Imagine a camping guide that will help you know exactly what to expect, activities you’ll surely enjoy, and sights to see that are certain to take your breath away.
That’s what you’ll find with this detailed guide to Bryce Canyon National Park camping!
In this camping guide for Bryce Canyon National Park, we’ll look at the top campsites offered, plans you’ll need to make, and exciting activities to experience during your visit. So, make sure not to miss out on anything this remarkable park can offer you!
What to Expect While Camping at Bryce Canyon National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park is open year-round and located near Bryce, Utah. You’ll find two campgrounds within this park, with many available campsites. In addition, there are three camping loops within these campsites, one specifically for RVs and two open only to tent campers.
Bryce Canyon National Park is well known for its colorful rock spires and grand vistas sweeping out over the high plateaus region of the Colorado plateau.
When you camp at Bryce Canyon National Park, it’s essential to know that they have an allowance of up to ten campers per campsite, with no more than six adults, ages sixteen years old and up.
Campgrounds At Bryce Canyon National Park
There are two available campgrounds for open to the public for camping at Bryce Canyon National Park: The North Campground and The Sunset Campground.
Also on-site, Bryce Canyon Nation Park has a helpful Visitor Center, Bryce Canyon Lodge, and the main Bryce Amphitheater.
Best Camping Spots At Bryce Canyon National Park
North Campground
North Campground features many shaded areas, paved roads, paved spurs in loops A and B, which are best for RV Camping, and gravel spurs located in loops C and D designated explicitly for tent campers.
North Campground will provide you with real flushing toilets, drinking water access, picnic tables, fire rings, and grills located at each of their campsites. In addition, in the spring, summer, and fall, you can plan to use the public laundry and shower facilities.
Keep in mind when planning your visit, portable showers, toilets, and changing rooms are not allowed on North Campground. Electrical, water, and sewer hookups are also unavailable on site.
Bryce Canyon National Park strongly encourages shuttle use to their Visitor’s Center located near the park entrance. The Visitor Center’s staff is happy to help with any additional needs.
You can expect to find North Campground covered in pine trees, providing excellent shade to its campers, and giving off friendly forest vibes.
Sunset Campground
Sunset Campground is the second campground located at Bryce Canyon National Park, featuring 99 different campsites to choose from. There are three loops total; Loop A is reserved for RV camping, while Loops B and C are arranged for tent camping.
You can find within Sunset Campground a dump station at your disposal for a small fee. However, Bryce Canyon National Park camping comes without electricity, water, and sewer hookups in these sections, so plan accordingly!
Sunset Campground is known by its visitors to remain a well-maintained campsite providing extremely clean public bathrooms.
Planning Ahead / Booking
Bryce Canyon National Park is a maximum occupancy park, so make sure to reserve your campsite between May through October. Bryce Canyon is a first-come, first, serve park from October to May.
When planning to visit this popular all-year-round national park, keep in mind that Bryce Canyon remains jam-packed and is smaller than the neighboring parks and campgrounds it surrounds.
If you’re not a huge fan of big crowds, Bryce Canyon National Park may not be an ideal choice.
What’s Not Included At The Bryce Canyon Campsites?
Unfortunately, North Campground and Sunset Campground are without sewer, electricity, and water hookups. Also, as mentioned before, Bryce Canyon National Park as a whole prohibits the use of portable showers, toilets, and changing rooms within their campsites.
During your stay, gathering firewood, pine cones, and pine needles within the boundaries of this park is prohibited. If you need firewood for, say, your fire pit, it’s best to visit their Visitors Center for assistance.
If you wish to group for commercial or large family gatherings, unfortunately, block reservations are unavailable within this park. In addition, Bryce Canyon National Park limits the number of campers per campsite.
Due to Bryce Canyon National Park being a high elevation facility, exercise caution when you journey to lower elevations.
Hanging personal hammocks within the trees is strictly prohibited while camping at Bryce Canyon National Park.
Bringing family pets is allowed, but Bryce Canyon National Park has strict rules about keeping pets restrained; they also may never be left unattended.
Is Bryce Canyon National Park Close To A Highway?
Bryce Canyon National Park strongly aims to reduce congestion and pollution within their park and highly encourages the use of their provided shuttles.
Bryce Canyon prefers their guests to use shuttles while exploring the park and encourages personal vehicles to stay at the campsites.
