Bryce Canyon Scenic Drive
Bryce Canyon Scenic Drive
Bryce Canyon Scenic Drive
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- TravelingSoccerLoonSaint Paul, Minnesota5,971 contributionsWorthwhile Drive Filled with Scenic ViewpointsThe Bryce Canyon Scenic Drive is a 19-mile drive that extends past the Bryce Canyon Ampitheater section and includes many beautiful viewpoints. The shuttles don't run along the road past Bryce Point and a car is required. While nothing compares to the stunning views found in the Bryce Canyon Ampitheater between Bryce Point and Sunrise Point, the viewpoints along the scenic drive are still quite beautiful. If time allows, it is worth including in your visit to Bryce. Each observation point offers a unique view but some of the best can be found at Rainbow Point, Yovimpa Point, Ponderosa Canyon and Natural Bridge. It is best to drive all the way to the end to Rainbow Point and then make your way back as all the viewpoints are then on the right side of the road making for easy entrance and exits from the parking lots.Visited June 2023Travelled soloWritten April 26, 2024
- Kevin F1 contributionCanyonlandWe first stopped to view petroglyphs, which alone made trip worth it. We drove out in convoy to this point and one of the other drivers is incredibly knowledgeable about them. The back roads are a bit rough and some of the roads are a bit suspect, but Abby our guide and driver did a great job getting us to some incredible views. Abby was also a delight and very knowledgeable about the area, the plant life and a lot of Trivia regarding the area, see where Thelma and Louise tried to jump the cliff.Visited May 2024Travelled with friendsWritten May 9, 2024
- Tom R6 contributionsDrive all the way if you can instead of just taking their shuttleBryce Canyon is amazing. I'd recommend not just seeing the Ampitheatre (in their own tour) but driving yourself up to the top. Not a scary drive and you get a great variety of views by stopping at some or all of the turnoffs. We though the Natural Bridge and Rainbow Point were standouts.Visited June 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten June 7, 2024
- Kim70 contributionsGreat Way to Experience the ParkIf you're only spending a day here, this drive is a great way to see amazing views of the hoodoos and Bryce Canyon landscape without having to hike. During this drive, we stopped by the Natural Bridge and Rainbow Point per a ranger's recommendation, and were able to see great views of Bryce (as well as take awesome pictures). Would recommend!Visited June 2024Travelled with familyWritten July 2, 2024
- yasemin2kFlorida353 contributionsDefinitely need to make this drive, well worth itYou need to drive all the way to the end and drive back, all the stops will be on your side, no need to cross the traffic. If you have the App for National Parks, you can listen to self guide, it does explain every stop. Well worth the trip.Visited July 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten July 16, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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Robert P
Dunwoody, GA207 contributions
Apr 2021
This is a great way to get an overview of Bryce Canyon NP. The main road travels the entire length of the park with opportunities for multiple stops at overlooks along the way. Clear signs mark each overlook and each one also has a paved parking area. If you don't want to see them all, the top ones in my opinion are Sunrise Point, Sunset Point, Inspiration Point, Bryce Point, Natural Bridge, Rainbow Point, and Yovimpa Point. Depending on what time of day you visit, you may need to wait for a parking spot to open up. It only takes a few minutes to visit each overlook, but some of the overlooks are very popular.
Written April 12, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kevan j
Norman, OK1,503 contributions
Nov 2021
I think most visitors to the park don't take advantage of this beautiful drive.Do it! Be sure to stop at several of the pullouts/overlooks along the way. The road is long enough that the views and the amphitheaters are completely different than at the main amphitheater. My favorite pullout was Natural Bridge Overlook. Rainbow Point at the end is spectacular! One piece of advice when doing this drive...since most of the overlooks are on the East side of the road, the sun will be in your face during the earliest hours of the morning. So mid-morning and later provide better views.
