Bryce Canyon National Park - Backcountry Information (U.S. National Park Service)

Backcountry collage, with hoodoos on the left, hummingbird next, flowers next and a buck mule deer on the right. Photos by Ron Warner

BACKCOUNTRY OVERVIEW

Bryce Canyon's backcountry trails offer solitude, forests, meadows, wildlife, wildflowers and interesting geologic features. There are 8 campsites on the 22.9 mile (36.9 km) Under-the-Rim Trail. There are 4 campsites on the 8.8 mile (14.2 km) Riggs Spring Loop Trail. The trails are strenuous, with multiple changes in elevation. Elevations range from 6,800 feet (2,073 m) to 9,115 feet (2778 m).

Permits are required for all overnight stays. Permits may be purchased at the Visitor Center from 8 a.m. until one hour before closing. We do not accept advance reservations via the internet or mail. Reservations may be made up to 48 hours in advance, in person, at the visitor center.

$5 - per permit / 1-2 persons / 7 nights maximum
$10 - per permit / 3-6 persons / 7 nights maximum
$15 - per permit / 7-15 persons (Group sites ONLY) / 7 nights maximum

Camp only at designated campsites. Leave no trace.

There is no shuttle service which serves the backcountry.

Water can be found at Right Fork Yellow Creek, Yellow Creek Groupsite, Yellow Creek, Sheep Creek, Iron Spring, Riggs Spring and Yovimpa Pass. Water must be purified by boiling (10 minutes), filtering or iodine treatment.

Open fires are not permitted. Camp stoves are permitted.

The 10 regular backcountry campsites are limited to a maximum of 6 people per site. The 2 group sites can have up to 15 persons.

Check the Backcountry brochure (PDF-603K) for more information, regulations, and preparedness guidelines.

(The DATUM provided for each site was derived from a handheld GPS unit and does not represent NPS approved information.)

Safety in the Backcountry

As in any "wild" setting the chance of human/animal interaction will increase as more and more people visit wilderness areas to get away from the crowds. These links provide information about recent encounters that have happened in Bryce Canyon in the backcountry camping areas. For up to date information please visit the Information Desk at the Visitor Center.

Black Bear encounter information (Information courtesy of Bryce Canyon Backcountry Rangers/NPS)
Black Bear encounter information (Information courtesy of the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources)

Information about other animals that may be encountered in Bryce Canyon can be viewed here.