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. Another upside is, that it is easily accessible and awesome for a day tour.
It can be hard to plan your visit when you don’t have much time for research. Luckily, I have just returned from a trip to Bryce Canyon and am here to help you with that.
Let’s get to it!
Table of Contents
1 Day in Bryce Canyon Itinerary: Overview
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
- Later Afternoon: Scenigh Byway 12
- Dinner
- Night: Stargazing (Optional)
Also, make sure to read: Visiting Utah: Everything You Need to Know Before You Go!
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.
Here are some of the highlights of the Rim Trail:
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!
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, this is 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!
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, like we did.
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 is 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 the 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 still are 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 it 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 directly park 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 dropoffs 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 super crowded.
Is One Day Enough For Bryce Canyon?
Yes, one day is enough to see all of the major sights in Bryce Canyon National Park.
However, if you want to see the sunrise or the sunset, I suggest staying in the park for at least a night. Driving in during these times is super straining and there is a lot of traffic.
Also, there are quite a few awesome hiking trails in the park, so if you have a night or two to spare, you can easily keep busy for a couple of days.
Right outside the park, you have the Dixie National Forest and the Red Canyon – so you can easily combine your visit here.
Conclusion: One Day in Bryce Canyon
What a day exploring Bryce Canyon!
We are starting the day with a hike along the breathtaking Rim Trail (or Fairyland Loop for those seeking more adventure). This way, you’ll get the park’s most iconic views and hoodoos up close – before it gets too hot.
After a well-deserved lunch break, the Southern Scenic Drive will take you on a peaceful journey through Bryce’s southern overlooks.
We’ll be wrapping up our day trip with a scenic drive on Byway 12.
As the day winds down, there’s no better way to close out than with dinner and, if you’re up for it, a bit of stargazing.
I hope this guide is helpful and you’ll have a great visit to Bryce Canyon.
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About The Author
Sabrina is a 30 year old Air Force Wife and passionate travel blogger, currently based in New Mexico. She loves exploring the Southwest USA with her drone.
Sabrina’s mission is help travellers have an authentic, relaxed and instagrammable trip through the American Southwest.