How to Spend One Day in Bryce Canyon National Park

Last updated on October 30th, 2024 at 04:47 pm

Are you wondering if 1 day in Bryce Canyon is enough or worth it? Short answer is Yes! Bryce is not a huge National Park so you can easily drive around and hit the overview spots in a couple of hours and even tuck in a great hike or two. Read along to find out what to see in Bryce Canyon in one day.

After a work conference in Las Vegas I decided to take the weekend to visit a couple of Utah National Parks with two of my friends. Bryce and Zion National Parks were clear winners since they were the closest to Vegas. With just 3 days in hand, I decided to spend 1 day in Bryce and 2 days in Zion National Park. Both the National Parks are very distinct and I’ve always wanted to see other worldly looking Hoodoos in Bryce.

TIP: If you have a National Parks Pass, don’t forget to bring it along.

This image features three friends seated on the rocky, orange-hued terrain of Bryce Canyon, with its unique hoodoo formations in the background. They are dressed casually in hiking attire, smiling and enjoying the expansive desert landscape under a partly cloudy sky. The scene captures a joyful moment of camaraderie amidst the striking geological wonders of the canyon. — Me and my friends in Bryce.

Before I jump into the itinerary for Bryce day trip, let’s talk about some important things –

What are Hoodoos you ask?

Quite literally hoodoo means to bewitch which is exactly what the eerie landscape in Bryce will do to you. Technically speaking, the tall eroded pillars of rocks that are clustered together in Bryce Canyon are referred to as Hoodoos. These hoodoos are a work of nature where wind, rain, ice, and melting snow have eroded the limestone walls forming shafts and tall pillars which gives this place an out of this planet feeling.

This image captures a hiker standing at the edge of Bryce Canyon, taking in the vast landscape of iconic orange and red hoodoo formations. Wearing a bright green jacket and red shorts, she gazes across the canyon under a cloudy sky, with layers of rugged rock spires and forested areas stretching into the distance. The scene emphasizes the scale and beauty of the canyon as well as the spirit of exploration. — Bryce Amphitheater covered with hoodoos.

Best time to visit?

We visited first week in August and witnessed the craziest lighting and thunderstorms. July & August are apparently Rainy season in Bryce Canyon when they experience torrential rains and thunderstorm. Avoid those two months if you are looking for clear skies otherwise anytime from April to October should be good time to visit. There are road closures in the winter months so be aware of that if you visit after October.

TIP: The temperatures can be colder given the altitude, it was in the 50’s in August during the evening but got hot during the day when the sun came out.

This image presents a dramatic view of Bryce Canyon under stormy skies, with rain visibly falling in the distance. The vibrant red and orange hoodoos stand in stark contrast to the dark green forest and the moody, overcast atmosphere above. The scene captures the rugged beauty and dynamic weather of the canyon landscape, highlighting the interplay between sunlight, shadow, and approaching rain. — Rain and thunderstorm in Bryce NPS

This image captures a stunning, moody scene at Bryce Canyon, with vibrant red and orange hoodoos illuminated under a dark, stormy sky. A double rainbow appears in the background, casting a warm, ethereal glow over the distant mountains as rain falls softly, adding drama to the landscape. The interplay of light, shadow, and vibrant colors highlights the surreal beauty and atmosphere of the canyon during a rainstorm. — Rain and thunderstorm in Bryce NPS

How to get to Bryce Canyon NP

Bryce NPS is located in Southwest Utah and is about 4 hrs drive from either Las Vegas, NV or Salt Lake City, UT both of which are large airports with lots of connectivity. You definitely need to rent a car to enjoy the beauty here.

TIP: There is a time zone change from Nevada to Utah so keep that in mind as you drive from Vegas to Bryce Canyon.

This image shows the entrance fee station at Bryce Canyon National Park, with vehicles lined up to pay the $35 entry fee for private vehicles. Small cabins with "OPEN" and "CLOSED" signs guide visitors as they enter, surrounded by lush greenery and under a cloudy sky. The scene reflects the organized entry process for accessing the natural wonders of the park. — Entering Bryce Canyon

Where to stay near Bryce Canyon

The Bryce Canyon Lodge is located within the park but be sure to reserve a room way ahead of your travel since it’s almost always packed in peak seasons. Unfortunately, there aren’t a lot of options to stay right outside the park except for a few motels. We stayed in a hotel in Cedar City which was about 1.5 hrs away from the park.

Another option could be to stay near Zion Nation Park in Springdale if you are combing the two parks on a weekend in Utah.

Things to do in Bryce Canyon National Park in 1 day

1. Go Hiking

I’d recommend you to hit the hiking trails first thing in the morning hours when it’s not too hot. Depending on which hike you choose, you’ll start at either Sunrise point or Sunset point. Both these spots have a parking lot.

In the next section below, I’ve listed all the easy to moderate hikes which you can totally do in half a day. We hiked the Queen’s Garden Trail and combined it with Navajo Loop which was a perfect way to see the hoodoos up and close.

This image shows hikers navigating a winding trail among the towering orange and pink rock formations of Bryce Canyon. The massive, textured canyon walls create a sense of scale, while the narrow path provides a close-up experience of the unique hoodoos and layered rock. The scene captures the adventurous spirit of exploring the rugged landscape of Bryce Canyon on foot. — Queen’s Garden Trail – Hiking in Bryce NPS

This image shows a hiker with a yellow backpack admiring the rugged landscape within Bryce Canyon. Surrounded by towering orange rock walls, the path leads through a narrow passage with a natural stone arch overhead, creating a dramatic, adventurous scene. The vibrant colors and unique rock formations highlight the distinctive beauty of this iconic canyon trail. — Standing below Thor’s Hammer hoodoo

This image captures a joyful moment as a hiker with a yellow backpack leaps into the air against the backdrop of Bryce Canyon's unique hoodoo rock formations. The vibrant orange rocks contrast with the blue, partly cloudy sky, creating a dynamic and celebratory scene. The shadow of the jumper adds a playful touch to this adventurous exploration of the canyon's rugged terrain. — Standing below Thor’s Hammer hoodoo

2. Drive the Scenic Route and Overlook Points

After your hike grab lunch at Bryce Lodge or if you packed your own lunch like us do a little picnic with the hoodoos. After lunch, start your drive from the Visitor Center or from either Sunrise/Sunset point and go all the way to Mile 18. I suggest not stopping anywhere until you reach Mile 18 aka Yovimpa Point. Instead stop at the overlooks on your drive back since the scenic overlooks will be on the right side of the drive. The drive to Mile 18 is about a 40 min drive from the Visitor Center.

TIP: Give yourselves atleast 2-3 hours with all the stops on this drive. Here are the following Overlook points you should definitely stop at-

Visitor Center
Sunrise Point
Sunset Point (Obv best spot for viewing sunset)
Inspiration Point
Natural Bridge (beautiful sunset here if you can’t make it to Sunset Point
Ponderosa Canyon
Rainbow Point
Yovimpa Point (last point on the scenic drive in the park)

This image captures the stunning Natural Bridge rock formation in Bryce Canyon, set against a vibrant sunset sky with purple and orange hues. The dramatic archway carved into the red rock frames a view of the green forest below, creating a striking contrast between the canyon's rugged terrain and the soft, colorful sky. The scene embodies the surreal and breathtaking beauty of Bryce Canyon's unique landscapes. — Natural Bridge Bryce Canyon NPS during sunset

3. Stargazing

Bryce NPS has some of the darkest skies in the US which is perfect for Stargazing and Astro photography. We didn’t stay back the night as I mentioned it was rainy and very cloudy during the time we visited Bryce.

Easy to Moderate Hikes in Bryce Canyon (Must do!)

1. Rim Trail: Sunset Point to Sunrise Point – 1 mile roundtrip

If you don’t want to do any major hikes, this is an easy paved hike along the rim from Sunrise Point to Sunset Point overlook or vice versa. There is a parking lot at either of the overlook. You’ll get beautiful views of Bruce Canyon Amphitheater and hoodoos below from this hike.

