Bryce Canyon National Park by Month: Weather, What’s Open & When to Go (2026)
Bryce Canyon National Park · every month
Pick a month. Stand on the rim in it.
Average temperatures from NOAA's station at park headquarters, daylight from the sun's math, shuttle, campground and fee dates from the park's own pages. Choose a month and the page changes to what Bryce Canyon is actually like then.
average highaverage lowprecipitationsnowhours across the top = daylight
Bryce Canyon Np Hqrs, Ut Us, 7,890 ft (NOAA 1991-2020 normals, station USC00421008). Tap a column or pick a month below.
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Showing all twelve months. Pick one and the page becomes that month.
Last updated September 3, 2026 How we research
Bryce Canyon sits between 7,890 and 9,115 feet, so the year here is a high-plateau year, not a desert one. From November through March the hoodoos are under snow, the scenic drive closes for plowing at mile marker 3, and only one campground loop stays open. From April the park switches on piece by piece: the shuttle on April 3, the lodge for its April-to-October season, the campgrounds as the snow lets go. By June the days are almost 15 hours long and dry; by July and August the afternoons belong to thunderstorms, 11 and 12 of them a month, and the lots fill by mid-morning.
The chart shows the whole year. Below it, every month has the same five answers: what the weather feels like, how much daylight you get, what is open, how busy it is, and what to do. Two things stay true in every month. Nights freeze from January through May and again from September through October, and the air at this elevation carries about 75 percent of the oxygen you are used to at sea level, so give yourself 24 to 48 hours before anything strenuous.
When does it first snow?
Measurable snow at park headquarters starts in October, when NOAA's normals show about 3 inches and the park's own pages describe occasional snow and frost most mornings. November jumps to nearly 10 inches, and the deep months are December through February at 15 to 20 inches each, with January the biggest at just under 20. Snow keeps falling through March (13 inches) and April (6 inches), and even May averages an inch and a half. Only July through September are snow-free on paper; June shows a trace.
Bryce Canyon National Park in January
January: the snowiest month, hoodoos under twenty inches
Highs sit near freezing, lows drop into the teens, and January averages the most snow of the year on the rim. The amphitheater is red rock under white, and with under ten hours of daylight the park goes quiet by late afternoon.
- 37° / 17°avg high / low
- 9.8 hdaylight, 7:42 am to 5:32 pm
- 1.9 inprecipitation, 20 in snow
What’s open
- The 18-mile scenic drive is usually open, but it closes for an hour to a half-day at mile marker 3 for snow removal. Fairyland Point Road and Paria View Road are closed to vehicles all winter; Fairyland Point is reachable by a 1-mile walk from the entrance area.
- Only North Campground Loop A is open. Sunset Campground and Bryce Canyon Lodge, including lodge dining, are closed until spring.
- Entrance is $35 per vehicle for 7 days and the visitor center is open year-round. Backcountry permits are walk-in only in winter, and ranger programs drop to weekends.
- Roads are cleared quickly, but black ice persists on trails; many hikes are unsafe without traction.
How busy
Light. The quietest stretch of the year.
Best for
- snow on the hoodoos
- solitude
- snowshoeing
What to do
- Snowshoe or cross-country ski on the maintained sections; the ranger snowshoe hikes are the winter signature.
- Walk the rim between Sunrise and Sunset Points with microspikes on, and stop at the viewpoints while the snow is fresh.
- Stargaze. Bryce is a Dark Sky Park and January gives you the longest nights of the year to use it.
Pack
- Microspikes or small crampons: strongly recommended December through April
- Insulated boots and a full layering system for lows in the teens
- A headlamp: sunset is before 5:30
Bryce Canyon National Park in February
February: still deep winter, with an extra hour of light
Nearly as snowy as January and just as cold at night, but daylight stretches past 6 p.m. and the highs edge toward 40. Roads clear quickly after storms; the ice on the trails does not.
- 39° / 18°avg high / low
- 10.8 hdaylight, 7:19 am to 6:06 pm
- 1.7 inprecipitation, 18 in snow
What’s open
- Scenic drive open on plowed days, with brief closures at mile marker 3 during heavy snow. Fairyland Point and Paria View roads stay closed to vehicles.
- North Campground Loop A only. The lodge is closed November through March and there is no shuttle.
- Winter backcountry permits are walk-in only at the visitor center; ranger programs run on weekends.
- The Under-the-Rim Trail is posted at-your-own-risk under deep snow because emergency response is slow.
How busy
Light. Weekends bring a few snowshoe groups; weekdays are close to empty (estimate).
Best for
- skiing and snowshoeing
- quiet
- winter photography
What to do
- Walk in to Fairyland Point: the road is closed to cars, but the point is a 1-mile walk from the entrance area.
- Cross-country ski or snowshoe the maintained sections; a ranger snowshoe hike is the easiest way in.
- Drive the scenic drive to Rainbow Point on a clear day after the plows have been through; check conditions before you leave.
