Greatest Bryce Canyon Tenting Choices (Together with Free Dispersed Campsites) – Bearfoot Idea


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Between climbing, biking, snowshoeing, and an abundance of different outside recreation actions, there are such a lot of issues to do in Bryce Canyon Nationwide Park, making it the right selection on your subsequent journey. There are numerous trails for folks of all ranges and talents to understand the great thing about the hoodoos within the park. It’s a must-visit vacation spot for nationwide park lovers and outside fans.

Perhaps you’re road-tripping round Utah’s Mighty 5 Nationwide Parks and on the lookout for a spot to camp round Bryce Canyon. Fortunately, there are many choices for tenting and sleeping underneath the celebrities close to this park.

This information consists of the very best tenting inside and close to Bryce Canyon Nationwide Park. I cowl official Nationwide Park campgrounds, paid campgrounds exterior the Park, free and dispersed tenting close to Bryce Canyon, and glamping lodging for these on the lookout for slightly further consolation.

Essential Reminder: Because it goes in the entire locations we share, please observe good path etiquette and keep in mind to Depart No Hint. This implies packing out your entire rubbish (together with bathroom paper), being respectful to others, and following the established guidelines.


Greatest Time of 12 months to Camp at Bryce Canyon

Every season gives completely different issues to do in Bryce Canyon Nationwide Park. The most effective time of yr for tenting close to Bryce Canyon and visiting the park actually is dependent upon the expertise you’re trying to have.

Since Bryce Canyon sits at a excessive elevation of round 8,000 ft, climate situations can fluctuate within the fall, winter, and spring. In the event you’re on an enormous highway journey visiting Utah’s Mighty 5 Nationwide Parks, you’ll seemingly discover that the climate in Bryce Canyon is cooler than the opposite Parks in your itinerary.

Chart showing the average temperatures and precipitation levels for each month in Bryce Canyon National Park.Chart showing the average temperatures and precipitation levels for each month in Bryce Canyon National Park.
Common month-to-month temperatures and precipitation ranges in Bryce Canyon

In the event you’re on the lookout for comfy temperatures, dry roads, and higher campsite availability, prime tenting season close to Bryce Canyon goes to be late spring and early fall.

As you strategy late October, put together for temperatures to begin dipping under freezing at night time and keep heat with these important fall tenting suggestions. The coldest and snowiest months of the yr are December, January, and February – a ravishing time to go to, however possibly not the very best time to camp.

I’d say if you’re sleeping inside a camper van or a truck camper, tenting in winter continues to be potential. Nonetheless, it’s worthwhile to be ready for muddy, inaccessible roads, and I’d additionally advocate having the right restoration gear if you’re attempting to get off the crushed path.

I wouldn’t advocate tent tenting close to Bryce Canyon in winter except you might have expertise and a need to camp within the snow. Comply with these suggestions for staying heat whereas cold-weather tenting for those who resolve to attempt it.

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In March and April, spring snowstorms can even happen, however as late spring arrives, it turns into a really good time of yr to camp on this space whether or not you’re sleeping in a tent or a camper. The warmest time of yr to camp close to Bryce Canyon is between June and September the place the highs usually fall within the 70s and 80s, although afternoon thunderstorms are frequent in July and August.

Relying on the place you camp, it’s potential to seek out shade. Additionally there are usually not many bugs or mosquitoes in Bryce Canyon Nationwide Park through the summer season (or any season), however you possibly can pack insect repellent simply to be secure. For a full listing of what to deliver, take a look at my Automobile Tenting Packing Guidelines.


Tenting In Bryce Canyon Nationwide Park

Bryce Canyon Nationwide Park is away from metropolis lights, that means there are clear skies and very best stargazing situations. Relying on the night time, you possibly can see fairly a little bit of the Milky Approach. It’s a excellent vacation spot to deliver your tent or tenting rig to expertise the world’s pure magnificence underneath the night time sky.

Tenting at one of many campgrounds in Bryce Canyon Nationwide Park is a wonderful method to have a assured campsite near the climbing trails. This lets you go away your automobile parked at your campsite whereas using the free shuttle system from mid-April to mid-October.

