One Day in Bryce Canyon National Park: Splendid Hoodoos, Gorgeous Views, and More!

Bryce Canyon, one of the “Mighty 5″ Utah National Parks is a great place to spend a day. Full of gorgeous views of hoodoos, it has many hikes perfect for hikers of all levels. Despite its name, Bryce Canyon is not actually a canyon. Rather, it is a collection of amphitheaters created by stream erosion and frost weathering. Although you could spend several days exploring the park, it is possible to see the main sites during one day in Bryce Canyon National Park. Even though it is not as popular as the nearby Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon is the perfect addition to any Utah Road Trip and a great weekend getaway. 

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The History of Bryce Canyon National Park

This area, originally settled in the 1850s by Mormon Pioneers, was named after Ebenezer Bryce, who built a homestead in the area. Later, Bryce Canyon was designated as a National Monument in 1923, and later became a National Park in 1928. Present-day this 35,835-acre park sees around 1.5 million visitors a year. 

Best Time to Visit Bryce Canyon National Park

The best time to spend one day in Bryce Canyon is May through September. This is when the park is fully open and the weather is usually really nice. Although there may be more crowds, once into the park, it is easy to spread out across the trails. During the wintertime, parts of the park may be closed or inaccessible due to snow, but it provides a more unique experience. I visited in the middle of June and the weather was perfect! 

How to Get to Bryce Canyon National Park

Bryce Canyon National Park is located in the Southwest part of Utah. The closest major airports to fly into are Las Vegas and Salt Lake City, both located about 270 miles away. Smaller airport options include Cedar City, UT, and St. George, UT. You will need a car in order to spend one day in Bryce Canyon National Park as there is no public transportation to the park. 

If coming from the north (Salt Lake City), take the I-15 south to UT-20. From there, travel east to the US-89, then south to UT-12. Finally, travel east on the UT-12 to UT-63 and follow that south into the park. If coming from the south (Las Vegas), take I-15 north to UT-9 and continue east until you get to UT-89. Take the UT-89 north until you get to UT-63 which will take you the rest of the way into Bryce Canyon.  

Where to Stay near Bryce Canyon National Park

TripAdvisor is a great place to start your hotel search. Search for the best National Park hotels here!

There are not a ton of high-end lodging options near Bryce Canyon. There is a lodge inside the park, but it can be quite pricey. The Best Western Plus Ruby’s Inn or the Bryce Canyon Resort in Bryce Canyon City seemed to have positive reviews. Also, check out hotels in Hatch, UT for some other options. We opted to stay in Springdale near Zion National Park and chose to drive in to spend one day in Bryce Canyon. Although it would have been nice to spend the night near the park, it was more convenient and cheaper for us to stay in Springdale. 

Transportation Around Bryce Canyon National Park

From April to October, Bryce Canyon runs a free shuttle around the Bryce Amphitheater. The shuttle stops at the Visitor’s Center, Sunrise, Sunset, Inspiration, and Bryce Points. You can hop on and off the bus as you please.

Twice daily, Bryce Canyon offers a Rainbow Bus Tour that takes visitors along the scenic drive to Rainbow Point. If you want to do this, you will need to reserve this up to 48 hours in advance by calling 435-834-5290. This tour takes about 3 hours. If you would like the flexibility to head out to Rainbow Point and the rest of the scenic drive, you will need your own car for transportation. 

If staying in Bryce Canyon City, there is also a shuttle that connects several of the hotels in the area and brings you into the park. It will drop you off at the visitor’s center where you can then catch the Bryce Amphitheater shuttle.

Hours and Admission

Bryce Canyon is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Keep in mind places like the Visitor’s Center and general store shut down in the evenings. Admission per car to Bryce Canyon costs $35. This fee is valid for 7 days. If you are planning on visiting several National Parks throughout the year, opt to buy the “America the Beautiful” National Parks pass, as it may be a good investment. This pass costs $80 and it gets you into any National Park in the country. If you are currently in the military, or a 4th-grade student, you can get this pass for free. Seniors over the age of 62 can get a lifetime pass for $80. 

What to See in One Day in Bryce Canyon National Park

There are many different trails in Bryce Canyon for varying ability levels. If it is your first time at Bryce Canyon National Park, I recommend completing the following trails. No matter what, your one day in Bryce Canyon will be filled with stunning landscapes filled with hoodoos, columns of weathered rock, and gorgeous scenery. Note that the rim of the Bryce Amphitheater lies at 8000-9000 feet, so take this into account when you are hiking!

Sunrise Point

Start your morning of one day in Bryce Canyon at Sunrise Point. This is a great spot to park your car due to the general store being located nearby and there are a ton of parking spots. Sunrise Point is where you can catch your first glimpse of the spectacular Bryce Amphitheater. The Bryce Amphitheater contains many picturesque rock formations and is the most visited area of the park. From here visitors can catch the start of the Queen’s Garden Trail. 

Queen’s Garden Trail

Opt to make your first hike of the day the Queen’s Garden Trail. This 1.8-mile trail connects with the Navajo Loop Trail. It is the least difficult trail that takes you down into the Bryce Amphitheater. The main site of this hike is the Queen Victoria Hoodoo. This is said to look like the English Queen Victoria hiding on a horse. Visitors can opt to do this as a down and back hike or connect it to the Navajo Loop Trail. 

