and have the extra time, take it easy on your first day to give your body time to acclimate to the elevation.

We really enjoy using our extremely lightweight and compactable Platypus water bottles, which have literally travelled all around the world with us, including on our Utah adventure. Each of us carries two of those bottles, and on longer excursions, I usually also bring along their 70 oz water bottle as well.

The Sun is Intense

Although the temperature is not as high as some other parks located in Utah and Arizona, the sun is intense. Protecting one`s self from sun exposure with liberal application of sunscreen and donning a wide-brimmed sun hat will go a considerable way in preventing heat-related illness and painful sunburns.

We favor applying our skin with Sun Bum sunscreen, because we delight in feeling as though we just soaked in coconut milk. Here is the face lotion we recommend, and here is the body sunscreen cream we recommend.

It Gets Cold at Night / in the Morning

Layers are your friend in Bryce Canyon. 

Note that the altitude signifies that it can be very frigid in the early hours as you embark on a hike, but as the sunlight ascends it warms up rapidly, which denotes you’ll be doffing layers.

Be sure to pack a few extra layers, and a daypack large enough to stuff them into when you inevitably get too warm.

A Comfortable Daypack is Essential (Around 20L)

Relatedly, be sure to bring a durable daypack to carry essential water, nourishment, and layers for changing conditions, especially if tackling any of the longer recommended hikes below.

20L must be adequate, and we like Osprey Packages.

Alysha possesses the Tempest 20 and would repeatedly acquire it, and for males an equivalent option would be the Talon 22 (which I lack directly, but would sincerely advise founded on Alysha’s encounter and my different encounters with Osprey).

Sturdy Footwear is a Must

You`ll be hiking primarily on some ground that is loose dirt, gravel, and rocks, so you`ll want footwear that provides good traction.

We prefer Adidas Terrex hiking footwear (Alysha has almost exclusively worn them for the past seven years), Keen hiking footwear (the Keen Targhees are commonly used by me), and Alysha recently acquired a pair of the Columbia Newton Ridge hiking footgear, which offer an ideal blend of style, affordability, and quality.

Pack a Lunch

There are few eating options within the park, so packing a lunch is advised to avoid needing to leave the park boundaries to Bryce Canyon City for a meal, which could mean having to wait in a long line to regain entry.

The Best Light for Photos is in the Morning

One thing you should know for Bryce that I didn’t know before my trip: the best light for photos is in the morning.

In the afternoon, the sun is on the opposite side of the canyon from most interesting areas, leading to long shadows that really interfere with photos due to the extremes of light and dark across the landscape.

In the morning, the sun illuminates the hoodoos and other structures, making them even more spectacular.

One Day in Bryce Canyon: How to Spend a Day in Bryce Canyon

To accomplish this one day Bryce Canyon itinerary, you’re going to want to get into the park early to observe sunrise. That means arriving at Sunrise Point, your first stop, twenty minutes before the sun is scheduled to rise. It’s an early morning, but it’s going to be worthwhile, we promise!

Sunrise at Sunrise Point

The finest light in Bryce Canyon occurs from sunrise until approximately 30 minutes afterward, when the soft radiance of the sun brings out numerous hues in the spectacular landscapes of Bryce Canyon.

You’ll want to arrive at Sunrise Point before sunrise (check dawn times here).

From there, you might be tempted to face east towards the rising sun, but the real show will be in the Bryce Amphitheater to the south, where the hoodoos are about to light up.

Be sure to notice the tree beside the canyon wall that has its roots exposed. Alysha and I tried to figure out how this occurs, and determined it must be because the tree grew, then erosion removed the soil around the roots. You`ll see many trees like this one along the canyon`s rim.

Lingering about fifteen minutes after dawn breaks, trekkers can walk along the rim trail connecting Sunrise Point to Sunset Point to observe the Bryce Amphitheater, where many unique rock formations called hoodoos are found, from an alternate vantage point.

