Bryce Canyon National Park Travel Tips

If you are considering taking a trip to Bryce Canyon, rest assured that traveling to Bryce Canyon is an unforgettable experience. No matter when you are planning to go, what you are planning to do, or where you are planning to stay, you will have an incredible time. To make sure that your trip is the best it can be, follow these travel tips and helpful hints. There are so many things that you may not think of while planning your vacation, so following these travel tips for Bryce Canyon will help you to get the most out of your vacation.

Plan Ahead

Planning ahead before you head out for your trip is the best thing you can do to have a stress-free experience. There are tons of tools and resources that will help you to plan your trip to Bryce Canyon. One of the most helpful online tools is the virtual tour function that many websites offer. This tool allows you to know what to expect before you get there. Whether you would like to get a better view of the trails or would like to see your hotel room, you can experience it all from the comfort of your home.

Considering activities and lodging is vital in making your Bryce Canyon trip an unforgettable one. Scrambling at the last minute to find a place to stay or an activity to do can be stressful. Reserve a room and map out your activities ahead of time. This will give you less time worrying and more time making memories.

Planning can also be an important safety measure. By familiarizing yourself with the area you will be less likely to get lost or find yourself in a worrisome situation. For example, if you are planning to hike one of the many trails in Bryce Canyon, having an idea of the trail routes you would like to take ahead of time will take a lot of the guesswork out of the paths you should take and how long your activities will take.

Even if you are not someone who typically has a plan set in place, it is a good idea to at least do minimal research before arriving at Bryce Canyon. Decide what you can’t miss during your trip so you won’t feel as though your vacation is wasted once you get here.

Essential Gear

Now that you have the basics of your trip planned, you will want to start packing your essentials. No matter what activities you want to experience during your trip, you will need the proper gear. For the most part, basic gear covers a lot of things you’ll do during your trip. There are, however, certain activities that will require more specialized materials. Once you have your activities planned you will know exactly what you will need to bring along. Obviously, this extra gear is in addition to the normal items that you would typically travel with such as toiletries, clothing, and personal items.
This is the bare minimum that you will need for most activities. If the most intense thing you are planning to do is a moderate hike or horseback ride, this basic gear should suit your needs during your visit.

  1. Sensible shirts and pants
    The type of shirts and pants will vary based on the season and temperature during your stay.

    Generally, you will want to have clothing that is made of a heavier material that will resist tearing and punctures from rocks or plant life. Leave the lightweight cotton blends for going out to dinner or relaxing.

  2. Proper shoes
    Sandals or heeled shoes will not serve you well in Bryce Canyon. You will want hiking shoes or boots with a tread bottom. You will need your footwear to provide a good grip on the rough terrain and slick rock.

    It is a great idea to break them in before your trip, as well. Many people do not notice that their shoes are too tight until they are a few miles into their adventure.

    Avoid this big mistake by wearing your shoes around for a while before you get to Bryce. Leave the thin, low socks at home. A thick, padded, and comfortable moisture wicking sock is essential to a comfortable hike.

    How your feet feel determines how you feel, so don’t skip over this important tip.

  3. Outerwear
    The outerwear you choose for your trip will be dependent upon the season and temperature during your stay. If you are visiting during the rainy season, a rain repellent jacket is a must.

    If your trip will be during the cold winter months, a warm down coat and other proper outerwear, like gloves and hats, will be necessary. No matter when you visit, you will want to have a light jacket at a minimum as the temperature drops greatly in the evening.

  4. Backpacks
    A backpack will be very important for carrying your gear during all your adventures. This will be where you keep everything from your guide maps to your water, so be sure to have some sort of bag with you when you arrive. Make sure your choice of bag is comfortable on your shoulders and does not rub on bare skin or cause blisters.

    While it’s important to have all your needed gear, you should also be sure not to weigh it down to heavily. The extra energy used to carry useless gear is just not worth it.

  5. First aid kit
    This is another must-have during your stay. Your basic first aid kit will include items that will remedy bothersome, but not life-threatening, ailments. Be sure that if you plan to be adventurous you will endure a few scrapes, cuts, and blisters along the way. Trust us, they will be worth it! To take care of these minor injuries you should have enough of the following items for everyone in your group.

    • Bandages
    • Antiseptic
    • Antibacterial ointment
    • Pain reliever
  6. Sun protection
    Sunburn can ruin a trip faster than anything else. If you’ve experienced sunburn, you know how miserable everything feels with hot, itchy skin. The sun may affect travelers differently in western areas, as well. You will want to have sunscreen with an SPF rating of at least 15 and up to 50 SPF, especially if you burn easily.

    You may also want to invest in UPF clothing if you are visiting in the summer months. The most commonly burned areas are the face and the back of the neck, so bringing along a wide-brimmed hat with a chin strap of some sort and a neckerchief is a terrific idea as well.

Having these things available will help make your trip a successful and enjoyable one. Keep in mind that if you do forget any essentials there are many local stores that will carry your needed items.

Lodging

Lodging is a big part of the planning stage of your trip, but it is by far the most important tip listed. Without a place to stay, your Bryce Canyon trip will be impossible. Luckily, there is a wide variety of lodging option in the Bryce Canyon area. Lodging options include hotels, motels, cabins, campsites and RV parks, to name a few. Everyone likes different accommodations, so weigh your options carefully. If you want to immerse yourself in nature, staying in a tent at a campsite may suit you the best. However, some travelers prefer to live luxuriously between their adventures, in which case a suite would be ideal. Whichever lodging option you choose, you will want to know what you need for your stay and have a good idea of what your lodging option provides.

Visit Bryce Today

When traveling anywhere, especially to somewhere as beautiful as Bryce Canyon, good planning can lead to an amazing experience. These travel tips will help to keep you safe and ensure your vacation is as stress-free as possible. Remember to plan, bring along the right gear, and set up the perfect lodging for your stay. Following these travel tips for Bryce Canyon will make your journey an unforgettable one.