Pack
- Traction devices for black ice on every trail
- Layers for teens at dawn and near-40 by afternoon
- Sunglasses: the high-elevation sun off snow and red rock is intense
Bryce Canyon National Park in March
March: thirteen inches of snow and the first campground loop reopens
Highs climb into the mid-40s and daylight nears twelve hours, but March still averages 13 inches of snow. Freeze-thaw turns trails to ice in the morning and mud by afternoon.
- 46° / 23°avg high / low
- 11.9 hdaylight, 7:41 am to 7:35 pm
- 1.3 inprecipitation, 13 in snow
What’s open
- North Campground Loop B reopens March 25; Loop A is open all year. Sunset Campground and the lodge are still closed.
- Scenic drive open with brief snow-removal closures at mile marker 3; Fairyland Point and Paria View roads remain closed to vehicles.
- No shuttle until April 3, so you drive and park at the viewpoints.
- Traction devices are still recommended on trails through April.
How busy
Light in the park's seasonal pattern; spring-break weekends run busier (estimate).
Best for
- late-season snow
- empty viewpoints
What to do
- Rim walks between the amphitheater viewpoints with microspikes on: Sunset to Sunrise is the easiest stretch.
- Snowshoe early in the month while the base is deep; ask at the visitor center which sections are maintained.
- Use the nearly twelve hours of light for a full scenic drive to Rainbow and Yovimpa Points on a clear day.
Pack
- Microspikes for icy mornings
- Waterproof boots for afternoon mud
- A warm sleeping setup if you camp: nights are in the low 20s
Bryce Canyon National Park in April
April: the shuttle starts, the campgrounds wake up, the snow lingers
Highs in the low 50s, lows still below freezing, and about 6 inches of snow. Thunderstorms are rare, roughly one for the month, daylight passes 13 hours, and the park starts switching on.
- 54° / 29°avg high / low
- 13.1 hdaylight, 6:55 am to 8:02 pm
- 0.8 inprecipitation, 6 in snow
What’s open
- Shuttle service begins April 3, running 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. through May 8.
- Bryce Canyon Lodge opens for its April-to-October season; reserve ahead.
- Sunset Campground opens in spring, weather dependent. The park's own pages have given different opening dates, so check before you count on it. North Campground Loops A and B are open.
- Traction devices are still recommended on shaded trails; freeze-thaw ice is common in early April.
How busy
Moderate in the park's monthly table, still far below summer.
Best for
- shoulder-season quiet
- first shuttle days
What to do
- Walk the Rim Trail between viewpoints as the snow retreats; the paved Sunset-to-Sunrise section is the gentlest start.
- Ride the shuttle loop, about 50 minutes with 15 stops, to scout viewpoints without hunting for parking.
- Drop below the rim on the amphitheater loops only as the ice clears; check trail conditions at the visitor center first.
Pack
- Microspikes for the morning ice
- Layers for a below-freezing dawn and 50s by noon
- Sun protection: the sun at 8,000 feet is strong even when it is cold
Bryce Canyon National Park in May
May: mild days, rare snow, and the park before the crowds
Highs in the low 60s, nights still near freezing, and only an inch and a half of snow. Thunderstorms pick up to about 3, but by late month the hiking is excellent and the lots are not yet full.
- 63° / 37°avg high / low
- 14.2 hdaylight, 6:19 am to 8:29 pm
- 0.9 inprecipitation, 2 in snow
What’s open
- Shuttle hours extend to 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. from May 9.
- North and Sunset Campgrounds are open; reserve on recreation.gov because summer weekends fill.
- Bryce Canyon Lodge and its dining room are open.
- Nights still freeze, so tents and bedding must be rated for sub-freezing temperatures.
How busy
Moderate: fewer visitors than summer, most major facilities operating.
Best for
- hiking
- shoulder-season value
- long evenings
What to do
- Hike the Queen's Garden and Navajo combination loop, the classic route through the amphitheater, before summer's storm clock starts.
- Take Tower Bridge, 3 miles round trip with 760 feet of gain, for hoodoos with fewer people; allow 2 to 3 hours.
- Walk the Fairyland Loop, which Tower Bridge connects to, on a long May evening; sunset is after 8:30.
Pack
- A quart of water for every 1 to 2 hours on trail
- A fleece and a warm jacket for near-freezing nights
- Rain shell for the first afternoon storms
Bryce Canyon National Park in June
June: the driest month and the longest days
Highs in the mid-70s, lows in the mid-40s, under half an inch of precipitation, and nearly 15 hours of daylight. Peak season begins here: June through September carry 60 percent of the year's visits.
- 75° / 45°avg high / low
- 14.7 hdaylight, 6:06 am to 8:50 pm
- 0.5 inprecipitation
What’s open
- Everything is open: shuttle 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., both campgrounds, the lodge and its dining room, and the full scenic drive.
- Campgrounds fill by noon on summer weekends; arrive early or reserve ahead.