2. Queen’s Garden Trail – 1.8 miles roundtrip

Queens Garden Trail takes you down the canyon and closer to the hoodoos. It’s an easy hike as long as you don’t walk at noon in the middle of summer. The trail ends one way at the Queen Victoria hoodoo and then you turn back unless you carry on to hike the Navajo loop. You will park at Sunrise Point to start this hike.

This image depicts a lively scene at Bryce Canyon, where visitors explore a scenic trail surrounded by unique hoodoo formations and sparse trees. People of all ages are enjoying the landscape, with some posing and others hiking along the path under a cloudy sky. The prominent hoodoo in the background adds to the distinct and surreal beauty of the canyon's eroded rock formations. — Queen’s Garden Trail Bryce Canyon National Park

3. Navajo Loop – 1.3 mile roundtrip (Combine it with Queens Garden Trail & Rim trail – 2.9 mile roundtrip)

Navajo Loop trail begins and end at Sunset point unless you are combining it with Queens Garden Trail. In that case, you will start at Sunrise point with Queen Garden trail and end at Sunset point with Navajo trail and you will use the Rim trail to get back to Sunrise point completing the loop.

By combining the three trails, you’ll get to see the best of Bryce which is what we did. The Navajo loop has 2 sections, so you’ll have to pick one of them to ascend back up if you are combining it with Queen Garden Trail. The combined hike should take around 3-4 hours roundtrip with all the photo stops.

This image shows a scenic trailhead at Bryce Canyon marked by a wooden sign indicating directions to Navajo Loop, Wall Street, Sunset Point, and Peek-A-Boo Loop. Two hikers are walking along the dirt path surrounded by green trees, with the vibrant red and white cliffs of Bryce Canyon in the background under a cloudy sky. The scene captures the inviting beauty and natural allure of hiking trails in the canyon. — After Queen Garden Trail you continue on to Navajo Loop

The famous Wall Street (zigzag trail) is on one of the two sections of the Navajo loop section and Two Bridges is the other one. The zigzag section of the hike carves through narrow walls of colorful limestones and is almost at the end of the Wall Street hike on the Navajo Loop. After you finish the Wall Street trail, you will be welcomed by the most famous hoodoo in Bryce aka Thor’s Hammer. At this point you are really close to the finish line. TIP: Wall Street section of Navajo Loop in closed in winter months.

This image captures hikers navigating a steep switchback trail surrounded by towering orange walls within Bryce Canyon. The zigzagging path, lined with a few green plants and a lone tree, winds upwards amidst the dramatic rock formations, with the blue sky visible above. The scene conveys the challenging yet rewarding nature of exploring Bryce Canyon's rugged terrain. — As seen from the bottom: Wall Street Section of Navajo Loop in Bryce

This image showcases a series of steep switchbacks on a trail within Bryce Canyon, descending between towering orange canyon walls. A group of hikers is visible below, dwarfed by the surrounding rock formations, with a cluster of tall pine trees adding a touch of green to the orange landscape. The winding path highlights the challenging but scenic nature of hiking in Bryce Canyon’s dramatic terrain. — As seen from the top: Wall Street Section of Navajo Loop in Bryce

This image displays a group of hikers navigating a series of switchbacks on a trail nestled within the towering orange walls of Bryce Canyon. The path winds sharply through the steep canyon, with a few patches of greenery and tall pine trees adding contrast to the vivid rock formations. The scale of the hikers against the canyon walls highlights the vastness and beauty of the landscape. — As seen from the top: Wall Street Section of Navajo Loop in Bryce

A hiker stands on the edge of a canyon at Bryce Canyon National Park, pointing toward a prominent hoodoo formation. Wearing a bright yellow backpack and cap, she is dwarfed by the towering rock structures that display Bryce’s iconic red-orange hues. The expansive landscape stretches into the distance, under a partly cloudy sky. — Pointing at Thor’s Hammer hoodoo

There you go, the best that Bryce has to offer can be easily seen in a day. As you can tell from the photos, this place is like no other! I highly recommend you all to visit Bryce next time you think of a trip to Vegas or heck just plan a trip to Utah.

Hope this post helps you in planning your trip. Bryce Canyon is an out of this world beauty and it’s a small but incredible National Park which you just cannot miss.

Happy & Safe Travels!