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Bryce Canyon National Parkbristlecone pines clinging to life inside Bryce Canyon
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Bryce Canyon National Park
Park Shuttle
Shuttle arriving at a shuttle stop and embarking and disembarking passengers
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Ride With Us!
Bryce Canyon is one of many busy national parks that has a mass transit system to minimize vehicle congestion and the resulting impacts that jeopardize the very things we all treasure about national parks. Although using our shuttle system is NOT mandatory, by riding our buses you will show us that you support our efforts to keep our parking lots from growing any larger, to keep our pure air as clean as possible, and to provide enough room in our little park for everyone to experience the magic of Bryce Canyon.

 
How to use the Shuttle
Using the Bryce Canyon Shuttle is easy and convenient. If you are not staying overnight inside the park at either the Bryce Canyon Lodge or North or Sunset Campground, we strongly encourage you to leave your vehicle outside the park. Please park and board the shuttle at the Shuttle Staging area or at Ruby's Campground.

There is no extra fee to use the shuttle system in the developed area as indicated by the stops listed below. Paying your $25 entrance fee to Bryce Canyon entitles you to unlimited use of the Bryce Canyon Shuttle buses. Annual Passes waive the entrance fee to not only this park but all other National Park Service Areas and other Federal lands that may have fees, across the entire country. If you do not already have one of these annual passes they can be purchased at the entrance to the park.

 

Bryce Canyon Shuttle 2009
The Bryce Canyon Shuttle for 2009 will begin on May 22th and run through September 13th. (Scheduled dates are subject to change as funding is made available). Route duration is about 50 minutes, not including stops at facilities and overlooks. Check here for a special tour.

Bryce Canyon Shuttle Stops/Route Sequence

  1. Shuttle Staging Area
  2. Ruby's Campground
  3. Bryce Canyon Visitor Center
  4. Sunset Point
  5. Sunset Campground
  6. Bryce Point
  7. Inspiration Point
  8. Sunset Campground
  9. Sunset Point
  10. Bryce Canyon Lodge
  11. Sunrise Point (General Store is nearby)
  12. North Campground Trailer Drop-off
  13. Bryce Canyon Visitor Center
  14. Shuttle Staging Area
 

Intervals between shuttle buses for the summer of 2009:

Time Interval
9:00 - 10:00 AM (MDT) 30 minutes
10:00 - 11:00 AM (MDT) 15 minutes
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM (MDT) 13 minutes
5:00 - 6:00 PM (MDT) 15 minutes

The last shuttle leaves Bryce Point at 6:20 PM (MDT), exiting the park.
 
Shuttle bus at staging area
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Shuttle Bus

2009 Rainbow Point Shuttle Tour

This season Bryce Canyon National Park will be offering a daily guided tour to Rainbow Point, free of charge, from now until late September. Operated by the Bryce Canyon Shuttle, this 4 – hour roundtrip tour covers 40 miles with stops along many of the park’s scenic viewpoints. The tour begins at 11:00 AM and ends at 3:00 PM.

Reservations are required and can be made in person at the shuttle offices at Ruby’s Inn, Ruby’s Campground, the Shuttle Parking area building or by calling 435-834-5290 between the hours of 8:30 AM and 5:00 PM. Reservations can be made up to 24 hours in advance. Buses will hold up to 45 passengers and are first-come, first-served.

Passengers can board at any of six shuttle boarding areas: Ruby's Inn, Ruby's Campground, Shuttle Parking area (across the road from Ruby’s Inn), Bryce Canyon Lodge, North Campground and Sunset Campground. There will be approximately eight stops at the scenic viewpoints within the park. Visitors are advised to dress appropriately for the weather and bring lunch, water, etc.

This tour is ideal for backpackers wanting to be dropped off at any of the park’s backcountry trailheads. It is important for backpackers to adhere to the scheduled pickup times and locations since there is only one bus for the return trip.

 

Following are answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about the shuttle:

  • Is a shuttle really needed? During the summer, much of the magic of Bryce Canyon is lost when visitors spend time waiting in lines to enter parking lots, circling parking lots looking for empty spaces, or fighting traffic in congested areas. There is one parking space for every four cars entering the park. Other alternatives considered, such as enlarging parking areas or limiting the number of visitors in the park, have their own negative consequences.
  • Can I get on and off the shuttle at different stops? Yes, but only at designated stops. The shuttle serves the park’s main amphitheater with stops at the Shuttle Staging Area near Ruby’s Inn, Ruby’s Campground, Bryce Canyon Shuttle Building/Parking, Bryce Canyon Visitor Center, Sunset Point, Sunset Campground, Bryce Point, Inspiration Point, Bryce Canyon Lodge, Sunrise Point and North Campground. The buses run every 12-15 minutes.
  • What if I want to drive my personal vehicle into the park? If visitors elect to drive their personal vehicles into the park, they will be charged a $25 fee at the entrance station. Once inside the park, all visitors will have the option of using the shuttle throughout their stay. Park pass holders will be admitted free.
  • What if I want to camp, or have lodging arrangements within the park? You will have to pay the $25 fee in order to drive your vehicle to the Bryce Canyon Lodge or campgrounds, and you will have the option of using the shuttle throughout your stay in the park. You will pay camping fees of $15 at the campground locations. Click here for more information regarding camping.
Main entrance sign with Interpretation staff  

Did You Know?
Bryce Canyon, first designated Bryce Canyon National Monument on June 8, 1923; reached National Park status on September 15, 1928.
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Last Updated: June 05, 2009 at 11:37 EST