Red rock hoodoo formations in Bryce Canyon National ParkRed rock hoodoo formations in Bryce Canyon National Park
Tenting inside Bryce Canyon places you closest to the hoodoos within the park

There are two campgrounds within the park: North Campground and Sundown Campground. Each campgrounds are open to tent and RV campers and embody 100 campsites to select from.

If you don’t make a reservation upfront and there can be found campsites on the date you’re visiting, you possibly can reserve a campsite at both campground on a first-come, first-served foundation (although these are uncommon through the busy summer season months).

The payment for each campgrounds covers using the RV dump station close to North Campground. There may be additionally potable water obtainable for campers close to the dump station. The dump station closes for the season when in a single day temperatures fall under freezing within the winter, so if you’re visiting in winter, be sure that to come back ready will the entire ingesting water you want.

Map showing the shuttle stops in Bryce Canyon National ParkMap showing the shuttle stops in Bryce Canyon National Park
The park shuttle stops at each North Campground (14) and Sundown Campground (7)

1. North Campground

  • Reservations: reservations required Might 19-October 6; First-come, first-served tenting from January 1-Might 18
  • Variety of websites: 100
  • Customary web site payment: $30/night time
  • Out there facilities: Flush bathrooms, hearth rings, picnic tables, entry to dump station with potable water
  • Unavailable facilities: Sewer, water, or electrical hook-ups; showers

North Campground in Bryce Canyon Nationwide Park sits throughout the road from the Customer Middle close to the Normal Retailer and Fairyland Loop/Rim Path. There’s a shuttle cease on the Customer Middle to simply get to different trailheads and viewpoints inside the park.

It’s a couple of 10-minute stroll from this campground to the Normal Retailer, which has coin-operated laundry machines, coin-operated bathe services, firewood, groceries, and tenting provides. The Normal Retailer opens for the season on April 1 and closes on the finish of November.

The campground gives shade and solar inside a ponderosa pine forest. To order a spot at North Campground, e book a spot on the Recreation.gov web site.

  • What friends like: Company like how lots of the campsites are within the shade to maintain cool through the sizzling summer season months. Additionally they like how they will stroll to climbing trails from the campground as a result of they will go away their automobile parked on the campsite and keep away from full parking heaps.
  • What friends dislike: Company dislike how the campground is first-come, first-served from January to Might because it provides a layer of stress to the journey. Some friends additionally say the websites are giant however not personal since they’re so shut collectively.
An empty campsite at North Campground in Bryce Canyon National Park. It is a dirt site surrounded by pine trees.An empty campsite at North Campground in Bryce Canyon National Park. It is a dirt site surrounded by pine trees.
A campsite at North Campground in Bryce Canyon Nationwide Park

2. Sundown Campground

  • Reservations: 14-day reservation window from Might 18-October 14; First-come, first-served tenting from April 15-Might 17 and October 15-October 31.
  • Variety of websites: 100
  • Customary web site payment: $30/night time
  • Out there facilities: Flush bathrooms, hearth rings, picnic tables, entry to dump station with potable water
  • Unavailable facilities: Sewer, water, or electrical hook-ups; showers

Sundown Campground sits close to Sundown Level, roughly 1.5 miles south of the Customer Middle. This proximity to Sundown Level makes it handy to catch a sundown there earlier than heading again to your campsite for a campfire. It’s a additional stroll to Sundown Level from North Campground, and the shuttle solely runs till 6:00 p.m. within the spring and fall, which could possibly be too early to catch the sundown (relying on the month).

For hikes exterior of the Bryce Amphitheater, there may be additionally a shuttle cease subsequent to this campground entrance to get across the park. This lets you go away your automobile parked at your campsite.

The views of the ponderosa pine forest and the facilities at Sundown Campground are practically an identical to these supplied at North Campground, although it’s a little bit of a farther haul to the dump station. Sundown Campground can be open a number of weeks longer than North Campground through the fall, with the tenting season ending on October 31.

You may reserve a campsite at Sundown Campground on Recreation.gov.

