Bryce Canyon is a giant natural amphitheater crammed full of distinctive geological formations known as hoodoos. These colorful spires look like fairy chimneys, giving an otherworldly appearance to this unusual western desert.

Scenic drives, spine-tingling viewpoints, and wilderness trails are all part of the adventure on a day trip to Bryce Canyon from Las Vegas. Here are some tips on how to plan your visit.

Continue below for more information on Bryce Canyon, one of the coolest day trips from Las Vegas.

How do you get to Bryce Canyon from Las Vegas?

Bryce Canyon is about 265 miles northeast of Las Vegas. The best way to visit is by car or guided tour.

From Las Vegas to Bryce Canyon by car

To get to Bryce Canyon by car, you will mostly be driving north on the I-15. Come off at exit 95 and take the UT-20 east, then the UT-64 south to reach the park entrance.

The journey will take around four hours, so you might like to stop at Zion National Park or the Valley of Fire along the way.

From Las Vegas to Bryce Canyon by bus

It is possible to reach Bryce Canyon using public transport, although the journey is not direct. You will need to take the Greyhound Bus from Las Vegas to Cedar City, and then a taxi to the park entrance.

Guided tour to Bryce Canyon from Las Vegas

If you want a hassle-free day out then opt for a guided day trip to Bryce Canyon where you can sit back and enjoy the ride. Most tours include pick-ups from Las Vegas hotels or a pre-arranged meeting point.

Day trips last up to 15 hours to pack in as much sightseeing as possible. If you want to combine Bryce with other national parks, then multi-day tours are available too.

How much is the entry fee to Bryce Canyon?

Anyone visiting Bryce Canyon needs to buy a recreational use pass, which is valid for seven consecutive days. This can be purchased online or at the entrance gate.

Entrance fees for private vehicles with up to 15 occupants are US$35. Motorcycles cost US$30 each, and pedestrian and bicycle passes are US$20 per person. Under 15s are free.

If you plan on visiting multiple times during your vacation, you might like to consider an annual pass which is priced at US$40.

Guided tours usually include the cost of the pass in the trip price.

What is a common itinerary of a day tour to Bryce Canyon from Las Vegas?

As it takes around four hours to reach Bryce Canyon from Las Vegas, expect the day to be long but rewarding. Pick-ups from hotels and city meeting points will be around 6 AM, with a return to Las Vegas between 8-9 PM.

On arrival at Bryce, you will drive through the canyon, visit the top viewpoints, and go hiking along some of the wilderness trails. A picnic lunch can be enjoyed at a scenic spot.

Day trips to Bryce Canyon include a visit to Zion National Park as the two are close together. Here you will enjoy photo opportunities at world-famous overlooks as well as easy hiking in the beautiful Zion valley.

What types of tours are there to go to Bryce Canyon?

Both small-group and private Bryce Canyon day tours are available from Las Vegas. Transport from your hotel or a pre-agreed departure point is usually provided, in an air-conditioned SUV or mini-coach.

Guided tours to Bryce Canyon and Zion National Park from Las Vegas

Guided small-group jaunts are the cheapest way to visit Bryce and Zion. Numbers are generally limited to around 14 participants to keep the day intimate.

You will enjoy hiking through desert landscapes, seeing iconic rock formations, and stopping at scenic viewpoints for photos. Lunch and water are included.

Private day tour to Bryce Canyon from Las Vegas

You will have your very own guide on a private Bryce Canyon day trip, giving you personal attention and itinerary customization. Travel is by luxury air-conditioned vehicle, and lunch and water are included.

2-day tours to Bryce Canyon, Zion National Park, and other points of interest from Las Vegas

An overnight trip to Bryce Canyon and Zion can be combined with other nearby sights, such as the Valley of Fire, the Grand Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, or Antelope Canyon.

Easy hiking to viewpoints and hotel accommodation comes as standard. Entrance to Bryce and Zion is included but other park fees are extra. This small-group tour has a maximum of 10 passengers to ensure personal service.

2-day private tour to Bryce Canyon, Zion, and Grand Canyon from Las Vegas

Want to see the highlights but fancy a bit of flexibility and independence? Then choose the 2-day private Bryce Canyon tour and explore the western deserts in style.

Take a walk through the “Garden of the Gods” and visit the Human History Museum in Zion, before discovering hoodoos in Bryce Canyon. Then experience the immensity of the Grand Canyon from various rim viewpoints for the tour finale. A minimum of 2 passengers is required.

3-day tour to Bryce Canyon plus Zion, Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, and Antelope Canyon from Las Vegas

This corker of a tour incorporates some of the best natural sights in the west in a short space of time. Sleep under canvas with evening campfires and phenomenal stargazing – equipment, breakfast, and lunch are provided. Lodging upgrades are available.

