How to Have an Unforgettable One Day in Bryce Canyon National Park
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Out of the 15 national parks I’ve visited, the one day in Bryce Canyon National Park that I spent exploring amongst the hoodoos on my southwest road trip easily made it my absolute favorite. I’ve been back many times since, making the 8-hour road trip out from Denver without blinking twice and even going as far as naming our car after this park.
This park is easily one of the most underrated national parks in the USA, often skipped out on for Arches and Zion. Throughout this post, you’ll learn exactly what to do in Bryce Canyon in one day, as well as all of the basics of the park so you can spend your day wisely.
Get ready to spend just one day in Bryce Canyon National Park! (Trust me, you’re in for a treat if you’re a first-timer.)
Can you actually explore Bryce in one day?
Unlike other national parks in the southwest, you can actually see all of the best spots and viewpoints throughout Bryce Canyon National Park in a single day, thanks to the 18-mile road that runs through the park.
The Perfect Bryce Canyon One Day Itinerary
Sometimes, it’s easier to have an itinerary that someone else made for you that you can use as a starting point. If this is your first time visiting Bryce Canyon, here’s my suggested (approved and tested by me) itinerary. Of course, feel free to customize it to your unique needs during your trip.
The itinerary is as follows:
🌅 Wake up and get to the park around sunrise. Yes, I know this can mean waking up around 5 a.m. (or earlier), depending on the time of year… it’s worth it! Head straight to Sunrise Point to watch the sun rise above the hoodoos.
⭐️ Pro tip: if you plan on visiting multiple national parks within the next 12 months (honestly, even if you plan on visiting TWO), then invest in an America the Beautiful Pass. It’s $80 for the year and will get you unlimited access to parks. Learn more here.
🥾 Hike the Navajo Loop Trail. If you’re hiking in winter, the Wall Street portion of the trail is closed, but the rest of it is open, allowing you to see the best parts of the park.
🚘 Hop in the car and drive to a few viewpoints, namely Bryce Point and Inspiration Point. If you packed lunch, consider eating it at one of these!
💦 Hike/walk to Mossy Cave after being fueled by your lunch. This short, 0.9-mile trail is family-friendly and leads to a waterfall.
📸 Spend more time in the park, this time going to some of the further viewpoints. Stop by the visitor center before it closes to grab a fun souvenir.
🍽️ Head out and grab dinner at one of the nearby spots, like I.D.K. Barbecue.
🌌 Go back to the park and stargaze. My favorite stargazing spots in the park are Sunrise Point, Sunset Point, and Inspiration Point.
Where is Bryce Canyon National Park?
Bryce Canyon National Park is located in Bryce Canyon City, Utah. It’s a little over an hour’s drive away from the famous Zion National Park and only a two-hour drive away from the lesser-visited Capitol Reef National Park.
Because Bryce Canyon National Park is almost on the border of Arizona, you may think it’s far from Salt Lake City, but that’s not the case. A four-hour drive can get you to start your Bryce Canyon National Park itinerary, making it the perfect location for a weekend trip from the city.
This national park is famously known for its hoodoos and features top-notch viewpoints, making it one of the more accessible parks out of the 15 I’ve visited throughout the southwest. There are also epic hikes ranging from short to hours long, appealing to a wide variety of hiking enthusiasts.
Did you say hoodoo?
So, what exactly is a hoodoo? A hoodoo is a skinny piece of rock (that’s usually quite tall) that almost looks like frozen liquid, like a rock that has been melted. That’s really the best way I can describe it. Some people also refer to hoodoos as fairy chimneys.
Bryce Canyon National Park is one of the best spots in the USA to spot hoodoos. In fact, there are hundreds upon hundreds here. Even driving through Bryce Canyon City, you can’t help but spot them all around you.
How to Get to Bryce Canyon National Park
Even though it’s not the most famous of parks (though it should be!), there are quite a few ways to get there for one day in Bryce Canyon.
Closest Airport to Bryce Canyon
To travel by plane, you’ll want to fly into the Cedar City Regional Airport. While the closest airport is technically Bryce Canyon Airport, this isn’t one that you can really fly into. Luckily, Cedar City Regional Airport is only about an hour and a half away from Bryce Canyon City.