There are many great photographic spots along this short half mile trail. Take your time exploring.

Thor’s Hammer

Before starting your morning hike, be sure to travel down the Navajo Trail to Thor`s Hammer, which is an intriguing formation about a tenth of a mile onto the path, and is worthy of a brief detour (since you`ll bypass it on your hike).

Hike the Navajo + Queens Garden Loop

Top-rated lodging: Casa Pizarro

To truly experience the magnificence and scale of Bryce Canyon, venturing below the rim is imperative. This hike takes you through canyons between rock pillars and to viewpoints with broad views of the grandeur of this park.

It is a 6 mile journey with some elevation changes as you descend from the rim into the canyon, which means you will need to climb back up at some point.

Starting from Sunset Point, take the right turn at the beginning towards Wall Street to head down the steep zigzag path through the canyon here. It can get crowded during parts of the trail. It`s an intriguing location, but it`s closed in winter.

You’ll wind through the gorges until you get to the turn off for the Peek-a-Boo Loop, which is a short quarter mile trail that connects with the Peek-a-Boo Trail. You’ll climb and wind through all sorts of hoodoos in a 3 mile loop. Don’t miss the “windows”, which are up towards the canyon wall.

Once returned to the end point of the loop, head up the connector trail and turn right towards the Queens Garden Loop, which will be used to make the return trip to Sunrise Point.

If that trail seems too ambitious, you can definitely opt to make it shorter. There are a couple different ways to do that.

• Option One, skip the Queens Garden Trail on the return and instead head back uphill on the Navajo Trail, which cuts about a mile from the distance (signs at intersections provide direction).
• Option Two is just the Navajo – Queens Garden Loop, a 3 mile route down Wall Street and up Queens Garden, bypassing the 3 mile Peek-a-Boo Loop.
• Third, you could do the Peek-a-Boo Loop from Bryce Point, but I’d recommend the first option more.

Regardless of the path chosen, plan for a hike lasting between three to four hours, which would place you at lunchtime upon completion.

There is just one location inside the park where one can dine – Bryce Canyon Lodge. The quality is lacking, so I would advise having a picnic lunch packed for the day.

The Mossy Cave Trail

Vernazza is noted as being slightly behind the most photogenic town of the five, however it has a wider variety of locations to eat and drink (particularly regarding nightlife).

Driving Bryce Canyon Scenic Drive

Appreciate sculptures and views of the creek and surrounding highlands.

You’ll want to start at least two hours before sunset, and I’d recommend driving all the way to the end of the road, then turning around and viewing the scenery on the return journey.

The motivation behind why? The pullouts are all on the east side of the street, which places them on your right as you drive back down.

Our two favorite viewpoints along this road were Natural Bridge and Bryce Point, but there are several more worth stopping at.

What to Do With More Time in Bryce Canyon

Obviously, one day in Bryce Canyon National Park isn’t enough time to do and see EVERYTHING in the park. Here are a few more things to check out if you find yourself with more time.

Sunrise at Bryce Point

Catch the sunrise from a different angle at Bryce Point, where you’ll be looking down on the hoodoos from the other side. It’s a neat spot because you get to see the vastness and sheer number of hoodoos from here in a way that makes it feel they go on endlessly!

The Fairyland Loop

Explore our second most loved trail in Bryce Canyon National Park – the Fairyland Loop. Commonly, individuals commence this route from the Fairyland parking area, however it is compact and fills rapidly. Starting here simply signifies you will do the loop in reverse direction.

It’s an 8 mile roundtrip hike, and you should do it counter-clockwise if beginning from Sunrise Point.

When to Visit Bryce Canyon

Bryce Canyon is really a rather good year-round destination, but spring and fall are the most suitable times to visit the park.

Summer will bring hot weather. Be sure to pack adequate water, sun protection items, and schedule breaks during sightseeing. It`s also one of the busiest seasons, as families with children out of school flock to Utah`s National Parks. As such, book accommodations well in advance.

