Frommer’s EasyGuide to Bryce Canyon National Park. Mary Brown Malouf
scheduled airline service, but charter service is available from Bryce Canyon Airlines (www.rubysinn.com/scenic-flights;
You can also fly into St. George (130 miles southwest of the park on I-15) or Cedar City (also on I-15, about 80 miles west of the park), and rent a car (see chapter 9).
From St. George, travel north on I-15 10 miles to exit 16, then head east on Utah 9 for 63 miles to U.S. 89, north 44 miles to Utah 12, and east 13 miles to the park entrance road. The entrance station and visitor center are just 3 miles south of Utah 12. From Cedar City (I-15 exits 57, 59, and 62), take Utah 14 west 41 miles to its intersection with U.S. 89, and follow U.S. 89 north 21 miles to Utah 12, then east 17 miles to the park entrance road.
Situated in the mountains of southern Utah, the park is traversed east to west by Utah 12, with the bulk of the park, including the visitor center, accessible via Utah 63, which branches off from Utah 12 and goes south into the heart of the park. Utah 89 runs north-south west of the park, and Utah 12 heads east to Tropic and Escalante.
From Salt Lake City, it’s approximately 240 miles to the park. Take I-15 south about 200 miles to exit 95, head east 13 miles on Utah 20, south on U.S. 89 for 17 miles to Utah 12, and east on Utah 12 for 13 miles to the park entrance road.
From Capitol Reef National Park, take Utah 24 west 10 miles to Torrey, and turn southwest onto Scenic Highway Utah 12 (through Boulder and Escalante) for about 110 miles, until you reach the park entrance road.
Bryce is 83 miles east of Zion National Park and 250 miles northwest of Las Vegas, Nevada.
Bryce Canyon National Park
Getting Around To alleviate congestion along the park’s only road, please take the optional free shuttle. The $35 car entrance fee (or $20 individual entrance) to Bryce Canyon entitles you to unlimited use of the Bryce Canyon Shuttle buses. Service is in effect from early May to early October, daily from 8am until 6pm Visitors can park their cars at the parking and boarding area at the intersection of the entrance road and Utah 12, 3 miles from the park boundary, and ride the shuttle into the park. Those staying in the park at the Lodge at Bryce Canyon or one of the campgrounds can also use the shuttle. The shuttle has stops at various viewpoints, as well as Ruby’s Inn, Ruby’s Campground, the visitor center, Sunset Campground, and the Lodge at Bryce Canyon. It runs every 12 to 15 minutes.
Information/Visitor Center For advance information, contact the park at
The visitor center, at the north end of the park, has exhibits on the geology and history of the area and a short slide show on the park. Rangers can answer questions and provide backcountry permits. Free brochures are available, and books, maps, videos, and posters can be purchased. The visitor center is open daily year-round except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. Summer hours are usually from 8am to 8pm, with shorter hours the rest of the year (in the dead of the winter, the visitor center will close at 4:30pm).
Fees, Backcountry Permits & Regulations Entry into the park (for up to 7 days) costs $35 per private car, pickup truck, van, or RV, which includes unlimited use of the park shuttle (when it’s operating). Individuals 16 and older entering the park on bike or foot are charged $20 each for a week; motorcycle fees are $30. Those 15 and under are admitted free. Tent campsites cost $20 per night; RVs are $30.
Backcountry permits are required for all overnight trips into the backcountry, and for up to 7 days cost $5 for 1 or 2 people, $10 for 3 to 6 people, and $15 for 7 to 15 people (group sites only). Backcountry camping is permitted on only two trails (see “Hiking,” below).
Backcountry hikers are expected to practice minimum-impact techniques, prohibited from building fires, and required to carry their own water. Bicycles are prohibited in the backcountry and on all trails. Feeding or disturbing wildlife is forbidden, as is vandalizing or upsetting any natural feature of the park. Dogs, which must be leashed at all times, are prohibited on all trails, in the backcountry, and in public buildings.
Seasons/Avoiding the Crowds Although Bryce Canyon National Park receives only two-thirds the number of annual visitors that pour into Zion, the park can still be crowded, especially during peak season from June through September, when the campgrounds are often full by 2pm. If you visit then, head for some of the lesser-used trails (ask rangers for recommendations), and start your hike as soon after sunrise as possible.
| Bryce Canyon in Outer Space |
In 2007, the minor planet (most would call it an asteroid) 49272 was named Bryce Canyon by The International Astronomical Union. Bryce Canyon (the asteroid) is estimated to be 3 to 5 miles across, and orbits the sun between Mars and Jupiter. It’s too dim to be seen with a small telescope. But because Bryce Canyon (the park) is one of the darkest places in the country, visitors can see many other heavenly bodies—sign up for the park’s popular twice-weekly summertime Astronomy Program
A better time to visit, if your schedule allows, is spring or fall; if you don’t mind a bit of cold and snow, the park is practically deserted from December through February—and the sight of bright red hoodoos capped with fresh white snow is a rare vision.
Safety While most visitors to Bryce Canyon enjoy an exciting vacation without mishap, accidents can occur, and here—possibly because of the nature of the trails—the most common injuries by far are sprained, twisted, and broken ankles. Park rangers strongly recommend that hikers—even those just out for short day hikes—wear sturdy hiking boots with good traction and ankle support. When hiking, remember that the lower you drop below the rim, the hotter it gets, so carry lots of water and dress in layers that can be removed and easily carried as the temperature rises.
Another concern in the park is bubonic plague, which, contrary to popular belief, is treatable with antibiotics if caught in its early stages. The bacteria that causes bubonic plague has been found on fleas in prairie dog colonies in the park, so you should avoid contact with wild animals, particularly prairie dogs, chipmunks, ground squirrels, and other rodents. Those taking pets into the park should first dust them with flea powder.
Ranger & Educational Programs Park rangers present a variety of free programs and activities. One-hour evening programs, which may include a slide show, take place at the Lodge at Bryce Canyon, the visitor center, and occasionally at the North Campground amphitheater.