Written November 9, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kevin F
1 contribution
May 2024 • Friends
We first stopped to view petroglyphs, which alone made trip worth it. We drove out in convoy to this point and one of the other drivers is incredibly knowledgeable about them.
The back roads are a bit rough and some of the roads are a bit suspect, but Abby our guide and driver did a great job getting us to some incredible views. Abby was also a delight and very knowledgeable about the area, the plant life and a lot of Trivia regarding the area, see where Thelma and Louise tried to jump the cliff.
The back roads are a bit rough and some of the roads are a bit suspect, but Abby our guide and driver did a great job getting us to some incredible views. Abby was also a delight and very knowledgeable about the area, the plant life and a lot of Trivia regarding the area, see where Thelma and Louise tried to jump the cliff.
Written May 9, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
db7477
Carlsbad, CA3,458 contributions
Sept 2020 • Couples
We stopped at Bryce Canyon on our return drive from Yellowstone to SD. We stayed in Beaver and arrived at Bryce by 10:00. We took in five (5) stops on the Scenic Drive: Bryce Point, Inspiration, Sunrise, Sunset and Fairylands. The amphitheater views from all five stops are breathtaking! We hiked down a bit at Sunset Point just to get a brief up close hoodoo look. We’re absolutely going to return (and hike the Rim Trail + others instead of speeding through).
Written October 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ReadRibbet
1,631 contributions
Jun 2021
The drive is an 18 mile scenic bonanza with many pull off points with room enough for parking while you take your photos. Don't get hung up on the first few views near the entrance. Drive past those and early in the morning you will have the other vistas mostly to yourself. The turnaround point at the end of the drive has restrooms and eating areas. As you head back you can pull off and take in any new views you may have missed.
Written June 17, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
babs12858
Palmerton, PA561 contributions
May 2021
The whole drive is about 20 miles one way and some of the scenic points have an elevation of 8,000 ft. or more. Ponderosa point for example was 8,904. We took the scenic drive all the way to the end and then stopped at all the points on our way back down. Some people hike the trails but we just stopped at the view points which were breathtaking!
Written June 1, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
yasemin2k
Florida353 contributions
Jul 2024 • Couples
You need to drive all the way to the end and drive back, all the stops will be on your side, no need to cross the traffic. If you have the App for National Parks, you can listen to self guide, it does explain every stop. Well worth the trip.
Written July 16, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JanetB20102013
Livingston, NJ191 contributions
Jul 2021
We were surprised at how few cars were on the road for this. Many of the lookouts are unique views that you don't get in the actual park. As they advise, drive all the way south to the end, then come back, b/c then all of the lookouts will be on the right side of the road.
Written July 14, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TravelerCentralFLA
Clermont, FL1,781 contributions
May 2022
The Bryce Canyon Scenic Drive is an 18 mile drive that passes by many of the main lookout points of Bryce Canyon. We drove out to Rainbow Point (elevation over 9,000 feet) and worked our way back down toward the Bryce Canyon Amphitheater. The drive can be steep and winding at times, but the views and pull offs along the way are wonderful. This is a great way to see Bryce Canyon. I highly recommend it.
Written May 28, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The Places Where We Go Podcast
Simi Valley, CA974 contributions
Jun 2020
We capped off our final day in Bryce Canyon National Park with a drive through most of the scenic drive road. There are numerous turn offs available that provide wonderful views and photography opportunities. My favorite stop was at Inspiration Point, which - once you make your way to the very top of that trail (don't cheat), provides perhaps the most remarkable vista in in the National Park. Additional stops along the way include Sunrise and Sunset Points (both are must stops).
Written July 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I'm planning to visit Bryce NP this Thursday 2/20/20. Im traveling with 2 elders and they cant walk long distances, so hiking is a no. Was thinking I can take them on the Scenic Drive. How are the weather conditions? Is the Scenic Drive closed this week? Am I able to drive through the whole scenic route? Thanks in advance!
