Planning a trip to Utah and wondering what to do in Bryce Canyon National Park? Even if you only have one day, that’s plenty of time to hit the highlights. This Bryce Canyon National Park itinerary hits all the must-see spots — sunrise to sunset. Hoodoos, hikes, and never-ending viewpoints – Let’s gooo.
How Long Should You Stay in Bryce Canyon National Park
The great thing about Bryce Canyon is you can knock it out in a day or slow down and take the weekend to explore. This well-planned itinerary will allow you to hit the highlights in just one day (like we did).
Best Time to Visit Bryce Canyon National Park
Like every national park in Utah, Bryce Canyon has minimal shade – shocker. This makes the shoulder seasons the best time to visit and not just for better temps, but for less crowds. If you’re going in the summer, hiking in the morning or evening can help avoid the heat. While winter is cool and quiet, you risk visiting when parts of the park are closed due to snow and ice.
Where to Stay Near Bryce Canyon
We chose to stay in a hotel in Panguitch after camping for several nights previously, which less than a 30 minute drive to Bryce Canyon. There’s not much there but there’s several places to eat nearby.
If you’re down to camp, there’s a couple of options inside the park: North Campground and Sunset Campground.
Getting Around Bryce Canyon National Park
You’re going to need a car to get around the park so if you don’t have one with you, rent one. With an 18-mile Scenic Drive that connects all the best spots, having a car gives you the ability to stop and look whenever you want.
Bryce Canyon National Park Itinerary
All of this is designed to knock out in one day but if you want more down time in between activities, you can easily space it out into two.
Day 1: Hoodoos, Hikes, and Viewpoints Aplenty
Start the Day at Sunrise Point & Walk the Rim Trail
Sunrise Point is great for, you guessed it,… sunrises! Watching the sun light up the thousands of hoodoos is 100% worth the early wakeup call. While you’re there, stroll part of the Rim Trail to Sunset Point. The entire trail is over 8 miles long, but to Sunset Point it’s only 1 mile. Allow 1 hour to watch sunrise and walk to Sunset Point.
Hike the Queens Garden and Navajo Loop
Time to get into the canyon! The Queens Garden Trail and Navajo Loop Trail are the most popular trails in the park — and some of my favorites in all of Utah. You’ll dip down into the hoodoo-filled amphitheater and walk right alongside, it’s quite cool.
The great thing about this hike is that you can start it from either Sunset or Sunrise Point and hit both of these trails. Be on the lookout for the most famous hoodoos – Thor’s Hammer, Wall Street, Three Wisemen, and Queen Victoria. Allow 1.5-2 hours for this 3 mile loop.
Take the Scenic Drive and Viewpoint Hop
Before starting on the next activity, there’s a great little picnic spot at Sunset Point or in the North Campground area nearby.
After this, hop in the car and cruise Bryce Canyon Scenic Drive. This 18-mile road is packed with jaw-dropping stops, and you can do it all in an hour or two. Don’t miss Rainbow Point, Yovimpa Point, Natural Bridge and Ponderosa Canyon. If you have extra time or another day, there’s tons of hikes along the Scenic Drive as well. Allow a minimum of 2 hours if you want to stop at all of the viewpoints.
Stay for Sunset at Sunset Point
Head back to Sunset Point to wrap up the day before you head out of the park. Watching the sunset dip behind the hoodoos with the most orange skies ever isn’t something to miss. I took 1,239,403,830 pictures because it kept getting prettier and prettier lol.
If you’re trying to hit the road earlier, we knocked out Sunset Point the night before since we got to Panguitch/Bryce Canyon in time to see it.
Bryce Canyon is one of the most unique national parks I’ve ever visited so do not miss it!! Even if you only have one day, or just an afternoon, the hoodoos are worth it. Want to add more national parks to your trip? Check out my itineraries for Zion National Park, Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, or Capitol Reef National Park.
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