Campgrounds

Bryce Canyon [1]’s two campgrounds both have water and some pull-through spaces. Reservations are accepted seasonally (877/444-6777, www.recreation.gov [2], May-Sept., $10 reservation fee, $15 per site). Otherwise, try to arrive early for a space during the busy summer season; both campgrounds usually fill by 1 or 2 p.m.

The North Campground is on the left just past the visitor center [3]. The best sites here are just a few yards downhill from the Canyon Rim Trail [4], with easy hiking access to other park trails. The Sunset Campground is about 2.5 miles farther on the right, across the road from Sunset Point [5]. Sunset has campsites accessible to people with disabilities.

Basic groceries, camping supplies, and coin-operated showers and a laundry room are available from mid-April through late September at the General Store, between North Campground and Sunrise Point [5]. During the rest of the year, you can go outside the park to Ruby’s Inn [6] for these services.

The Dixie National Forest has three Forest Service campgrounds in scenic settings among ponderosa pines. They’ll often have room when campgrounds in the park are full. Sites can be reserved at Pine Lake, King Creek, and Red Canyon Campgrounds (877/444-6777, www.recreation.gov [2], $10–12, water available).

The Pine Lake Campground lies at 7,700 feet just east of its namesake lake in a forest of ponderosa pine, spruce, and juniper. Sites are open mid-May through mid-September. From the highway junction north of the park, head northeast 11 miles on Highway 63 (gravel), then turn southeast and go six miles.

King Creek Campground is on the west shore of Tropic Reservoir, which has a boat ramp and fair trout fishing. Sites are at 8,000 feet and are usually open May through late September. From Highway 12, 2.8 miles west of the park turnoff, head seven miles south on the gravel East Fork Sevier River Road.

Red Canyon Campground is just off Highway 12 four miles east of U.S. 89. It’s at 7,400 feet, below brilliantly colored cliffs, and stays open late May through late September. Contact the Powell Ranger District office in Panguitch [7] (435/676-9300) for more information on Kings and Red Canyon Campgrounds. Contact the Escalante Ranger District office in Escalante [8] (435/826-5400) for information on Pine Lake.

A little farther away is beautiful Kodachrome Basin State Park [9] (800/322-3770 or 801/322-3770, www.reserveamerica.com [10], $16 per site). From Bryce [1], take Highway 12 east to Cannonville, then head south to the park.

Private campgrounds in the area are $22 and up per night. The Ruby’s Inn Campground (435/834-5301, open early Apr.–late Oct.) is at the park junction and has spaces for tents ($24) and RVs ($33–39); showers and a laundry room are open all year. They’ve also got a few tepees (starting at $33 per day) and bunkhouse-style cabins ($55 per day, no bedding provided). All of the considerable facilities at Ruby’s are available to camping patrons. Bryce Canyon Pines Campground, four miles west of the park entrance (435/834-5441 or 800/892-7923), has an indoor pool, a game room, groceries, and shaded sites.