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Bryce Canyon

the USA🇺🇸 | national parksBryce CanyonOrange hoodoos, rim amphitheater, Wall Street slot, Fairyland loop | things to do and best time to go

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Backpacking in Bryce Canyon
🌟 Highlightnational park ranked #9
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 22, 2026

Bryce Canyon is cheap to see well, because the best views sit a few steps from the parking lots and the free shuttle does the driving. The park lies in southern Utah, in the southwest of the United States, on a high plateau edge. Hoodoos, those orange rock spires, fill amphitheaters you can walk down into. Crowds pile onto the rim at Sunset and Sunrise Points, so experienced hikers drop below the rim within ten minutes and lose most of them. Wildlife is modest but real: mule deer, prairie dogs, ravens. A ranger at the visitor center told me, "Everybody photographs the rim, nobody walks down, and that's your advantage." He was right. Public transit is thin, so a car helps. Best for hikers who like short, steep loops; less so for anyone wanting remote multi-day solitude.

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✨ Why go?
Ranked #9 national park in the USAWhy visitors keep coming back

Bryce Canyon works for backpackers because you can plan it yourself without paying for a tour. The rim road runs about 18 miles, and the free seasonal shuttle links the main viewpoints and trailheads, so you can hop between them on your own schedule. Trail variety is the other pull. The Navajo Loop and Queen's Garden combination takes you among the hoodoos in a couple of hours, while the Under-the-Rim Trail offers backcountry camping for those who want a quiet night away from the rim. Campgrounds inside the park and cheap dispersed sites in the surrounding national forest keep costs down. Nothing here requires a guide. A map, water, and decent knees do the job, and the short distances let you stack several different walks in a single day.

💡 HighlightsKey sights and experiences for travelers

  1. Bryce Amphitheater and Sunset Point: The signature view, a vast bowl packed with thousands of orange and pink hoodoos. It is the first sight most visitors seek out.
  2. Navajo Loop Trail (Wall Street): A steep descent through a narrow slot canyon with towering walls and Douglas firs growing upward toward the light.
  3. Queen's Garden Trail: The gentlest way below the rim, ending at a spire said to resemble Queen Victoria.
  4. Thor's Hammer: A famous hoodoo with a heavy capstone balanced on a thin neck, easy to spot from the Navajo Loop.
  5. Rainbow Point and Yovimpa Point: At the road's end, over 9,000 feet, with views stretching across southern Utah and beyond.
  6. Natural Bridge: A large red arch viewed from a roadside pullout, interesting because it was carved by water and frost rather than a river.
  7. Fairyland Loop:
… read more 👉
  1. Bryce Amphitheater and Sunset Point: The signature view, a vast bowl packed with thousands of orange and pink hoodoos. It is the first sight most visitors seek out.
  2. Navajo Loop Trail (Wall Street): A steep descent through a narrow slot canyon with towering walls and Douglas firs growing upward toward the light.
  3. Queen's Garden Trail: The gentlest way below the rim, ending at a spire said to resemble Queen Victoria.
  4. Thor's Hammer: A famous hoodoo with a heavy capstone balanced on a thin neck, easy to spot from the Navajo Loop.
  5. Rainbow Point and Yovimpa Point: At the road's end, over 9,000 feet, with views stretching across southern Utah and beyond.
  6. Natural Bridge: A large red arch viewed from a roadside pullout, interesting because it was carved by water and frost rather than a river.
  7. Fairyland Loop: A longer, quieter circuit with hoodoos, a window formation called Tower Bridge, and far fewer people.
  8. Bryce Point: A high rim overlook with an excellent sweep over the amphitheater, popular for first light.
At Bryce Canyon, every rim viewpoint is free once you are inside the park gate, so the cheapest items on this list cost nothing beyond the entrance fee.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

Things to do around Bryce Canyon

Scenic Tour of Bryce Canyon

Scenic Tour of Bryce Canyon

4.9(1215) 3h
From €77
per personViator
Peekaboo, Spooky and Dry Fork Slot Canyon Tour

Peekaboo, Spooky and Dry Fork Slot Canyon Tour

5.0(118) 6h
From €126
per personViator
One Hour Guided ATV Ride in Utah

One Hour Guided ATV Ride in Utah

4.6(79) 1h
From €91
per personViator
Bryce Canyon National Park Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour

Bryce Canyon National Park Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour

4.3(89)
From €15.42
per personViator
Ruby's Horseback Adventures Utah Half Day Ride

Ruby's Horseback Adventures Utah Half Day Ride

4.4(77) 4h
From €123
per personViator
Bryce Canyon Stargazing Adventure

Bryce Canyon Stargazing Adventure

4.5(69) 1h 30m
From €54
per personViator
Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks Self-Driving Bundle Tour

Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks Self-Driving Bundle Tour

4.2(76)
From €23
per personViator
Bryce Canyon Private Tour

Bryce Canyon Private Tour

5.0(35) 3h
From €145
per personViator
Bryce Canyon National Park: Private Guided Hike & Picnic

Bryce Canyon National Park: Private Guided Hike & Picnic

5.0(33)
From €634
per personViator
Shuttle between Las Vegas, Bryce Canyon, Zion National Park and St George

Shuttle between Las Vegas, Bryce Canyon, Zion National Park and St George

4.5(33)
From €92
per personViator

Ratings based on Tripadvisor reviews. When you book through this link, you support our work at no extra cost to you.

