While planning your upcoming trip, this Bryce Canyon National Park Map can help you to navigate this geological wonderland. Bryce Canyon is Utah’s second most visited National Park (behind Zion) and has famously stunning sunrises that you have to see to believe. The park encompasses 35,000+ acres, making these Bryce Canyon National park maps an integral part of planning your trip.
Bryce Canyon National Park Map (Official)
Utah’s smallest National Park, Bryce Canyon, is famous for its geological features and amazing sunrises.
The park connects through the Bryce Scenic Drive, this 36-mile road (18 miles each way) takes you on a picturesque drive through Bryce Canyon. Many overlooks along the scenic drive allow visitors to see some of the most beautiful parts of the park. Don’t miss Sunset Point, Inspiration Point, or Swamp Canyon. You can not drive through the park any other way.
Download the Official Bryce Canyon National Park Map PDF (4.1 MB)
Consider a Detailed Topographic Map for Bryce Canyon
If you plan extensive hiking and backpacking in Bryce, I highly recommend getting a professional-grade topographic map from National Geographic.
Every Trails Illustrated map is printed on “Backcountry Tough” waterproof, tear-resistant paper. An entire UTM grid is published on the map to aid GPS navigation.
But, the best way to see the park is by getting out on the trails and being among all the hoodoos.
If you’re looking for some of the most epic views of Bryce’s geological features is the Navajo Loop to Queen Garden. This 3.1-mile loop takes you through the famous switchbacks of Wallstreet and gets you to the most famous hoodoo in the park, the Queen. Look closely, and you can see a royal profile in the hoodoo.
One of the main challenges in Bryce is the crowds. All parking will be packed in the summer months by about 9 am. You’ll want to start earlier than that, particularly if you are hiking. If you want to take in a sunrise, make sure to get there with plenty of time to spare because it’s a popular activity at Bryce Canyon.
Another challenge when visiting Bryce is the weather. The park is located at an altitude of 6500-8900 ft (2000-2700m), which makes the weather unpredictable. Furthermore, since Bryce is at such a high elevation, there are even winter sports like cross-country skiing and snowshoeing during the winter months.
From my personal experience, during my first visit to Bryce, it was +20℃ (68℉) and sunny in the middle of May. By the end of that day, the canyon was covered in about 5 inches of snow. During my last visit in August, the hottest month in Utah, I saw thunderstorms with freezing rain 3-4 times. So you’ll want to be prepared for unexpected weather and dress in layers.
Camping in Bryce Canyon National Park
There are two campgrounds inside Bryce Canyon National Park, Bryce Canyon North Campground and Bryce Canyon Sunset Campground. The campground maps below can help you decide if either is the right choice.
The North Campground is open year-round and first come, first served. If you want to camp here, make sure to get to the campground early. It has a total of 100 campsites which includes 50 RV sites. This campground also includes potable water stations and dump stations but no sewer, water, or electrical hookups.
Sunset Campground is open from May through October and accepts reservations six months in advance. This campsite has about 50 tent sites and 50 RV sites, a dump station, and potable water stations.
Keep in mind that camping at elevation in Bryce Canyon can be pretty cold at night. If you’re worried about elevation, there is also optional camping around Cannonville at a lower elevation.
Bryce Canyon North Campground Map
Located between the Bryce Canyon Visitor Center and the general store. This Bryce Canyon North Campground Map provides the layout of the four loops of campsites. This campground is open year-round and has around 100 campsites.
Download the Bryce Canyon North Campground Map PDF (0.5 MB)
Bryce Canyon Sunset Campground Map
The Sunset Campground is located between Sunset Point and Inspiration Point. The Bryce Canyon Sunset Campground map provides an overview of this two-loop campground. Note that the campground is only open from May through October and does not allow generator use.
