News Release

Standard Ranger Program Schedule Announced at Bryce Canyon National Park

NPS/Brian Roanhorse

News Release Date: February 20, 2020

Contact: Peter Densmore, 4358344744

BRYCE, UT – To better serve our visitors and help partners and staff communicate what ranger programs will be offered at any time of year, Bryce Canyon is transitioning to a standard ranger program schedule. The park will operate under two standard program seasons—a “summer season” schedule that will run from Memorial Day through September 30th, and a “winter season” schedule that will begin October 1st and last until Memorial Day. 

Summer season programs will include daily Geology Talks at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. and daily Rim Walks at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m., all at Sunset Point. Evening Programs will be offered in the Bryce Lodge Auditorium at 8 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday. Astronomy Programs will be offered at the North Campground Amphitheater at 9 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, followed by Telescopes at 10 p.m. at the Visitor Center. 

During the winter season schedule, daily Geology Talks at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. will continue, as will 1 p.m. Rim Walks. Rim Walks will be substituted with Snowshoe Hikes when snowpack permits. Snowshoe hikes are open to children 8 and older. Sign-up at the Visitor Center between 8 a.m. and noon the day of the program. Telescopes will only be offered on Saturday nights when staffing and weather permit. Please check the park website or at the Visitor Center.

Full Moon Hikes will continue to be offered on a lottery-basis year-round, with 4 p.m. lotteries in the Bryce Lodge Auditorium from April – October and in the Visitor Center Theater from November – March. Hikes are open to children age 8 and older. See the park website for information on hiker requirements. 

All outdoor programming remains weather-dependent. Cancellations typically occur for lightning within 8 miles, windchill temperatures below 10°F/-12°C, or for overcast skies on telescope nights.

The park’s beloved annual festivals will also continue in 2020, with the 20th annual Astronomy Festival scheduled from June 17-20 and the 14th annual Geology Festival from July 17-18. 

Visitors are encouraged to check the park’s online schedule at www.nps.gov/brca for more information and for additional or special programming that may be added. Additional information on all ranger programs can be obtained by calling the park’s main information line at [phone].