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Backcountry hikers descend the Under-the-Rim Trail from Rainbow Point
NPS/Peter Densmore
Overview
Experience the solitude of Bryce's forested backcountry and wilderness areas! To preserve this experience, backcountry camping is permitted only in designated campsites and a backcountry permit must be obtained prior to any overnight trips.
There are 7 campsites on the 22.9 mile (36.9 km) Under-the-Rim Trail. The Under-the-Rim Trail connects Rainbow Point in the south with Bryce Point in the north, following the forested base of the plateau's eastern edge. Hikers typically spend 1 to 2 nights along this route.
There are 3 campsites (and 1 group site) on the 8.6 mile (13.9 km) Riggs Spring Loop Trail. The Riggs Spring Loop Trail starts and ends at Yovimpa Point, at the southern end of the park. Hikers typically spend 1 night along this route.
Both trails are strenuous, with multiple changes in elevation ranging from 6,800 feet (2,073 m) to 9,115 feet (2778 m)
First time visiting?
Please note that most first-time visitors are seeking the iconic scenery of the park's Bryce Amphitheater area. There are only day hikes located in this area, and no overnight camping below the rim. By contrast, Bryce Canyon's backcountry areas are defined more by forest punctuated with views of distant cliffs and features. While also beautiful, we suggest those looking to experience the park's most iconic scenery consider a combination of frontcountry camping and day hikes for their first visit.
Permits and Fees: New Process
Beginning December 1st 2022, overnight visitors to Bryce Canyon’s backcountry areas will be able to reserve permits for peak season trips up to three months in advance using the website Recreation.gov.
Permits for peak season trips occurring March through November will be available online up to three months in advance. Online permit holders are still required to check in at the Visitor Center before departing on their overnight trip to review backcountry regulations, check-out a free bear canister, or have yours inspected.
Permits for winter trips occurring December through February will remain on a walk-in basis, issued up to 48 hours in advance.
Permit pick-up is available at the Visitor Center from 8 a.m. until one hour before the Visitor Center closes. All site reservations are subject to availability.
Overnight stays are limited to a maximum of 14 nights.
Cost is $10/permit + $5/person to obtain a permit. Credit cards accepted.
Permits are required for all overnight backcountry stays.
Trip Planning Information
Please review the information below to help you prepare for your backcountry experience.
Campsites - Camping is permitted in designated sites only; campers must use the established tent pads to set up tents
Bear canisters - Bear canisters on overnight backcountry hikes are required. See more information below.
Pets - Pets are not allowed on any trails or in backcountry areas. You may not bring pets on day hikes or backcountry trips. Pets are restricted to paved walkways and roads in the developed areas of the park.
Hammocks - Hammocks are not permitted. Attaching items to trees (hanging, nailing, anchoring, etc.) is not permitted.
Water - Carry plenty of water and check water availability with a ranger at the Visitor Center before you leave. Backcountry water must be purified.
Hygiene - Wash dishes and bathe at least 100 feet (30 m) from water sources, trails and campsites.
Waste - Dig "catholes" 6 to 8 inches (15 cm) deep at least 200 feet (60 m) away from water, trails and campsites to bury human waste.
Fires - No open fires in the backcountry. Use only pressurized gas stoves for cooking. “Alternative fuel” stoves are not permitted. Please ask the backcountry ranger if you are unsure about your stove. Report any campfire violations to a park ranger.
Safety - Carry a detailed topographic map, compass, extra clothing, food and water, rain gear, hat and sunscreen. Check the weather forecast prior to departure. Always let a friend or family member know your plans.
Travel - Stay on designated trails. Shortcutting trail switchbacks is illegal, dangerous and causes erosion!
Leave No Trace - Pack out all trash and any you find that has been left by others. Pack out toilet paper. and food scraps!
Groups - Backcountry campsites are limited to 6 people per regular site, and 15 people per group site. Three tent pads are available at each backcountry site. Permits are issued for each individual tent pad. The maximum for each tent pad/permit is two people (Six people total per site).
