Are you looking for a one-day Bryce Canyon itinerary? Then you are in the right spot!
Bryce Canyon is one of the most stunning National Parks in the US. It is simply beautiful and unlike any park I have ever seen. Also, it is easily accessible and perfect for a day trip.
But it can be a challenge to plan your visit when you don’t have much time for research.
Luckily, I have just returned from a trip to Bryce Canyon with my husband and am here to help you with that.
This one-day itinerary will guide you to all the most beautiful spots, without a rush and with ample time to hike around and take pictures.
So, let’s get to it!
One Day in Bryce Canyon National Park: at a Glance
If you are just here to quickly snatch the itinerary, then you are in the right spot.
Further down in this post, you can get some more information about the things to do in Bryce Canyon, as well as some helpful tips for planning your trip!
Here is the itinerary:
Morning: Hiking the Rim Trail (Alternative: Fairyland Loop)
Lunch
Afternoon: Southern Scenic Drive
Late Afternoon: Scenic Byway 12
Dinner
Night: Stargazing (Optional)
The Rim Trail
The Rim Trail at Bryce Canyon is a stunning, relatively easy hike that will give you the best views.
The trail follows the edge of the canyon, so you’ll have breathtaking views of Bryce’s famous hoodoos, spires, and natural amphitheaters throughout the hike.
The trail is about 5.5 miles (one way) long. It starts at Fairyland Point and ends at Bryce Point. You can either take the Shuttle Service or hike the trail back.
The Rim Trail is perfect for those wanting cool views of Bryce Canyon without descending into the canyon itself.
Of course, you’ll have the option to add on another hike into the canyon at the different viewpoints.
If you only have one day in Bryce Canyon, the Rim Trail is your best bet. Let’s look at some of the highlights of the Rim Trail now.
Sunrise Point
Sunrise Point is a popular spot to start your hike along the Rim Trail.
It is the northernmost viewpoint of the Bryce Amphitheater.
If it is not too busy, you can park your car right at the parking lot at Sunrise Point and hike from there! You can either start the Rim Trail right away or head into the canyon first.
Queen’s Garden Loop Trail
If you feel like diving into the canyon from Sunrise Point, you can descend into the Queen’s Garden Loop Trail before you continue on to the Rim Trail.
Queen’s Garden is a 1.8-mile (2.9 km) long trail. It will lead you into the heart of the canyon, and it is a great spot for Instagram pictures.
You don’t have to complete the entire trail either; you’ll have awesome views right away!
I suggest taking a couple of steps down there for some pictures, but not to complete the entire trail (it might get too tiring).
Sunset Point
After the beautiful Sunrise Point, you’ll head along the Rim Trail to Sunset Point next. It is another fantastic viewpoint of the Amphitheater.
This is the best place to see the different shades of colors in the hoodoos in Bryce Canyon!
Make sure to venture away from the viewing platform; you’ll have lots of chances for pictures without the fences.
If you have time, I suggest heading down to the Navajo Loop Trail from Sunset Point, where you can see the famous Wall Street.
Navajo Loop Trail (Wall Street)
The Navajo Loop Trail is one of Bryce Canyon’s most Instagrammable hikes.
This 1.3-mile loop takes you from the rim down into the canyon, where you’ll walk through narrow passages and towering rock walls.
One of the trail’s highlights is the Wall Street section (you have probably seen it on Instagram). It is a dramatic, steep descent through a slot canyon with towering sandstone walls and switchbacks.
The trail then loops back up through scenic areas like Thor’s Hammer. Make sure to bring your camera for this one!
Sabrina’s tip: don’t walk all the way down this path. The view is much better from above, and the climb back up is straining!
Inspiration Point
If you continue up the Rim Trail, you’ll reach the next amazing viewpoint: Inspiration Point.
Inspiration Point is known for its dramatic elevation and layered cliffs. The views from there are pretty great, giving you a sense of the canyon’s depth and vastness.
There are three tiers to this viewpoint. Each is offering slightly different angles and perspectives on the formations.
For the best Instagram pictures, I suggest walking a couple of steps away from the viewing platform and finding a good spot without people!
Bryce Point
The Rim Trail ends at the fabulous Bryce Point. Bryce Point provides one of the highest and most spectacular viewpoints in Bryce Canyon.
Sadly, the viewing platform there is super popular, so you can also turn around right before you reach it and enjoy the views from the trail.
From here on, you can either take the shuttle back to Sunrise Point or walk the trail back, as we did.
Insider Tip: All of our pictures are taken from the trails directly, just before or after the viewpoints. That way, you can avoid all the people.