Navajo Loop -Wall Street Path

The Queen’s Garden Trail will connect you with the Navajo Loop. If you were to do the entire loop trail it is 1.3 miles. However, I recommend completing the 0.7 mile Wall Street path. We completed the 0.6-mile Two Bridges path but regretted it when we saw how cool the Wall Street path looked. At the end of the Navajo Loop is the popular Hoodoo that looks like Thor’s Hammer. Note that the Wall Street portion of this trail is only open in the summertime.

Sunset Point

The Navajo Loop ends at Sunset Point, which is another viewpoint that overlooks the Bryce Amphitheater. From here, you can walk the 0.5-mile paved path from Sunset to Sunrise to get back to your starting point. This path follows the rim of the Bryce Amphitheater and offers even more stunning views. 

Grab Some Lunch

Hiking the Queen’s/Navajo Combination Loop will take you all morning. I always opt to pack a picnic lunch in the car so I have food ready and waiting for me after the hike. Take some time to rest up before continuing your day in Bryce Canyon. 

Drive the Scenic Drive

After lunch, head out along the 18-mile scenic drive. First, drive the length of the route to Rainbow Point, the end of the scenic drive. If you are up for another hike, opt to take the 1-mile Bristlecone Loops. If not, take in the views at Rainbow Point before starting the drive back. 

Along the way, there are many other viewpoints to stop at including Black Birch Canyon, Ponderosa Canyon, Agua Canyon, the Natural Bridge, Fairview Point, and Swamp Canyon. All of them offer different stunning viewpoints. If you are short on time, I recommend just stopping at the Natural Bridge, an 85-foot arch carved out of the stone throughout millions of years. 

Bryce Point

My ultimate favorite stop in the park, Bryce Point, is the perfect way to finish off one day in Bryce Canyon. This spot overlooks the entire Bryce Amphitheater and provides the best views in the entire park. Bryce Point is one of the most popular areas in the park to watch the sunrise and the sunset. If you plan on doing that, make sure to get there early to get the best spot. 

More Than One Day in Bryce Canyon National Park?

If you have more than one day at Bryce Canyon, there are a ton more trail options. These trails are a bit longer and more strenuous, so make sure you come prepared with lots of water and snacks. 

Fairyland Loop Trail

One of the longest hikes in the park, the 8-mile Fairyland Trail goes from Fairyland Point to Sunrise Point. This hike gives marvelous views of the Bryce Amphitheater. This trail is usually less crowded due to its length.  

Peekaboo Loop Trail

The Peekaboo Loop Trail is another popular trail in the park. This 5.5-mile trail can be completed as a loop, or you can connect it with the Navajo Loop Trail. This loop goes down into the Bryce Amphitheater like the Queen’s Garden Trail but is a bit more steep and strenuous. The highlight of this hike is seeing the Wall of Windows, a series of arches and hoodoos that look like windows.  

Rim Trail 

Another easier hike is the Rim Trail. This trail connects Bryce Point to Fairyland Point with multiple stops in between. If you walk it in its entirety, it is 11-miles long. However, you can opt just to walk some sections of it if you prefer. The most popular section is the paved part from Sunrise Point to Sunset Point. 

Mossy Cave

At the north end of the park lies Mossy Cave, a 0.8-mile trail that leads to a natural grotto, cave, and waterfall. This trail is the only one not located along the scenic drive and does not require you to pay the admission fee. During the winter months, the cave is filled with icicles! 

Supplies to Bring for One Day in Bryce Canyon National Park

Bring lots of water! It gets HOT on some of these trails and you cannot hike without water. There are some refill stations within the park, but it is always a good idea to have plenty. Bring at least one gallon per person. 

Snacks and/or a picnic lunch are a must! There are limited options to buy food within Bryce Canyon. The options are also not that great and expensive, so I always like to pack my own lunch. I love to grab stuff for sandwiches and pack them in an ice chest that I leave in the car. Things like nuts, beef jerky, and protein bars are also great options for snacks. Again, make sure to bring plenty to fuel so you do not go hungry!

Wear comfortable clothes good for hiking and closed-toed shoes. It can get pretty hot, so I recommend breathable clothes. The trails are very dusty, so closed-toed shoes are a must. If you have some that protect your ankles for going downhill, that is even better. 

Bring a camera. There are a ton of places to take awesome pictures around Bryce Canyon. You will want your camera to capture those memories! I have a Sony a6400 that I love. 

A small backpack is a hiking essential for me. I like being able to toss whatever I need and have it accessible in a bag so I can have my hands free. 

Sunglasses, sunscreen, and a hat are also recommended. Some of the areas along the hike are shaded, but there are also many stretches directly in the sun. Protect your face with a hat and do not get burned!

Shaka Guide

Shaka Guide is a GPS self-guided audio tour that you can download to your phone. Currently, they have one for several of the National Parks. They provide great background information about the area. The best part is you do not need the internet to use them.

Final Tips for Visiting Bryce Canyon National Park

Teacher Tip: If you have kids or are a kid at heart, make sure to check out the Junior Ranger Program. This free program makes the park more interactive for kids and they are rewarded at the end with a souvenir pin. 

While spending one day in Bryce Canyon may seem exhausting, it is so worth it for the amazing views and the spectacular hikes. It is a great way to get outdoors and see unique landscapes. 

Page, Arizona is only a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Bryce Canyon, so it would be a great addition to your trip. Coming from Las Vegas? Make sure to check out the Valley of Fire State Park on your way! You can also head to Torrey, Utah for Capitol Reef National Park or Moab for Arches and Canyonlands.

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