If you’ve ever been to a national park in Utah, chances are you know what magical wonderlands they can be. But many visitors skip right over this lesser-known, but still stunning, park: Bryce Canyon. The thing that really sets this park aside is the trees. A special type of tree grows here in Bryce Canyon that smells faintly of butterscotch – and many visitors have been tempted to take a bite! But there’s so much more than just aromatherapy to make Bryce Canyon worth a visit.
Camping here means being surrounded by ancient Norse mythology, stargazing unlike anything you’ve ever seen, thrilling hiking trails, and more. Here’s your guide to camping in this stunning park.
You can camp inside the park itself, at one of the two campgrounds. The North Campground is a very shady campground with lots of trees. You’ll feel as though you’re setting up your tent in a forest, with a gorgeous canopy of leaves overhead. There are also RV sites at this location, and leashed pets are allowed. The Sunset Campground is very similar, with tent sites and RV sites, but it is only open in the warmer weather, whereas the North Campground is open year-round. This is because Sunset Campground is located in an area where it floods.
The North Campground is a favorite because it is very near to a lot of hiking trails, including the scenic Rim Trail, so you can wake up and step outside into the forested area to take in those gorgeous canyon sunrises. The facilities at either location are limited, so be prepared to walk to showers, laundry, and indoor bathrooms.
While you are camping in Bryce Canyon, you’ll have the chance to explore the scenery with all the many hiking trails around you. Some of the most popular include:
While it’s not quite a hike, we can’t mention the views in Bryce Canyon without urging you to take the quick 18-mile drive from the entrance of the park to Rainbow Point, which is the farthest viewpoint in the park. Most people who visit rarely go out that far with so much else to explore, and that’s a mistake. The view from Rainbow Point is panoramic, stretching out from one end of the horizon to the other in unspoiled beauty. It’s totally worth the drive, and you can also find a few of the lesser-traveled trails like Bristlecone Loop. If you didn’t bring a personal vehicle or you don’t want to drive, there is a shuttle that goes out to Rainbow Point two times every day in the park.
After the sun sets in Bryce Canyon and you’re back at your campsite, don’t just hit the hay! Night time is a gorgeous time in this park. The remoteness of the park, paired with the altitude, make it ideal for stargazing. In fact, astronomers from all over the world come here to view certain celestial landmarks. There is an astronomy program in the park with telescopes available year-round for visitors, so you can easily connect with a park ranger and take in the gorgeous Milky Way. According to their website, the sky is so dark in Bryce Canyon at night that you can see over 7,500 stars, and the Milky Way lights up the entire sky like a sort of nighttime rainbow.
Rangers do lead moon-lit hikes on some of the easier trails at night if you want a unique experience that you can’t get in many other parks. They will provide snowshoes if necessary, and children as young as six are allowed to come along.
Of course, everyone who has gone camping knows to bring their tent, their food, their sleeping bag, dry socks, and so on. But there are a few very important things that you cannot be without in Bryce Canyon.
First, be sure to bring plenty of drinking water. There are places nearby where you can buy more, but the naturally occurring water in the area is not safe to drink, and the campgrounds do not have water sources.
Second, be sure to bring plenty of sunscreen. Because of the way the Canyon is shaped, it’s sort of like being under a magnifying glass for the sun to beam down on. You will get burnt faster here than you would elsewhere.
Third, bring your camera! Bryce Canyon is ideal for photography. The unspoiled views, the remote location, the stunning night sky, and the gorgeous mid-morning light all make for amazing photographs. No matter which of the 13 overlooks you visit, there are dozens of angles to commemorate.
Finally, be sure to bring clothing and shoes that work in several environments. Because of the changes in elevation, the park often experiences very different weather in one area than it does in another. In just a single hike, you can go from summer temperatures to a very chilly atmosphere. You will need very sturdy shoes that offer great traction if you plan to hike the Canyon, and if it’s close to winter at all, bring snowshoes along to keep your feet dry.
Our last tip for camping in Bryce Canyon is to make good use of the visitor’s center. There, you can see exhibits on the local wildlife and geology, as well as a short film about how the Canyon has changed over time.
You don’t have to be lucky enough to be born in Utah to experience the wonder of this state’s beauty. Pack up the car with some camping gear and head to Bryce Canyon for your next family vacation. Freedom National has your back along the way with affordable car insurance that will keep your family safe while you focus on making amazing memories at this national park. Protect your family for your camping trip by checking out our cheap car insurance in Utah here. When you save money with Freedom National, you can put your spare dollars towards visiting one of Utah’s gems at Bryce Canyon National Park.