You’ve probably seen pictures of Bryce Canyon National Park. It’s one of the most unique and photographed landscapes in the world. And it’s also one of the best outdoor playgrounds with kids! From hiking and mountain biking its picturesque trails, to horseback riding, to watching the sunrise over the famous hoodoos, Bryce Canyon will leave you wanting more. There is so much to see and do in this beautiful National Park, it can feel overwhelming to try to fit it all in! Luckily, we’ve narrowed it down to the best places to explore in Bryce Canyon with kids in just a few days!
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Bryce Canyon National Park is located in Southwestern Utah in the United States. The name Bryce Canyon can be confusing, because it’s not actually a canyon, but a collection of giant natural amphitheaters. It is comprised of many hoodoos, which are tall, thin spires of rock that protrude from the bottom of an arid drainage basin or badlands. There are hoodoos scattered throughout the world, but nowhere in the world are they more abundant than sections of Bryce Canyon.
Read our comprehensive guide below to help you plan your trip to Bryce Canyon with kids.
Table of Contents:
Camping in Bryce Canyon
Lodging at Bryce Canyon
Best Views of Bryce Canyon
Best Day Hikes in Bryce Canyon
Other Activities in Bryce Canyon
Outside Bryce Canyon: Grand Staircase-Escalante
Must-Have Gear for Bryce Canyon
Camping in Bryce Canyon
If you choose to camp in Bryce (which we recommend), there are several options and some require planning ahead, as campgrounds fill up fast in the summer months. Camping with kids is a lot of fun. One of the things we love most about camping with our kids is it is such a great way to unplug from the world and connect with nature and each other. It’s refreshing to see kids playing with the tools nature gave them—rocks, sticks, dirt, pine cones—all using their creative imaginations to make up games that involve the great outdoors.
Camping with kids is also a great way to get kids involved with planning, setting up camp and helping with meals. Read our post on other helpful tips for camping with kids and to get ideas on the best and most affordable camping gear, easy and fun meal planning, and games we like to play when we camp.
There are lots of great camping spots in and around Bryce Canyon. In the actual park, Bryce Canyon only has two campgrounds, Sunset and North Campgrounds. Sunset Campground is closer to all the best hiking trails (this was our choice), and North Campground is closer to the Visitors Center, the General Store (which is also next to the laundry and shower services). Both campgrounds are less than two miles away from each other.
As far as reservations go, both campgrounds offer mostly first-come, first serve campsites, with only a few tent sites and one group site available that you can go online and reserve up to 6 months ahead.
If you are unable to get a campsite inside Bryce Canyon, there are other great options outside the park that aren’t too far. We suggest Red Canyon, which is located just off scenic Highway 12 about 13 miles from Bryce Canyon and looks a lot like Bryce Canyon actually! There are some great hikes around there too. King Creek is another good option just outside Bryce Canyon.
Lodging at Bryce Canyon
Bryce Canyon Lodge. Photo courtesy of Joshua Eckert via Creative Commons.
If camping isn’t your thing, there are plenty of lodging options in and around Bryce Canyon. The only lodging option inside the park is Bryce Canyon Lodge which is a beautiful, rustic lodge that sits near the Rim Trail and overlooks the whole canyon. The Bryce Canyon Grand Hotel is the most popular in the area. There is also Ruby’s Inn, which has traditional-style lodging, but also has cabins and tipis available to rent (with the amenities such as the pool and showers included)!
For a complete list of your lodging options in Bryce, as well as the best rates on any of the hotels listed above, make sure to use our favorite resource for booking the cheapest accommodations.
Interior of Bryce Canyon Lodge. Photo courtesy of Brandon N. via Creative Commons.
Best Views of Bryce Canyon
Bryce Canyon is the perfect “eye candy” with epic views of the whole canyon from above the canyon and below (accessed from various trails, see Hikes in Bryce). We suggest seeing Bryce from both perspectives because they offer stunning and unique viewpoints! Bryce Canyon is truly a photographer’s dream. If you need ideas on camera gear, we’ve made it simple with our go-to favorites for traveling and capturing amazing outdoor photos. There are plenty of photo ops along the Bryce Amphitheater such as:
Sunset Point and Sunrise Point
Sunset Point and Sunrise Point both offer amazing views of the canyon from different angles.The Rim Trail between these two points is an easy, flat 0.5 mile trail connecting the two points. The Rim Trail is easily accessed (and wheel chair or stroller accessible along most of this trail) from the campgrounds and parking lots inside the park. You can go on a guided Ranger-led hike and learn more about the history and geology of this National Park or you can go on your own (both recommended!).
Inspiration Point
Inspiration Point is the best spot to watch an amazing sunrise at Bryce Canyon (worth getting up early for!), where the hoodoos are positioned to catch the morning light. Inspiration Point is also accessed from the Rim Trail as well and consists of three levels that offer varied incredible perspectives of the main amphitheater. You can see both Sunrise and Sunset Points from here.
