Bryce Canyon National Park is one of Utah’s most stunning natural wonders and a must-visit destination on any Utah trip. With its unique geological formations, including hoodoos, arches, and bridges, it is a wonderland for exploration and discovery. Whether you’re traveling with family, friends, or on your own, this park offers an unforgettable experience that will leave you in awe.
Whether you are looking for a peaceful stroll through nature or an adrenaline-filled adventure, there is something here for everyone. Read on for 15 amazing things to do in Bryce Canyon!
Hike the Hoodoos
Hiking is one of the top activities in Bryce Canyon. And for good reason! The park has over 50 miles of hiking trails with varying levels of difficulty. Eight trails are designated for day hikes. Many of them intersect allowing visitors to create custom routes.
The most popular hike in the park is the Queen’s Garden Trail which many visitors connect with the Navajo Loop. These combined trails take you deep into the otherworldly Amphitheater, allowing visitors to see some of the most beautiful scenery in the park up close.
Looking for more of a challenge? The Peekaboo Loop is a steep but spectacular trail that leads through some of the park’s most iconic scenery.
If you need extra hiking motivation, participate in the park’s Hike the Hoodoos Program! Part hike, part scavenger hunt, visitors are challenged to hike at least 3 miles of the most popular trails, keeping an eye out for designated markers along the way. Take rubbings or photos of the benchmarks to the Visitor Center at the end of your visit for a special reward.
Wherever you decide to hike in Bryce Canyon, aim to get there early. There’s nothing like having the hoodoos to yourself in the brisk morning air, hours before the heat sets in and the trails fill with people.
Explore on Horseback
Some of the park’s steepest trails are made easier thanks to mule and horseback riding experiences. This is a great way to slow down and take a look around as you make your way through the park’s stunning rock formations.
Horses have been used to explore the park since long before this land was a part of the National Park System. About 4.5 miles of horse-friendly trails were completed in 1931 and are still in use today for both private and guided rides.
Don’t have a horse of your own? Join a guided horse and mule ride. The park’s official concessionaire is Canyon Trail Rides. They offer 2 and 3-hour guided rides into the Amphitheater along the Peekaboo Loop Trail.
Trail ride season is usually April – October, weather depending.
Claim Your Ranger Badge
In addition to the Hike the Hoodoos program mentioned above, families traveling to the park with kids can participate in the Bryce Canyon Junior Ranger Program. Junior Rangers is a nationwide program that helps connect children with stories about the cultural and natural history of the National Parks.
To become a Junior Ranger at Bryce Canyon, children must complete a designated amount of activities in the Junior Ranger booklet and learn more about the park by watching the park movie, attending a presentation, or participating in a Ranger-led hike. Which, of course, are all great things to do anyway!
Once children have completed their required tasks, they turn their booklets into the Rangers at the Visitor Center, learn the Ranger pledge, and receive a badge. Additional Junior Ranger souvenirs are also available for purchase on-site.
You can pick up a Junior Ranger booklet in the Visitor Center or print one at home before your visit. Printing at home allows you to look through the booklet ahead of time and save the Visitor Center for later in the day.
Go Stargazing
Though Bryce Canyon is a gorgeous park to explore during the daytime, it also happens to be one of the best places in the world for nighttime stargazing.
Far from the light pollution of crowded towns and protected by a team of passionate volunteer astronomers and “Night Sky Rangers,” the park is a dark sky sanctuary. The night sky here is so dark that you can see thousands of stars, the Milky Way, and planets twinkling brightly above.
If you’re staying at the park overnight, check the calendar to see if your visit aligns with one of the hundreds of astronomy programs offered each year. Most programs are scheduled when the sky is the darkest: the weeks before or after a new moon.
If your visit coincides with a Full Moon, check the schedule to see if a Ranger-led Full Moon Night Hike is available. Visitors have to enter a lottery for a spot on this popular tour. Don’t miss the chance to attend if you get selected!
Learn from Park Rangers
Those who want to learn more about this beautiful park and its stunning hoodoos should attend a guided Ranger talk during their visit.
The most popular Ranger talks are the 20-minute Hoodoo Geology Talks that depart from Sunset Point every day at 11 am, year-round. Hear Rangers explain how Bryce Canyon’s unique natural history, from ancient lakes to powerful erosion, shaped the park’s most popular geologic attractions.
Other popular Ranger programs include guided walks along the Amphitheater’s Rim and an evening “Ranger’s Choice” Program at the Lodge that cover a variety of topics like wildlife that live in the park.
Visit the Visitor Center
Bryce Canyon is home to an impressive Visitor Center with museum exhibits and a bookstore where you can pick up your next favorite park souvenir. It also screens a movie about the park, “A Song of Seasons” on the hour and half-hour every day.
Many people like to kick off their day in the park at the Visitor Center, where you can get maps and directions from staff, learn about any weather warnings, and grab a Junior Ranger booklet and a daily schedule of guided programs.
Give Birdwatching a Try
Looking for wildlife is always a fun thing to do at National Parks. And searching for birds can open up a whole new perspective on the park’s ecosystem.
Bryce Canyon is home to over 175 species of birds. Some, like the Stellar Jay and Raven, are hard to escape! Others, like the Peregrine Falcon, require a bit more skill and luck to spot.
If you’re visiting in December, team up with experienced birders for the annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count. Learn what it means to be a citizen scientist as you assess the health of local bird populations and guide future action.