If you’re traveling from somewhere else and can’t book a flight to Cedar City Regional Airport because it’s a smaller airport, try to fly into Salt Lake International Airport. Most city airports will fly into here, making it easy to get to!
Travel to Bryce Canyon by car
You could also easily drive to Bryce Canyon National Park because it’s one of the best spots to visit on a Utah road trip itinerary.
Most people will take Scenic Highway 12, especially if they’re coming from Arches National Park or Canyonlands National Park up in Moab.
Keep in mind that this road is very scenic, but a lot of the road doesn’t have many spots to stop along the way, so you’ll want to be prepared and have food and drinks with you in the car. I always am sure to stock up at a gas station before starting the drive.
Other popular roads to get to Bryce Canyon National Park include Highway 89 and Highway 22.
Are you making the drive from Las Vegas? Click here to learn more about how to drive from Vegas to Bryce Canyon!
Best Time to Visit Bryce Canyon National Park
Many people will argue that summer is the best time to visit Bryce Canyon National Park, but that is far from the truth if you want to steer clear of huge crowds.
Plus, the weather is quite warm, and accommodations in Bryce Canyon City will increase during this time due to the influx of tourists.
Instead, I can’t help but recommend visiting Bryce Canyon National Park in the fall months, mainly September through early November. The weather is fantastic during this time, with the mornings being cool enough to wear pants and a hoodie only to warm up by mid-day.
Accommodations in Bryce Canyon National Park during the fall months are also significantly lower than in summer because fewer people visit. Trust me, visiting the park during this time of year for your Bryce Canyon 1 day itinerary is going to make your trip even better – I first visited Bryce in fall 2022.
One thing to keep in mind, though, is that, unfortunately, parts of the park do close once the snow gets bad enough in the park. The exact time cannot be predicted for when this will happen each season, but it’s usually in October.
As a reference, I did a southwest road trip in mid-October, and by the time we made it to the park, Wall Street, one of the popular parts of the Navajo Loop Trail, was closed due to the weather conditions. We were told it had just closed about a week before (dang it)!
You can also visit Bryce Canyon National Park in winter if you want to visit with the least amount of tourists. I’ve visited during winter and loved it. The snow creates a breathtaking stark contrast against the orange hoodoos, making for great photos, even on an iPhone.
Best Places to Stay Near Bryce Canyon National Park
Bryce Canyon City is filled with tons of great places to stay, including Utah cabins and hotels. Here are a few of the best places to stay in Bryce Canyon City, depending on your budget!
Best Western PLUS Ruby’s Inn – $/$$
The Best Western PLUS Ruby’s Inn is one of the most popular places to stay in Bryce Canyon City. Plus, it is the closest accommodation to the park’s entrance without staying inside the park. With a restaurant and tours nearby, you can’t go wrong with staying here.
I stayed at this hotel during my winter trip in January 2024 and was majorly impressed with the accommodation. It has a store, a restaurant, and even a buffet breakfast. What more could you want?
Bryce Canyon Pines – $
The Bryce Canyon Pines is a motel with great rooms to rest in the evening, and there’s even a pool. It’s only about a five-minute drive from the entrance to Bryce Canyon National Park, and it’s another perfect place to stay on a budget.
Bryce Country Cabins – $$
Bryce Country Cabins is technically located in Tropic, but it’s still a five-minute drive away from the Bryce Canyon National Park entrance! It’s also down the street from many restaurants, all of which serve tasty local food.
By staying in the cabins, you’ll have your own log cabin with a seating area in the front. I stayed here during my stay, and I would book it again in a heartbeat. The cabins also have a tiny kitchenette, so it’s really easy to cook meals with a fridge and a microwave.
Tips for Visiting Bryce Canyon on a Time Crunch
To make the most of one day in Bryce Canyon, you have to plan wisely. Here are some of the best tips for visiting Bryce Canyon in one day.
Get to the Park Early (Yes, Before Sunrise)
Like other National Parks in the United States, you want to get to the park as soon as possible, especially if you only have one day to explore. Wake up early so you can not only see it in its most beautiful state but also avoid all of the crowds.
When you first get to the park, you’ll also want to be sure to visit the popular sites right when you get there. A lot of the trails don’t get busy until around 9:30/10:00 a.m., including the viewpoints. So you’ll want to hit spots like Sunrise and Sunset Point first thing in the morning.
