Hi there! Are you looking for the best things to do in Bryce Canyon? Then this post is for you! These recommendations are versatile and can be used by travelers who have just a few hours to tour Bryce Canyon, or by those that are spending multiple days at the beautiful national park! There is so much to do and see in Bryce Canyon, but, luckily, it is possible to have a fantastic experience no matter how much time you have to spend in the park. In this post I will be sharing the best viewpoints, as well as hikes and walks to take during your time in Bryce Canyon!
When you visit Bryce Canyon, there is only one major road to follow by car. This means you’ll drive all the way to the end of the park, turn around, and drive out the same way you came in. Although there is a shuttle, if the park isn’t super busy I highly recommend driving your own car. This will give you the most flexibility during your trip.
Tip #1 – Drive all the way to Rainbow and Yovimpa Viewpoints First
Once entering the park, I highly recommend driving all the way to the end to see Rainbow and Yovimpa points. From the entrance of the park, it’s about a 20 minute drive (with no traffic) to Rainbow Point. I know it will be tempting to stop at viewpoints along the way, but trust me, wait to visit those until the way back.
Once you arrive at Rainbow Point (the southernmost portion of the park), you will have absolutely incredible and sweeping views. At this point, you will be at the park’s highest elevation, around 9,100 feet, and it really makes from some of the most incredible views. There is plenty of parking, so you can easily park, check out the viewpoints and even take some hikes.
From Rainbow Point, follow the signs to Yovimpa Point. It’s a quick (2 minute) walk through the woods on the path, and you’ll see more amazing views. Rainbow Point and Yovimpa Point, despite being so close together, offer very different views of the canyon. Both are gorgeous, and make great places to start your day at Bryce Canyon.
Recommended hike at Rainbow and Yovimpa Point
- Bristlecone Loop (easy) – .8 miles through the forest.
Rainbow Point 
Yovimpa Viewpoint
Tip #2 – Visit the Other Viewpoints on the Drive Back
While driving back towards the entrance of the park, you’ll see tons of viewpoints on the right side of the road. If you have time, I recommend stopping at as many as possible as they all offer beautiful and unique views. However, if you have a limited amount of time at Bryce Canyon, I’m listing my favorite viewpoints, and what you can see at them, below!
The Best View Points at Bryce Canyon
Natural Bridge
Natural Bridge is a great quick stop to take photos! This stop features an amazing natural arch and is so cool to see!
Bryce Point
Bryce Canyon is famous for its hoodoos (thin, tall rock formations) and Bryce Point is a fantastic place to get incredible hoodoo views! From this point you will see tons of gorgeous hoodoos, and the quantity of them is truly amazing to see. This is without a doubt one of the best viewpoints at Bryce Canyon.
The hoodoos at Bryce Point make up what is known as the Silent City. Native legend states that “bad people” would be turned to stone and rock, and Silent City the best place to see these rows and rows of hoodoos – or bad people turned to stone.
Sunset Point
Sunset point is another must-visit in Bryce Canyon! From Sunset Point you will have great views of the Silent City (also viewable from Bryce Point), as well as Thor’s Hammer. Thor’s Hammer is a hoodoo with a huge rock balancing on the top, and it is very cool to see!
From Sunset Point, if you have time, I also highly recommend hiking the Navajo Loop Trail. This is a super popular hike, and with good reason, the views are gorgeous! The hike is about 1.3 miles, and is not too difficult. This trail is a loop, so you’ll begin and end at Sunset Point.
Views from Sunset Point 
Hikers on Navajo Loop – Sunset Point
Sunrise Point
Sunrise Point is another great place to see hoodoos. The parking area is large, so you likely won’t need to worry about competing for parking.
From Sunrise Point you can also take the easy Queens Garden Trail hike. This hike is about 1.8 miles, but it is not strenuous.
More Tips + Advice for Visiting Bryce Canyon
- I’ve said this before, but trust me, drive all the way to Rainbow Point at the end of the park first, and then stop at the other viewpoints on your way back.
- Go early, and during the week if possible, in order to avoid the crowds.
- Bring a picnic! There are tons of great areas to have a picnic with beautiful views.
- Parking will be more crowded towards the beginning of the park, but if you drive around for a couple minutes you should get parking.
- Drive your own car for maximum flexibility. The shuttle is also an option, but I think driving is much easier.
- You likely won’t have great cell service, so print/save this guide and bring it with you as well as a park map!
I hope you found my guide for the best things to do in Bryce Canyon to be helpful! If you have any questions, leave us a comment below and follow and DM us on Instagram, @twosistersabroad.
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This is a great itinerary. We visited Bryce a couple of years ago and really had no idea where to begin! It is spectacular, no matter what.
This is a great guide! I’d love to take a trip to Bryce Canyon (it’s only four hours from Phoneix!), so I’ll definitely be using this guide when I visit. Thanks for sharing!
gahhhh i’ve been seeing so many pics of canyons on IG lately😍😍… this is filling me with so much wanderlust!!!
Great post on Bryce Canyon! I would love to drive to Rainbow and Yovimpa Viewpoints. Your images of Bryce point and the Natural bridge are simply stunning! Those unique rock formations and colors are awesome. I am saving your post for future reference. 🙂
Thank you so so much, Jan!
I will be there in a couple of weeks! Totally using your tips, thank you so much for sharing!
I love this! Recently, I have been wanting to visit Bryce Canyon and Zion National Park, so I really liked this itinerary. Your pictures were beautiful!
Such beautiful views! These are great tips for visiting Bryce Canyon. Can’t wait to get out there and see it for myself.
Bryce Canyon looks so stunning! Thanks for the tips, we’ll make sure to drive all the way to Rainbow Point when we finally make a visit!
Wow wow woooooza! The whole area around Bryce Canyon is incredible! What a stunning area to hike and see the rock formations. That natural bridge and hoodoos are sooo cool.
Thanks for the tips! We’re hoping to go to Bryce in October so this will come in handy.
Bryce Canyon is so high up on my list it’s not even funny. All the views look spectacular and I love the incredible red rocks of Utah. Noting some good tips for when I can finally visit
We certainly loved our visit to Bryce Canyon. The variety in the landscape was stunning. But we wish we had more time to do the hikes. Great advice to drive all the way to Rainbow Point first.
Utah keeps calling my name! This is a great resource on the best things to do at Bryce Csnyon.
Awesome guide! Bryce Canyon is on my bucket list and after seeing your gorgeous photos, I want to go sooner rather than later!
Wow, these photos are stunning! And what an interesting read.. well done 🙂
Thank you so much, Lasma!
i have have Bryce on my bucket list for so long now! i love your tips for were to catch the best views, i’ll definitely be using this blog as a Bryce guide when i go.
Both viewpoints at rainbow point and yavimpa point are gorgeous!!
Great tip about stopping at the viewpoints on the way back!