You’ll find Bryce Canyon National Park’s entrance near their Visitor’s Center located at the very front of the park. Roads will spit out into main roads and nearby town attractions from the gate.
What Type Of Camping Is Offered At Bryce Canyon National Park?
You can expect to find two campgrounds within Bryce Canyon National Park, North and Sunset Campground. These campgrounds will offer you both RV Camping and Tent Camping locations.
Bryce Canyon National Park also provides pine trees, giving some of their campsites natural shade. You’ll also find open space campsites available at the park. It’s ultimately up to you to decide what best fits your needs and preferred experiences during your trip.
Things To Do While Camping At Bryce Canyon National Park
Park-Sponsored Activities
Horseback Riding– While camping at Bryce Canyon National Park, you can explore Bryce Canyon on a guided horseback tour. Horseback riding tours are available to all riders at any experience level.
Skiing- The elevation levels of 8,000 and 9,000 make Bryce Canyon National Park the perfect location for cross country skiing! A few areas to ski along are the Paria Ski Loop, The Bristlecone Loop, and The Rim Trail.
Hiking- At Bryce Canyon National Park, you’ll find several hiking trails winding through high-attitude forests and breathtaking canyon vistas. Plan a hiking adventure on The Rim Trail for a more leisurely, family-friendly hike while visiting.
Are you in for a challenge? Bryce Canyon National Park provides more challenging trails to explore, such as the Under The Rim Trail.
Snowshoeing- Put your snowshoes on and enjoy the beauty of the park during your Bryce Canyon National Park camping trip. This park has an available equipment rental station if needed. Snowshoeing this winter will give you a fun, unique way to experience snow-covered sights while hiking the gorgeous trails.
Photography– Do you enjoy taking photos of nature? Photographers love it here at Bryce Canyon National Park! If you choose to visit in the winter months, make sure to capture the must-see snow-covered red rocks. You’ll find inspirational tips from locals on how to achieve the best shots!
Sights / Monuments / Natural Wonders
Over time natural elements have created the most fantastic water and wind-carved Bryce Canyon.
Additionally, you’ll find signature red rock hoodoos, incredible vistas, and slot canyons surrounding Bryce Canyon National Park. It’s a stunning mix between red rocks and bold green forest scenery that’s entirely one of a kind!
At night you will be in for a treat as you’ll experience one of the most stunningly clear night skies there ever was! Bryce Canyon National Park is truly an unforgettable camping destination!
Wildlife
Do you enjoy watching wildlife while camping? Bryce Canyon National Park is the perfect location for you as it’s filled with a unique variety of incredible wildlife. During your camping trip, view and learn about the creatures that live here while exploring the park and hiking along the trails.
Be ready at Bryce Canyon National Park, as you can fully expect to find lots of mule deer grazing through the campgrounds and trails!
Vegetation / Geography
Bryce Canyon National Park offers both shaded pine tree areas and open spaces; you’ll need to decide what type of campsite fulfills your personal wishes.
You can plan to view beautiful, colorful rock spires and grand vistas located throughout this national park that’s an absolute must-see for all visitors!
Always be careful of the elevation levels while exploring, as Bryce Canyon National Park elevates 8,000- 9,000 feet!
Reviews of Bryce Canyon National Park Camping
When we looked at what past guests had to say about Bryce Canyon National Park camping, we found repetitive excitement over the unique shaded forest areas compared to the red rock scenery you typically find in Utah!
Bryce Canyon National Park’s visitors shared stories of the beautiful scenery, exciting nature trails, and well-maintained, very clean campgrounds with immaculate bathrooms.
It helps to learn that this National Park has well-favored campground hosts who are said to be very friendly and extremely helpful during your stay!
Wrapping Up Bryce Canyon National Park Camping
As you can see, there are many great reasons why camping at Bryce Canyon National Park is guaranteed to provide you with a unique and scenic trip to remember!
This year while using our guide, you’ll find this national park to be the ultimate camping destination and a perfect choice for your camping bucket list.
We’re sure you’ll enjoy your Bryce Canyon National Park camping trip, exploring the natural sights, taking part in activities such as horseback riding or snowshoeing, and end the day camping under a gorgeous night sky!
Ready to plan your next National Park adventure? Check out our other Utah camping guides here: