Bryce Canyon National Park is a breathtaking place, complete with red-rock hoodoos, starry nights, and some of the most fabulous views in any park — it’s the perfect place to take a vacation!
Where should you stay while visiting Bryce Canyon? If you want to be able to walk out of your room and see the sunrise over the park, stay at the Lodge at Bryce Canyon. But if you don’t mind driving a few extra minutes, you’ll find good options in either Bryce Canyon City or Tropic.
My name is Ash, and I’m a former park ranger. I’m also from Utah, so I’ve spent a lot of time in the park! I’m excited to help you decide where to stay while visiting Bryce Canyon, so let’s talk about your options.
Bryce Canyon Map, Entrances, and Nearby Towns
First, let’s get the lay of the land around Bryce Canyon. This park only has one official entrance, so it’s easy to determine the best place to enter the park to see all the sights — you’ve only got one option!
You can stay inside of the park boundaries, which is a great option if you want to be close to everything. But in the case of this park, the towns of Bryce Canyon City and Tropic are only a short drive from the park entrance, making them great options too.
You’ll find the town of Panguitch a little further out from the park. This is the largest town in the area if you’re looking for more amenities.
Staying Inside of Bryce Canyon National Park
Bryce Canyon is a small national park, with one main road that travels to the most popular hikes and viewpoints. I recommend staying inside of the park if you want to be within minutes of the most popular hikes and viewpoints — in some cases, you don’t even have to get in your car.
The Lodge at Bryce Canyon
The Lodge at Bryce Canyon is the only hotel in the park, and its proximity to the spectacular amphitheater views is unparalleled. All it takes is a short walk from your door, and you can be at Sunrise Point. From here, it’s easy to hike the Queens Garden Trail or to stroll along the Rim Trail to Sunset Point, where you can start the Navajo Loop. Experiencing the canyon before everyone gets here or after everyone has left is the very best thing about staying right in the park!
National park lodges typically aren’t known for their luxury hotel amenities or comforts. You’re usually paying for location, ambiance, and breathtaking views. The Lodge at Bryce Canyon is no different — you won’t find any televisions or air conditioning in these guest rooms. (Of course, you will find comfortable beds, private bathrooms, and a General Store.) It’s all about the location, location, location, and quick access to the trails for this option!
Bryce Canyon Campgrounds
Bryce Canyon has two campgrounds to choose from: the Sunset Campground and the North Campground. Both are located near the Bryce Canyon Lodge and the most popular sights in the park. To learn more about your camping options, read all about camping in Bryce Canyon.
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!
Staying Outside of Bryce Canyon National Park
Because Bryce Canyon only has one entrance into the park, it’s easy to be close to the park without actually being in the park. I recommend staying in one of the small towns in the Bryce Canyon area if you want nicer amenities, cheaper prices, or more dining and activity options.
Bryce Canyon City
Just outside of the park entrance, you’ll find Bryce Canyon City. This town consists of a few hotels, restaurants, and RV park options. During the summer, you can find activities such as an evening rodeo, dinner show, horseback riding, and ATVing.
The Bryce Canyon Shuttle makes stops along the main street in Bryce Canyon City, so it’s a convenient location where you can leave your car at your lodging and then take the shuttle into the park if you don’t want to deal with trying to find parking. If you want to drive your own vehicle, it only takes 5 minutes to get to the Bryce Canyon Visitor Center.
The historic Ruby’s Inn is a popular choice in Bryce Canyon City, with an indoor pool, a large gift shop, and an on-site restaurant. There’s also the Bryce Canyon Grand Hotel or Bryce Canyon Pines.
Tropic
When you drive down the hill on Highway 12 from Bryce Canyon City, you’ll hit the cute little town of Tropic. If you stay here, you’ll be about 15 minutes from the main sights in the park, but you’ll be close to the Mossy Cave Trail and the Tropic Trail (a backway into the park’s main amphitheater).
Tropic has a few good restaurants, a small grocery store, and a small-town feel. It’s quieter, more relaxing, and not as touristy as Bryce Canyon City.
