Guide to Bryce Canyon National Park
Here is your guide to Bryce Canyon National Park. This guide will give you
the information you need to cover all of your bases during your time here.
Bryce Canyon is my favorite place I've been to so far. I was lucky enough to spend almost a week in the park and even longer just outside of it. I'm giving you all of the information I aquired in this guide to Bryce Canyon.
This guide provides information on where to camp, some must-do hikes, where to buy groceries or eat out, where to do laundry or even get your vehicle worked on if necessary.
After reading this you will be well prepared for your trip to Bryce Canyon and know that all of your bases will be covered so you can relax and enjoy your time here.
This post is your guide to Bryce Canyon National Park!
Camping
There are multiple options for camping while you're exploring Bryce Canyon. I personally rarely pay for camping...except for when it comes to National Parks.
Paid Camping
I personally think the best spot to camp is inside the park at one of the two campgrounds that they have available. Inside of the park is North Campground and, the one I stayed at, Sunset Campground. These campgrounds give you the option of walking to a majority of the hikes which is why I loved staying in the park.
The campgrounds inside of this park are $20 a night for a tent site and $30 for an RV site. (As a senior or disabled veteran you can get the spots for half off!) It is important to note that these campgrounds are first come first serve. You are not able to make reservations (unless you are booking the group site). This was not a problem for me, there were a ton of open spots but if you would like a more set plan there are other options available!
If you'd like to make a reservation as you're planning your trip, you can get a spot at one of the campgrounds right outside of the park. There are a few different options but the one I'd like to point out is Ruby's Inn RV Park. This is the closest one to the entrance of the park and they have their laundry and shower facilities open to the public (for a fee), so while I didn't stay there, I did use their facilities and the place was very clean and the staff was super friendly so I'm sure staying there would be lovely as well. They even have TP's set up for you to rent out if you'd like a more unique experience! This campground is also right by the market, restaurant, gas station, ect, for easy access to everything.
Free Camping
If you would like a free option for camping, there is one but it is about 20 minutes from the entrance of the park, on public land in Dixie National Forest. I stayed here for about a week before going into the park, it was beautiful and Jack (my cat) absolutely loved exploring the area! To get there, you will turn onto a road called 'Toms Best Spring Rd' off of SR-12. This too is a first come basis, and it's definitely not a secret spot, it is a pretty popular location but you should still be able to find a spot with plenty of privacy.
Bonus
There is the Bryce Canyon Lodge, inside the park, that you can make reservations to stay at instead of camping! They are usually closed during winter but you can call to see if winter lodging is available. You can also book a hotel room in town.
If you're planning a trip, make sure to explore your options to see what would be the best one for you. No matter what you choose, I personally don't think there is a wrong decision. You'll enjoy your time here no matter where you stay!
Scenery
The scenery here makes you feel like you are on a completely different planet. This unique landscape is because of all the Hoodoos you see as soon as you walk to the edge of the Amphitheater.
Fun fact: Bryce Canyon actually has the largest concentration of Hoodoos found anywhere on earth!
There are numerous ways to see the fascinating scenery but whatever you choose to do, I suggest trying to do it at sunrise. The colors are so much more vibrant and seeing the sun rise over this landscape is an experience I cannot put into words. Not to mention, you will deal with far less people and avoid the hot temps throughout the day.
Hiking
If you are physically capable, I highly suggest doing any and all of the hikes you are able to during your time here. Each one has drastically different views and their own unique rock formations, you will want to do all of them.
I didn't get to do all of the hikes during my time there so I will definitely be going back to do the ones I didn't have time for. The ones I did do and can suggest to you are the Queens Garden Trail, the Navajo Loop, Wall Street, and Inspiration Point. I'll be honest there is one I cannot suggest to you...I accidentally took a horse only trail, while the views were beautiful, there was a TON of horse poop and I later learned that people aren't supposed to hike those trails so make sure you are paying attention... unlike me😂
A friend that I met at the campground was able to do the Fairyland and Peekaboo Loop Trails and he said they were amazing must-do hikes, so those are definitely on my list for next time and should probably be on yours too!
Each hike will be different in difficulty as well as length so make sure to do your research beforehand and come prepared!
Hiking Not Required
If you are not physically capable of going down and back up, you can walk along the edge of the Amphitheater on the rim trail and still see the most amazing views. You can even get to Sunset Point and Sunrise Point by a short walk along the edge overlooking the amazing views!
Whether you are able to hike or not, everyone should take the scenic drive through the park. There are multiple pull off's that allow you to get a different perspective, as well as, see parts of the park you otherwise wouldn't be able to. Some of the stops do require a short walk to different view points but are certainly worth it. Depending on what time of year you go, they may have a shuttle running that will take you on the scenic drive, stopping at all of the pull off's so you can focus on the views!
Bonus
If you have some extra time, I would suggest adding the Mossy Cave Trail to your itinerary. You do have to technically drive out of the park to get to it and once you're there, it is a short hike. But it has gorgeous views and the walk is along this small river that is a beautiful aqua blue color. The actual Mossy Cave is nothing to write home about if I am being totally honest but I think it's worth a stop for the small waterfall that is at the end of the trail. This would be a great spot to come for a picnic lunch or to cool off in the water on a hot day.
Food & Chores
Food
If you're needing to buy some groceries you'll want to go to the Ruby's Inn General Store just outside the park in Bryce Canyon city. Keep in mind this is not a full blown grocery store but it'll have you covered for your time here. If you're inside the park and need a few simple items or just a bundle of wood you can go to the small General Store in the park.
If you're looking to dine out somewhere you do have a few options. You can go to the Ruby's Inn Cowboy's Buffet which is next to the General Store, near the park entrance. Then there is the Canyon Diner, which is just past the buffet. If you go down a bit further, there is the Cowboy Ranch House which is a Tex-Mex restaurant and that is right next to a Subway. For desert you can go to the Old Bryce Town Ice Cream shop in town!
While I did not eat out at the restaurants above, I did get to enjoy a breakfast buffet one morning at the Bryce Canyon Lodge. It was a total surprise to me and the perfect thing after a cold sunrise hike. When I was there, the buffet cost $16 but in that moment it was totally worth it to me. They are closed during Winter season but from what I read you can actually go there for breakfast-dinner throughout the rest of the year! (I did not go for lunch or dinner so I'm not sure how much those meals costs)
Chores
If you're just here for a quick vacation you probably won't have many chores to do but if you're living on the road or having a multi-stop extended vacation, this info will come in handy!
Unless you are staying in the hotel, lodge, or an RV with a shower you'll want to know where to shower during your time here. I personally used the showers at Ruby's Inn RV Park. No, I did not stay there but they have their facilities open to the public, for a fee. The shower cost $7 when I was there but I believe it is now $8, for unlimited time. You can also shower at the small general store inside the park, there it is $3 for every 8 minutes.
If you need to do laundry while you're here you will also use either Ruby's RV Park or the general store inside the park. They both have laundry facilities open to the public. The general store seemed pretty busy in terms of laundry and showers while I was there so I did my laundry at Ruby's RV Park before I took a shower, they had a lot more machines and there was just more room in general, helped with folding the clothes afterwards.
There is a gas station near the entrance of the park which is attached to a small auto shop. Hopefully you won't need to use it but, if you're like me you will so, it's good to know it's there just in case!
Bonus
If you'd like to get a souvenir or a gift for someone back home there are gift shops in Bryce Canyon City, as well as, one at the Visitor Center in the park. There are also souvenirs/gifts at the Ruby's Inn General Store and some at the small General Store in the park.
If you want to send a post card or letter there is a dropbox mailbox in the Visitor Center in the park or a Post Office at Ruby's Inn General Store!
*Make sure to check out this website https://www.nps.gov/brca/index.htm before you go to see current conditions, any alerts or closures you should know about, or for more info on the park*
