Park Details
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Trails Illustrated Map2- Bryce Canyon Nat'l Park
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Park Details
Location Information
Bryce Canyon is located in southcentral Utah, approximately 85 miles northeast of Zion National Park.
Address:
Bryce Canyon National Park
P.O. Box 170001
Bryce Canyon, Utah 84717-0001
Telephone:
(801) 834-5322
Fax:
(801) 834-4102
Directions:
From north or south on U.S. 89, turn east on Utah 12 (seven miles south of Panguitch, Utah) and
travel to the junction of Utah 12 and 63. Turn south (right) on Utah 63 and travel three miles to reach the park
entrance. (Utah 12 continues east through the northern portion of the park.)
From the east, travel west on Utah 12 to the intersection of Utah 63. Turn south (left) to reach the
park entrance.
Transportation:
To Park:
Bryce Canyon Airport (4 miles), operated by Garfield County, has commercial flights from Las Vegas.
Phone 801/834-5239 for current carriers and schedules. Private planes are welcome at this uncontrolled
airport: Altitude: 7586 ft; runway length: 7400 ft; runway width: 75 ft. A shuttle service is available from the
airport to local motels and recreational opportunities.
Regular commercial flights also serve Cedar City (87 miles), St George (150 miles) and Salt Lake City
(270 miles), Utah, as well as Las Vegas, Nevada (270 miles).
Sightseeing bus tours are available from St. George, Cedar City and Kanab, Utah.
In Park:
Private vehicle rentals, bus tours and shuttle services originate outside the park. In spring and summer,
concession-operated van and horseback tours are offered in the park. Biking is permitted on paved roads
only; there are no bike lanes. Bikes are not allowed on park trails (see section on adjacent attractions).
Operating Hours/Seasons
The park is open 24 hours per day all year. There may be temporary road closures during and shortly after winter snow storms until plowing is completed and conditions are safe for visitor traffic. Road maintenance may require brief closures of individual areas at other times.
Reservations/Permits/Fees
1997 rates are as follows:
Entrance:
Reservations are recommended for Bryce Canyon Lodge. Park campsites are first-come, first-served,
except for the group site which is by reservation only.
A $5 permit is required for overnight backcountry camping. Permits must be obtained in person at the park
visitor center. No reservations are accepted. Arrive in time to obtain a permit and reach your
backcountry destination before dark.
Climate, Recommended Clothing
Visitors may enjoy Bryce Canyon during any season. Summer days are pleasant and nights are
cool at 8,000 feet. Much of the area's precipitation comes as afternoon thundershowers during mid to late
summer. Spring and fall weather is variable. Cold winter days are offset by high altitude sun and
dry climate. Winter nights are sub-freezing. During some winters, Alaskan cold fronts descend
on the Colorado Plateau bringing temperatures as low as 30 degrees below zero. The area can
have significant snow October through March; annual snowfall averages 100 inches.
The high altitude sun can burn in any season. Hats, long sleeves and sunscreen are recommended all year.
Boots with good tread and ankle support are strongly recommended for hikes into the canyons.
Facilities and Opportunities
Visitor Center/Exhibits:
The park visitor center is open year round except Thanksgiving Day, December 25, and January 1.
A slide show, exhibits, restrooms, information, publications sales, and backcountry permits are
available at the visitor center.
1997 hours:
Roads:
The 18-mile main park road winds along the edge of the plateau, terminating at the south end of the park.
Return to the entrance via the same road. Spur roads and pullouts offer opportunities for viewing and trailhead
parking. Park speed limits range from 25 to 35 mph and are strictly enforced.
In summer, parking at most viewpoints is extremely congested. Your best chance of finding a
parking space at Sunrise, Sunset, Inspiration, Bryce, and Paria Viewpoints is before 10:00 a.m.
and after 5:00 p.m.
Because all of Bryce Canyon's viewpoints are east of the main park road, we recommend that you
drive the 18-mile road to the southern end of the park, start with Rainbow Point, then stop at the remaining
viewpoints on your way back to the park entrance. This will help you to avoid making left turns in front of
on-coming traffic.
Trails:
The park has over 50 miles of hiking trails.
Day Hikes: The easiest trail is the 1/2-mile (one way) section of Rim Trail between
Sunrise and Sunset Points. Other sections of the Rim Trail (which extends 5.5 miles between Fairyland and
Bryce Points) have moderate terrain. The Fairyland Loop (8 miles round trip), Peekaboo Loop (4.8 miles round
trip), Queen's Garden (1.5 miles round trip) and Navajo Loop (1.5 miles round trip) trails drop into the canyons
on steep grades. The Peekaboo Loop Trail also serves as a horse trail.
Backcountry: The Under-the-Rim Trail extends 22 miles from Bryce Point to Rainbow Point and has
eight backcountry campsites. The Riggs Spring Loop Trail (8.8 miles round trip) from Rainbow Point has four
backcountry sites. A $5 permit is required for overnight backcountry camping.
Programs/Activities:
Park rangers and volunteers conduct interpretive activities, including hikes, walks, geology talks and
evening slide programs, throughout summer months. Check at the park visitor center or Bryce Canyon Lodge
for daily schedules.
Volunteers in Parks (VIPs):
Each year at Bryce Canyon, volunteers donate more than 10,000 hours of service--over 10% of the park's
workforce. VIPs help staff information desks, serve as campground hosts, patrol trails, build fences, work with
computers, conduct wildlife surveys, take photographs, and more.