Bryce Point
Bryce Point is at the lower end of the Rim Trail and serves as the trail head to Peekaboo Loop Trail, which meanders down the side of the amphitheater, among the Cathedral, and below the Wall of Windows. This is another great spot to savor the views over the park’s amphitheater at sunrise.
Best Day Hikes in Bryce Canyon
You could spend a whole week in Bryce Canyon National Park and not cover all of its extraordinary landscape. Fortunately, we have narrowed down the best day hikes to get stunning views in a variety of perspectives that will leave you speechless and wanting more. *Note: Most of these hikes are perfect with kids, but we have narrowed down the easiest to hardest in this list. Read our post on helpful tips on hiking with kids (and making it fun!).
Mossy Cave
Mossy Cave is probably the easiest hike other than the Rim Trail between Sunset and Sunrise Points and found on Highway 12 going toward Tropic just outside the amphitheater. You walk alongside a stream up to mossy overhang and a small waterfall. Keep in mind waterfalls only flow from May to October. (0.8 mile RT, easy)
Mossy Cave is a great trail to do in the hotter months. Photo courtesy of Sharing Horizons.
Navajo Trail
The Navajo trail is definitely a hike not to be missed! Probably one of the more popular hikes in Bryce, make sure to do this one in the morning during peak season (summer) before it gets too crowded and hot. This trail starts at Sunset Point and descends from the canyon rim to the floor and then up again (tip: hiking the trail clockwise is easiest!). One of the most stunning views is Wall Street, which is found after traversing some switchbacks along the trail.
Make sure to look up to get some spectacular views of the hoodoos and the trees sticking out through the red rock formations! Other points of interest include Two Bridges and Thor’s Hammer. Our kids all loved this hike because there were lots of rocks to climb and hide behind, as well as plenty of rest stops for snack and water breaks. (1.4 miles RT, easy to moderate)
Descending on the switchbacks of the Navajo Trail
Queens Garden Loop
This short trail is probably the easiest trail down into the Bryce amphitheater. The trail head is located on the south side of Sunrise Point and offers awesome views of Queen Victoria (a formation that looks like the profile of the British monarch), Boat Mesa, the Sinking Ship, and the Aquarius Plateau. This hike has some tunnels and caves for kids to climb in too, and plenty of shady spots to stop and rest.
We recommend the popular option of combining the Navajo-Queen’s Garden loops together, (which is just a little over 3 miles RT) and if combined, the best and easiest option is to start at the Navajo Loop Trail Head at Sunset Point, leaving the canyon on the less steep Queen’s Garden Trail and returning at Sunset Point. This is such a great hike for kids and adults alike and the views won’t disappoint! (1.8 miles RT, easy to moderate)
Peekaboo Trail
To start the Peekaboo Loop trail, you will access it from the Bryce Point overlook parking area. This trail is open to those on foot and on horseback, so be mindful of horse droppings on the trail (you’ve been warned!). This scenic, yet strenuous hike winds among the hoodoos below Bryce and Inspiration points. This trail can have some loose rock, so place your feet carefully. From this trail, you will see the Canaan Mountains and the Kaiparowits Plateau in the distance, but close up, you will get good views of the Cathedral, the Wall of Windows, and the Three Wise Men. (5.5 miles RT, moderate to difficult)
Fairyland Loop
The Fairyland Loop is longer and a bit more challenging, so best for older kids and adults with good stamina. We loved this hike because it offered some amazing panoramic views without all the crowds, but plan on it taking most of the day! This hike begins at Fairyland Point and descends into Fairyland Canyon (but also accessible from Sunrise Point which is where we started) and meanders up, down, and around Boat Mesa.
It also takes you to the base of Tower Bridge and then climbs to the China Wall. Halfway along the wall, the trail starts climbing back up the canyon, before reaching Sunrise Point and then completing the loop along the Rim Trail back to Fairyland Point. See our list of must-have gear for hiking with kids. (8 miles RT, difficult)
Fairyland Loop
Other Activities in Bryce Canyon
If you’re not a hiker, there are plenty of other activities for kids and adults in Bryce Canyon. Below are some great ideas for activities around Bryce.
Junior Ranger Program
The National Park Service has a great program called Junior Rangers. We absolutely love this program! The idea behind it is to familiarize kids with the duties and responsibilities of being a park ranger, as well as learn about a the National Park they are visiting. In order to become a Junior Ranger, kids have to complete three tasks: attend a presentation or hike led by a Park Ranger, complete an activity booklet (age appropriate) that has a number of activities, and lastly, pick up litter in the parking areas or trails of the park (such a great idea!).
Once all of these activities have been completed, kids must return to the Visitor Center where they will be inducted as Junior Rangers and receive a free badge. These badges issued cannot be purchased or obtained except through the dedication of the child and the support of his/her parents. Read more about the Junior Ranger program at Bryce.
