Is Bryce Canyon Open Year-Round? Weather, Hours, and Closures

Seeing Bryce Canyon National Park in person is a breathtaking and exhilarating experience, but it’s important to plan your trip with the weather in mind. You may be wondering if Bryce Canyon is open year-round, what the weather will be like, or what will be open while you’re there.

Bryce Canyon is open 365 days per year, 24 hours per day. You can enter and exit the park as you please, even if the entrance station isn’t open and collecting fees.

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My name is Ash, and I’m a former park ranger. I’m from Utah, so you can find me visiting Bryce Canyon year-round. I can’t wait to help you plan your trip to Bryce Canyon National Park.

I’ve got a ton of information for you about visiting Bryce Canyon year-round, including the hours, closures, and weather you can expect while you vacation in this stunning national park. Let’s get started!

Is Bryce Canyon National Park Open Year-Round?

Bryce Canyon is open 365 days per year, 24 hours per day. This means that if you want to hike a trail at sunrise, you will be able to get in, and if you want to stargaze at 2 a.m., you’ll be able to get out.

But it doesn’t mean that all of the activities and points of interest will be open for you at all times.

For example:

• The Bryce Canyon Visitor Center does not stay open 24/7
• The entrance station is not always staffed
• Campgrounds may not be operational
• The roads through the park may close due to snow or ice
• Trails may be closed due to construction or unsafe conditions

Closures of this nature are common year-round, so let’s discuss what may be closed even if the park itself is open.

Operating Hours for Bryce Canyon National Park

Bryce Canyon Visitor Center Hours

The visitor center is open year-round, but the hours vary depending on the season. You can find the current opening hours and dates here.

Typically, the visitor center is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. during the summer months, with shorter evening hours in the spring, fall, and winter. The visitor center is completely closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.

Ranger programs run year-round.

Bryce Canyon Entrance Station Hours

Bryce Canyon only has one entrance station, and it is located near the visitor center as you drive along the park road. The entrance station is open year-round, but the hours vary and are not published. The station will almost always be staffed early in the morning until late at night during the summer, with shorter hours during the spring, fall, and winter.

If the entrance station is staffed, you will be required to pay the park entrance fee before exploring Bryce Canyon’s main trails and viewpoints.

If the entrance station is not staffed, you can drive on through.

Common Closures in Bryce Canyon National Park

Bryce Canyon Lodging Closures

Bryce Canyon has two campgrounds, the North Campground and Sunset Campground. To choose which campground will best serve your needs, read all about camping in Bryce Canyon. The North Campground is open year-round, but the dump station is only operational during the summer months. The Sunset Campground is only open from April 15-October 31, weather permitting.

The Lodge at Bryce Canyon is the only hotel in the park. It is not open year-round, but a small selection of rooms are available for a few months each winter. The dining room is only open when the main lodge is open, usually from April to October.

Common Road Closures in Bryce Canyon

The popular activities in Bryce Canyon typically stay open year-round (which is amazing considering how much snow this park gets)!

You can expect the main roads through the park, including the road to Bryce Point and the entire Scenic Drive, to stay open year-round. However, these roads will often close temporarily after large snowstorms while they are being plowed. These temporary closures typically last a day or two at most, weather-permitting. Check the current conditions in the park here.

Every winter, you can count on the short side roads to both Fairyland Point and Paria View to be closed to vehicles completely. These roads are not plowed.

Otherwise, you can reach almost everything in the park when the roads are safely cleared! This park is amazingly accessible year-round.

Common Trail Closures in Bryce Canyon

You’ll only find two trails in Bryce Canyon that close down seasonally. The first is the Wall Street portion of the Navajo Loop Trail. This trail closes due to dangerous rockfall during the winter and spring months. You can expect it to be closed from November to May. You can still hike the Twin Bridges section of the Navajo Loop when the Wall Street section is closed.

The other trail that closes during the winter is the portion of the Rim Trail between Inspiration Point and Bryce Point. The trail becomes slippery and dangerous when covered in snow or ice.

Other temporary trail closures may happen due to construction projects or unsafe conditions, so check the current conditions in Bryce Canyon before you go.

What is the Weather Like in Bryce Canyon?

Even though Bryce Canyon is open year-round, you’ll find some pretty dramatic temperature swings in this park! You can find amazing things to see and do in Bryce Canyon at any time, but because the park reaches 9,000 feet above sea level, the weather varies drastically between seasons.

Take a look at the average highs and lows (in degrees Fahrenheit) and snow levels (in inches) at Bryce Canyon National Park:

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sept	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg High (F)	37	38	45	54	64	75	80	77	70	58	45	36
Avg Low (F)	15	17	23	29	37	45	53	50	42	32	23	15
Avg Snow (“)	17	18	17	8	2	0.1	0	0	0.1	3	10	14
Thunderstorms	0	0	0	1	3	2	11	12	4	1	0	0

Winter in Bryce Canyon

The Bryce Canyon area will start accumulating snow as early as October and continue into May, and this is when you’re most likely to hit those common closures listed above. Daytime temperatures will often be below freezing.

Pack your warm winter boots, coats, and gloves. You can sightsee along the top of the canyon by walking along the open portions of the Rim Trail or driving to the viewpoints. You’ll also need snowshoes or Yaktrax if you plan on hiking down into the canyon.

Seeing the red rock hoodoos of Bryce Canyon covered in snow is one of the most beautiful sights in any national park!

Spring in Bryce Canyon

Bryce Canyon doesn’t have much of a traditional spring, with snow often still falling in May. Trails can be icy this time of year, and you’ll likely still find gorgeous snow-dusted red rock views.

The temperatures are chilly, and the Wall Street section of the Navajo Loop is still closed during the spring. Many people like to wait to visit until at least Memorial Day so that they can complete this trail.

Summer in Bryce Canyon

Summer is the high season in the park, which means that everything is typically open. It’s extremely crowded and busy at this time, but you’ll get the warmest weather for exploring!

Southern Utah is known for its sweltering summer temperatures, but because Bryce Canyon is at 9,000 feet above sea level, you don’t get those excruciating temps that are typical of other national parks in Utah (like Arches and Zion). It stays around a comfortable 80 degrees or so.

Summer in Bryce Canyon is monsoon season, so be prepared for large thunder and lightning storms, especially during the afternoon hours in July and August.

Autumn in Bryce Canyon

Autumn in Bryce Canyon is short but lovely. A visit during September or early October brings cooler temperatures, bluebird skies, perfect hiking weather, and crisp mountain air. Closures are rare, so you should have no problem exploring the whole park!

So now you may be asking yourself, when is the best time to visit Bryce Canyon?

There are a lot of variables to think about when planning your trip to the park. Click next to see my specific recommendations for the best times to visit Bryce Canyon.

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.
How Many Days Should I Spend in Bryce Canyon? — itinerary ideas.
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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