ST. GEORGE – With around 30 inches of snow on the ground, it may not yet look like spring at Bryce Canyon National Park. Nevertheless, the park is busy with preparations to reopen seasonal facilities, extend hours and resume shuttle service.
No advance reservations are required to enter Bryce Canyon at any time, but park officials encourage planning ahead for the best experience during the park’s centennial year, according to a news release from the National Park Service.
Shuttle Operations
To help reduce parking congestion at popular overlooks and trailheads, the Bryce Canyon Shuttle will begin service on April 7. Unlimited use of the shuttle is free with park admission.
The 2023 shuttle season will run until Oct. 22 with daily service beginning at 8 a.m. Initially, the final bus will depart the park at 6 p.m. every evening. Final bus departures will extend to 8 p.m. from May 12-Sept. 24. Vehicles 23 feet (7 meters) and longer are restricted from parking at Bryce Amphitheater viewpoints during shuttle operating hours.
Campgrounds
Loop A of the North Campground remains open for first-come, first-served camping. It will transition to reservation-based camping May 19-Oct. 7.
Sunset Campground will offer first-come, first-served camping from April 15-Oct. 31. The Sunset Campground Group Site requires a reservation and will be available from May 20-Oct. 15.
Reservations for North Campground and the Sunset Campground Group Site can be made online at recreation.gov or by calling 877-444-6777.
Park concessions
A special announcement for the park’s centennial year is the reopening of the historic service station. Built in 1947 by the Union Pacific’s Utah Parks Company, the service station catered to the post-World War II influx of automobile traffic until it closed in 1988.
On May 1, the service station will reopen and once again provide park visitors with transportation options, this time in the form of e-bike and bicycle rentals. The adjacent Shared-Use Path provides 18 miles of cycling opportunity between Inspiration Point and Red Canyon.
See video below.
On April 1, the Lodge at Bryce Canyon and Sunrise Point General Store will reopen. Click here to make lodging reservations or call Aramark at 855-765-0255.
The historic Lodge Dining Room will serve breakfast from 7-10 a.m., lunch from 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. and dinner from 5-9 p.m. Valhalla Pizzeria is also expected to reopen in May this year.
For those looking to explore below the canyon rim, Canyon Trail Rides will begin providing horse and mule rides as soon as April 1 if weather and trail conditions allow. Click here for booking and additional information or call 435-679-8665.
Centennial events
2023 marks 100 years since Bryce Canyon National Monument was first established, and the park and its partners are inviting the public to enjoy a year of special programs and events.
Events coming up soon include Utah Prairie Dog Day on May 11, a historic photo exhibit April-November and a centennial ceremony and free public concert featuring The Piano Guys on June 8.
Visitor information and current conditions
The Visitor Center and Bookstore is open daily from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Hours will extend to 6 p.m. on March 26 and then to 8 p.m. on May 7.
Those planning a Spring Break visit should anticipate the possibility of ice and snow on park roads and trails. Currently the main road remains open to Bryce Point as the park’s road crew removes snow from miles 3 to 18 of the Southern Scenic Drive to Rainbow Point.
As your 2023 visit to Bryce Canyon approaches, the NPS recommends visiting the park website for conditions, alerts and trip planning information. Send inquiries to the general park e-mail address at [email protected] or call 435-834-5322.