After exploring Bryce and Zion, head off on a jeep tour in Monument Valley and hike along the Grand Canyon rim. You can take an optional Grand Canyon helicopter tour for a bird’s-eye view.

Add-on trips to Death Valley, Antelope Canyon, and wild west ghost towns are available if you want to extend your visit.

Private 3-day tours are also possible, with options to explore Sedona, Horseshoe Bend, and Lake Powell as well as the parks mentioned above.

7-Day tour to Bryce Canyon with Zion, Monument Valley, Arches, Canyonlands, and Grand Canyon from Las Vegas

For the ultimate parks and canyons adventure, opt for a week-long tour that takes in some of the best landscapes in the American West. Highlights include Arches National Park, Canyonlands, and of course the Grand Canyon.

Enjoy the onslaught of natural beauty as you hike through the wilderness and sleep beneath the stars. You can upgrade from camping to lodging if required.

Take a Navajo-guided jeep tour in Monument Valley, and customize your trip with a Grand Canyon helicopter tour. Most meals are provided.

7-day tour to Bryce Canyon plus Zion, Salt Lake City, the Grand Tetons, and Yellowstone National Park from Las Vegas

Already visited the Grand Canyon? Then why not combine your visit to Bryce and Zion with trips to the Grand Tetons, Salt Lake City, and Yellowstone National Park instead.

Go searching for bison, see water shooting skywards from the Old Faithful geyser, and gaze up at the lofty Teton pinnacles.

This small-group tour offers both camping and lodging accommodation options, as well as most meals. Optional extras include a visit to Yellowstone’s Grizzly Bear and Wolf Discovery Center.

What are the average prices for trips to Bryce Canyon from Las Vegas?

Bryce Canyon day trips range from US$140 to US$360, depending on trip length and group size. Most offer lunch and sometimes breakfast too.

Private day tours to Bryce Canyon cost US$1500 for up to 5 passengers, and include luxury round-trip transport, lunch, and a personal guide.

Multi-day trips that also visit places like Monument Valley, Zion National Park, the Grand Canyon, and Yellowstone start at US$340 for 2 days. Expect to pay from US$500 for 3 days or US$960 for a week. Accommodation options are camping or lodging, with most meals included.

2-day private tours are US$670 per person, while a 3-day trip will cost US$960 each for a group of 6.

What can you see and do in Bryce Canyon?

Bryce Canyon is one of the best adventure playgrounds in the US, with a desert landscape like no other on earth. Here are some of the top viewpoints and formations to watch out for during your visit.

Rainbow Point

This sweeping vista at the southern end of the canyon gives you a great overview of the area, and an appreciation for the vastness of Bryce. A short walk leads to Yovimpa Point where you can see the colorful rock layers famously known as the Grand Staircase.

Inspiration Point

Another jaw-dropping viewpoint, this overlook is perched high above the sea of hoodoos for which Bryce is famed. The layers of white and red make this a very photogenic spot, so keep your camera handy!

Queen’s Garden Trail

Want a closer look at the hoodoos? Then head into the canyon along this easy 1.8-mile trail and hike alongside some mind-boggling rock formations. Apparently, one looks rather like Queen Victoria!

Fairyland Canyon

Just north of the park entrance, this beautiful canyon can be enjoyed from a scenic overlook, or from along a challenging 8-mile trail. If you fancy a day-long hike surrounded by magical landscapes, then this is a good choice.

Bryce Point

No viewpoint in Bryce Canyon is the same, and this one is a real corker. The elevation is higher than the others, giving you an almost aerial view of the thousands of hoodoos standing to attention down in the canyon.

When is Bryce Canyon open over the year?

Bryce Canyon is open 24 hours a day, all year round.

The visitor center opens at 8 AM throughout the year, closing at 8 PM during summer, 6 PM in Spring and Fall, and 4.30 PM through winter.

When is the ideal time to visit Bryce Canyon?

The most popular months to visit Bryce Canyon are between May and September when the weather is warm and the days are long. Hiking is best during mornings and evenings when temperatures are cooler.

During winter, roads are sometimes shut during snowstorms, and hiking is inadvisable in such conditions.

Are there any tours to Bryce Canyon from other cities in the US?

Yes, there are multi-day tours to Bryce Canyon from Los Angeles and Salt Lake City.

Travel tips

Drink plenty of water throughout the day to stay hydrated – it does get hot in the canyon.
Make sure to take sun protection as well as a waterproof jacket, and your camera.
Camping trips usually include equipment rental, but you will need to bring your own towel, and sometimes a sleeping bag.
Book your Bryce Canyon day tour tickets in advance as they are popular and do sell out.
There is limited cell phone reception in the canyon.

Bryce Canyon: Day Trips and Tours from Las Vegas