Bryce Canyon National Park

With a rim elevation between 8,000 to 9,100 feet, summer days are pleasant (80's) and nights are cool (40's). Afternoon thundershowers are common during mid to late summer. Spring and Fall weather is highly variable with days of snow or days with strong sun and 70°. Cold winter days are offset by high altitude sun and dry climate. Winter nights are sub-freezing. March is our snowiest month, but snow can occur October through April. Average snowfall is 95 inches, providing crosscountry skiing and snowshoeing opportunities. The high altitude sun can burn in any season. We recommend hats and sunscreen all year. Layered clothing is also good preparation for the plateau's temperature extremes and frequent strong winds.

Vechicle: $25, Individual: $12
Camping fees vary with campsite.

Reservations recommended for camping.

Bryce Canyon National Park has two campgrounds located in close proximity to the visitor center, Bryce Canyon Lodge and the geologic wonder that is the Bryce Amphitheater. Both have restrooms with flush toilets, and drinking water. During the summer months token-operated laundry and shower facilities are available at the general store nearby. A fee-for-use dump station is available for RV users at the south end of North Campground.

NOTE: Dump-station is closed during winter because of freezing temperatures.

Both campgrounds are located in Ponderosa Pine forest habitat with equal amounts of shade and sun, giving them a similar appearance. Neither campground has hook-ups, but a fee-for-use sanitary dump station is available seasonally near North Campground. All sites are limited to 10 people (with no more than 6 adults (adult=15 and up)), 3 tents and 2 vehicles and cost $10 per night. Holders of special Park Passes such as the Golden Age and Golden Access get a 50% discount. Sites fill by early afternoon during the summer months.

Backcountry Camping is also available at limited sites in the park.

North Campground
(Open year round)
May 15 - Sept. 30, 32 sites RESERVATION ONLY (from 240 to 2-days in advance), 75 sites first-come, first-served

North Campground is located opposite the Bryce Canyon Visitor Center and has 107 sites in 4 loops. This campground is closest to the general store. Loops A & B are for RV campers. Loops C & D are for tent campers. Call (877) 444-6777 or visit www.recreation.gov to make reservations. Reservations for 32 sites can be made 240 days to 2 days in advance for May 15 - September 30.

NOTE: An extra booking fee of $10 is charged per reservation (i.e., a reservation for 2 nights stay would cost $10 + $10 + $10 = $30).

NOTE: During winter months all sites/loops may not be open due to winter weather conditions, such as freezing temperatures and deep snow.

Sunset Campground
(Closed in winter)
Sunset Campground has 101 sites available on a first-come, first-served basis; Reservations are not accepted. Located opposite Sunset Point approximately 1.5 miles south of the Bryce Canyon Visitor Center, Sunset Campground has 3 loops. This campground is closest to the best hiking trails which begin and end at Sunset Point. Loop A is for RV campers. Loops B & C are for tent campers. Two wheelchair-accessible sites are located in Loop A. Sunset Campground also has a group site.

RV and trailer combinations over 45 feet are discouraged, but not prohibited.

NOTE: Click here for a map of the campgrounds.

SUNSET GROUP CAMPSITE
May 15 - Sept. 30, Reservation only

Group size is limited to 7-30 people and 8 vehicles. The cost is $3 person > age 6, with a minimum of $30 per night. Call (877) 444-6777 or visit www.recreation.gov to make reservations.

NOTE: Reservations may be made from 240 days to 2 days in advance based on availability.

Bryce Canyon offers several day-hiking trails. Because many of these are interconnected, our most popular hikes are combinations of two or more of these basic trails. The hiking trails are divided into three categories of difficulty: Easy, Moderate, and Strenuous.

Keep in mind that all trails below the rim involve steep climbs out of the canyon. Here are a few more hiking reminders;

• Wear hiking boots with good "lug" traction and ankle support.
Carry plenty of water; 1 quart (liter) per 2-3 hours of hiking for each person
Park elevations reach over 9,000 feet (2774 meters). Even mild extertion may leave you feeling light-headed and nauseated.
Some trails are also shared by horses/mules April to October. Hikers must yield to horses/mules. Hiking clockwise reduces your chances of encountering horses/mules.
Stay on maintained trails. DO NOT use "social" trails.
Be respectful of others; keep noise levels down - no yelling.
Do not feed wildlife.
Remember, ultimately, you are responsible for your own safety.

BACKCOUNTRY HIKES AND CAMPING:

The Under-the-Rim Trail extends 23 miles from Bryce Point to Rainbow Point and has eight backcountry campsites. The Riggs Spring Loop Trail (8.8 miles round trip) from Yovimpa Point has four backcountry sites. Both trails drop below the rim of the plateau and lead through forested areas. A backcountry permit is required for all overnight hiking. Permits are available at the Visitor Center and range from $5 to $15 depending on number of campers.

Permits must be obtained in-person and are issued at the park visitor center from 8:00 a.m. until one hour before the Visitor Center closes. No phone or e-mail reservations will be accepted. In-person reservations may be made up to 48 hours in advance. Park staff reserves the right to refuse permits to parties that fail to demonstrate the necessary preparedness that Bryce Canyon's high and dry backcountry demands.