Southern Scenic Drive
After a delicious lunch, we’ll check out the Southern Scenic Drive in the afternoon!
The Southern Scenic Drive is a beautiful 18-mile road that takes you to the park’s less-crowded southern viewpoints.
Along this drive, you’ll pass stunning overlooks like Agua Canyon, Natural Bridge, and Rainbow Point. It’s a great way to see more of the sights, without having to hike a lot.
At the end of the drive, you’ll reach Rainbow Point. It is the highest point in the park, and the views are insane!
Scenic Byway 12
On your way into or out of the park, you’ll drive along Scenic Byway 12 and through the Red Canyon area.
Here you can also see some pretty cool natural rock formations, arches, and hoodoos.
I suggest planning a little extra time so you can stop along the way and take some pictures.
If you’re still in for a nice walk, you can hike the Red Canyon Trail.
Keep on reading: 10 Most Scenic Highways in the Southwest USA (Besides Route 66)
Stargazing
If you are staying in the area, it is worth it to check out if there are any stargazing events happening at Bryce Canyon.
Bryce Canyon has one of the darkest skies in the country, so you can see amazingly well into the night sky and the Milky Way.
You can either book a guided stargazing tour or join one of the events hosted by the park. Availability depends a lot on the time of your visit, so make sure to plan ahead.
Food and Drinks at Bryce Canyon
When trying to plan your lunch and dinner in Bryce Canyon National Park, keep in mind that your options inside the park are limited.
You can either head to the Dining Room at the Price Canyon Lodge or check out Valhalla Pizza inside the park.
If you drive outside of the park, the first village you’ll encounter is Bryce Canyon City. There, you have a lot more options regarding food and drinks.
For lunch, I suggest eating inside the park. For dinner, it is worth heading to the sweet village – it is quite charming.
Bryce Canyon in One Day – Travel Tips
If you want to see the best of Bryce Canyon in one day, I have a couple of tips that can come in handy!
First of all, check how busy the park is. Outside of the main tourist season, you can usually get around the park easily with your car and park directly at the trailheads. Otherwise, use the shuttle bus.
Make sure to bring enough snacks and drinks on your hike – there are no shops on the trail.
Wear good shoes – the canyon trails can be quite slippery, and the drop-offs are steep at some points.
Lastly, if you keep walking after reaching the famous viewpoints, you’ll usually get great picture opportunities without all the people in it.
Most visitors stick to the viewing platforms, so they are supercrowded.
Treat the park with respect to preserve our beautiful lands for generations to come!
Best Time To Visit Bryce Canyon
The best time to visit Bryce Canyon is late spring (April –early June) or fall (late September–October) when the weather is cooler, and the crowds are thinner.
Summer can be crowded and surprisingly hot, especially on the trails. We went in early September and didn’t expect the heat to be so intense!
If you plan to hike, mornings are best before the sun hits hard.
Winter is also magical with snow-dusted hoodoos, but some trails may be closed. Overall, aim for shoulder season and pack layers—weather can change quickly at this elevation!
Staying in the Park vs. Coming For a Day Trip
Bryce Canyon has several cool campgrounds for RVs that you can use when visiting, like the North Campground or the Sunset Campground.
You can take the free shuttle service from there to all the trailheads.
Since we wanted to see more of Southern Utah, we chose to visit Bryce Canyon on a road trip from Kanab.
This way, we also got to see Capitol Reef National Park, Zion National Park, and Arches National Park, as well as the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument and Canyonlands National Park.
I can absolutely recommend staying in Kanab – we loved the town. Make sure to bring your America the Beautiful Pass, so you can visit all parks at no extra cost.
Conclusion: One Day in Bryce Canyon
To sum it up, we spent a lovely day at one of my favorite national parks in Utah. Steep switchbacks, pink cliffs, and a stunning landscape waited for us.
After going into the park via the entrance at the visitor center, we headed straight to the parking lot at Sunset Point.
From here, we ventured down onto the Queens Garden Trail before continuing along the Rim Trail.
After completing this long hiking trail, we had a picnic lunch and visited some other viewpoints like Yovimpa Point.
After seeing Scenic Byway 12, it is time for dinner and stargazing with a ranger-led program. The perfect end to a perfect day in Bryce Canyon.
About the Author
Hi friend, I am Sabrina, a passionate travel blogger and photographer from Austria.
I love capturing the world through the lens of the seasons, chasing soft spring blooms, golden autumn light, and cozy winter moments along the way. My goal is to help you discover destinations at their most magical moments.
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