🌤️ When to go?Choosing the right time of year

  • Summer (June to August): Peak season, with daytime highs of 24 to 29°C (75 to 84°F) and nights of 5 to 10°C (41 to 50°F). Afternoon thunderstorms are common, crowds are heaviest, and lodging costs the most.
  • Fall (September to October): Highs of 13 to 22°C (55 to 72°F), thinner crowds, and clear air. Nights approach freezing by October.
  • Winter (November to March): Highs of -1 to 6°C (30 to 43°F), lows well below -10°C (14°F), and snow that turns the hoodoos orange and white. Days are short, rates drop, and snowshoeing is on offer.
  • Spring (April to May): Highs of 7 to 17°C (45 to 63°F), with lingering snow and icy trail sections early on. Crowds build by late May.
Book summer lodging months ahead, and arrive early in the day for parking at the main viewpoints.

source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: fair for travelingFEBFebruary: fair for travelingMARMarch: good for travelingAPRApril: highly recommended for travelingMAYMay: highly recommended for travelingJUNJune: good for travelingJULJuly: fair for travelingAUGAugust: fair for travelingSEPSeptember: excellent for travelingOCTOctober: excellent for travelingNOVNovember: good for travelingDECDecember: fair for traveling
United States - Bryce Canyon

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🛏️ Where to stay?Best areas to stay in the USA

The cheapest practical base is the cluster of motels and campgrounds in and around Bryce Canyon City, just outside the park entrance. Inside the park, Bryce Canyon Lodge is the only hotel, with rooms from roughly US$250 to 300 in summer, and it closes in winter. North Campground and Sunset Campground are first-come or reservable sites at about US$30 a night, and they sit close to the rim. Backcountry camping needs a permit and is limited to the Under-the-Rim and Riggs Spring Loop trails. Ruby’s Inn, right at the junction, offers rooms, a campground and a general store, and has a seasonal free … read more 👉
The cheapest practical base is the cluster of motels and campgrounds in and around Bryce Canyon City, just outside the park entrance. Inside the park, Bryce Canyon Lodge is the only hotel, with rooms from roughly US$250 to 300 in summer, and it closes in winter. North Campground and Sunset Campground are first-come or reservable sites at about US$30 a night, and they sit close to the rim. Backcountry camping needs a permit and is limited to the Under-the-Rim and Riggs Spring Loop trails. Ruby’s Inn, right at the junction, offers rooms, a campground and a general store, and has a seasonal free shuttle stop. Tropic, about 15 minutes east, and Panguitch, about 30 minutes west, have cheaper motels, often US$80 to 150, plus diners and groceries. Cabins and a few hostel-style bunks appear around Bryce Canyon City, but they fill early in summer.
Best hostels in the USA


Best quality hotels in the USA

👛 Costs (as of 22 October 2026)What things cost and how to budget

Bryce Canyon costs about US$100 to 255 a day for a backpacker in high season, mostly from camping or a motel bed.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Entrance feeUS$20 to 35Per person on foot or bike is about US$20, a vehicle is about US$35, and the pass lasts 7 days. Nonresidents aged 16 and over pay an extra US$100 each.
AccommodationUS$30 to 120Park campsites are about US$30, and motels in Tropic or Panguitch run US$80 to 150. In-park lodge rooms cost more.
Local transportUS$0 to 40The park shuttle is free in season, while a rental car or fuel share adds to the budget.
Food and suppliesUS$25 to 45Groceries from Ruby’s Inn or Panguitch are cheaper than restaurant meals at US$15 to 25.
Backcountry permitUS$5 to 15Overnight permits cost about US$5 per person.
Total Daily BudgetUS$100 to 255Roughly
… read more 👉
Bryce Canyon costs about US$100 to 255 a day for a backpacker in high season, mostly from camping or a motel bed.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Entrance feeUS$20 to 35Per person on foot or bike is about US$20, a vehicle is about US$35, and the pass lasts 7 days. Nonresidents aged 16 and over pay an extra US$100 each.
AccommodationUS$30 to 120Park campsites are about US$30, and motels in Tropic or Panguitch run US$80 to 150. In-park lodge rooms cost more.
Local transportUS$0 to 40The park shuttle is free in season, while a rental car or fuel share adds to the budget.
Food and suppliesUS$25 to 45Groceries from Ruby’s Inn or Panguitch are cheaper than restaurant meals at US$15 to 25.
Backcountry permitUS$5 to 15Overnight permits cost about US$5 per person.
Total Daily BudgetUS$100 to 255Roughly US$130 with camping and groceries, based on high-season rates.


