If you’re wondering how many days to spend in Bryce Canyon National Park, you’ve come to the right spot. I’m here to help you determine the amount of time to budget for this national park, taking into account the adventures you’re hoping to have during your time in Bryce Canyon.
How many days should you spend in Bryce Canyon? This park is small and can be seen in one day. However, staying for two days will give you time to see all of the best viewpoints, stop in at the Visitor Center and General Store, and hike one of the park’s longer trails. If you’re hoping to hike, spend at least two days here.
My name is Ash, and I’m a former park ranger and Utah native. I’ve grown up visiting Bryce Canyon, and I can’t wait to help you plan your trip to this mesmerizing national park.
Let’s get deeper into the things you’ll want to consider when deciding how many days you should spend in Bryce Canyon.
Can I See Bryce Canyon in One Day?
Yes! Bryce Canyon is one of America’s smaller national parks, and the main sights are close together. If you’re hoping to see the park’s most popular viewpoints and do some short hikes, you’ll definitely be able to do that in one full day, especially if you get an early start.
I recommend visiting the main Bryce amphitheater viewpoints (Sunrise Point, Sunset Point, Bryce Point, and Inspiration Point). You’ll also have time to hike the popular Queens Garden Trail/Navajo Loop Trail. Depending on how long those things take, you may also have time to drive the park’s scenic drive or visit some additional viewpoints like Fairyland Point.
If you only have one day in Bryce Canyon, you’ll need to cut out a few of the smaller and off-the-beaten-path stops. You’ll also be traveling to the most popular areas of the park during some of the busiest times of the day, so expect some crowding.
Traffic and crowding in Bryce Canyon can be terrible.
Did you know that there is only one parking space for every four cars that enter the park?
Are you hoping to see the best sights without getting stuck in traffic, circling parking lots, or being surrounded by people?
Stay ahead of the crowds with this Bryce Canyon Itinerary. You will see all of the can’t-miss spots, plus get lodging and dining guides, driving directions, and insider tips!
Bryce Canyon in Two Days
You can explore a good portion of Bryce Canyon in one day, but it’s amazing the difference an extra day can make. If you can spend two full days in Bryce Canyon, you will have time to see some of the most magical parts of the park that many people never see.
With two full days, you’ll have time to see all of the park’s viewpoints, including those at the main amphitheater and along the scenic drive. Not only will you be able to complete the Queen’s Garden Trail/Navajo Loop Trail, where you’ll see some beautiful rock formations like Wall Street, Queen Victoria, and Thor’s Hammer, but you’ll also have time for the whole Figure 8 (one of my favorite trails in any national park)!
And if you absolutely love hiking in the national parks, you’ll even have time to add in the more strenuous hike on the Fairyland Loop. It’s a lot of hiking, but WOW, all of those activities together make up the very best hikes in Bryce Canyon.
A two-day visit will open up more options for capturing stunning photographs in the park. Sunrise is the best time to snap photos of the famous Bryce Canyon hoodoos, so it’s nice to have a few mornings to get out and see the park in its best light.
The night sky in Bryce Canyon is phenomenal! You won’t be sorry to have a few nights to bundle up and head outside for some stargazing. You can even join a ranger-led astronomy program to view the stars through a big telescope or enjoy a full moon hike. When the conditions are right, Bryce Canyon is one of the best places in the country to see the Milky Way!
One other fabulous thing about giving yourself two full days in the park is that it will be much easier to get to the busy spots when there are fewer crowds. That will save you a lot of time and provide opportunities for solitude!
Other Things to Consider
Before you solidify your travel dates or book your lodging for Bryce Canyon, you’ll want to think about a few things, such as:
How much time will it take to travel to and from Bryce Canyon (not including your sightseeing days)?
Many people forget to factor in the time it will take for them to drive to the park, which can cut into your sightseeing and leave you wishing for more time. For example, if you plan on spending one day in Bryce Canyon but don’t get to the park until 10 a.m., you’ll severely limit the things you’ll have time to see. This is especially true if you visit during the summer — parking lots will be completely full by then.