Book Hotels ASAP (The Sooner, The Better)
No matter what time of year you are visiting Bryce Canyon National Park, you’ll want to book your hotels and make reservations the second you know the dates that you’re going.
Prices tend to fluctuate quite a bit, and even if you think your hotel won’t book up, it very easily might.
As a heads-up, during my first trip, I went in mid-October and booked in early September. I had minimal options for places to stay, even though I thought I was booking far enough in advance!
Wondering where to stay near Bryce Canyon? I have a post for that!
Purchase an America the Beautiful Pass
To save yourself money (especially if you know you’ll be visiting at least a few National Parks), purchase an America the Beautiful Pass. This pass costs $80, and it covers your entire vehicle, making it very much worth it.
If you don’t purchase this pass, you’ll have to pay the per-park fee for each park you go to. This fee ranges but can be anywhere from $25 to $35 depending on the park and the time of year, so consider yourself warned!
America the Beautiful Passes can be purchased online, at National Parks, or even at popular outdoor stores like REI Co-Op.
Make Use of the Shuttle Service
This pertains more to you if you plan on visiting during peak season but make use of the shuttle service if you have to. It’s completely free to use and saves you the hassle of finding parking, which can be extremely difficult in the summer.
The shuttle stops at many popular spots, including Bryce Point, Inspiration Point, Sunrise Point, and more. Plus, if you’re staying at the Best Western PLUS Ruby’s Inn, it will even pick you up and bring you back there!
The shuttle service usually starts in late spring (around May) and closes in early fall (usually sometime in September).
Wear Layers
No matter what time of year you’re visiting Bryce Canyon, you’re going to want to wear and pack layers. The more layers, the better, because you’ll want to be able to take them off throughout the day when it starts to warm up.
This is even more true in the fall. I had sweatpants over shorts and a long-sleeved shirt with a hoodie over it. I was freezing in the morning, but by mid-day, I was super warm!
Bring a Backpack
This pretty much goes for all national parks, but bring a backpack. This is one of the best ways to carry everything around without hassle, especially if you plan on doing a Bryce Canyon hike. You can put your layers in here in addition to snacks.
What to Pack for Bryce Canyon
When spending 1 day in Bryce Canyon, you need to pack wisely because you’re there for such a short amount of time! Here are some of the best things to pack for Bryce Canyon National Park in one day.
Water Bottle
You absolutely can’t visit without a water bottle. Definitely bring one that is at least 32 ounces, like a Hydro Flask, which will keep your water cool all day. Be sure to fill it with ice in the morning too, and consider bringing extra bottles just in case.
Sunglasses
The sun can be bad in Bryce Canyon National Park, especially in the morning, because of the way the light hits the orange hoodoos. Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes so that you won’t be squinting the entire day! (My favorites are Ray-Ban’s, but any pair will do.)
Sunscreen
Even if you’re visiting in winter, you need to bring sunscreen. A lot of the park is out in the open, so you need to be prepared and ensure you don’t get burnt! I highly recommend packing sport sunscreen because it stays on even if you sweat.
Sweatshirt
Layers are essential for one day in Bryce Canyon. Pack your favorite cozy sweatshirt or some other type of layer so you can have something you can take off as it starts to warm up throughout the day. Any sweatshirt will do!
Hiking Boots
One of the biggest mistakes you can make when visiting Bryce Canyon National Park is not packing hiking boots. Too many people try to wear sneakers, which is so hard when it comes to hiking, especially as it gets cooler and the trails start to get slick.
Purchase a sturdy pair of hiking boots if you plan on hiking in Bryce Canyon, and just know these are usually an excellent investment because they’ll last you a while. I’ve had my own pair of North Face hiking boots for 4 years now.
Crampons
The second the trails start to get slick, you need to get crampons or shoe spikes to put over your hiking boots to make sure you can keep a grip on the ice. You can purchase these affordable ones on Amazon.
Camera
Do not forget your camera when visiting Bryce Canyon National Park! My favorite camera is the Canon EOS M50 because it takes excellent photos and videos and even doubles as a vlog camera.