To learn more about volunteer opportunities at Bryce Canyon, ask for an information packet at the visitor
center or write to: Superintendent, Bryce Canyon National Park, P.O. Box 170001, Bryce Canyon, UT
84717-0001.
Lodging:
Amfac Parks and Resorts, Inc. operates the Bryce Canyon Lodge, with 114 rooms
including lodge suites, motel rooms and cabins. The season begins April 1 and continues through
October. For lodging reservations, write to:
Amfac Parks and Resorts, Inc., 14001 East Iliff Ave., Suite 600, Aurora, CO 80014. Or you may
call 303/297-2757 or fax 303/237-3175 from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mountain Time.
Additional lodging is available throughout the area. Reservations are recommended.
Camping:
The park has two campgrounds, North and Sunset, with 218 sites available on a first-come, first-served
basis. Cost is $10 per site per night. There is a limit of 6 people, 3 tents, and 2 vehicles per site. Sites fill by
early afternoon during the summer months. There are no hook-ups. One group site is available by reservation
only. Call 801/834-4801 for information.
Private, Utah State Parks, and US Forest Service campgrounds are located throughout the area.
Food/supplies:
Amfac Parks and Resorts, Inc. operates a general store at Sunrise Point. Groceries, souvenirs, camping
supplies, quick meals, restrooms, coin-operated shower and laundry facilities are available from
April through October.
Private stores in the immediate area are open all year for food, supplies and other services.
Other Concessions, NPS-managed Facilities and Opportunities:
Amfac Parks and Resorts, Inc. also operates a gift shop and dining room in the lodge and a snack bar at
the General Store.
In spring, summer and fall, wranglers lead horseback rides into Bryce Amphitheater along a dedicated
horse trail as well as on the Peekaboo Loop Trail. Write to Canyon Trail Rides, P.O. Box 128, Tropic, UT 84776,
or call 801/679-8665 or 801/834-5500 for information and reservations.
Accessibility:
Most park facilities were constructed between 1930 and 1960. Some have been upgraded for
accessibility, while others could be used with assistance.
Because of the park's natural terrain, only a half-mile section of Rim Trail between Sunset and Sunrise
Points is wheelchair accessible. The one-mile Bristlecone Loop trail at Rainbow Point has a hard surface and
could be used with assistance, but several grades do not meet standards.
Parking is marked at all overlooks and public facilities. Accessible campsites are available in Sunset
Campground.
Special Needs:
Marked bus parking spaces are available at all sites where parking lots can accommodate buses.
Bus engines should be turned off while parked. Motorhomes and trailers are not permitted in spaces
designated for buses.
Due to steep grades and limited parking, trailers are not allowed beyond Sunset Campground.
Campers should leave trailers at their campsite. Day visitors should leave trailers at their overnight
campground, at Ruby's Inn free shuttle parking area just outside the park, at the park visitor center or at the
trailer turn-around south of Sunset Campground.
No vehicles over 25 feet in length are allowed at Paria View where the parking area is too small for large
vehicles to turn around.
Recommended Activities/Park Use
Sight-seeing, hiking, camping, backpacking, photography, horseback riding, bird watching and other wildlife observation, star gazing, contemplation, relaxation.
Prohibited Activities (not inclusive):
Wildlife feeding, disturbing wildlife in any way, collecting of any historical or natural objects (including
gathering dead wood or picking wildflowers), off-trail use, hunting, pets on trails or unleashed.
Visitation
Visitation peaks in June, July and August and is at its lowest in December, January and February. The park received close to 1.75 million visitors in 1996. Plan to spend from one to several days depending on your personal interests. Because of the wide variety of recreational opportunities on nearby private, state and other Federal lands, you can easily plan an extended vacation in this area.
Visitor Impacts:
Most visitors tour the main amphitheater between Sunrise and Paria Viewpoints. Congestion in
these areas creates problems with off-trail use and destruction of vegetation. Use only designated trails
and exercise patience and care in all heavily congested areas to protect park resources.
Feeding wildlife endangers the animals (as well as visitors). In addition to destroying an animal's natural
wariness, feeding contributes to poor nutrition. In some areas, animals have had to be killed because of
contact with humans. Autopsies have revealed that deer will eat food wrappers which block their
digestive systems leading to starvation. Respect all wildlife. Do not feed or disturb their natural activities.
Special Events Programs
Check for a current schedule upon arrival. Also check with Garfield Travel Council for Utah Centennial events.
Adjacent Visitor Attractions
Southern Utah abounds in outdoor recreational activities. Many national parks, monuments and recreation areas are clustered in the "four corners" area. State Parks and Bureau of Land Management and US Forest Service areas complement the National Park Service areas with opportunities for four-wheel driving, mountain biking, hiking, cross-country skiing, camping, fishing, hunting and snowmobiling.
Additional Information
Information from Garfield County Travel Council is available by calling 800/444-6689. Visitors may book reservations in the Bryce Canyon area by calling 800/GO BRYCE (800/462-7923).
For information from other agencies contact:
|
Utah State Parks 1636 West North Temple Salt Lake City, Utah 84116 (801)538-7220 |
Dixie National Forest 82 North 100 East Cedar City, Utah 84720 (801)865-3700 |
Utah Travel Council Council Hall/Capitol Hill Salt Lake City, Utah 84114 (801)834-1030 |
|
Garfield County Travel Council P.O. Box 200 Panguitch, Utah 84759 (800)444-6689 |
Bureau of Land Management 176 East DL Sargent Drive Cedar City, Utah 84720 (801)586-2401 |
Zion National Park Springdale, Utah 84767 (801)772-3256 |
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