source: nps.gov
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

🥾 TrailsBest hikes in Bryce Canyon national park

Bryce Canyon has short trails that drop steeply below the rim into hoodoo country, with the climb back out being the real work. The elevation sits around 8,000 to 9,000 feet, so the thin air makes everything feel harder than the mileage suggests. Footing is packed dirt, loose gravel, and occasional ice in cold months.
  • Navajo Loop: About 1.3 miles, around an hour, moderate to strenuous. Steep switchbacks through Wall Street's narrow walls.
  • Queen's Garden: About 1.8 miles round trip, 1.5 hours, moderate. Hoodoo views with less steep descent.
  • Peekaboo Loop: About 5.5 miles, 3 to 4 hours, strenuous.
… read more 👉
Bryce Canyon has short trails that drop steeply below the rim into hoodoo country, with the climb back out being the real work. The elevation sits around 8,000 to 9,000 feet, so the thin air makes everything feel harder than the mileage suggests. Footing is packed dirt, loose gravel, and occasional ice in cold months.
  • Navajo Loop: About 1.3 miles, around an hour, moderate to strenuous. Steep switchbacks through Wall Street's narrow walls.
  • Queen's Garden: About 1.8 miles round trip, 1.5 hours, moderate. Hoodoo views with less steep descent.
  • Peekaboo Loop: About 5.5 miles, 3 to 4 hours, strenuous. Passes tunnels, windows, and many ups and downs.
  • Fairyland Loop: About 8 miles, 4 to 5 hours, strenuous. Quiet, with Tower Bridge and Chinese Wall.
  • Rim Trail: Up to 5.5 miles one way, mostly easy, with paved sections linking major viewpoints.
  • Under-the-Rim Trail: About 22.5 miles one way, multi-day backpacking, strenuous, permit needed.
Wildlife includes mule deer, Utah prairie dogs, Steller's jays, and ravens. Public transport to the area is very limited, so most travelers arrive by car, usually from the direction of Zion or Capitol Reef. The park shuttle runs in the busy season. Crowds peak in summer at the main viewpoints. An entrance fee applies, and passes are valid for several days.
⚠️ Hiking info can sometimes be outdated or inaccurate. Before you hit the trail, check the latest conditions with locals. If you do spot anything that's off, I'd love to hear from you, so I can update it for fellow travelers.

🛡️ SafetySafety Tips and Common Scams in Bryce Canyon

Bryce Canyon is straightforward and well managed, but altitude and weather deserve respect. The rim sits above 2,400 meters (8,000 feet), so first-day hikers often feel breathless climbing back out of the amphitheater. Descents are easy and the climbs back are not. Carry at least 2 liters of water per person, since there is none on the trails, and start early in summer to avoid afternoon lightning on exposed ridges. Winter trails can be icy, so bring microspikes. Stay behind rim fences, where edges are crumbly. Prairie dogs and squirrels will beg, but feeding them is illegal and risks bites. Mountain lions are rare, and deer are common. Cell service is patchy, so download maps before heading in.
Check Country Safety

FAQFrequently asked questions about Bryce Canyon

Two days is the practical minimum for Bryce Canyon, with one day enough for the main rim viewpoints and a loop like Navajo Loop and Queen’s Garden (about 3 hours). A second day lets you add Fairyland Loop (about 8 miles, 4 to 5 hours) or the Peekaboo Loop. Backpackers doing the Under-the-Rim Trail need 2 to 3 days.
Yes, Bryce Canyon works without a car in summer thanks to the free park shuttle, which runs from Ruby’s Inn past the Bryce Amphitheater viewpoints to Bryce Point. The nearest major airports are Las Vegas (about 4 hours by road) and Salt Lake City (about 4.5 hours). Public transit to the region is very limited, so you would need a private shuttle or ride share to reach Bryce Canyon City.
Yes, Bryce Canyon charges about US$35 per private vehicle or US$20 per person on foot or bike, valid for 7 days. The America the Beautiful annual pass covers it (US$80 for US residents, US$250 for nonresidents). Since 2026, nonresidents aged 16 and over also pay a US$100 nonresident fee each unless they hold an annual pass. Overnight backcountry camping requires a permit at around US$5 per person from the visitor center.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

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We 💚 feedbackWhat to keep in mind

Bryce Canyon rewards two nights, not one. That gives you a full day for the rim and a second for a quieter loop such as Fairyland or a stretch of the Under-the-Rim Trail. I would skip a rushed half-day and bring layers, since mornings stay chilly at this altitude.

✈️ When did I visit the USA?
In January 2023 I visited New York. Many years before, before digital cameras existed, I discovered most of the national parks in the West.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on my own backpacking experience in the USA, supplemented with up-to-date research and feedback from other travelers. Travel details can change, so if you notice anything outdated or incomplete, feel free to let me know.



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Johan, backpacker and founder of TakeYourBackpackHi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.

This site is built on a combination of firsthand travel experience and carefully curated insights from other backpackers. Many guides are based on places I’ve personally visited, while others bring together tips, observations, and practical advice shared by trusted travelers I’ve met along the way.

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