Snacks
Be sure to bring snacks because once you’re out on the trail, you’re out of luck if you get hungry. Clif Protein bars are great for the trails because they’re filling and come in amazing flavors.
Where to Eat Near Bryce Canyon National Park
Even though you’re only spending one day in Bryce Canyon, you may want to stop somewhere for food instead of packing a lunch on your own. Here are some of the best places to eat near Bryce Canyon National Park.
Wanderlust Cowgirl Coffee
While technically located a little bit outside of Bryce Canyon City, if you’re on the hunt for great coffee, stop by Wanderlust Cowboy Coffee.
From the outside, it looks like a little shack, but the coffee is delicious. They also serve great pastries that are cooked fresh.
I.D.K. BBQ
Easily, the best BBQ restaurant near Bryce Canyon City is I.D.K. Barbecue. Having started in 2014, we thought this place was still going to be a hidden gem, but it was so busy when we went!
(However, it still only took like 5 minutes to get our food – so it’s very fast service.)
They serve huge dishes with barbecue goodness and even have salads and macaroni and cheese! They’re located in Tropic, down the road from the entrance at Bryce Canyon National Park. We absolutely love this place!
Best Things to do in Bryce Canyon National Park
With just one day in Bryce Canyon National Park, these are the top activities and spots that you can’t miss! These things to do in Bryce Canyon are ranked in no particular order.
Bryce Canyon Visitor Center
When you first get to Bryce Canyon National Park, you certainly have to stop by the Visitor Center. You can learn all about Bryce Canyon National Park at the Visitor Center, mingle and speak with park rangers, and shop at the souvenir store.
Be sure to grab a Bryce Canyon map so you can easily get around during your trip. I also love collecting the newspapers from the different national parks I visit as a fun memento.
Sunrise Point + Sunset Point
The most famous viewpoints in all of Bryce Canyon National Park are Sunrise Point and Sunset Point. They’re the first viewpoints you’ll see after stopping at the Visitor Center, and they’re also located near the lodge.
These points offer incredible views of the hoodoos, but keep in mind that they tend to be busy because they’re so popular, especially during peak season. Be sure to stop by there first thing in the morning; it’s called Sunrise Point for a reason, after all!
To get to these points, park at the nearby parking lot. These lots tend to get packed as the day goes on but tend to be open in the morning. Then, follow the signs to get to the viewpoints.
Go On At Least One Hike
There are a few hikes that you can choose from with just a day. Below are some of the best hikes at Bryce Canyon that allow you to see incredible views without hiking for a long time.
Navajo Loop Trail
Easily, the best trail in all of Bryce Canyon National Park is the Navajo Loop Trail. This trail is only a mile and a half long and is moderately rated. Along the way, you’ll encounter Bryce Canyon scenic switchbacks and hoodoos up close.
The trail starts right at Sunset Point and brings you directly inside Bryce Canyon and down to the canyon floor. Some of the best spots along the way include Thor’s Hammer and Twin Bridges.
You’ll also be able to trek through the popular Wall Street, a photogenic portion of the Navajo Loop Trail.
Keep in mind that Wall Street tends to be one of the portions that close when it gets icy in the park.
Queen’s Garden Trail
This is the longer of the recommended trails for one day in Bryce Canyon. It’s popularly combined with the Navajo Loop Trail!
This trail is a little under two miles long, but it becomes about three miles round trip if combined with the Navajo Loop Trail.
Be sure to look out for Queen Elizabeth Rock and Gulliver’s Castle along the way. There’s also a great rock formation called Queen’s Castle.
Unlike the Navajo Loop Trail, the Queens Garden Trail is an out-and-back trail. Be warned that some parts of the trail are steep, so you’ll want to be careful.
Rim Trail
The Bryce Canyon Rim Trail is super long at about 10 miles, and it’s an out-and-back trail that’s rated moderate. (It’s about 5 if you just do it point-to-point.)
Obviously, with one day in Bryce Canyon, you can just walk a small portion of this trail to see what it’s like walking with great views of Bryce Canyon.
This trail is flat the majority of the way and is known for offering breathtaking views of Bryce Amphitheater.
Inspiration Point
Inspiration Point is one of the more underrated viewpoints in the park. You can do the canyon scenic drive and park right at the parking lot near the point and take a short walk out to the viewpoint.
