The great state of Utah is full of natural beauty, and Bryce Canyon National Park is one of the top destinations for travelers in search of more than just mountain views. Indeed, this is the perfect place for activities like hiking, horseback riding, history, and overall peace in nature.
The park is an all-around great place for a visit in summer or winter, with kids or just adults, and for relaxation or adventure. If you are looking at a Bryce Canyon Map and wondering where to stay, we’ve got you covered below.
In this article, we’ll take a look at the best places to stay to visit Bryce Canyon National Park, along with what’s there and how to get there. Since Utah has no shortage of places to admire the natural beauty of the wild west, we’ll also take a look at what else is nearby and can be added to your trip.
Grab your hiking boots and cabin necessities, and let’s go!
About Bryce Canyon National Park
The beautiful Bryce Canyon National Park is located in southern Utah not far from the borders of Arizona and Nevada. It comprises over 35,000 acres and somewhat revolves around the tiny town of Bryce Canyon City.
The park is a national historic landmark, having first been settled by pioneers in the mid-1800s and becoming a national park in the early 1900s. Today, it is managed by the National Park Service to ensure its majestic landscapes remain preserved.
Bryce Canyon is full of trails, viewpoints, fishing spots, and all kinds of other outdoor activities. Visitors enjoy the views of the hoodoos: the interesting-looking, tall, rock spires that emerge from the desert.
There are also multiple great spots to see sunrise and sunset, the beautiful formation is known as the amphitheater, and much more.
See Related: Goblin Valley State Park Utah – Travel Guide
How to Get to Bryce Canyon
As Bryce Canyon is in southern Utah, it is a bit of a remote place- but that’s what makes a national park all the better, right? If you are flying in, you won’t find many options at the Bryce Canyon Airport due to its small size and use mainly for charter flights.
Your best bets are to fly into a major airport such as Salt Lake City or Las Vegas. Simplify your search by using Skyscanner to search all airlines at once. You can find the cheapest airline, filter for direct flights only, and see prices over flexible dates.
But, you may notice that you are still quite a distance from the park- 170 miles for Las Vegas and 310 from Salt Lake City.
Therefore, you will need to rent a car; which is really the better option for a trip like this anyway. Again, use RentalCars.com or Kayak to visualize all options at once and make sure you get the best deal.
Finally, don’t leave home without the proper travel insurance plan. Especially when you are in a remote area and doing adventurous activities, you will feel safer knowing that it’s there if you need it. Our favorites are World Nomads and InsureMyTrip.
See Related: Enter the Realm of the Eagle on Grand Canyon Skywalk
Best Hotels for Visiting Bryce Canyon National Park
If you are looking for accommodation with protection against the elements and a private bathroom, a hotel might be better for your stay in Bryce Canyon. There’s no reason you can’t take to nature each morning after enjoying the night indoors.
Luckily, there are plenty of hotels in and around the park. If you want to stay inside the boundaries of the national park, there is just one option which is run by the park.
If you are alright with basing yourself just shortly outside the entrance, there are plenty of lodging options ranging from budget to luxury. Here are a few of the top hotel picks.
The Lodge at Bryce Canyon
Bryce Canyon National Park, The Lodge at Bryce Canyon, Bryce Canyon City, Utah 84764
If you want to stay within the park to maximize your time enjoying it, this is your only hotel option! The Lodge at Bryce Canyon is all about location, just a short walk away from the trail around the canyon rim and the famous sunrise point.
The lodging-style accommodation is comfortable but camp-like, with no air conditioning or television in guest rooms. Whether you stay or not, you can stop by the lodge’s general store for snacks or equipment.
This property is only bookable via their website as the National Park Service contracts its management. Be sure to book early as it is extremely popular and fills up fast.
Best Western Plus Bryce Canyon Grand Hotel
30 North 100 East, Bryce Canyon, Utah 84764
If you don’t mind being outside of the park and driving in to enjoy it, you’ll have plenty more lodging options. One rather luxurious option is the Bryce Canyon Grand Hotel which operates under the Best Western Plus brand.
Besides the free wifi, parking, and other amenities you might expect, this hotel offers a lovely swimming pool and a very good fitness center. The on-site restaurant offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner and is known to be one of the best in town.
Best Western Plus Ruby’s Inn
26 South Main Street
Bryce Canyon, Utah 84764
This is another of the Best Western properties in the town of Bryce just outside the park. While the prices reflect a more mid-range property, you will find amenities that are more likely found in a luxury hotel.
This hotel’s pool and hot tub are indoors and available in any season. It has a great buffet breakfast and free parking for your ride into and out of the park. If your car needs a charge, it even has an electric vehicle charging station.
Fun fact: the town used to be named Ruby’s Inn, hence the name. You will notice this used often in this area as a tribute to the past.