Horseback Riding
Horseback riding through Bryce is the one activity we wish we would have done with our kids and a very popular tour. It looks so fun and a great way to enjoy the dramatic views of Bryce (without the work of hiking!). Most tours are 2-3 hours long and led by a guide. Take a look at this horseback riding tour.
Horseback riding with Canyon Rides
Biking
Bryce Canyon and the surrounding area is a great place to ride bikes, both on paved roads and on and off trails! Within the park, bicycling is only allowed on paved roads. However, there are many opportunities to ride on single and double track trails, forest trails and on pioneer trails. This a good list of mountain bike trails around Bryce.
ATV Tours
Want a bit of a thrill, but still enjoy the magnificent scenery of Bryce? ATV tours are a great way to experience all that Bryce has to offer. (*Note: ATV’s are not allowed in the National Park, only outside the park on designated trails.) This looks like an awesome ATV tour!
Starry Nights Telescope Viewing
Starry Nights Telescope Viewing is a great ranger-led program that is family-friendly. Starting at the visitor center with a video presentation about astronomy and nocturnal animals, the tour then moves into the parking lot where telescopes are set up to get an up close view of the constellations. You can also join full-moon hikes led by the rangers as well.
Bryce Canyon is spectacular to witness at night.
Outside Bryce Canyon: Grand Staircase-Escalante
While we were at Bryce, we also explored two areas outside of Bryce in Grand Staircase-Escalante Monument that we think are worth mentioning and visiting if you have the time while in Bryce Canyon. One area required a little bit of driving for a day trip, but was totally worth the adventure! Both of these hikes are awesome with kids, and guaranteed fun for the whole family.
Willis Creek
Willis Creek Slot Canyon is located off Skutumpah Road in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument (about a 40 min drive from Bryce Canyon). This is such a fun, easy hike that the whole family will enjoy. The mellow trail follows a flat, stream-bed path through some amazing slot canyon with narrow smooth, curvaceous cliff walls. If you love slot canyons, but don’t want to climb or shimmy your way through one (or have claustrophobia in tight spaces), this a great slot canyon that will satisfy your sense of adventure but not leave you feeling anxious!
It’s a great hike in the heat of summer too because you are mostly shaded by the tall cliff walls surrounding you, plus you are walking in shallow water the entire time (kids love this especially)! It is beautiful and not often crowded, so all in all, a great day hike if you want to escape the crowds in Bryce. (4 miles RT, easy)
Peek-a-boo Gulch/Spooky Gulch
If you’re up for a SERIOUS adventure, these slot canyons are for you. Located in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, in the Dry Fork area, these slot canyons are found 26 miles down the famous Hole-in-the-Rock Road off Highway 12. The entire route on Hole-on-the-Rock Road is an extremely rugged washboard road with sand traps and the occasional rut.
Though vans and cars can tackle the route (although we recommend driving fairly slowly), a four-wheel drive vehicle with good suspension is recommended. (*Note: There is limited to no cellular service down this road, so if you get stranded with car problems, it might take awhile to get help.) Once at the parking area of the trail head, you will find the start of the trail.
This trail is not super well marked, so we recommend going with someone that knows the area well or hike with others who you find along the trail (it’s always smart not to go alone). It’s also a good idea to stop at the Ranger Station in the town of Escalante and get a detailed map of the area along with an explanation of landmarks along the trail. Peek-a-boo Gulch is not a long or difficult hike, but it does require some rock scrambling skills in order to get through some of the narrow twists and chutes along the trail (that’s the whole fun of it!). Peek-a-boo can be combined with Spooky Gulch to make it a loop hike.
Spooky is well-named and infamous for how dark it gets when deep in this slot canyon, and for the adrenaline-pumping quality of its extremely narrow walls. Parts of the canyon are so narrow, it will require you to turn sideways and shimmy your way through (even taking off a backpack if you are wearing one). Kids love this part! It is generally recommended to do Peek-a-boo first, and upon exiting, hike up overland to the east for half a mile until the wide stream bed above Spooky Gulch is reached.
From there, you would follow Spooky back down to Dry Fork, and then hike back to the overlook where you parked. Plan on the whole hike taking 3-4 hours, plus the drive to and from the trail head. We can’t recommend this hike enough for adults and older kids (ages 6 and up) who want to do something truly adventurous. This hike will give you a good taste of what slot canyon hikes can be like! (4 miles RT if combined, moderate)
Conclusion
Bryce Canyon is one of our favorite national parks in any season (Winter just might be more beautiful with the snow!). It’s also located only a few hours from Zion National Park, where you can find plenty of outdoor activities in St. George and other family-friendly hikes in Southern Utah to keep you entertained for days on end.
For more gear options, visit our Recommended Gear page.