Day trip · Northeast of Las Vegas

Bryce Canyon National Park

Thousands of orange rock spires (hoodoos) in a high-altitude amphitheatre. Best combined with Zion on an overnight trip.

About 4 hours (260 miles) Best: May to October; snow in winter
Bryce Canyon National Park

Photo: Eric Kilby, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Flickr

Bryce Canyon is not really a canyon but a series of natural amphitheatres filled with hoodoos. It sits much higher than Zion and is usually combined with it on a two- or three-day trip.

What to do

  • Sunrise Point and Sunset Point
  • Navajo Loop and Queen’s Garden trail
  • Stargazing (one of the darkest skies in the US)

Fees: $35 per vehicle (seven days).

Tip: At about 8,000 feet it is much cooler than Las Vegas: bring layers, even in summer.

Heat and safety

Carry at least a gallon (4 litres) of water per person for a desert day, a hat and sunscreen. Phone signal is patchy outside town: download maps before you go and tell someone your plan. From June to September, finish any hiking by mid-morning.

How to spend the day

  1. Best as an overnight trip: it is about four hours away.
  2. Watch sunrise at Sunrise or Sunset Point.
  3. Hike the Navajo Loop into the hoodoos.

Bring

  • Warm layers: it is at high altitude
  • National park pass or entry fee

Frequently asked questions

How far is Bryce Canyon National Park from Las Vegas?

About 260 miles. About 4 hours by car from the Strip.

When is the best time to visit Bryce Canyon National Park?

May to October; snow in winter.

How much does it cost to visit Bryce Canyon National Park?

$35 per vehicle (seven days).

Have you stayed at or visited Bryce Canyon National Park?

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