National park · Utah
Bryce Canyon National Park
A high-elevation Utah amphitheater filled with thousands of hoodoos — limestone pillars carved by ice and rain over millions of years — that the Paiute described as 'red rocks standing like men.'
- Entrance
- $35 private vehicle
- Hours
- Open 24 hours daily Park is Open 24-7
- Established
- 1928
- Region
- Utah's Mighty 5
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History
Bryce Canyon National Park is renowned for its unique geological formations known as hoodoos, which were formed through frost weathering and stream erosion. The park's establishment reflects the early 20th-century conservation movement aimed at preserving natural wonders from overgrazing and logging.
Key events
- The area was originally settled by Mormon pioneers in the 1850s and named after Ebenezer Bryce, who homesteaded there in 1874.
- Bryce Canyon was designated a national monument in 1923 and redesignated as a national park by Congress in 1928.
- Bryce Canyon receives significantly fewer visitors than nearby Zion and Grand Canyon National Parks, with nearly 2.5 million visitors in 2024.
Trails
- Navajo Loop Trail 1.3 mi · Moderate
- Queens Garden Trail 1.8 mi · Moderate
- Rim Trail 5.5 mi · Easy
- Fairyland Loop 8 mi · Hard
- Peek-A-Boo Loop 5.5 mi · Hard
Plan your visit
Hours · Park is Open 24-7
Open 24 hours, every day
Bryce Canyon National Park is open 365 days a year, 24 hours a day.
Entrance fees
- Private Vehicle $35
- Motorcycle $30
- Per Person $20
- Nonresident $100
Fees and hours as of May 2026. Check current details on NPS.gov
When to go
- Spring. Mild weather, fewer crowds, wildflowers beginning to bloom
- Fall. Cooler temperatures, fall colors, minimal crowds
- Summer. Pleasant 60-80°F temps, all facilities open, but crowded
- Winter. Snow-covered hoodoos, cross-country skiing, Winter Festival
Wildlife
Nearby patches
Cedar Breaks National Monument
36 mi
Zion National Park
50 mi
Pipe Spring National Monument
59 mi
Kaibab National Forest
61 mi