BRYCE CANYON — With visitation levels often 2 to 3 times that of February, March marks both the beginning of spring and Bryce Canyon National Park’s peak season.
To best serve visitors, facilities are beginning to reopen, hours are extending and shuttle service will soon resume. No advance reservations are required to enter the park, but it is encouraged to plan ahead for the best experience.
Currently, the park’s Visitor Center and Bookstore are open every day from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m., extending to 8 p.m. on Sunday, May 8.
To help reduce parking congestion at the Visitor Center and popular viewpoints, the Bryce Canyon Shuttle will begin service on April 1. Unlimited use of the shuttle is free with park admission. As in past years, vehicles 20 feet and longer remain restricted from parking at Bryce Amphitheater viewpoints during shuttle operating hours.
The 2022 shuttle season will run from April 1 through Oct. 23 with daily service beginning at 8 a.m. The final bus will depart the park at 6 p.m., with extended hours to 8 p.m. from May 14 through Sept. 25.
Those boarding the shuttle outside the park should be prepared to show proof of admission, such as an annual or digital pass. Instructions for purchasing a digital pass will be posted at boarding areas. Purchasing a digital pass in advance can also help visitors save time at park entrance stations.
Riding the shuttle is an excellent option to pair with camping in one of the park’s developed campgrounds. Loop A of North Campground remains open all winter for first-come, first-served camping, and will transition to reservation-based camping from May 27 through Oct. 1. Sunset Campground will offer first-come, first-served camping from April 15 through Oct. 31.
The Sunset Campground group site is open for reservation from May 20 through Oct. 15. Reservations for North Campground and the Sunset Campground Group Site can be made six months in advance at this website or by calling 877-444-6777.
To provide lodging, food, and other amenities, the Lodge at Bryce Canyon and Sunrise Point General Store will reopen on April 1. Lodging reservations can be made by visiting online at this link or by calling Forever Resorts at 877-386-4383.
The historic Lodge Dining Room will serve breakfast from 7-10 a.m., lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., and dinner from 5-9 p.m. Snacks, groceries, a penny machine, showers and other amenities can be found at the Sunrise Point General Store. General Store hours will be 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. with extended hours to 8 p.m. between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
Valhalla Pizzeria is also expected to reopen by early summer this year.
For those looking to explore below the canyon rim, Canyon Trail Rides will begin providing horse and mule rides when weather and trail conditions allow, no later than May 1. Visit this website or call 435-679-8665 for booking and other information.
The National Park Service has recently updated its masking guidance to use the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s new COVID-19 community-level tool, which helps communities decide what prevention steps to take. Depending on COVID-19 community levels, masking will be mandatory in some areas, but not required in others.
Visit Bryce Canyon’s current conditions page for the latest on COVID-19 and park operations.
It is recommended to visit this website for updates, alerts and other important information. Those planning a visit are also welcome to contact the park via social media or to call the park’s main information line at 435-834-5322.
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