Bryce Canyon National Park Public Health Update

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Bryce Canyon Offers Full Park Access with COVID-19 Precautions in Place

The National Park Service (NPS) is working service-wide with federal, state, and local public health authorities to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic. Please read below for more information on current park operations.

Federal Mask Mandate

Consistent with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s July 27 announcement regarding updated Interim Public Health Recommendations for Fully Vaccinated People, federal agencies in counties with High or Substantial transmission rates must require all staff and visitors to wear masks indoors. Bryce Canyon (Garfield County) is currently in High transmission and masks are required inside all park buildings.

Please note that masks are also still required for all passengers on the free park shuttle.

Reservations?

No reservations or advanced tickets are required to enter this park or to ride the free park shuttle. Visit our fees and passes page for more information on on admission prices.

 

Current Park Information

Check the Alerts page for temporary closures, which will not be reflected below.

Current Access to the Park

No reservations are required for park entry or shuttle use.

Key Areas and Services that visitors currently have access to:

• All regularly open roads, trails, and viewpoints. Check website alerts section for any deviations. In the backcountry the Agua Canyon Connecting Trail remains closed.

• Visitor Center and NHA bookstore: outdoor and indoor operations from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

• In the Bryce Amphitheater area, restrooms are available at Sunset Point (24 hrs), Inspiration Point (24 hrs), the Bryce Lodge (7 a.m. to 9 p.m.) and the Visitor Center (8 a.m. to 8 p.m.)

• Along the southern Scenic Drive, restrooms are available at Farview and Rainbow Points (24 hrs)

• North Campground is open for first-come-first-serve-camping. Sunset Campground is open for reservation-based camping.

• Backcountry camping permits are available from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Visitor Center

• The Lodge at Bryce Canyon is offering lodging and food services (7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.).

• Fee booths are currently open and collecting fees / inspecting park passes

Ranger Programs

Visit the Ranger Program page or visit the Calendar page for programs, program details, and how to sign up.

Visitation Tips

• Consider buying your park admission in advance by visiting recreation.gov/pass

• Early bird gets the worm: sunrise and early mornings before 10 a.m. are a great time to visit and find less visitors along trails and at popular overlooks.

• Take a scenic drive (when not closed after a snowstorm) to the southern end of the park during the busiest times between 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. and enjoy some of the quieter overlooks and picnic areas. Visitors are encouraged to drive the entire 18-mile scenic drive to Rainbow Point and work their way back to the park entrance so that all overlooks will be on your right-hand (east) side of the road.

• Use the Shared-use Path! By parking at the Additional Visitor Center Parking Lot or the Bryce Canyon City Shuttle Station you can use the park's Shared-use path to access popular viewpoints and trails.

• Be prepared for the weather! Check a current forecast at our Current Conditions page.

• The free park shuttle is the best way to get around the park. See the park's most popular area without worrying where to park by leaving your car at the shuttle station in Bryce Canyon City and boarding the bus.

 

Current Bryce Canyon Operations

Download a Larger Access Map (1.6 MB)

 

Recreate Responsibly

When recreating, park visitors should follow all posted guidance. Park staff will continue to monitor all park functions to ensure that visitors adhere to CDC guidance for mitigating risks associated with the transmission of COVID-19 and take any additional steps necessary to protect public health.

• Keep it with you.
  If you brought it, take it with you. Trash pickup and restroom facilities are limited in many park areas. Follow Leave No Trace principles.
• Know your limits.
  Bryce Canyon National Park has an unfortunately busy search and rescue operation. Many of these incidents could be avoided with visitors planning and making responsible decisions. Winter-like conditions exist in north-facing shaded areas of the park. It is critical to make wise choices to keep our national park rangers and first responders out of harm’s way.

More tips on how to Recreate Responsibly in your national parks