Are there any major holidays/fee-free days/festivals you’d like to be in the park for or avoid?
If you’re visiting over a holiday or fee-free day, the crowds will be higher, and parking lots will be packed. You may have a harder time getting around to all the can’t-miss spots, so some extra time could be beneficial.
Are there other national parks and points of interest you’re hoping to see on the same trip?
Bryce Canyon is close to several of Utah’s national parks, including Zion and Capitol Reef. Most people planning a road trip to see multiple parks in one visit tend to keep their time at Bryce Canyon short. That’s totally fine; if you have several stops on your itinerary, Bryce Canyon is a good one to keep short if you’d like more time somewhere else. You can see a lot more in one day at Bryce Canyon than you can in some of the other parks.
Should I Spend More Time in Zion or Bryce Canyon?
Chances are, if you’re heading to Bryce Canyon, you’re probably also wanting to visit Zion National Park at the same time. These parks are only two hours apart, making it easy to see both!
Zion definitely needs more time than Bryce Canyon. It is a larger park with more ground to cover, but it’s also more heavily visited and harder to navigate than Bryce Canyon. Zion also has some longer day hikes, like the very popular Angels Landing, that shouldn’t be missed, so you’ll want to budget more time to knock those trails off your bucket list!
The ideal number of days for each park is at least 3 full days in Zion and 1.5-2 full days in Bryce Canyon.
Bryce Canyon Itinerary Options
I’m here to help you determine how many days to spend in Bryce Canyon, so here are a few sample trip itineraries for the area that can help you decide how to split your time between parks!
After you decide how to split your time, these detailed itineraries will provide you with a ton of extra information on things to do, driving directions, lodging and dining options, and insider tips for your trip.
If you have:
A Weekend in Southern Utah
I recommend spending one day in Zion and one day in Bryce Canyon. If it’s a long weekend, add another day to Zion.
One Week in Southern Utah
Utah’s Mighty 5 National Parks
Day 1 — Fly into Vegas and drive to Zion (3 hours)
Day 2 — Zion all day, then drive to Bryce Canyon in the evening (2 hours)
Day 3 — Bryce Canyon all day, then drive to Capitol Reef in the evening (2 hours)
Day 4 — Capitol Reef all day, then drive to Arches in the evening (2 hours)
Day 5 — Arches
Day 6 — Canyonlands
Day 7 — Drive back to Vegas to catch your flight (7 hours)
Zion, Bryce Canyon, and the Grand Canyon
Day 1 — Fly into Vegas and drive to Zion (3 hours)
Day 2 — Zion
Day 3 — Zion all day, then drive to Grand Canyon North Rim for the evening (2.5 hours, only open May-October)
Day 4 — Grand Canyon North Rim
Day 5 — Grand Canyon North Rim in the morning, then drive to Bryce Canyon for the afternoon/evening (3 hours)
Day 6 — Bryce Canyon
Day 7 — Drive back to Vegas to catch your flight (4 hours)
10 Days in Southern Utah
Utah’s Mighty 5 National Parks
Day 1 — Fly into Vegas and drive to Zion (3 hours)
Day 2 — Zion
Day 3 — Zion
Day 4 — Zion in the morning, then drive to Bryce Canyon for the afternoon/evening (2 hours)
Day 5 — Bryce Canyon
Day 6 — Scenic Highway 12 in the morning, then Capitol Reef in the afternoon/evening (2.5 hours)
Day 7 — Capitol Reef all day, then drive to Arches in the evening (2.5 hours)
Day 8 — Arches
Day 9 — Canyonlands
Day 10 — Drive back to Vegas to catch your flight (7 hours)
Zion, Bryce Canyon, and the Grand Canyon
Day 1 — Fly into Vegas and drive to Zion (3 hours)
Day 2 — Zion
Day 3 — Zion
Day 4 — Zion all day, then drive to Bryce Canyon in the evening (2 hours)
Day 5 — Bryce Canyon