One thing to be mindful of is that while the views are impeccable, there are steep drop-offs along the trail, so be sure to stay behind the railings. It’s not worth getting a beautiful photo if it means walking out to the edge where the rocks aren’t as safe!
Mossy Cave
Take a visit to the Mossy Cave, a beautiful spot in Bryce Canyon National Park. It’s less than a mile out and back, but there are around 300 feet of elevation change. However, this trail is still ranked as easy!
I loved hiking this trail in summer because it’s a nice, cooler trail compared to the others, which are very exposed to the sun.
The area is incredible here even if you visit in the winter as you can see it with ice. It’s unlike any other spot in the park. Be sure also to locate the waterfall, which you won’t want to miss during your trip.
Bryce Point
Another viewpoint you can’t miss is called Bryce Point. From this viewpoint, you can see the most hoodoos in one spot! It’s beautiful every time of the day, but especially around mid-day when you can see it all lit up by the sun.
To get to Bryce Point, you can park at the nearby parking lot. There’s a short walk to the viewpoint, and there are even a few trails that come off the popular viewing platform, so you can see it from different angles.
Stargazing
You can see incredible stars at Bryce Canyon National Park. Even though you’re just spending one day in the park, if you have time to stay until the evening, you’re going to want to see the stars here.
The sky looks incredible and will truthfully take your breath away. To stargaze here, be sure to park at a great spot with a short walk to a trail, so you don’t have to go far in the dark. Don’t forget to bring a flashlight too.
Bring your camera, and be sure to change the settings for long exposure at night.
Now you know how to spend a day in Bryce Canyon! You can really see all of the highlights in the park in just one day. Just make sure to wake up early and spend your time wisely.
Save this post for later:
Prefer video content? Check out my vlog from my Southwest Road Trip a few years ago, when I visited Bryce Canyon National Park for the first time.
I love that you created this guide to spend one day in Bryce Canyon! I didn’t know it was possible. The hoodoos like absolutely magnificent!
Right? I was on a quick southwest road trip and only had one day to be there so I speak from experience. It’s great to just see the highlights!
Great travel guide to Bryce Canyon! Those hoodoos look spectacular!
Thank you! The hoodoos are so magical in real life!
I’d love to visit Bryce Canyon. I’m definitely saving this great information for when we get to go!
It’s totally an underrated park. I hope you get to visit it!
wow, this looks amazing, thanks so much for all this helpful information. When I go back to the states I definitely want to explore more national parks
You’re welcome! The National Parks are where it’s at!
Great blog post! We were just at Bryce Canyon NP and absolutely loved it. I’m actually working on my blog post for it right now too 😊. Can’t wait to share soon! I agree that it’s totally underrated, and fall is an awesome time to visit. I actually can’t even imagine visiting this area in the summer – it’s gotta be super hot! Xx Sara
Thank you! I was just there two weeks ago for the first time and LOVED it. Can’t wait to see your post!
Totally agree with you about the layers. That desert-like climate can shift so quickly! Love your photos.
If I didn’t have layers it would have been a rough day! And thank you. 🙂
Bryce Canyon looks magnificent. I’m definitely saving this great information for when we get to go!
I hope you get to go sometime! It’s so unreal!
Wow that’s a useful guide and loved the pictures. Hope to visit soon
Thank you! 🙂
Oh the national park looks amazing! I live how otherworldly the landscape looks. Need to add it to my US national parks list 🙂
It’s totally underrated. I hope you get to go sometime!
This national park is right at the top of my list for when I head back to the States. The landscape here is just so unique – I’d love to explore it all and it looks like you had a great trip!
It really is! I hope you get to go!
i haven’t been to bryce since i was in middle school and my gosh I cant wait to go back! Your suggestions for a perfect day in bryce are spot on! there is so much to see and do that I would definitely want to get there at sunrise like you suggested!
I’m glad this post was helpful! I hope you get back to Bryce; it’s my favorite park.
Oh, it looks amazing. Totally adding it to my travel list!
I hope you get to visit there!
Bryce Cannon looks so stunning! This guide was super detailed and information; I love that you included restaurant recommendations as well. Thanks for the inspiration!
I’m glad this post was helpful!