Visitor services are expanding their hours at Bryce Canyon National Park in preparation for summer/NPS, Peter Densmore

Operating hours at visitor facilities in Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah are stretching out as winter is coming to a close and peak-season travel soon will be ramping up.

The park visitor center and bookstore currently is open daily from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Hours will be extended to 6 p.m. on Sunday and then to 8 p.m. on Sunday, April 26.

The Bryce Canyon Shuttle begins its summer service on April 10. Riding the shuttle bus is free, but requires payment of the park’s entrance fee. From April 10 until May 7, shuttles will run daily from 8 a.m. until the last bus leaves the park at 6:15 p.m. From May 8 until September 28, the last bus time will extend to 8:10 p.m.

Winding down, from September 29 until the shuttle concludes on October 18, the final bus time will return to 6:15 p.m.

Twice-daily trips at 9 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. to the park’s southern views on the Rainbow Bus Tour will also resume on April 10. This 3½-hour tour is free, but requires reservations, so inquire at the Shuttle Station in Bryce Canyon City or by calling (435) 834-5290. Vehicles over 20 feet in length are restricted from the Bryce Amphitheater parking areas (Sunrise, Sunset, Inspiration, and Bryce Points) during shuttle hours, so be sure to take advantage of this service to see the park’s most iconic areas.

Riding the shuttle is an excellent choice to pair with camping in one of the park’s developed campgrounds. Loop A of North Campground has remained open all winter for first-come-first-serve camping. Additional loops will open as weather permits. Sunset Campground will begin its season on April 15 with first-come-first-serve camping until May 20, when reservation season will last until October 15. Reservations can be made six months in advance at recreation.gov or by calling 877-444-6777. Sunset Campground will return to first-come-first-serve camping on October 16 until it closes for the season on October 31.

Lodging within the park is currently available at the Sunset Lodge. Reservations can be made by visiting brycecanyonforever.com or by calling Forever Resorts at (435) 834-8700. Those looking for trail snacks, groceries, a penny machine, or showers can head over to the General Store at Sunrise Point, which is currently open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. with extended hours later in the season.

Both the Sunrise Lodge and the historic Lodge at Bryce Canyon will open their doors on March 27 at 11 a.m. The Lodge at Bryce Canyon will offer full breakfast, lunch and dinner options for the season from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., and 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Adjacent to the Lodge, Valhalla Pizzeria and Coffee Shop will reopen on Friday, May 22, and provide dining options from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. 

Most trails within the park are currently open. Due to unstable trail conditions, the Navajo Loop and the Rim Trail between Bryce and Inspiration Points remain closed, however. Visitors can still hike the first 0.1 mi/0.16 km of the “Two Bridges” side of the Navajo Loop to Thor’s Hammer, but no further until trail conditions improve.

Construction to address deferred maintenance of the Bryce Canyon Lodge’s parking lot, the Lodge Loop road, and North Campground is scheduled for the 2020 summer season. Be prepared for short-term closures and alternative traffic or parking arrangements.

Ranger programs, including daily geology talks and rim walks as well as evening and astronomy programs will be offered as the season unfolds. Visit nps.gov/brca/planyourvisit/ranger-programs.htm for more information on standard program times and locations. Along with ranger programming, the park’s beloved annual festivals will continue in 2020. The Astronomy Festival is scheduled from June 17 – June 20, and the Geology Festival from July 17 – July 18. Both events will feature guest speakers, special ranger-guided activities, and opportunities for the entire family to enjoy while learning about the unique resources protected within Bryce Canyon National Park.