Bryce View Lodge
105 East Center Street, Bryce Canyon, Utah 84764
In fact, the Bryce View Lodge is a part of the Best Western Plus Ruby’s Inn resort just down the street. This lodge is the budget option of the resort, but besides being some steps away from the main lodge, there isn’t much you are giving up by staying here.
You have access to the pools, good restaurants, and general store at the main resort just down the road. The rooms are still air-conditioned, equipped with free wifi, and come with free parking. Guests are very happy with the buffet breakfast.
For a great price, you’ll get all this and only be a five-minute drive from Bryce Canyon.
Bryce Canyon Resort
13500 East Highway 12, Bryce Canyon, Utah 84764
Looking for a hotel in the area that isn’t a Best Western? This is a simple hotel just outside Bryce town, close to the tiny Bryce Canyon Airport. The hotel offers a heated outdoor pool, great for nighttime swimming under the millions of stars in the sky.
The hotel’s restaurant is a great one for traditional western food, specializing in barbecue meats and ribs. If that type of cuisine isn’t your favorite, you can’t go wrong with a sandwich from Subway next door.
There is a tour agency on-site if you want to plan something and maximize your experience in Bryce Canyon.
Bryce Country Cabins
320 North Main Street, Tropic, Utah 84776
The town of Tropic is just slightly further outside of the national park, but still less than 20 minutes by car to get there. The Bryce Country Cabins is a holiday park full of little cabins that fall somewhere between a hotel and a vacation rental.
All cabins have wifi, air conditioning, television, and a refrigerator and microwave. Some have kitchenettes. You’ll share a barbecue and fire pit area with other guests in the cabins.
If your group is larger, there are some very big cottages available such as a five-bedroom house.
Best Rentals for Visiting Bryce Canyon National Park
If you have that same envy to not sleep in a tent but prefer to have the amenities of a home, it may be better to go with a vacation rental for your Bryce Canyon trip. This is especially smart if you are traveling with a large group or a family, in which case you could save money and have easier cooking options.
As the towns surrounding the park are quite small, the vacation rental market is also a bit small in each. However, if you are willing to expand your search a bit further in the distance, you can find some really nice houses and cabins for your desert stay.
Casa Loma Utah by Casa Vacation Homes
Long Valley Junction, Utah 84710
This adorable and spacious cabin has three bedrooms and three bathrooms, making it ideal for a family vacation. Better yet, it is precisely between Bryce Canyon and Zion and just a 30-minute drive to each. You can get two national parks out of this stay, which we’ll discuss more below.
This log cabin is rustic and traditional with wood stoves and over an acre of land. But that doesn’t mean you’ll feel like you are in the wilderness, as you’ll be connected to wifi, be able to watch the smart TV, and enjoy other modern amenities.
Home w/ Canyon Views
Henrieville, Utah 84736
If you are looking for a residential stay but don’t need all that space, here is a one-bedroom, one-and-a-half bathroom house in the rural town of Henrieville. This is located on the other side of Bryce Canyon, nearer to Grand Staircase.
It has high-quality craftsmanship and certainly comes off as a hunter’s log cabin, making for an authentic feel during your western vacation. Travelers will appreciate the wifi, washer and dryer, and fully equipped kitchen for longer stays.
Glamping at Wander Camp Bryce Canyon
Garfield County, Utah
You’ll find this rental on VRBO, but it’s definitely not your typical vacation rental. This glamping experience takes place in canvas tents in the desert about 15 minutes outside of the park.
The owner describes the units as somewhere between camping and lodging in a cabin, with extra amenities of comfort while remaining off-grid. That means no electricity in the tents, and bathrooms are shared. In return, you get a comfy bed under that expansive star-filled sky.
Seven Oaks Cabin
Duck Creek Village, Utah 84762
If you don’t mind a bit of a longer drive to the park, you can get this massive, four-bedroom cabin in the lovely town of Duck Creek Village. In fact, this little town is very close to Cedar Breaks and Dixie National Forest, making those convenient visits for the same trip.
One of the best parts of this luxury cabin is the massive porch, where you can view wildlife such as elk, deer, wild turkey, and tons of birds. Whether you want to stop by a local coffee shop or make it yourself in the kitchen, you’ll have a difficult time finding views like this to wake up to anywhere else.
See Related: How to Pack For a Camping Trip [Step-by-Step Checklist]
Best Campsites for Visiting Bryce Canyon National Park
Finally, while hotels and vacation rentals are good and comfy, there’s nothing like enjoying a trip to the great outdoors by spending it all outdoors. Camping, whether it’s in a tent, RV, or trailer, is a traditional pastime of trips out to this part of the country.
