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Bryce Canyon National Park
Amazing Geological Structures.
Open / Close / Reopening Status of Bryce Canyon National Park due to Coronavirus (COVID-19)
More information about Bryce Canyon
Last Updated: May 2, 2020
History
Bryce Canyon, named after Mormon pioneer Ebenezer Bryce, became a national monument in 1924 and a national park in 1928, and is famous for its unique geology. Over millions of years, ice and rainwater have shaped the limestone into canyons, windows, and spires called “hoodoos.” The rim of the plateau is rimmed with ponderosa pines, firs, and meadows. Archeological evidence of humans in the area established use at least 10,000 years ago, although most likely, humans used the area seasonally to avoid the harsh winters. Hunting was an early activity, as well as harvesting pine nuts. Early Mormon pioneers constructed a 10 mile long irrigation ditch through the area that would later become the park, allowing the dry valleys below to be suitable for agriculture. After the creation of the national park, the Union Pacific Railroad and the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) made the park accessible to travelers, and their improvements lead to it being a national attraction, then an international “must see.” Today, over 1.5 million people visit the park each year.
Entrance fees
An entrance fee of $25 for motorcycles and $30 for private, noncommercial vehicles is charged at entry. The passes are good for seven days. The park offers an annual pass for $35 that is good for 12 months from the purchase date. The national park pass ($80), senior pass ($10) and other national park passes are accepted at Bryce Canyon National Park.
Busiest Months (Percentage of Annual Visits)
Recent Bird Sightings
Hiking Trails:
Fishing Near Bryce Canyon
The rivers and mountain lakes to the west of the park offer wonderful trout fishing. In particular, try the East Fork of the Sevier River and Tropic Reservoir. Tropic Reservoir is stocked annually with 10-inch rainbow trout making for decent fishing all summer long and the East Fork primarily produces brown trout and cutthroat trout although other fish are possible in certain sections.
Current Astronomy Chart
Weather Forecast:
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Average Temperature (Monthly)
Radar:
Some Hotels and Other Lodging Options:
Vacation Packages:
Roundtrip Flights to Las Vegas
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Frequently Asked Questions
How long should I spend in Bryce Canyon National Park? Is one day enough?
Most people spend one day in Bryce Canyon. Another day allows more time to explore with a mule ride or a long day hike such as the 8 mile Fairyland Loop, but is not necessary to see most of the sights in Bryce Canyon. For those with more time and a desire for a longer backpacking adventure, consider the 22.9 mile Under-the-Rim Trail.
What is the best time of year to visit Bryce Canyon?
The most popular months to visit Bryce are June, July, August and September. The weather can be highly variable in fall, winter and spring due to the high elevation climate. The rainy season is July and August, when there are frequently afternoon storms.
How long does it take to drive around Bryce Canyon?
It takes a minimum of three hours to travel the 38 mile scenic drive (18 mile one way out and then back) with 13 viewpoints.
What city is closest to Bryce Canyon?
Bryce is the closest town to Bryce Canyon. There are a few other towns nearby. The closest city is Panguitch, which has a population of about 1600 people. It is located at the intersection of US-89 and UT-143, which is about 22 miles (25 minutes) from Bryce. Major cities nearby are Salt Lake City and Las Vegas, which are both about 4 hours away.
Can you see Zion and Bryce in one day?
You can see Zion and Bryce in one day but it is not recommended. There are tour companies which leave Las Vegas early in the morning, drive through Zion on Highway 9, allow about an hour there, and then go straight to Bryce for a bit more exploration. They then make the four hour return trip to Vegas.
How far apart are Bryce and Zion?
The Zion visitor center is 85 miles from the Bryce Canyon visitor center. It takes almost two hours to drive between the two of them via US-89. The East entrance of Zion is about 12 miles closer and can be reached about thirty minutes faster.
Can you drive through Bryce?
There is a shuttle from mid-April to mid-October which typically arrives at stops every 15 minutes, but it is not mandatory. There are no passenger vehicle restrictions at Bryce. The only restriction is that vehicles over 20 feet are restricted from the Bryce Amphitheater during shuttle hours.