  • What friends like: Company respect how the campground is quiet, lovely, and clear. They like how there’s a separate sink on the campground for laundry dishes, hair, and even laundry by hand.
  • What friends dislike: Company observe that a few of the RV areas share an RV pad with one other RV, which isn’t indicated on the reservations. Additionally they dislike how each the tent and RV spots are unlevel and too shut to at least one one other.
The Milky Way with stars and clouds over an orange rock formation at Bryce Canyon National Park at night.The Milky Way with stars and clouds over an orange rock formation at Bryce Canyon National Park at night.
The darkish sky in Bryce Canyon makes it a terrific place for stargazing close to your campsite

Free Dispersed Tenting Close to Bryce Canyon

Though it’s good to have a assured spot for the night time together with the facilities of a campground, they are often costly, particularly for those who plan on staying for some time. In case your journey is spontaneous and also you don’t make superior reservations, you additionally may discover that the campgrounds inside Bryce Canyon Nationwide Park are full, leaving dispersed tenting as your solely possibility.

Fortunately, there are lots of choices for dispersed tenting close to Bryce Canyon Nationwide Park, significantly on the Dixie Nationwide Forest land. In the event you resolve to go this route, you possibly can at all times pay to make use of the coin-operated showers, laundry services, and dump station contained in the park.

After I’m touring in my van, I usually use apps and suggestions from mates to seek out these free spots. You may as well take a look at our final information to discovering free campsites to study the sources obtainable to you whereas planning your journey.

Ensure you go away these campsites higher than you discovered them. Additionally, study find out how to poop exterior and go away no hint earlier than you head to your campsite.

Listed here are 5 choices for dispersed tenting close to Bryce Canyon:

1. Closest to the park by the doorway signal (N 37.39332’, W 112.10253’)

When approaching the park on Bryce Canyon Highway, you will notice a flip for a gravel highway on the suitable simply earlier than the park entrance signal for highway 090. It’s free nationwide forest land with numbered campsites, hearth rings, shade, and cell service.

When BFT contributor Kaylin visited Bryce Canyon Nationwide Park in October 2023, she camped there along with her husband for per week. Kaylin thought this space was quiet and clear.

The highway is comparatively simple to drive with some bumps and ruts, and it doesn’t require 4×4 or excessive clearance; nonetheless, it might get fairly muddy within the winter and spring. There are spots in the beginning appropriate for larger rigs. Carry leveling blocks because the campsites are uneven.

A dispersed campsite outside of Bryce Canyon National Park with pine trees. The sky is blue with pink clouds at sunset.A dispersed campsite outside of Bryce Canyon National Park with pine trees. The sky is blue with pink clouds at sunset.
A sundown view from the highest of this dispersed tenting space / Picture Credit score: Kaylin Zittergruen @katekeepswild

2. Tropic Reservoir overlook (N 37.35036’, W 112.14832’)

In case you have 4×4, excessive clearance, and need a spot with epic views, this one is price trying out. This single spot overlooks Tropic Reservoir and has views of mountains and valleys. There’s a hearth ring on the web site and first rate cell service.

Since this spot is excessive and uncovered, it could possibly be harmful in excessive winds or thunderstorms. Relying in your rig’s dimension, you could need to skip this spot. The highway is a slender monitor with low-hanging timber and tight turns.

Tropic Reservoir outside of Bryce Canyon National Park with blue water and pine trees.Tropic Reservoir outside of Bryce Canyon National Park with blue water and pine trees.
Tropic Reservoir exterior of Bryce Canyon

3. Johns Valley Highway (N 37.43540’, W 112.5519’)

To get to this tenting space, drive out of the park by means of Bryce Canyon Metropolis and proceed on UT-63 till it turns into Johns Valley Highway. These spots are 8.4 miles from the Customer Middle in Dixie Nationwide Forest land and embody a stone firepit, cell service, and shade. The realm is simple to entry and doesn’t require 4×4.

4. Toms Greatest Spring Highway (N 37.43411’, W 112.15147’)

This dispersed tenting space is commonly probably the most crowded, relying on the time of yr. It’s off of UT-12 within the Dixie Nationwide Forest land. Though there are crowds, the spots are unfold out, stage, and simple to seek out. There may be good cell service right here, and 4×4 just isn’t required to entry the spots.