Some good hotel options in Tropic are the Red Ledges Inn or the Bryce Canyon Inn. If you want to stay in something besides a hotel room, check out vacation rentals like the Happy Trails BnB or the Bryce Country Cabins.
Panguitch
Panguitch is the nearest town with a decent-sized grocery store and more amenities, but it’s located about 30 minutes from Bryce Canyon. Hotels here are cheaper than in the other towns closer to Bryce Canyon, so if you want to save money, Panguitch is a good choice for that. Otherwise, it’s much more convenient to be closer to the park. Click here to see lodging options in Panguitch.
Should I Stay in One Hotel to See Both Zion and Bryce Canyon?
I don’t recommend staying in one hotel to visit both Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park. If you want to take advantage of your time in Bryce Canyon, I suggest staying near Bryce Canyon.
Some people day trip from Zion up to Bryce Canyon, and that’s fine if it’s the only way you can make time to see the park. It’s about a 1.5-2 hour drive from Zion each way, and that will cut in significantly to your sightseeing time in Bryce Canyon.
If you have the time, it makes more sense to book separate hotels for each park.
Have an amazing time in 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.
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.
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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Hi,
I’m doing an RV trip in late August with friends. I need to leave the group on the 31st. Is there somewhere I can rent a car so I can drive to probably St. George or Cedar City AP?
There might be a shuttle or car rental place in Panguitch, but I’m not sure.
I really want to see the amazing star views I’ve heard about in Bryce Canyon. My hubby has limited mobility (cane) so camping is not a great idea! Where should we stay and what time of year?
Thanks!
You can stay anywhere in that area! For stargazing, I’d either choose a viewpoint or head to the visitor center if they are running a ranger program. If you read through the Best Time to Visit article, it provides a link to the stargazing festival and the ranger programs they run in the summer!
Hello! I appreciate your advice!
We will be arriving in the area on August 10-13 with 4 grandchildren and 5 adults. Would it be good to stay the whole time in the Bryce Canyon area or should we plan to go to Zion’s as well? Is there enough to do at Bryce only? (Just trying to figure out accommodations to reserve!) We would be looking to rent a house or it could be yurts or cabins if we could get two next to eachother.)
Thank you!
Kathy (grandma)
Hey Kathy,
Bryce Canyon is quite small, so you really only need 1-2 days to see the park well. Most people do visit Zion while they’re in the area, so if you have some extra time, I’d definitely recommend it. Have fun!
Amazing site! I hope I can get answer from you in time hahah
I’m leaving Vegas to Zion and trying to see Bryce Canyon as well and come back to Vegas in 2 days.
I was thinking stopping over at Zion first and spend 1 whole day there and sleep overnight and leave to Bryce the next day morning and come back to Vegas in the evening.
Or should I look at Zion and head over to Bryce in the evening and stay there, hike at Bryce the next day and head to Vegas.
What do you recommend? Do they make not much difference and I should just pick one? Thanks for your help!! I’m going to explore more info on your website after this!
Thanks <3
If it were me, I’d spend the whole day/night in Zion and then head to Bryce Canyon early the next morning. Zion is bigger/more complex and takes more time to explore. Have a great trip!
Hello,, since I’ll be driving from Las Vegas starting at 2:30 pm,,, I’m afraid to arrive too late into panguitch after driving 4 hours and considering the time change. My goal is to visit Bryce Canyon. Do you recommend just staying in cedar city for a night then staying in panguitch next day?
I would stay as close to Bryce Canyon as you can. If you don’t feel like it’s realistic to make it to Panguitch that day, then you can definitely stop somewhere else en route. It’s totally up to you and what you feel comfortable with. Have a great trip!
What a wonderful site! Thank you for all of this great information! I had one question: what is the earliest time you can arrive to attempt to get a first come, first serve campsite?
Technically, anytime. But you’ll need to give people time to leave in the morning so that you can snag a spot, so I’d say around 7 or 8 a.m.