Written February 17, 2020
Go directly to the official Bryce Canyon National Park Service website for current conditions. The scenic drive is open year round to private vehicles unless it is closed for weather conditions. The rim drops directly away from most of the overlooks along the road and they are not as crowded as the ones closer to the visitor center and lodge. Have one of the elders purchase a golden age parks pass (if they don't already have one) and everyone in the car gets in for their reduced rate. That is true of any other national parks and monuments you may visit on your trip as well. You may also be interested in visiting Red Canyon (free) and its visitor center and rock tunnels just a few miles west on highway 12 in Dixie national forest.
Written February 17, 2020
I am confused. I thought April to September it was shuttle bus thought the park only. Is this a different road through the park?
Written February 3, 2020
I think you are a little confused. There are no auto restrictions in Bryce other than some roads are closed during the winter for safety. These are the spurs out to Fairyland Point (which is a turn-off before the visitor center) and to the Paria view. The shuttle runs on the same roads as auto traffic but only does the rim - from the Visitor Center to Bryce Point). This scenic drive extends another 12 miles or so south along rt. 63, out to Rainbow Point. If you want to look on google maps, this is road that will pass the Swamp Canyon Overlook and the Bryce Natural Bridge.
Are you thinking of Zion? Only shuttles are allowed into the Valley north of the Canyon Junction Bridge there.
Written February 3, 2020
would it be very busy in mid-June? if no parking space in the viewpoints/overlook is available, can we wait? do we have space to wait for parking spots? (if the points is not a trailhead, just a viewpoint or overlook, the turn-over rate should be fast? should be no need to wait long for a parking spot, right?) so can we wait? or we must move on in order to avoid blocking of other cars? thanks
Written March 8, 2019
what will be the estimated time (how many hours) for us to drive through the scenic road and stop at all viewpoints/overlooks to take some pictures? For a better angle of sunlight to take good picture, should visit there in the morning or in the afternoon? thanks
Written March 8, 2019
I have been at Bryce before and in September I just did a stop at the viewpoints/overlooks and took pictures It was a repeat trip, September starts to be a bit towards the low season - not a lot of children as they are back in school As such, finding parking was relatively easy and we could see all within a two hour period
It will take longer in a very busy tourist period and it will take longer if you have not been there before simply because you will want to spend more time just admiring each area.
but 2 hours minimum in an average busy day.
Written March 8, 2019
Does the free shuttle drive the same road you could drive in your own vehicle.?
Written September 9, 2018
Yes.
The free shuttle takes you a series of the most popular viewpoints (and other locations, such as a restaurant or lodge). All of these locations are reachable by private vehicle also.
The primary advantage is that you don't have to worry about parking. On the day we visited (weekday, middle of summer), the popular spots had very full parking lots. We used the shuttle early in the morning, but then parked at some of the same locations later in the day. On a less-busy day, there would be very little incentive to take the shuttle if you prefer driving.
Written September 12, 2018
We'll be staying in the Cedar City/Brian Head area and are wondering if there are any tours of Bryce Canyon National Park originating in Cedar City so I don't have to do all the driving?
Written May 19, 2018
We plan on arriving the afternoon of March 20th and spending maybe two nights in the area. Any sugestions would be greatly appreciated.
Written March 1, 2018
Hi! If you drive there, start your tour of the Scenic Drive by going all the way down to Bryce Point. Explore that, and then visit the different view points on the way back - they will all be on your right hand side. You need two nights in Bryce. On the second day, we recommend hiking dow to the bottom of the canyon. We hiked the Navaho-Queens Garden Trail. Start at Sunset Point and come back at Sunrise Point - thus you avoid a steep ascent. If you stay at Bryce Canyon Lodge (recommended), ask the helpful staff at the reception desk for further suggestions. We loved the sunrise, it's worth getting up early to see!
Written March 4, 2018
We are staying in BC Lodge in mid September. We have a car, do not wish to walk more than 1/2 mile to viewpoint. Where would be a good place to view the sunset ?
Written September 4, 2017
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