Bryce Canyon National Park: Plan the Perfect Trip
By Zion Helicopters
The landscape at Bryce Canyon National Park is unlike anything you have ever seen before. The pillar-like rock formations are so beautiful and straight out of a fairytale.
Spend your time in Bryce Canyon walking amongst the colorful red rocks and watch the sun play tricks on your eyes as the shadows constantly change.
Or see the park from the sky in a Helicopter Ride that showcases breathtaking aerial views! Zion Helicopters is rated the #1 helicopter tour company in the area with the best pricing packages for Bryce Canyon and Zion National Park.
Before you go, be sure to pick up the America the Beautiful National Park Pass for only $80 if you plan to head to 3 or more US National Parks in the same year. We recommend checking out nearby Zion National Park as well!
What time of year is best to visit Bryce Canyon National Park?
Each season has its unique draws.
Summer is a great time to visit Bryce Canyon, especially if you want to camp. However, it can get quite hot during the day, and you should expect crowds. Because the rim of the canyon is about 8000 feet in elevation, the temperature will vary greatly throughout the day. When we were there in June it was about 50°F when we woke up, but by the afternoon, it was nearly 90°F when we were hiking around in the canyon.
Spring and Fall are nice and less crowded but be prepared for the cold weather and a chance of snow.
Winter in Bryce Canyon can be absolutely magical if you’re prepared for snow and cold temperatures.
Looking for a place to camp? Our favorite camping app is The Dyrt because they have the largest network of campsites in the USA. Simply set your filter to only show you the free campsites, and voila — free camping is made easy!
Want a major bonus?! (Yes, you do!) Use this link to get 90 days of The Dyrt’s Pro Membership totally free (no strings attached).
Is Bryce Canyon Suitable for Families with kids?
The viewpoints along the 18-mile park road are nice to see, especially the Natural Bridge. However, the best are Sunset Point and Sunrise Point. Plus, Helicopter Rides are perfect for children to enjoy seeing the park! This short 2 minute video shows a family with kids taking a cool helicopter ride. Watch Here!
Best Hikes & Viewpoints in Bryce Canyon National Park
Queens Garden Hike
- 1.8 miles roundtrip; Time: 1-2 hours
- Walk among the hoodoos and through arches and to the viewpoint that makes one of the rock pillars look like Queen Victoria.
Navajo Loop Hike
- 1.3 miles roundtrip; Time: 1-2 hours
- You’ll get to see Thor’s Hammer, Two Bridges (very fragile looking), and Wall Street canyon.
Peek-a-boo Loop Hike
- 5.1 miles roundtrip; Time: 3-4 hours; 1,300-foot elevation gain
- This strenuous hike is well worth it if you have the time because you’ll get to see some spectacular hoodoos, and the Wall of Windows and you’ll most likely be alone for most of the hike.
Bryce Point
- This iconic viewpoint of Bryce Canyon. Great spot for sunset.
How to avoid crowds in Bryce Canyon National Park
Start hiking early to avoid the crowds and the heat. We hit the trail around 7 a.m. and passed only a handful of people on the hike. Plus, the sunrise light is beautiful as it glows the rocks in many different shades of red. Be sure to get there early and head straight down into the canyon.
Most people do the Queens Garden and Navajo Loop so see those first and then explore other parts of the park. We hiked the Peekaboo Loop in the afternoon and there was barely anyone around.
If you’re wanting to take a Helicopter tour, plan ahead and book ahead of time. Spots and dates fill up fast. You can book online or call Zion Helicopters directly!
Photo Spots in Bryce Canyon National Park
Down in the Queens Garden, you can get a silhouette of Queen Victoria on a hoodoo. You can’t miss Bryce Point to get an overview of all the hoodoos below, but even the best photography equipment won’t do this stunning scenery justice.
What to pack for Bryce Canyon
- Shoes for hiking (they will get dusty, we used our Chacos and washed off our feet at a water spigot)
- Camera
- Picnic Lunch
- Sunscreen
- Water bottle
- Hat for shade
Where to stay near Bryce Canyon National Park
Camping in Bryce Canyon
Use a campsite app like The Dyrt to help you find camping in the area. There is camping in the park, but make sure to get your reservations early and book online at the National Park Service. $30 per night for an RV spot and $20 per night for a tent site.
Where to stay near Bryce Canyon National Park
Camping in Bryce Canyon
Use a campsite app like The Dyrt to help you find camping in the area. There is camping in the park, but make sure to get your reservations early and book online at the National Park Service. $30 per night for an RV spot and $20 per night for a tent site. 
Where to stay in Bryce Canyon
Brye Canyon is a beautiful area filled with plenty of places to stay overnight if camping isn’t your thing! There are a bunch of enchanting Lodges, Log Cabins, Bed & Breakfast Inns, Villas, and all kinds of different hotels perfect for your taste in the city of Bryce so search away! Here are some more resources to find a place to stay.
Our favorite part about Bryce Canyon
Even though there are crowds at Bryce, you can easily get away from them by going down into the canyon and/or taking a once-in-a-lifetime helicopter ride!
The landscape makes you feel like you’re on another planet because there is no other place like it on Earth. The backdrops of the pictures are like no other backdrop in the United States and appear photo-shopped! So make sure to take lots of pictures!
Created On 22 Jun 2022
