Day Trip: Bryce Canyon National Park
- Location
- UT-63, Bryce, Utah 84764; visitor center 1 mile inside the boundary
- From Las Vegas
- Las Vegas airport (LAS) is about 270 miles from the park (NPS)
- Entrance fee
- $35 private vehicle, $30 motorcycle, $20 per person; valid 7 days; cashless
- Nonresident fee
- $100 per non-US resident aged 16+, unless holding an annual or ATB pass
- Hours
- Park open 24 hours a day, year-round; no entry reservation
- Visitor center
- Open daily: 8 am-8 pm summer, 8 am-6 pm spring/fall, 8 am-4:30 pm winter
- Shuttle
- Free with admission; 2026 season April 3-October 18
- Elevation
- Ranges from 8,000 to over 9,000 feet
About
Bryce Canyon National Park sits on a high plateau in southern Utah, at the top of the region the park service calls the Grand Staircase. It is known for hoodoos, which are tall, uneven columns of rock carved by erosion. The park says the largest concentration of hoodoos on Earth is found here.
One main road runs 18 miles north to south through the park. The first 3 miles reach the Bryce Amphitheater and its four main overlooks: Bryce Point, Inspiration Point, Sunset Point and Sunrise Point. Longer visits continue along the Southern Scenic Drive to Rainbow and Yovimpa Points.
The park ranges from 8,000 to over 9,000 feet in elevation. It is open all year. Roads may close for a time during and after winter storms until they are plowed.
What to expect
The park service says the amphitheater area works for visits of one to three hours. A free shuttle runs from April through mid-October. It stops at the Shuttle Station in Bryce Canyon City, the visitor center and the main viewpoints, with buses about every 15 minutes. Parking at the viewpoints is limited, and full lots may close for a time.
Sunset and Sunrise Points are trailheads for the 2.9-mile Queen's Garden/Navajo Combination Loop, which goes down among the hoodoos. Easier walks along the rim give views from above. Rangers run about 100 astronomy programs a year, and full moon hikes need a ticket.
Plan the trip
Good to know
- The park does not accept cash. Pay entrance fees by card or buy a digital pass on Recreation.gov before you go.
- The Wall Street trail is closed until further notice after recent rains. Other trails are open but muddy, so take care.
- The altitude can cause altitude sickness, even with mild exertion. From October to May, temperatures fall below freezing nearly every night, and October snowstorms are not unusual.
- Pets may only go on paved surfaces: roads, campgrounds, the shared-use path, paved viewpoints except Piracy Point, and the half-mile of Rim Trail between Sunset and Sunrise Points.
- Public transportation to the park is not available. The 2026 shuttle runs 8 am to 6 pm from September 21 to October 18, then ends for the season.
- Climbing the hoodoos is illegal. The rock is crumbly and the slopes are steep gravel.
Questions about Bryce Canyon National Park
How far is Bryce Canyon from Las Vegas?
The park service says the Las Vegas (LAS) and Salt Lake City airports are each about 270 miles from the park. It does not give a driving time. Smaller airports are in Cedar City, about 80 miles away, and St. George, about 125 miles away. Driving from the south, one NPS route runs through Zion via UT-9, but that highway is partly closed as of late September 2026.
How much is the entrance fee at Bryce Canyon?
A standard pass costs $35 per private vehicle, $30 per motorcycle, or $20 per person on foot or bicycle. Each is valid for seven days, and visitors 15 and under enter free. A Bryce Canyon annual pass costs $70. Non-US residents aged 16 and over pay an added $100 each unless they have an annual or America the Beautiful pass. The park is cashless.
Do I need a reservation to visit Bryce Canyon?
No. The park says no advance reservation is required to enter. You simply show a pass or pay the entrance fee at the gate. Separate tickets are needed for some ranger-led events, such as full moon hikes, which have limited spots. Campsites and lodging inside the park are booked through their own systems.
Is the Bryce Canyon shuttle required?
No, but the park recommends it because parking at the viewpoints is limited. The shuttle is free with park entry. The park suggests boarding at the Shuttle Station in Bryce Canyon City or at the visitor center. Buses are wheelchair accessible and carry two bicycles. Pets are not allowed on board. The 2026 season ends October 18.
What is the weather like at Bryce Canyon?
Because of the high elevation, the weather can change fast. NPS averages show highs in the 70s to low 80s°F in July and August and mid-50s°F in April. Nights are below freezing from October to May. December through February is coldest and snowiest. July and August bring brief afternoon thunderstorms with frequent lightning.