Fall and spring are analogous, and are each pleasant eras to be in the park. It’s going to be cooler, but still dry, and the crowds will have diminished a bit. Rather than families with kids, it’s the retired-with-an-RV group that you’ll find out and about in the park instead.

Winter experiences bitter cold temperatures. It is truly frigid. You might observe snow dusting the unique rock formations, which I believe would be worthwhile witnessing in the future. Make sure to bring various layers of warm clothing, and plan on lodging elsewhere besides the campgrounds (unless traveling by recreational vehicle or sophisticated campervan). This timeframe has the fewest visitors willing to brave such freezing conditions.

Where to Stay in Bryce Canyon

With only a day in Bryce Canyon, I’d strongly advise trying to stay either inside the park, or in the nearby town of Bryce. NOT in Tropic, which is much more distant outside the park entrance (it’s only 10 miles, but we think you’ll want to be closer in).

Unlike some other national parks, it does not really matter if one stays inside or outside Bryce National Park here, as the adjacent town of Bryce has plenty of lodging and dining establishments nearby for visitors to choose from.

Still, there’s something romantic about staying inside the boundaries of the park.

Staying Inside the Park

If you prefer a hotel-style accommodation, consider Bryce Canyon Lodge. However, like many lodges within national park boundaries, it will likely be very expensive given the amenities and location.

There are two campgrounds in Bryce Canyon National Park.

Sunset Campground is the larger of the two sites, and is the only one that accepts reservations in advance. You’ll need to book well ahead of time, or be prepared to check for cancellations daily, which is how we ended up securing a spot for one night. The location is excellent, right across from Sunset Point, which means you can walk over to skip dealing with the busy parking lot there in the mornings. Interestingly, the bathrooms are heated, which I’ve never seen before at a campground. More information here.

North Campground is basically right on the edge of the amphitheater, which also means that you will be able to leave the car at camp and walk to the two best treks in the park. There are 99 sites, and they’re all first-arrived-first-served. In high season, the sites will be gone by 8am, so if you want to grab one you’ll need to show up early. More information here.

Staying in the Town of Bryce

The town of Bryce presents a good option for those unwilling or unable to splurge on the Lodge, who didn`t plan far enough in advance to reserve a campsite in the park, or who dislike camping. It`s a 5-10 minute drive to the Visitors Center, which isn`t too bad at all.

If you want to camp or stay in a cabin, check out Ruby`s RV Park and Campground, which is where we resided in our van for a couple of nights. It was nice, and I`d stay there again.

If seeking lodging in Bryce, a excellent choice is the Best Western Plus Grand Canyon. Situated centrally in town, it would serve well as a base for exploring the surrounding area.

Getting to Bryce Canyon National Park

A refined 4-star harbor-front hotel in Downtown Boston, 10 to 15 minutes (4 miles) from the airport with valet parking.

Two almost equally convenient airports for arriving are Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas, Nevada and Salt Lake City International Airport in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Which airport you select depends on what your trip entails.

The main thing to think about is whether or not Bryce Canyon is your only destination in Utah. Most people pair Bryce Canyon with Zion, and if this is your plan it makes the most sense to fly in and out of Las Vegas.

If Bryce Canyon is part of a broader Utah road trip that incorporates visiting Moab which is home to Arches National Park, another of our favorites), then we’d suggest flying into one airport and leaving from another to prevent an extra 4-6 hours of driving.

On the “Mighty 5” circuit that takes you to the five national parks in Utah, it’s between Zion National Park and Capitol Reef National Park.

Driving from Zion National Park to Bryce Canyon, expect the journey to require approximately one hour and forty-five minutes (85 miles). You will exit through the East Entrance of the park – passing through the Zion – Mt. Carmel Tunnel – and following Highway 89 North to Bryce Canyon.

Spending four days in Grand Teton proved to be one day too many for most visitors.

There is your complete guide to seeing the best of Bryce Canyon in a single day. We hope you enjoy it as much as we did!