Bryce Canyon N.P. sights to see and where to stay

[KIMKUGLER]

looking for suggustions on how long to stay and where to see Bryce Canyon. we will be coming from Zion N.P. and going to Moab for a few days We have a 37' class A with toad. Ive heard only a day to see the major sights

[GoHorns]

Ruby's Inn is very convenient, and has everything you might need or want. We took the bus into the park, and walked along the rim.

When you get to Moab, be sure and check out Dead Horse Point State park. Maybe the best photo op in the country!

[kknowlton]

Another vote for Ruby's. Very convenient to the park, and the CG itself isn't bad (though not as much shade as I had hoped.)

For a nice eating-out dinner, eat at the park lodge. 🙂

[Cali-MinnieWinn]

We stayed at the campground right inside the park, but for full service, Ruby's is right outside the park and the shuttle stops there. Besides the regular shuttle, check out the Rainbow Point Shuttle Tour (it is free, just call for reservations). We really enjoyed it. Here is the information from the NPS website:
Rainbow Point Shuttle Tour
Bryce Canyon National Park offers a daily guided tour to Rainbow Point, free of charge, beginning April 13, twice daily (at 9:00 AM and 1:30 PM).

Operated by the Bryce Canyon Shuttle, this 3.5 hour round-trip tour covers 40 miles with stops along many of the park's scenic viewpoints.

Reservations are required and can be made in person at the shuttle offices at Ruby's Inn, Ruby's Campground, the Shuttle Parking and Boarding Area, or by calling 435-834-5290. Reservations can be made up to 7 days in advance. Buses will hold up to 40 passengers. Unclaimed spaces will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

Passengers can board at any of six shuttle boarding areas: Ruby's Inn, Ruby's Campground, Shuttle Parking and Boarding Area (across the road from Ruby's Inn), Bryce Canyon Lodge, North Campground and Sunset Campground. Visitors are advised to dress appropriately for the weather and bring lunch, snacks, water, etc.

We also hiked the canyon AND took a horse ride into the canyon (2 hour ride, I believe, that's about my limit!) Great fun.

[Kavoom]

"If it gets too HOT head over to Colorado to Get some Elevation and Cool Crisp Nights - Heaven."

As a base camp for that area, try Jacob's Lake about half way from Kanab and the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. There is a private campground and a nice NFS one. It sits at 8000 feet elevation vs Kanab at like 5,000 feet. There is a 20 degree difference in temps at least during the days. Like in late August early Sept 100+ in kanab and mid 70's at Jacob's lake AND you can still hit many the "Grand Circle" highlights from Jacob's lake. And pretty good food in the Restaurant. AND, used to be that many of the local native american artists (And I mean the artists) sell their stuff at the Jacob's Lake Inn. The owner knows them from way back and they know he has integrity and is honest. I bought a rug there for like 1K in the mid 2000's that is now worth multiple times that. The lady that did it (last name Roan) is the daughter of one of the known artists. She herself does not make them for a living but he said she was getting razzed by her siblings and relatives about not being able to do it and so she "showed off' according to him and made a classic "Wide Ruins" rug in her mother's "type" and colors just to let them know she could do it. One of the few times I took a gamble and it paid off. And I bought it because of its beauty not the money. Her mom's stuff sells for five figures...

[Twain]

My family could easily stay a week at Rubys. At 8,000 ft, heat wasn't an issue. Great views, beautiful hikes, ATV and horse rentals have views of the canyon. The night sky is amazing. We stayed 4 nights last year in July and wanted more.

[rexlion]

Next time in Bryce, I want to take the horse ride into the canyon. Let the horse do most of the work for a change, while I enjoy the scenery.

Red canyon to the west has a couple of nice, fairly short hikes to enjoy. And a NF CG.

[linnemj]

We loved Kodachrome State Park that is a 30 minute drive from Bryce Canyon. Nice sites in a beautiful setting!

[dedmiston]

We had a nice stay at the KOA in Cannonville nearby. The park was nice and it wasn't too long of a drive from Bryce.

We were there kind of early in the season and Ruby's wasn't open yet.

[RoyF]

To get one of the first-come-first-served sites in Bryce NP last summer, we camped the night before at a RV park not far from the park. The next morning, we had breakfast, drove the truck into Bryce, picked our site, registered it with the host, then went back to fetch the trailer.

[trailertraveler]

Lots of good suggestions for in Bryce. Here are some links to other attractions in the area: Cedar Breaks National Monument, Escalante Petrified Forest State Park, Kodachrome Basin State Park, Anasazi State Park, Calf Creek Falls.


It takes more than a day to explore the UT-12 Scenic Byway.

Scenic byways and backways you can drive in your toad include: Fishlake Scenic Byway, Scenic Backways off UT-12, Burr Trail, Hells Backbone.

Here is a link to Hiking Trails.

Goblin Valley State Park is on the way to Moab as is Capitol Reef National Park.


In the Moab area are: Kane Creek Road, Potash Lower Colorado Byway, Upper Colorado River UT-128 Scenic Byway, Sago Canyon, Dead Horse Point State Park, Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Needles District, Newspaper Rock.

[timandsusan]

The Dark Skies Program at Bryce was great for us. We were lucky to be there when the moon rise was very late or there was no moon. Check the Bryce NP Program schedule. Have a great trip!

[loggenrock]

Just spent 3 nights at Bryce. Currently both North CG and Sunset CG are on 1st come basis - they stopped taking reservations 5/31 as they will be paving both CG's at some point in the not-too-distant future. No issue getting a site for us. If you are just windshield viewing then 1 day is fine. If you plan to do any hiking you will need at least 2 nights there. Parking at any of the viewpoints near the Amphitheater is next to impossible - take advantage of the free shuttle bus. Sunset CG is better situated if you plan to hike.

[morley]

Staying at Ruby’s is a good idea, great service from their front door into the park if you so wish not to take the toad.
Some six or seven different major areas of Bryce to hike and enjoy. All depends on the temperature as it can get very hot there during the May to October period.
Bryce has some unbelievable sites probably at least 2 days should be allowed. Also the different times of the day for observing the parks scenery is quite fantastic.

[Busskipper]

KIMKUGLER wrote:
looking for suggustions on how long to stay and where to see Bryce Canyon. we will be coming from Zion N.P. and going to Moab for a few days We have a 37' class A with toad. Ive heard only a day to see the major sights

Don't miss all the State Parks - Kodachrome - Escalante - Goblins - RT 12.

4runnerguy - Ken's info on Moab

If it gets too HOT head over to Colorado to Get some Elevation and Cool Crisp Nights - Heaven.

Best of Luck,