And while you may be eager to pitch a tent and build a fire, you can’t do that just anywhere; and you might appreciate the few amenities that a true campsite provides. Luckily, there are a ton of places for camping in and around Bryce Canyon.
Bryce Canyon North Campground
Bryce Canyon National Park, The Lodge at Bryce Canyon
This is one of the two official campgrounds within the limits of the national park, with the other being the Sunset Campground. Both are in Bryce Canyon City and very close to the Lodge, meaning campers have easy access to the stores and community.
The North Campground is reservation-based from late spring to early fall, and during the rest of the year is first-come, first served. Reservations can be made up to six months in advance and are popular, so try to book early.
Both tent campers and RV drivers can use this site. There are no sewer, water, or electrical hookups here; however, there is a dumpsite and tap for potable water nearby.
Bryce Canyon Sunset Campground
Bryce Canyon National Park, The Lodge at Bryce Canyon
Bryce Canyon City, Utah 84764
The second of the two campgrounds in the park is the Sunset Campground. It is located just south of the Lodge and the Visitor Center and has places for both RVs and tents.
This site is available on a first-come, first-served basis during the summer months. There are again no sewer, water, or electrical hookups here; however, there is a dumpsite and tap for potable water nearby.
The Sunset side also has a group campsite for up to 30 people, if you are planning an adventurous family reunion. There are also two ADA accessible sites, which you can reserve by contacting the park staff.
Ruby’s Inn RV Park & Campground
300 South Main Street
Bryce Canyon City, Utah 84764
Once again, you’ll find many more options if you are alright with pitching your tent just outside the park’s border. Plus, you’ll get a ton of additional amenities at this campground that you won’t get in the park.
The Ruby’s Inn resort also has a campground property for all types of campers. There are complete hookups for RVs and trailers, as well as bathrooms, showers, laundry facilities, and wifi. Even better is that campers get access to the pools and hot tubs of the nearby Best Western.
Bryce Canyon Pines
Highway 12 Mile Marker 10
Bryce, Utah 84764
Also in the small town of Bryce but located outside of downtown amid the Ponderosa Pines, the Bryce Canyon Pines offers picnic tables and fire pits at each campsite. They also have restrooms, hot showers, and laundry facilities.
RV drivers will have access to full hookups for their rig. Furthermore, the campsite’s restaurant is a local favorite serving home-cooked barbecue dishes that have been voted best in all kinds of categories.
Other Places to See Near Bryce Canyon National Park
Since you are coming all this way and there is so much to see close to Bryce Canyon, why not take a day or two to see even more? There are all kinds of amazing spots in as little as a 30-minute drive from Bryce Canyon.
Zion National Park
Another of the famous national parks of Utah, Zion National Park is about an hour and a half from Bryce Canyon City. People from all over the world come to see the dramatic landscape of steep, red-colored cliffs plunging into rivers and valleys below.
One easy route is the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive, which cuts through some of the best the park has to offer. You can stop for hiking trails, river spots, waterfalls, and more.
Cedar Breaks National Monument
This miniature counterpart of a national park sits right between Bryce Canyon and Zion, making it an easy stop along the way even if you don’t plan to hike there. It is a massive amphitheater spanning several miles and dropping 2,000 feet below its rims.
Cedar Breaks has a five-mile scenic drive that you can do to see the best of it. If you have time for more, try the Alpine Pond Trail for a moderate adventure with spectacular views.
Grand Staircase National Monument
Also referred to as Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, this one is better visited with a four-wheel-drive, although in dry weather a standard two-wheel-drive can be acceptable. You’ll be rewarded with a true geological treasure as you find canyons, arches, terraces, and steps in what seem to form giant staircases.
The monument protects this area along with the Kaiparowits Plateau and the Escalante River Canyons. It is one of the less-visited parts of this vast area, meaning you have even more natural peace to yourself.
Dixie National Forest
Beginning just 30 minutes away from Bryce Canyon, the Dixie National Forest is a protected place straddling the divide between the Great Basin and the Colorado River. Its red rock formations, stunningly blue lakes, and trails around the mountaintops and valley bottoms are all impressive.
This 2 million-acre treasure is actually on the route when driving in from Las Vegas or Salt Lake City, making it a great possible diversion on your way into or out of Bryce Canyon. It’s also a great place to do some camping.
Kodachrome Basin State Park
If you are tired of national parks, maybe try a state park? Joking aside, Kodachrome Basin is an incredible sight to see just 20 miles away from Bryce Canyon. It consists of stone spires and multi-hued layers of sandstone that reveal hundreds of millions of years of the area’s story.
This park is especially great for spring and fall when temperatures are milder, and a good option for those with kids. The hiking isn’t as intense for them, but you don’t have to give up any enjoyment from the trails in return.
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