Day 6 — Bryce Canyon
Day 7 — Drive to Page, AZ, and see Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend (3 hours)
Day 8 — Drive to the Grand Canyon South Rim (2.5 hours) and sightsee in the afternoon
Day 9 — Grand Canyon South Rim
Day 10 — Drive back to Vegas to catch your flight (4 hours)
2 Weeks in Southern Utah
Utah’s Mighty Five National Parks
Day 1 — Fly into Vegas and drive to Zion (3 hours)
Day 2 — Zion
Day 3 — Zion
Day 4 — Zion all day, then drive to Bryce Canyon in the evening (2 hours)
Day 5 — Bryce Canyon
Day 6 — Bryce Canyon
Day 7 — Drive and sightsee along Scenic Highway 12 to Capitol Reef (3 hours)
Day 8 — Capitol Reef
Day 9 — Capitol Reef all day, then drive to Arches in the evening (2.5 hours)
Day 10 — Arches
Day 11 — Arches
Day 12 — Canyonlands
Day 13 — Canyonlands
Day 14 — Drive back to Vegas to catch your flight (7 hours)
Zion, Bryce Canyon, and the Grand Canyon
Day 1 — Fly into Vegas and drive to Zion (3 hours)
Day 2 — Zion
Day 3 — Zion
Day 4 — Zion all day, then drive to Bryce Canyon in the evening (2 hours)
Day 5 — Bryce Canyon
Day 6 — Bryce Canyon
Day 7 — Drive to the Grand Canyon North Rim and sightsee in the afternoon (3 hours, only open May-October)
Day 8 — Grand Canyon North Rim
Day 9 — Drive to Page, AZ, to see Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend (2 hours)
Day 10 — Page in the morning, then drive to Monument Valley in the afternoon/evening (2 hours)
Day 11 — Monument Valley in the morning, then drive to the Grand Canyon South Rim and sightsee in the afternoon (3 hours)
Day 12 — Grand Canyon South Rim
Day 13 — Grand Canyon South Rim
Day 14 — Drive back to Vegas to catch your flight (4 hours)
Do you love to have a plan?
Get the inside scoop for your upcoming vacation —> This itinerary is the most detailed, epic, and easy-to-follow guide to the park!
Enjoy your trip to Bryce Canyon National Park. Happy trails!
More Bryce Canyon Trip Planning Information
Bryce Canyon Itinerary — a detailed hour-by-hour sightseeing schedule.
How to Get to Bryce Canyon — the best airports and roads in the area.
The Best Time to Visit — what to expect during each month of the year.
Weather, Hours, and Closures — important weather info and common closures.
Where Should I Stay? — the best options in and around the park.
All About Camping — learn about the park’s campgrounds and how to get a site.
The Best Things to Do In Bryce Canyon — activities for your whole group.
10 Things You Can’t Miss on Your First Visit to Bryce Canyon — the top 10 spots.
The Best Easy Hikes — the perfect trails for kids, wheelchairs, and beginners.
The Ultimate Bryce Canyon Trip-Planning Guide — everything you need to know.
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I’m planning a trip to Zion in the shoulder season, and I was planning to go at the end of October or early November. If I end up going in November, would you still plan the full two days for Bryce or cut it down to one? Thanks!
We love Bryce Canyon all year-round, so I would probably still recommend 2 days (1.5 would be fine too). It’s hard to know what you’ll get that time of year weather-wise, but if you have the right gear, you can still hike down into the amphitheater in the snow!
We’re thinking of renting a motor home for a week to 10 days and visiting Bryce, Zion and Grand Canyon. Is it possible to get around within each park without an additional vehicle? I’m hoping we won’t need to rent a car in addition to a 32’ motor home. Thanks!!
All of those parks have RV parking and then a free park shuttle that will take you to the main sights. You’ll want to make sure the shuttles will get you to everything you’re hoping to see, but you shouldn’t need an extra car while the shuttles are running.