Enjoy the Southern Scenic Drive
Scenic drives are the most popular way to experience Bryce Canyon beyond the Amphitheater. There are 18 miles between the park entrance and the end of the road at Rainbow and Yovimpa Points. The Bryce Amphitheater is the highlight of the first 3 miles. The next 15 are known as the Southern Scenic Drive.
As you drive this route, you’ll come across nine scenic overlooks. The end of the road is over 2,000 feet in elevation higher than that of the Visitor Center, resulting in dramatic shifts in scenery along the way.
While a stop at each viewpoint is worthwhile, Rainbow Point, Yovimpa Point, Agua Canyon, and Natural Bridge are considered highlights of the drive.
Download the NPS App for a driving tour of this area.
Attend a Special Event
Bryce Canyon National Park plays host to exciting events and festivals all year long. Some to keep an eye on include:
Bryce Canyon Geology Festival: If you’re going to host a geology festival, this is the place to do it! Join geologists and park rangers to hear the stories of Bryce Canyon’s rocks that predate history. You’ll find family-friendly geology programs, exhibits, and activities at the Visitor Center.
Astronomy Festival: Bryce Canyon’s status as an International Dark Sky Park is a draw for astronomy lovers of all ages. At the annual Festival, you can find astronomy activities for kids, Ranger-led night hikes, constellation tours, and more.
Bryce Canyon Winter Festival: Ruby’s Inn, located just outside of the park gates, hosts this annual Bryce Canyon event that shares the best of winter fun in the area. Expect ski clinics, snowshoeing, dancing, photography classes, and more.
Have a Canyon Road Trip Adventure
Looking for a unique way to experience the Bryce Canyon area? Join the Kanab Tour Company for a hybrid tour that’s anything but dull. It’s one of’s one of the best things to do in Kanab, Utah.
Their Bryce Canyon Tour and ATV Experience leaves from Kanab and begins with a long scenic drive to and within the park. Enjoy short hikes to popular viewpoints and learn about the park’s geology and wildlife. After lunch at Ruby’s Inn, you’ll head back to Kanab where you’ll hop in ATVs to ride the sand trails and explore stunning Peek-a-Boo Slot Canyon.
This is a full introduction to the natural beauty of this part of the state!
Give Snowshoeing A Try
Bryce Canyon looks magical after a dusting of snow. There are often clear blue skies, fewer people, and enough snow on the ground to make snowshoeing fun.
You don’t need to head out on your own unless you want to. Park Rangers lead snowshoe hikes and even supply the snowshoes. This is a great way to get out there and learn the role ice and sun play in the formation of hoodoos. With a side of adventure, of course.
Take a Scenic Tour
Sometimes it’s nice to skip all the research, sign up for a tour, and leave your experience up to the experts. And the highly-rated Bryce Canyon Scenic Tours make it easy to do just that.
Their small-group tours are led by seasoned local guides. Follow their lead to the best Bryce Canyon viewpoints and key sites in the park, learning about the park’s history, wildlife, and geology along the way.
Other scenic tour options offered by Bryce Canyon Scenic Tours include a 5-hour hiking tour and customizable private tours that range from 3 – 8 hours long.
Bike the Park
An 18-mile shared-use path makes it easy for cyclists, skaters, skateboarders, and scooters to explore Bryce Canyon National Park. The trail extends from Inspiration Point in the park to Red Canyon outside the park gates.
The bike path climbs 746 feet leading to Inspiration Point. If you prefer going downhill more than up, the park shuttle can accommodate 2 bicycles and runs from April to October. With this option, you can take the shuttle to Inspiration Point and then enjoy an easy 5-mile ride back to the shuttle station.
When you want to take a stroll and leave your bike behind, you can park it at each of the main viewpoints, the Lodge, the Visitor Center, and the Shuttle Stations.
For a biking experience off the beaten path, book a spot on the 3-4 hour Bryce Canyon Scenic Tours Backcountry Hike ‘n Bike tour. You’ll hike down the Canyon to a lesser-known trail where your bikes will be waiting. From there, you’ll enjoy an almost all-downhill ride to a private shuttle that will take you back to the starting point.
Go on a BackCountry Adventure
For those who’ve already experienced Bryce Canyon’s amazing day hikes, you might be curious to know what the park looks like off the beaten path.
There are two backcountry trails: the Under-the-Rim Trail and Riggs Spring Loop Trail. Both descend below the rim into the forest. These trails are strenuous, with multiple elevation changes.
There are 10 backcountry campsites between the two trails. All backcountry campsites require permits. Do your research and check in with the park before heading out.
Relax and Enjoy the Scenery
One of the great things about Bryce Canyon is that it can be enjoyed by all ages and abilities. Whether you do one of the adventurous activities above or simply enjoy the scenery from the Rim Trail or the park’s many viewpoints, this is a place where everyone can appreciate stunning natural wonders.
There’s no need to rush around. Just sit back, take a deep breath of fresh air, and enjoy the view. And maybe snap a selfie or two.
Bryce Canyon National Park is a stunning destination that offers something for everyone. From hiking and biking to awe-inspiring geology, there are activities here to suit all interests.
Whether you’re looking for an adventure or just want to relax in nature, these 15 things to do in Bryce Canyon are sure to make for an unforgettable visit! If you’re planning a Utah road trip, make sure to add this incredible park to your must-see destinations. You won’t regret it!
