For over twenty years, the Bryce Canyon Shuttle has been providing public transportation to the park's most popular overlooks, amenities and trails. The shuttle travels throughout the iconic Bryce Amphitheater area of the park from April through mid-October, and is the perfect choice for those looking to enjoy both a predictable and convenient visit to the park.
Planning to Hike?
The park shuttle is the perfect transportation option for hikers. It provides convenient access to trailheads for almost all of the park's many day hikes and is especially suited to scenic one-way hikes along the Bryce Amphitheater Rim Trail. By using the shuttle you can easily get off at one viewpoint to begin a one-way walk along the Rim Trail to the next view while enjoying all the scenery inbetween.
You Can Help Reduce Congestion
The number one cause of parking lot congestion is hikers whose cars sit in popular overlook parking lots for multiple hours while they hike. When these parking lots reach capacity, they may be temporarily closed until parking becomes available. By riding the shuttle, you can enjoy your hike, avoid these inconveniences and help reduce congestion throughout the park.
Quick Facts:
The shuttle is free with park admission: Your park entrance receipt or annual pass allows you and the occupants of your vehicle unlimited shuttle access.
Buses typically arrive at each stop every 15 minutes, but with the new Bryce Canyon Shuttle Tracker you can time your next ride to the minute.
The best place to board the shuttle is before you enter the park, at the Shuttle Station in Bryce Canyon City (Stop 1), or at the Visitor Center (Stop 6).
The best place to park your car is at the Shuttle Station in Bryce Canyon City or the Additional Parking lot across from the Visitor Center.
All buses are wheelchair accessible and can accomodate 2 bicycles on a front rack.
Masks are currently required for all shuttle riders. Free masks are available onboard.
2021 Shuttle Schedule
April 2 - May 20
8:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M.
May 21 - September 26
8:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M.
September 27 - October 17
8:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M.
Now You Can Track the Shuttle!
Buses typically come every 15 minutes, but with the new Bryce Canyon Shuttle Tracker you can time your next ride to the minute.
The Bryce Amphitheater shuttle loop. Visitors can board the shuttle at any stop with proof of park admission, which can be purchased before boarding at the Shuttle Station, Ruby's Inn, and Ruby's Inn Campground.
Bryce Canyon Shuttle Stops
The shuttle begins its route at the Shuttle Station north of the park, but can be boarded at any stop with proof of park admission. At the Shuttle Station you can easily park and pay your entrance fee before boarding. The Shuttle brings visitors to the four most iconic viewpoints of Bryce Canyon National Park (Bryce, Inspiration, Sunset, and Sunrise Points) as well as other areas of interest in the park. Route duration is about 50 minutes, not including stops at facilities and overlooks.
Stop 6: Bryce Canyon Visitor Center (recommended parking, see note below)
Talk with a ranger, explore the museum, watch the park film, shop the park bookstore, find restrooms, water, and more. If you're boarding here, be sure to park your car across the street in the Additional Parking Lot. Visitor Center parking is 1 hour.
The first of the park's four most popular views. Enjoy the view and catch another bus to Inspiration Point, or walk 1.5 miles (2.4 km) along the Rim Trail to Inspiration Point (this section of Rim Trail closed in winter). Hikers can also embark on the Peekaboo Loop, Hat Shop Trail, and Under-the-Rim Trail from Bryce Point.
The second of the park's four most popular views. Enjoy the view and catch another bus to Sunset Point, or walk 0.7 miles (1.1 km) along the Rim Trail to Sunset Point.
The third of the park's four most populra views. Enjoy the view and catch another bus to Sunrise Point, or walk a flat and paved 0.5 miles (0.8 km) to Sunrise Point on the Rim Trail. This section of Rim Trail is the park's most accessible trail. Being paved, it also allows for leashed pets. Hikers can also embark on the Navajo Loop, Queen's Navajo Combination Loop, and other hikes.
A 0.2 mile (0.3 km) walk leads from the shuttle stop to Sunrise Point. Enjoy the view and return to shuttle stop to travel to Visitor Center, or walk a flat and paved 0.5 miles (0.8 km) to Sunset Point on the Rim Trail. Hikers can also embark on the Queen's Garden Trail, Queen's Navajo Combination Loop, and other hikes.
Stop 14: Bryce Canyon Visitor Center (Northbound)
Stop 15: Ruby's Campground (Northbound)
Oversize Vehicle Restrictions
Parking Restrictions apply during shuttle hours to vehicles 20 feet (6 m) or longer. These vehicles are restricted from parking in the following areas:
Visitor Center 1-hour Parking Lot
Sunrise Point
Bryce Lodge
Sunset Point
Inspiration Point
Bryce Point
Paria View (all hours, due to parking lot size)
Where to Park?
Vehicles 20 feet (6 m) or longer can be parked at the Additional Parking Lot across from the Visitor Center, the Shuttle Station Parking Lot in Bryce Canyon City, or a park or Ruby's Inn campsite or hotel.
Areas where oversize vehicles are restricted during shuttle hours.
Rainbow Point Shuttle Tour
Cancelled until further notice due to COVID precautions
These details left in-place for future-year planning: During shuttle season Bryce Canyon National Park offers a daily guided tour to Rainbow Point, free of charge, twice daily (at 9:00 AM and 1:30 PM).
Operated by the Bryce Canyon Shuttle, this 3.5 hour round-trip tour covers 40 miles with stops along many of the park's scenic viewpoints.
Reservations are required and can be made in person at the shuttle offices at Ruby's Inn, Ruby's Campground, the Shuttle Parking and Boarding Area, or by calling 435-834-5290. Reservations can be made up to 7 days in advance. Buses will hold up to 40 passengers. Unclaimed spaces will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
Passengers can board at any of six shuttle boarding areas: Ruby's Inn, Ruby's Campground, Shuttle Parking and Boarding Area (across the road from Ruby's Inn), Bryce Canyon Lodge, North Campground and Sunset Campground. Visitors are advised to dress appropriately for the weather and bring lunch, snacks, water, etc.
This tour is also ideal for backpackers wanting to be dropped off at any of the park's backcountry trailheads. If backpackers wish to be picked up following a backcountry hike, it is important that they adhere to the scheduled pickup times and locations.
Commonly Asked Questions
Is the shuttle free?
The park shuttle costs nothing in addition to your park admission.
Do I have to ride the shuttle?
In no area of the park is riding the shuttle mandatory, however it does provide the most predictable way to enjoy the park's most popular area while also helping reduce congestion and both noise and air pollution. Do note that if you're driving a vehicle 20 feet (6 m) or longer, you will not be able to park in certain areas during shuttle hours. If visitors elect to drive their personal vehicles into the park, they will be charged a $35 fee at the entrance station (free for pass holders). Once inside the park, all visitors will have the option of using the shuttle throughout their stay. We ask that visitors who drive into the park leave their car at the Additional Parking Lot across from the Visitor Center when riding the shuttle.
What if I want to camp, or have lodging arrangements within the park?
Camping and lodging fees are separate from park admission fees. Use of the shuttle costs nothing in addition to these.
What if I'm on a commercial bus? Is it necessary for bus passengers to disembark and ride the shuttle?
No, it's not necessary for commercial buses to unload their passengers to ride our shuttle. Commercial buses are allowed at the same viewpoints as shuttle buses, and we appreciate the fact that commercial buses are already doing their part to provide mass transit to park visitors. When appropriate, parking permits are given to buses by entrance station rangers.