The Under-the-Rim Trail is approximately 22.9 miles (36.9 km) from Bryce Point to Rainbow Point. Connecting trails offer access from the park's Scenic Drive and intersect the Under-the-Rim Trail at Swamp Canyon, Whiteman Bench and Ponderosa Canyon trailheads. Agua Canyon Connector Trail at Ponderosa Point is closed until further notice due to storm damage.
The Riggs Spring Loop is 8.8-mile (14.2 km) beginning and ending at the Rainbow/Yovimpa Point parking lot at the south end of the Scenic Drive. Either the Yovimpa or Rainbow Point trailhead may be used to access this loop.
The Under-the-Rim Trail May Be Broken into Sections as Follows:
Trail Sections
Distance (one-way)
Elevation Change
Agua Canyon T.H. to Rainbow Point
(Trail conditions are challenging to navigate here)
7.9 mi /
12.7 km
1365 ft /
416 m
Whiteman Bench T.H. to Agua Canyon T.H.
(Trail conditions are challenging to navigate here)
7.0 mi /
11.3 km
1460 ft/
445 m
Swamp Canyon T.H. to Whiteman Bench T.H.
3.6 mi /
5.8 km
848 ft /
259 m
Bryce Point to Swamp Canyon T.H.
11.6 mi /
18.7 km
1294 ft /
394 m
TH = Trailhead
Note: Hitchhiking is not allowed in Bryce Canyon National Park.
Backcountry Brochure (The DATUM provided for each site was derived from a handheld GPS unit and does not represent NPS approved information.)
We recommend you carry at least one gallon (4 liters) of water per person per day.
Water sources are unreliable.
Water from backcountry sources must be purified.
Purify water by boiling (10 minutes), filtering, or iodine treatment.
Please check at the Visitor Center for the most current information on water availability. Depending on seasonal variations you find water at the following backcountry locations:
Yellow Creek (near all campsites)
Sheep Creek (near campsite; campsite is closed to campers)
Iron Spring (trail near campsite)*
Riggs Spring (inside log fence area)
Yovimpa Spring (below Yovimpa Pass campsite)
* Note: Water in Iron Spring has substantial sediment and metallic taste
Water Caching
Water caching is permitted. Water must be labeled with your name and the date. Caches are typically placed at the junction of the Under-the-Rim trail and Swamp Canyon Connector.
The Bryce Canyon Shuttle provides optional transportation to and from Sunrise, Sunset, Inspiration, and Bryce Points April - October. It does not serve the southern end of the park. For transportation to the southern end of the park, contact one of our approved Commercial Shuttle providers.
Private vehicles can also be parked at trailheads during your trip. A parking pass will be provided to you when you pick up your permit at the Visitor Center.
Bryce Canyon is home to many animals including mountain lions, coyotes and black bears. Squirrels, snakes and other small animals may also be present near your campsite.
Bear-resistant canisters are required, and available for loan, free of charge, at the Visitor Center
If you have your own bear-resistant canister, you must present it to the backcountry ranger to make sure it meets park requirements (hard-sided and lockable)
Feeding or harassing wildlife in the park is a violation of Federal law (36 CFR 1002.2) and such behavior is subject to fines or other penalties
Due to the presence of black bears within Bryce Canyon National Park, the following regulations and recommendations are also in place:
All food must be prepared and stored in the designated Food Prep Area
Store all food and scented personal items in the bear canister
Do not eat or use scented items in your tent
Do not sleep in the clothes you were wearing when you cooked
Keep bear canisters locked when not tending to them
Hanging food from trees is prohibited
In the summer of 2010, a Black Bear had to be killed because it was conditioned to associate food with humans and began to exhibit aggressive behavior. Feeding wild animals is a form of animal cruelty. Please take your food storage practices seriously.
Bear-resistant canisters are required, and available for loan, free of charge, at the Visitor Center
If you have your own bear-resistant canister, you must present it to the backcountry ranger to make sure it meets park requirements (hard-sided and lockable)
Thru-hikers (Hayduke Trail) traveling and/or staying overnight in Bryce Canyon are still subject to park regulations. If you intend to stay overnight within the park, you will need to stop into the Visitor Center and obtain a permit. Plan ahead and make sure you have the proper bear-resistant canister and camp stove. Campsites fill up during the summer, so do not expect to arrive at any site at your leisure and start setting up camp without first checking in with a backcountry ranger and obtaining a permit.
You may want to consider camping outside the park boundaries if obtaining a permit and complying with park regulations is difficult. The Dixie National Forest has different regulations on dispersed camping. Check their website or call the local USFS Ranger Station for more information.
Water sources within Bryce Canyon National Park can be unreliable and cannot always be
counted on! Please check at the Visitor Center for the most current information on
water availability.
The canyon can be an extreme and unforgiving environment. Make sure you carry enough
water--one gallon per person per day--and make sure you drink it.
Do not drink untreated water. Water in a stream, river or lake may look clean, but it can still be filled with bacteria, viruses, and parasites that can result in waterborne diseases! It is essential that you purify natural water. Purifying water involves filtering to remove large particles, and then treating by boiling or with chemicals to kill organisms such as bacteria, viruses and parasites. Plan ahead and prepare; your safety is your responsibility.
Bryce Canyon National Park has had incidents of cows trespassing inside the park
boundaries and defecating in springs and creeks. Cow defecation is known to have traces of
E. coli and can contaminate water sources in the park. Water from backcountry sources
must be purified.
Water caching is permitted within the park. Water must be labeled with your name and the
date. Caches are typically placed at the following locations. Do not cache anything with an odor or
perishable items. Recommended locations for caching water.
Junction of Under-The-Rim Trail and Whiteman Connector Trail (1 Mile down fromthe Whiteman Bench pullout)
Junction of Under-The-Rim Trail and Swamp Canyon Connecting trail (0.9 Miles down from the Swamp Canyon Overlook pullout)
The first step in the process is to collect the water you will drink. Chose a collection spot
that is on higher elevations or near the water's source, away from established campsites,
and away from animal grazing areas.
The next step in the water purification process is filtration. Filtration by itself does not
purify water. It must be followed by boiling or disinfection to purify water for drinking.
Most water filters are made of a screen with many tiny holes in it. These filters can remove protozoa and some bacteria, but they cannot filter out viruses because viruses are too small.
Filters also remove bigger contaminants like leaves, silt, dirt, and sand. If the water is cloudy or has floating material in it, you should filter it even if you plan to boil or disinfect it.
Be sure to use and care for your filter according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Filters don’t work as well if they aren’t taken care of over time.
The final step is disinfection. This can be done by either boiling, or treating with a disinfectant. This is the most important step. These methods will kill any remaining organisms in the water, especially those that could make you sick.
Boiling:
Boiling is the best way to kill disease-causing organisms, including viruses, bacteria, and
parasites. The high temperature and time spent boiling are very important to effectively kill
the organisms in the water. Boiling will also effectively treat water if it is still cloudy or
murky. Bryce Canyon National Park recommends boiling water for approximately 10
minutes.
Disinfection:
Disinfection happens when a chemical or UV light is added to water to kill bacteria,
viruses, and other potentially harmful organisms. Many factors can impact the
effectiveness of these methods including water temperature, pH, and cloudiness. With
disinfectants, it is important to allow the chemical or UV light enough time to treat the
water and kill the organisms before drinking – this is called contact time.
Chemical Disinfection:
Chemical disinfection involves adding one or more chemicals to your filtered water that
are effective at killing waterborne organisms.
Chemical tablets or liquid drops are the most common ways to disinfect natural water. Iodine or chlorine dioxide are the most frequently used disinfection agents. National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) approved products are recommended.
Follow the manufacturer’s instruction for disinfecting the water. Contact time to disinfect the water varies by product (example: 30 minutes to 4 hours). If the water is cloudy or has floating debris, it will be more effective to pre-filter the water before disinfecting.
WARNING: Do not use pool-cleaning tablets to disinfect drinking water! Poolcleaning
tablets are not intended to be consumed.
WARNING: Consult with your physician before using any disinfection products.
Some tablets or drops, especially iodine, may not be safe for pregnant women,
people with thyroid issues or iodine hypersensitivities, or for user over long periods
of time.
