About All ToursStargazing ToursAnd Zion ToursFrom Las Vegas ToursSelf-Guided Driving ToursHorseback Riding ToursScenic ToursZion Self-Guided ToursHelicopter Tours Directions Hours & Fees
Find Tours 
A seven-day private vehicle pass costs $35 and grants access to the park 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The main gates never close, but the visitor center and free shuttle operate on shifting seasonal schedules.
Bryce Canyon National Park remains open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Facility operations shift with the seasons, as the Visitor Center adjusts its daily schedule and the free park shuttle only runs from April through October. Winter snowstorms frequently force temporary road and trail closures between November and March.
Swipe to see more
| Day | Hours | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Monday–Sunday | 24 hours | Visitor Center and shuttle hours vary by season. |
The park never closes for national or public holidays. Winter weather dictates access instead, with heavy snow and ice between November and March triggering sudden road and trail shutdowns. Sunset Campground and the park shuttle cease operations entirely from late October until mid-April.
A standard private vehicle pass costs $35.00 and covers all occupants for seven days. Individual pedestrians and cyclists pay $20.00, while motorcyclists pay $30.00. The entrance fee includes unlimited access to the park shuttle from mid-April through mid-October.
Swipe to see more
| Category | Price | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Private Vehicle | $35.00 | Covers all occupants; valid for 7 days |
| Motorcycle | $30.00 | Valid for 7 days |
| Individual (Foot/Bicycle) | $20.00 | Per person; valid for 7 days |
| Youth (15 and under) | Free | |
| Non-US Resident Surcharge (16+) | $100.00 | Per person; waived with Annual or America the Beautiful Pass |
| Bryce Canyon Annual Pass | $70.00 | Valid for one year |
Youth aged 15 and under enter for free, and standard entry fees are covered for holders of the America the Beautiful Pass.
Planning your visit to Bryce Canyon? Find tours with free cancellation and skip-the-line options.
View All ToursLate May and September offer the most reliable conditions for exploring Bryce Canyon. Daytime temperatures hover in the 60s and 70s, allowing hikers to avoid the heavy mid-summer crowds while still utilizing the full shuttle service. Winter arrivals between November and March encounter freezing highs below 40°F, heavy snow accumulation, and restricted trail access.
Swipe to see more
| Period | Crowd Level | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-dawn (05:00–07:00) | Moderate | Arrive at Sunrise Point 40 minutes before dawn with a headlamp to secure parking and watch the shadows retreat from the hoodoos. |
| Morning (07:00–11:00) | Low | Hike the steep switchbacks of the Navajo Loop before 11 a.m. to avoid summer monsoon lightning strikes along the rim. |
| Midday (11:00–16:00) | High | Board the free park shuttle to bypass congested parking lots and walk the level, paved sections of the Rim Trail. |
| Night (21:00–23:00) | Low | Attend a ranger-led astronomy program to observe the Milky Way far from city light pollution. |
Plan for a single day to drive the scenic route and walk the rim, or extend your stay to two or three days for extensive hiking and stargazing. Your total time depends on whether you stick to the self-guided 18-mile drive to Rainbow Point or descend into the hoodoos on the Queens Garden and Navajo Loop trails.
Park at Sunrise Point at least 30 to 40 minutes before dawn to secure a spot. Bring a headlamp to navigate the pitch-black rim hands-free. Stay after the sun clears the horizon to watch deep shadows retreat from the hoodoos.
Leave your car at the Bryce Canyon City Shuttle Station or the Visitor Center lot during the busy April to October season. The free shuttle departs every 15 to 20 minutes, bypassing congested parking areas. Boarding requires showing your $35 standard vehicle pass or digital ticket to the driver.
Trails begin at the top of the rim, forcing hikers to finish their route entirely uphill in thin air. Drink a liter of water every one to two hours and carry salty snacks to combat altitude fatigue at 9,115 feet. Turn back before you feel tired to avoid dangerous over-exertion on the steep return.
Sport-sandals and smooth-soled trainers are the leading cause of search-and-rescue operations on the park's steep, gravelly trails. Wear sturdy boots with deep lug traction to grip the crumbly limestone slopes. Pack moisture-wicking layers and warm gloves to handle 50°F daily temperature swings and freezing rim winds.
Summer monsoon storms in July and August build rapidly by noon, turning tall rock spires into natural lightning rods. Descend from the rim before 11 a.m. if clouds form. Winter visitors hiking the steep Navajo or Peekaboo switchbacks between November and April should rent metal traction devices from the park lobby to prevent slips on packed ice.
Bryce Canyon National Park operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Winter storms from November through March frequently force temporary road closures and restrict trail access under heavy snow. The Sunset Campground and park shuttle shut down entirely between late October and mid-April.
Private vehicles cost $35.00 for a seven-day pass covering all occupants. Motorcyclists pay $30.00, while pedestrians and cyclists enter for $20.00. Non-US residents aged 16 and over face an additional $100 fee per person unless presenting an Annual or America the Beautiful Pass.
Advanced reservations and timed-entry systems are not required to enter Bryce Canyon. You pay the admission fee or present an approved pass directly at the entrance station. Beware of fake parking attendants in neon vests trying to collect cash at roadside pullouts outside the official booths.
The Bryce Canyon Shuttle costs nothing beyond your standard $35.00 park entrance fee. Buses run every 15 to 20 minutes from mid-April through mid-October, operating from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Boarding outside the park at stops like Ruby's Inn requires showing a valid physical or digital vehicle pass to the driver.
May through September offer daytime temperatures in the 60s and 70s, making these the optimal months for hiking. Late May and September provide a balance of maximum shuttle operations and thinner crowds. Summer monsoon storms in July and August build rapidly by noon, forcing hikers to descend from the rim to avoid lightning strikes.
Pets cannot hike on unpaved trails, ride shuttle buses, or enter public buildings. You must keep them strictly on paved surfaces, including campgrounds, picnic areas, and the half-mile paved Rim Trail section between Sunset and Sunrise Points.
Federal law strictly prohibits remote-controlled aircraft, including drones and helicopters, anywhere within park boundaries. Violators face severe legal penalties and fines. Hand-held photography for personal use requires no permit, but commercial filming demands advance approval.
Browse verified tours with free cancellation and instant confirmation.
Find Tours