Winter is slowly losing its grip on Bryce Canyon National Park/Kurt Repanshek file

It likely will be a busy summer season at Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah, and some construction projects will add to the challenge of enjoying the park. 

Currently, trail access is still limited by unstable winter conditions that inhibit the park’s ability to respond to emergencies. For visitor safety, hiking is only permitted along the Rim Trail between Inspiration and Fairyland Points, the Mossy Cave Trail, and the Fairyland Loop Trail. 

Park staff is making regular assessments of conditions, and hopes to make additional areas accessible as soon as possible. Check the Alerts section of the park’s webpage at nps.gov/brca for the most current conditions.

Meanwhile, plow crews have been working to reopen the park’s southern scenic drive beyond Mile 12, and are hopeful to restore full access this month. Snow has also limited the available number of campsites within Loop A of North Campground, which is kept open in winter. Additional campsites are being opened as conditions allow. 

The park visitor center and bookstore is currently open from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m., and will extend its hours to 8 p.m. on April 28th. 

The Bryce Canyon Shuttle will begin its service to the Bryce Amphitheater area of the park on Friday, April 12th. Riding the shuttle bus is free, but requires payment of the park’s entrance fee. Shuttles will run from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. daily, with hours extending by an hour on May 8th.

Twice-daily trips to the park’s southern views on the Rainbow Bus Tour will resume on April 12th, if the southern scenic drive is accessible. This 3 ½ hour tour is free, but requires reservations, so inquire at the Shuttle Station in Bryce Canyon City or by calling (435) 834-5290. A reminder that during shuttle hours vehicles over 20 feet are restricted from the Bryce Amphitheater parking areas (Sunrise, Sunset, Inspiration, and Bryce Points), so be sure to take advantage of this service to see some of the park’s most iconic areas.

Due to construction, camping will be limited this summer. Paving of Sunset and North Campground roads is tentatively scheduled to begin in early May. Sunset Campground will close first and then reopen, then North Campground will close. During paving operations, all campsites in the park will be first-come-first-serve. Reservations will be made available on a campground-by-campground basis as construction is completed. Visit recreation.gov for current reservation availability. 

Repaving of the Bryce Lodge parking lot is scheduled to begin in May, while reconstruction of the visitor center parking lot will begin at the end of July. Be prepared for alternative parking arrangements at these locations. Construction is also planned for walkways at Inspiration and Rainbow Points.

Short-term closures can be expected at Rainbow Point, though access to Yovimpa Point will remain open. Impacts of these construction projects will be mitigated as much as possible, but visitors should be prepared for possible noise and traffic interruptions.

Ranger programs, including daily geology talks, guided walks, and astronomy programs will be offered as the season unfolds. Program times and dates are posted on the calendar page of the park’s website. Popular annual festivals, including the park’s Astronomy Festival, scheduled from June 26th – June 29th, and the Geology Festival, scheduled from July 26th – July 27th, are not to be missed. Both events will feature guest speakers, special ranger-guided activities, and opportunities for the entire family to enjoy learning about the unique resources protected within Bryce Canyon National Park.