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General Information
Operating Hours/Seasons
The park is open 24 hours per day throughout the year. There may
be temporary road closures during and shortly after winter snow
storms until plowing is completed and conditions are safe for
visitor traffic. Road maintenance may require brief closures of
individual areas at other times.
Directions
From north or south on U.S. 89, turn east on Utah 12 (seven miles
south of Panguitch, Utah) and travel to the junction of Utah 12
and 63. Turn south (right) on Utah 63 and travel three miles to
reach the park entrance. (Utah 12 continues east through the northern
portion of the park.)
From the east, travel west on Utah 12 to the intersection of Utah
63. Turn south (left) to reach the park entrance.
Visitor Center
Bryce Canyon's visitor center is open daily from 8:00 a.m. to
4:30 p.m. with extended hours during the spring, summer and fall.
Park information, exhibits, publications, a slide program, back
country permits, first aid and lost-and-found services are available
here.
Camping
North and Sunset Campgrounds have a total of 216 sites, available
on a first-come, first-served basis. Camping is $10 a night per
site. One group campsite is available by reservation only. No
hookups are provided, but a fee-for-use sanitary dump station
is available seasonally near North Campground.
Lodging
Amfac Parks and Resorts, Inc. operates the Bryce Canyon Lodge,
with 114 rooms including lodge suites, motel rooms and cabins.
The lodge also has a restaurant, gift shop and post office. The
season begins April 1 and runs through October 31. For lodging
reservations, write to: Amfac Parks and Resorts, Inc., 14001 East
Iliff Ave., Suite 600, Aurora, CO 80014. Or you may call 303/297-2757
or fax 303/237-3175 from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mountain Time.
Additional lodging is available throughout the area. Reservations
are recommended.
Food/Supplies
The restaurant at Bryce Canyon Lodge is open for breakfast, lunch
and dinner. The General Store, located near Sunrise Point parking
area, has groceries, quick meals, film and camper supplies.
Showers/Laundry
Coin-operated shower and laundry facilities are available at the
General Store, located near Sunrise Point parking area.
Church Services
Non-denominational and LDS services are held in the park on Sundays.
Other services are offered in neighboring communities. Check at
the visitor center or Bryce Canyon Lodge for schedules.
Horseback Rides
Morning and afternoon horseback rides led by wranglers are available
April through October. Inquire at Bryce Canyon Lodge or call (801)
834-5500. For advance reservations, write to: Canyon Trail Rides,
P.O. Box 128, Tropic, UT 84776, or call (801) 679-8665.
Phones
Public phones are available in the park at the visitor center,
Bryce Canyon Lodge, General Store and Sunset Campground. Emergency
information is posted at the phones.
Mail
A post office is open at Ruby's Inn (Bryce, UT 84764) all year,
and at the Bryce Canyon Lodge (Bryce Canyon, UT 84717) April through
October. All visitor mail addressed to park headquarters will
be returned to General Delivery.
Pets
Pets are not recommended in the park. If you must bring your pets
with you, be aware that they must be on a leash and under control
at all times, they are not permitted on park trails, and there
are no kennel services within 80 miles of the park.
Bicycles
Bicycles are restricted to paved roadways. Information on mountain
biking opportunities outside of the park may be obtained by writing
or calling the Garfield County Travel Council, PO. Box 200, Panguitch,
Utah 84759, (800) 444-6689.
Picnic Areas
Picnic tables, water and restrooms are available at Sunset Point,
Yovimpa Point and the south end of North Campground. Picnic tables
are also located along the road to Rainbow Point, but these offer
no other amenities.
Transportation
To Park
Regular commercial flights serve Cedar City (87 miles), St George
(150 miles) and Salt Lake City (270 miles), Utah, as well as Las
Vegas, Nevada (270 miles).
Bryce Canyon Airport (4 miles), operated by Garfield County, has
commercial flights from Las Vegas. Phone 435/834-5239 for current
carriers and schedules. Private planes are welcome at this uncontrolled
airport: Altitude: 7586 ft; runway length: 7400 ft; runway width:
75 ft. A shuttle service is available from the airport to local
motels and recreational opportunities.
Sightseeing bus tours are available from St. George, Cedar City
and Kanab, Utah.
In Park
Private vehicle rentals and bus tours originate outside the park.
In spring and summer, concession-operated horseback tours are
offered in the park. Biking is permitted on paved roads only;
there are no bike lanes. Bikes are not allowed on park trails
(see section on adjacent attractions).
Fees, Costs, Rates
1998 rates are as follows:
Entrance:
-Passenger cars are charged $10 per 7-day visit, or $20 per year,
valid only at Bryce Canyon National Park.
-Non-commercial tours (e.g., scouts, church groups, school groups
on recreational outings) as well as foot and bicycle travelers
are charged $5 per person age 17 and older.
-Commercial tours are charged according to seating capacity as
follows: $25 plus $5 per passenger for 1-6 seats; $50 for 7-15
seats; $60 for 16-25 seats; and $150 for 26 or more seats.
-Golden Eagle ($50 annual fee) and Golden Age ($10 one time fee)
Passports are available at the park Entrance Station and are honored
for occupants of non-commercial vehicles. Golden Access Passports
are issued at the park visitor center.
Campsites: $10 per site per night. (Golden Age and Golden Access
Passport holders receive a 50% discount.)
Backcountry Permits: $5 per permit.
Park fees are subject to change.
Facilities and Opportunities
Special Needs
Marked bus parking spaces are available at all parking lots which
can accommodate buses. Bus engines should be turned off while
parked. Motorhomes and trailers are not permitted in spaces designated
for buses.
Due to steep grades and limited parking, trailers are not allowed
beyond Sunset Campground. Campers should leave trailers at their
campsite. Day visitors should leave trailers at their overnight
campground, at Rubyís Inn free shuttle parking area just outside
the park, at the park visitor center or at the trailer turn-around
south of Sunset Campground.
No vehicles over 25 feet in length are allowed at Paria View where
the parking area is too small for large vehicles to turn around.
Backcountry
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 Rainbow Point has four backcountry
sites. Both trails drop below the rim of the plateau and lead
through forested areas. A $5 permit is required for overnight
backcountry camping.
Volunteers in Parks (VIPs)
Each year at Bryce Canyon, volunteers donate more than 10,000
hours of service--over 10% of the park's workforce. VIPs help
staff information desks, serve as campground hosts, patrol trails,
build fences, work with computers, conduct wildlife surveys, take
photographs, and more.
To learn more about volunteer opportunities at Bryce Canyon, ask
for an information packet at the visitor center or write to: Superintendent,
Bryce Canyon National Park, P.O. Box 170001, Bryce Canyon, UT
84717-0001.
Other Concessions, NPS-managed Facilities and Opportunities
In spring, summer and fall, wranglers lead horseback rides into
Bryce Amphitheater along a dedicated horse trail as well as on
the Peekaboo Loop Trail. Write to Canyon Trail Rides, P.O. Box
128, Tropic, UT 84776, or call 435/679-8665 or 435/834-5500 for
information and reservations.
Amfac Parks and Resorts, Inc. also operates a gift shop in the
lodge.
Accessibility
Most park facilities were constructed between 1930 and 1960. Some
have been upgraded for accessibility, while others could be used
with assistance.
Because of the park's natural terrain, only a half-mile section
of Rim Trail between Sunset and Sunrise Points is wheelchair accessible.
The one-mile Bristlecone Loop Trail at Rainbow Point has a hard
surface and could be used with assistance, but several grades
do not meet standards.
Parking is marked at all overlooks and public facilities. Accessible
campsites are available in Sunset Campground.
Climate/Recommended Clothing
Visitors can enjoy Bryce Canyon during any season. Summer days
are pleasant and nights are cool at 8,000-9,000 feet. July is
the warmest month with an average daytime high temperature of
83 degrees and a nighttime low of 47 degrees. Much of the area's
precipitation comes as afternoon thundershowers during mid to
late summer. Spring and fall weather is highly variable.
Cold winter days are offset by high altitude sun and dry climate.
Winter nights are sub-freezing. During some winters, Alaskan cold
fronts descend on the Colorado Plateau bringing temperatures as
low as 30 degrees below zero. The area can have snowstorms from
October through April; annual snowfall averages 100 inches.
The high altitude sun can burn in any season--hats and sunscreen
are recommended all year. Layered clothing is good preparation
for the plateau's temperature extremes and frequent strong winds.
Boots with good tread and ankle support are strongly recommended
for hikes into the canyons.
Safety
• When driving, be prepared for the unexpected from other drivers
and wildlife.
• Observe speed limits.
• Be aware of the altitude. Park elevations reach 9115 feet (2778
meters). Know and respect your own physical limitations.
• Stay on designated trails and away from cliff edges. Loose and
crumbly rocks can make footing treacherous. Falls on steep slopes
can be deadly.
• Ankle injuries are our number one safety problem. Wear boots
with good ankle support and traction.
• Avoid dehydration--drink plenty of water.
• Wear a hat and long sleeves. High altitude sun can burn quickly.
Wear sunscreen and sunglasses that block ultraviolet light.
• Watch wildlife from a distance.
For More Information
- Contact
- Superintendent
Bryce Canyon National Park
P.O. Box 170001
- Bryce Canyon, Utah 84717
- Telephone: 435-834-5322
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