The Best Time to Visit Bryce Canyon National Park

Bryce Canyon is a beautiful place to visit regardless of the season, but depending on your interests and budget, certain times may be the best time for you! Here’s a seasonal breakdown of what's going on in Bryce Canyon National Park and when you should visit!

Bryce Canyon National Park in Summer: May-September

May through September is considered “peak season” at Bryce Canyon National Park. The weather stays consistent in the 60s and 70s, which means conditions are practically ideal for hiking, stargazing, and exploring. Obviously, this means that May through September are the busiest and most crowded months of the year. It’s also the most expensive time of year to visit.

On the plus side, Bryce Canyon National Park is expansive and offers a vast array of activities for the whole family, so the park doesn’t necessarily feel crowded. The Bryce Canyon park rangers offer a full schedule of daily geology talks and nature programs during this time, and the Bryce Shuttle runs on a regular schedule.

List of Events in Bryce Canyon: May to September

May: Bryce Canyon Ultra Marathons

If you’re a runner and you’re looking for a challenge, Bryce Canyon hosts an annual Ultra Marathon throughout the hoodoos. There are actually a few races included in this two-day event, but prequalification is required.

June: Bryce Canyon Annual Astronomy Festival

Brain Sorg / 500px Getty Images

This week-long celebration of Bryce’s Dark Sky Park status draws stargazers and professional astronomers from all over the world! The park offers a full schedule of events for the whole family, and you can enjoy the magic of a constellation tour when the sun goes down!

July: Bryce Canyon Annual Geological Festival

man with a kid buying on a stall Bryce Canyon National Park

For two days in July, you can have the opportunity to learn the complex and fascinating history of the hoodoos! The rock formations at Bryce tell a unique story of their own, and you’ll have the opportunity to explore and ask questions of some of the country’s leading geologists.

May-August: Bryce Canyon Rodeo

cowboy on a bull playing rodeo Image from Flickr by Rupus Reinefjord

Every Wednesday through Saturday evening, Ruby’s Inn at Bryce Canyon City hosts an authentic Western rodeo! If you’re a fan of the Wild West, this is one not to miss. And, if you’re an experienced rider and have always wondered what it would be like to ride a buckin’ bronco, you can actually participate! As an added bonus, there’s usually prize money to be won!

Bryce Canyon National Park in Winter: November-March

by Rabbit75_cav Canva

This is considered the “winter” at Bryce Canyon National Park, and the park remains open throughout the snowy season. Bryce typically sees about 100” of snow per year on average, which means that it sees more snow than any other National Park in Southern Utah!

Even though services and programs inside the park are limited during winter, there are still plenty of things to do. Snowshoeing on the Navajo Loop and Riggs Loop Trails is a popular activity, and cross-country skiing across the Rim Trail provides a breathtaking view of the snowy amphitheater. Temperatures can range from 1-2 degrees Fahrenheit in the evenings and early mornings to the mid-30s in the afternoon.

If you don’t mind the cold weather - or even enjoy it - and that there are fewer activities being offered at this time. Winter might be the season for you to visit Bryce Canyon. You’ll still be able to hike most of the trails, room rates and flights will be less expensive, and the hoodoos might be covered in a blanket of snow.

There aren’t many annual events that happen in winter at Bryce Canyon, but in February you can check out the Annual Winter Festival.

The Winter Festival at Bryce Canyon National Park literally has something for everyone. This three-day event features winter sports clinics, yoga sessions, art classes, geology talks, kids’ activities, and much more!

Bryce Canyon National Park in Spring and Fall: April and October

Steveinmalta from Getty Images

These are probably the best months to visit the park if you’re looking for a quiet, reflective experience with mild weather. In April, temperatures fluctuate from freezing in the mornings to pleasant 50s and 60s in the afternoons, which means that you may be able to catch glimpses of snow-capped hoodoos in the Bryce Amphitheater and have ideal hiking weather by the afternoon. The same can be said in October, although you’ll have the added bonus of seeing the brilliant, vibrant colors of the autumn leaves!

This is considered the shoulder season, so crowds are not at their summer peak or their winter lull and prices are more moderate than the busy season.

Bryce Canyon Temperature

bryce weather temperature

Ready to take the tour? Check out Shaka Guide's Bryce Canyon National Park Tour!

We hope that we’ve given you all the information you need to make the most of your day. Your vacation is extremely important to us so if you have any questions feel free to reach out at aloha@shakaguide.com.

For more detailed information to help you plan, check out our Bryce Canyon Itinerary and Know Before You Go article.