5. Losee Canyon Highway (N 37.7685’, W 112.3381’)

Losee Canyon Highway gives easy accessibility to Bryce Canyon whereas additionally providing proximity to a few of the trails in Purple Canyon, together with Losee Canyon Path. Though it’s a bit additional away than Toms Greatest Spring Highway, it’s nonetheless inside 20 minutes of the park. I’ve stayed at one of many websites right here earlier than and appreciated the quietness, cleanliness, and vault bathrooms on the trailhead.

Bearfoot Theory founder Kristen Bor in the bed in the back of her Sprinter camper van parked near Bryce Canyon National ParkBearfoot Theory founder Kristen Bor in the bed in the back of her Sprinter camper van parked near Bryce Canyon National Park
Tenting off of Losee Canyon Highway in my Sprinter Van
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Paid Campgrounds Close to Bryce Canyon Nationwide Park

Though the paid campgrounds close to Bryce Canyon are usually costly, a lot of them usually have facilities you’ll not discover within the nationwide park campgrounds or at dispersed campsites.

There are an abundance of campgrounds close to Bryce Canyon, however listed here are a number of to spotlight:

1. Ruby’s Inn RV Park & Campground

Along with lodging, Ruby’s Inn Campground has 250 campsites for tents and rigs of all sizes. All RV and camper websites have electrical and water, or you possibly can pay further for full hook-ups.

With actions together with purchasing, horse rides, and swimming within the campground pool, this is a wonderful campground for households tenting with children.

Facilities embody restrooms, bathe services, dump stations, hearth pits, and a laundromat. The free nationwide park shuttle additionally stops right here.

  • What friends like: Company remark that they respect the proximity of Ruby’s Inn to the park entrance. Additionally they like how it’s a “one-stop-shop” campground with eating places and purchasing.
  • What friends dislike: Company want there have been grill grates over the fireplace pits to make outside cooking simpler. Some friends say that the areas are very shut to one another and lack privateness.
The Ruby's Inn logo on the outside of the Ruby's Inn stone building.The Ruby's Inn logo on the outside of the Ruby's Inn stone building.
The surface of Ruby’s Inn in Bryce Canyon Metropolis

2. King’s Creek Campground

If you would like a less expensive personal campground with fewer facilities, take a look at Kings Creek Campground. This campground is 12 miles from Bryce Canyon Nationwide Park and sits on the west aspect of Tropic Reservoir.

It’s excellent for guests who get pleasure from boating, canoeing, fishing, climbing, mountain biking, and ATV trails. Facilities embody campfire rings, a dump station, flush bathrooms, grills, lake entry, and picnic tables.

  • What friends like: Company respect the friendliness of the camp hosts, campground cleanliness, and grill stations. Additionally they just like the proximity of the campground to ATV trails and a lake with boating choices.
  • What friends dislike: In accordance with latest evaluations, King’s Creek Campground not has water for the foreseeable future. Company additionally observe that the 7-mile washboard highway resulting in this campground is extraordinarily dusty.

3. Purple Canyon Campground

Alongside UT-12, Purple Canyon Campground sits inside the ponderosa pine and amongst limestone formations just like these present in Bryce Canyon Nationwide Park.

This paid nationwide forest campground options 37 campsites with picnic tables and hearth pits. It gives handy entry to trails for climbing, mountain biking, and highway biking. I’ve stayed right here and appreciated this handy path entry. It’s proper on the Golden Wall Path Loop, which is a tremendous dog-friendly hike in Purple Canyon (with very related landscapes to these in Bryce Canyon).

Me climbing on the Golden Wall Path, accessed from the Purple Canyon Campground

There may be ingesting water, flush and vault bathrooms, showers, and a dump station. In contrast to the opposite campgrounds talked about above, this campground doesn’t provide reservations and is simply obtainable on a first-come, first-served foundation. The campground operates from Might 5-October 9. 

There are not any hook-ups obtainable. The campground can accommodate RVs as much as 45 ft in size.