Easy Hikes

These hikes are classified as easy to moderate difficulties as they have gentle grades and minimal elevations changes. They include:

• Mossy Cave (.8 mi/1.3k round trip) Streamside walk up to a mossy overhang and small waterfall. (Waterfall flows May to October)
• Rim Trail (0-11 mi/0-17.7 km round trip) Outstanding views of hoodoos from above. Trail is paved and fairly level between Sunset and Sunrise Points.
• Bristlecone Loop (1.0 mi/1.6 km round trip) Hike through spruce-fir forests to cliffs with bristlecone pines and expansive vistas.
• Queens Garden (1.8 mi/2.9 km round trip) This is the least difficult trail into the canyon. Using your imagination you may even see Queen Victoria at the end of a short spur trail.

Moderate Hikes

Moderate Hikes have steep grades with "down and back" elevation changes, and include the following trails:

• Navajo Trail (1.3 mi/2.2 km round trip) Wall Street side of trail is closed at rockslide! Thor's Hammer and Two Bridges side of trail is open all the way to canyon floor.
• Tower Bridge (3 mi/4.8 km round trip) See Bristlecone pines and the China Wall. A shady 1/4-mile spur trail leads to the bridge.
• Hat Shop (4 mi/6.4 km round trip) Descend to the Under-the-Rim Trail to see a cluster of balanced-rock hoodoos.
• Swamp Canyon (4.3 mi/7.2 km round trip) Descend into one of the lesser known areas of Bryce Canyon.

Strenouus Hikes

Strenuous Hikes are those consisting of steep grades with multiple elevation changes. These hikes are not recommended for the "faint" of heart. Carry plenty of water; 1 quart/liter per person, per 2-3 hours of hiking. Combining some of these hikes can also add to the adventure of a more experienced hiker, such as the Navajo and Peek-A-Boo or Navajo, Queens Garden and Peek-A-Boo. The Peek-A-Boo Loop Trail shares the trail with Horse/Mule rides and hikers are cautioned to give the right-of-way to these animals. These hikes include:

• Fairyland Loop (8 mi/12.9 km round trip) See the China Wall, Tower Bridge and tall hoodoos on this less-crowded trail.
• Peek-A-Boo Loop (5.5 mi/8.8 km round trip) Steep but spectacular hike through the heart of Bryce Amphitheater. See the Wall of Windows. (This trail is shared by the trail ride concession).
• Riggs Spring Loop (8.5 miles/14.2 km round trip) High elevation hike leaving from Rainbow point down through varied forests of Spruce, Fir and Bristlecone.

Backcountry Hikes

Bryce Canyon's backcountry trails offer solitude, forests, meadows, wildlife, wildflowers and interesting geologic features. There are 8 campsites on the 22.9 mile (36.9 km) Under-the-Rim Trail. There are 4 campsites on the 8.8 mile (14.2 km) Riggs Spring Loop Trail. The trails are strenuous, with multiple changes in elevation. Elevations range from 6,800 feet (2,073 m) to 9,115 feet (2778 m).

Permits are required for all overnight stays. Permits may be purchased at the Visitor Center from 8 a.m. until one hour before closing.

• $5 - per permit / 1-2 persons / 7 nights maximum
• $10 - per permit / 3-6 persons / 7 nights maximum
• $15 - per permit / 7-15 persons (Group sites ONLY) / 7 nights maximum

Camp only at designated campsites. Leave no trace.

There is no shuttle service which serves the backcountry.

Water can be found at Right Fork Yellow Creek, Yellow Creek Groupsite, Yellow Creek, Sheep Creek, Iron Spring, Riggs Spring and Yovimpa Pass. Water must be purified by boiling (10 minutes), filtering or iodine treatment.

Open fires are not permitted. Camp stoves are permitted.

The 10 regular backcountry campsites are limited to a maximum of 6 people per site. The 2 group sites can have up to 15 persons.

Full Moon Hikes

You are cordially invited to celebrate Bryce Canyon's thrilling Night Life! Check your calendar and join us for these uniquely-Bryce experiences. During full moons, when the mix of shadows and moonlight cause the hoodoos to take on a spooky personality, we offer 1-2 mile-long moonlit hikes. Due to the nature of this special activity all participants must agree to the following rules.

RULES:

• Attendance is capped at 30 people per hike.
Children under age 5 are not permitted.
Hiking boots or hiking shoes (lug soles) are required.
Flashlights or Headlamps are NOT allowed.
Bring drinking water.

NOTE: Reservations are required for full-moon hikes and are only accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis. Sign up begins at 8:00 am at visitor center on the morning of the scheduled hike. Hikes usually fill up within the first hour of sign up! Absolutely no advance reservations will be accepted! Group reservations will only be accepted if the entire group arrives in person to make the reservation. EXCEPTION: 1 parent may sign up his or her spouse and their children (kids who get to sleep in are more enjoyable during the hike than those that have to get up early to stand in line).