Download the Bryce Canyon Sunset Campground Map PDF (0.4 MB)
Bryce Canyon Visitor Center Map
The Bryce Canyon Visitor Center map gives park visitors an overview of the area, including trails, the General Store, restrooms, and shuttle stops. The Visitors Center is a great place to start when visiting Bryce Canyon. While there, you can see the new 24-minute award-winning film, “A Song of Seasons.”
Download the Bryce Canyon Visitor Center Map PDF (2.1 MB)
Bryce Canyon Amphitheater Map
The amphitheater is the main and most breathtaking canyon in the park. The Bryce Canyon Amphitheater map gives an excellent overview of some of the park’s most popular hikes, including the Navajo Loop and Queens Garden (mentioned above).
Download the Bryce Canyon Amphitheater Map PDF (2.6 MB)
Bryce Canyon Trails Map
With 16 hiking trails to trek, the Bryce Canyon Trails map gives hikers a good idea of the proximity of some of the most frequently hiked trails in the park. The map also includes shuttle stops, restrooms, and picnic areas in Bryce.
Download the Bryce Canyon Trails Map PDF (0.6 MB)
Bryce Canyon Grand Staircase Geological Map
The Bryce Canyon Grand Staircase Geological map gives a fascinating view of the park’s topography and geological features. It shows a variety of rock formations in the national park and the surrounding area, including the Zion Valley and the Grand Canyon.
Download the Bryce Canyon Grand Staircase Geological Map PDF (0.9 MB)
The Way to Explore the Bryce Canyon
Since there are so many exciting places to visit in Bryce Canyon, visiting the park for the first time can be overwhelming. After visiting Bryce Canyon numerous times, I would like to share with you a few tips on how you can get the most out of exploring the beautiful park.
- If you only have a couple of hours to spare while visiting Bryce Canyon, drive the 17-mile Road 63 that winds along the rim of the canyon and takes you from one observation point to another. You will see and photograph some of the most iconic spots in the park like the Amphitheater and the Natural Bridge.
- If you have an extra hour after completing the drive along the rim, visit Sunset Point. Take the short Navajo Trail, which takes you all the way down to the bottom of the canyon and back. You will experience the famous switchbacks of Wall Street.
- If you have an extra two to three hours, take a combination of the Navajo and Queen’s Garden trails. This is a 4km loop trail that takes you to the bottom from the Sunset Point. After hiking at the bottom of the canyon, you climb up at Sunrise Point. Then, you can complete the loop by walking from Sunrise Point to Sunset Point along the rim of the canyon. This is one of the most popular trails in the park, so it can be especially crowded in the middle of the day during peak tourist season.
- If you have an entire day to spare at Bryce Canyon, add the Peekaboo Loop Trail to your itinerary. It is a longer and a more demanding hike, but you will get the full experience of Bryce Canyon.
- If you have dedicated multiple days to explore Bryce Canyon, you probably do not need my help. You will have plenty of time to combine multiple trails into your personal and customized itinerary. And, if you are adventurous enough, you can even camp at the bottom of the canyon. Just remember that you will need a permit to camp overnight.
Consider a Detailed Topographic Map for Bryce Canyon
If you plan extensive hiking and backpacking in Bryce, I highly recommend getting a professional-grade topographic map from National Geographic.
Every Trails Illustrated map is printed on “Backcountry Tough” waterproof, tear-resistant paper. An entire UTM grid is published on the map to aid GPS navigation.
What is the Best Time to Visit Bryce Canyon National Park?
Visit Bryce Canyon National Park in the shoulder seasons of April – May, and September – October is a great way to avoid crowds. Summer brings heat, crowds, and unpredictable weather to the park and is not recommended. Keep in mind that some roads may be closed due to inclement weather from October – April.
Bryce Canyon National Park Map | Final Thoughts
Utah hosts 5 national parks. Even though Bryce Canyon is Utah’s smallest park, but it’s also one of the most beloved. You’ll need to use the Bryce Canyon National Park map to help to plan your trip to this fantastic park, and don’t miss hiking at least one trail during your visit!