  • What friends like: Company benefit from the pleasant hosts, views of the rock formations, and cleanliness of the loos. Additionally they respect how the campsites are unfold out to allow them to have extra privateness.
  • What friends dislike: Company dislike how the showers are usually not complementary and require quarters to make use of with no change machines close by. Additionally they dislike how the campground is first-come, first-serve, as this makes it troublesome to safe a spot throughout fashionable summer season months.
A white camper driving along the highway near Bryce Canyon National Park with red rock formations on both sides.A white camper driving along the highway near Bryce Canyon National Park with red rock formations on both sides.
An RV driving alongside the freeway close to Bryce Canyon Nationwide Park

Greatest Glamping close to Bryce Canyon

Tenting in Bryce Canyon doesn’t essentially imply roughing it or staying in a conventional campsite. If you wish to camp in luxurious, take into account one of many two glamping choices under.

1. Bryce Glamp and Camp

What number of alternatives do you get to remain in a luxurious dome? At Bryce Glamp and Camp, you possibly can keep in a one-of-a-kind escape to admire nature in consolation.

The domes characteristic air-con and warmth, wifi, TV, kitchen with fridge, microwave, espresso maker, electrical hearth, and desk. Plus, you get a personal toilet with a walk-in bathe together with your personal outside space with a picnic desk, chairs, grill, and fuel firepit.

The ability additionally options an 18-hole disc golf course, volleyball nets, horseshoes, cornhole, climbing path, and stargazing pad.

  • What friends like: Company commented that they respect the facilities, communication, and stage of service that this enterprise supplies. Additionally they observe that the beds are comfy, and the views of the night time sky from the domes are exceptional.
  • What friends dislike: The one draw back that friends talked about was staying right here throughout cooler climate. The chilly temperatures make it troublesome to take full benefit of the entire facilities like volleyball and dis golf, and there’s a lot of mud through the winter and spring from snow and rain.
One of many domes at Bryce Camp and Glamp (Picture credit score: Bryce Camp and Glamp)

2. Underneath Canvas Bryce Canyon

In the event you need an opulent tent glamping expertise, take a look at Underneath Canvas Bryce Canyon. Their tents embody king-size beds, an ensuite toilet, and a personal outside lounge house. Solely quarter-hour from the doorway to Bryce Canyon, it’s handy to the entire actions in Bryce Canyon.

Underneath Canvas gives on-site eating, nightly campfires, and different actions to maintain you entertained throughout your keep.

  • What friends like: Company benefit from the pleasant employees who exit of their method to cater to your wants. Additionally they say the beds are extraordinarily comfy and tents are fantastically appointed. Additionally they love the meals choices and the full-bar.
  • What friends dislike: Some friends have commented that the meals just isn’t included and is dear. The menu additionally doesn’t cater to these with dietary restrictions. Some folks complained that the tents acquired chilly in a single day.
Stargazer tent at Under Canvas Bryce CanyonStargazer tent at Under Canvas Bryce Canyon
Stargazer Tent (Picture: Underneath Canvas Bryce Canyon)

Different Bryce Canyon Lodging Choices

In the event you change your thoughts about tenting or expertise dangerous climate throughout your journey to Bryce Canyon Nationwide Park, there are many choices for lodges and lodging. There are resort chains, regionally run choices, and cabins.

Do you know there may be even a lodge inside the park? The Lodge at Bryce Canyon is an iconic, historic construction. Together with its surrounding motels, it gives 114 rooms together with lodge suites, motel rooms, and cabins. It’s a brief stroll from the Bryce Amphitheater and sits alongside the 5-mile paved shared-use path that runs by means of the park.

To keep up the peace and historical past of The Lodge, there are not any in-room TVs, wifi, or air-con obtainable to friends. Facilities inside the rooms embody a espresso maker, hair dryer, mini fridge, and moveable followers. There’s a reward store at The Lodge and a eating room open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

The principle lodge suites and motel rooms could be reserved from April 1-November 1. The cabins function from April 30-November 1.

The Lodge at Bryce Canyon National Park with snow on the ground and green pine trees.The Lodge at Bryce Canyon National Park with snow on the ground and green pine trees.
The Lodge in Bryce Canyon Nationwide Park

In the event you’re road-tripping by means of Utah, take a look at these different must-see locations:

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The place do you prefer to go tenting close to Bryce Canyon Nationwide Park? Did we go away any spots off of this listing? Depart a remark under!



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