Bryce Canyon National Park Travel Guide
If Zion National Park was a winter wonderland, then Bryce Canyon was a whole other level!
We headed farther into Utah for deeper drifts and colder temps, and we were not disappointed. To see more, check out our travel video of Bryce Canyon National Park here and keep reading below all the details of what we did.
Bryce Canyon National Park Quick Stats
Size: 35,835 acres
Location: Southern Utah
Park Established in: 1928
Best for: hiking, backpacking, stargazing
WHAT TO DO
There is a mile-long hike from Sunrise Point to Sunset point, an out and back trail that is accessible and paved. It’s a fairly flat hike, and the trail is bordered by signs that educate about the different geological elements and the history of the surrounding areas. The hike also features incredible views of the tall hoodoo outcroppings. A perfect hike for a family of five with lots of littles!
Mega Adventure
If you don’t have three young kids, go backcountry camping at the Under-the-Rim Trail which runs 23 miles from Rainbow Point to Bryce Point. Along the trail, there are eight overnight campsites to choose from. If you want a more intimate adventure with the opportunity to see the sights up close and personally, this is the best way to do it! If this sounds like a great adventure for you, you’ll want to try it sometime in the spring, summer, or fall.
WHAT WE DID
We went to Bryce Canyon just for the day, so we did the 1.8 mile Queen’s Garden trail and we all loved it! It had beautiful views and was little kid friendly.
WHERE TO STAY
Check out Bryce Country Cabins for super cute cabins from $60 a night close to the park in Tropic, Utah if you’d rather sleep in a bed over a sleeping bag.
If you’d rather stay inside the park, you have two options: North Campground and Sunset Campground. North Campground is open all year and does not take reservations. Sunset Campground is open April through October and you can make reservations online!
WHERE WE STAYED
We stayed at Kodachrome Basin State Park just 22 miles away from Bryce Canyon.
WHERE TO EAT:
We pack a great lunch and plenty of snacks. Kids carry their own food and water in their backpacks.
Here’s what we use on every hike.
KID FRIENDLY?
Yes, there are so many benefits to hiking with kids. It’s a great opportunity to teach real life lessons about risk and safety. It also allows them to be in nature, be creative, and to create their own adventure.
There are so many great things to stop and explore, so the kids get to be in charge of what they want to explore. A hike is kind of a kid’s curiosity playground. They get to jump on rocks, play in a puddle, ask tons of questions, etc.
Here’s what I take on every hike.
YES! MY KIDS LOVED THE JR. RANGER PROGRAM:
This is such a great way to get the kids involved and really get excited about the park. You can go on the park website and download all the information and resources and print it beforehand so you can learn about it with your kids before you go. Then you’d turn your booklet into a ranger at the visitors center and receive your Jr. Ranger pins, or you can wait until you get to the National Park (that’s what we do), and receive a beautifully colorful workbook, do the activities while at the National Park, then head back to the visitors center (before they close) and receive the pins.
Either is great! We love the workbook the parks provide, and it means we don’t have to figure out where to get the content printed.