- Entrance is $35 per vehicle for 7 days, $30 per motorcycle, $20 per person on foot or bike; children 15 and under are free. The America the Beautiful pass is $80.
- Thunderstorms average about 2 in June, the calmest of the summer months.
How busy
Building toward peak. The park's table calls June moderate, but campgrounds fill on weekends (estimate).
Best for
- long days
- dry weather
- backcountry
What to do
- Go long: the Under-the-Rim Trail runs 23 miles from Bryce Point to Rainbow Point with 8 backcountry campsites. A permit is required.
- Be at Bryce Point or Sunrise Point at first light; sunrise is just after 6 and the lots are empty then.
- Join a ranger program: guided rim walks and geology talks scale up for summer.
Pack
- A sun-protective shirt, a lightweight fleece, and a down jacket, even in June
- A quart of water per 1 to 2 hours of activity
- Sunscreen and sunglasses for the reflection off red rock
Bryce Canyon National Park in July
July: the hottest month, with about 11 thunderstorms in it
Highs reach 80, lows sit in the low 50s, and the swing between noon and dusk is 28 degrees. Afternoon thunderstorms run about 11 days this month, and lightning is the leading cause of injuries in the park.
- 80° / 52°avg high / low
- 14.5 hdaylight, 6:18 am to 8:50 pm
- 1.6 inprecipitation
What’s open
- Shuttle runs 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. every 15 minutes, connecting the visitor center, lodge, campgrounds and the main viewpoints and trailheads.
- Both campgrounds and the lodge are at full capacity; book well ahead or expect to be turned away.
- The park is open 24 hours; entrance stations run in daylight and after-hours entry uses the self-pay kiosk.
- Ranger programs are cancelled when lightning is within 10 miles.
How busy
Heavy. Peak season, with parking full at popular viewpoints.
Best for
- warm days
- stargazing
- every trail open
What to do
- Start hikes early and plan to be done by mid-afternoon; the park's guidance is to finish before the 2 to 3 p.m. storm build.
- Keep to the Rim Trail if clouds are stacking; trails below the rim expose you to lightning on open slopes.
- Stargaze from Inspiration Point after 9 p.m., when twilight fades and the Milky Way comes up. The full-moon hikes are the ranger-led version.
Pack
- A quart of water per 1 to 2 hours, more than you think
- Rain gear and a warm layer for the 50-degree evenings
- A small weather radio and an early alarm
Bryce Canyon National Park in August
August: the wettest month, the busiest month, and 12 storm days
Highs in the upper 70s, lows right at 50, and just under 2 inches of rain, most of it in short afternoon bursts. Thunderstorms occur on about 12 days, the most of any month; they build by 2 or 3 p.m., peak by 4 or 5, and pass quickly.
- 78° / 50°avg high / low
- 13.7 hdaylight, 6:43 am to 8:23 pm
- 1.9 inprecipitation
What’s open
- Shuttle 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. every 15 minutes; a full loop takes about 50 minutes and stops at 15 places including Bryce, Inspiration, Sunrise and Sunset Points.
- Bryce Canyon Lodge, the only lodging inside the park, has 114 rooms and typically books 3 to 6 months out. North and Sunset Campgrounds are $30 a night and take reservations.
- Entrance $35 per vehicle for 7 days; $30 motorcycle; $20 per person; 15 and under free.
- Ranger programs, including astronomy nights, are suspended when lightning is within 10 miles.
How busy
Heaviest of the year. Lots at Sunrise, Sunset and Inspiration Points are scarce by 10 a.m.; campgrounds fill by noon on weekends.
Best for
- warmest nights
- stargazing
- the full shuttle loop
What to do
- Hike by 9 or 10 a.m. and be off exposed ground before 2 p.m. The Rim Trail, 4.7 miles and easy, is the safest August walk.
- Tower Bridge, 3 miles round trip, is less crowded than the main amphitheater trails and takes 2 to 3 hours.
- After 9 p.m., stargaze from Inspiration Point, which sits higher and darker than Sunset or Sunrise Point.
Pack
- At least 3 quarts of water per person for a half-day hike, plus electrolytes
- SPF 50+ sunscreen, a hat, and rain gear in the same bag
- A warm jacket for dawn and evening at 50 degrees
Bryce Canyon National Park in September
September: 70-degree days and a sharp drop in crowds
Highs around 70, lows in the low 40s, and thunderstorms down to about 4 for the month. Most facilities stay open, the lots empty out, and the park's own guidance calls this the ideal month for many visitors.
- 70° / 42°avg high / low
- 12.5 hdaylight, 7:09 am to 7:38 pm
- 1.8 inprecipitation
What’s open
- Shuttle runs 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. through September 20, then shifts to limited weekday service.
- The lodge and both campgrounds remain open, and most facilities run through October 18.
- Nights freeze again from September on; pack and camp for it.
- Entrance $35 per vehicle for 7 days.
How busy
Moderate. Drops significantly from August.
Best for
- fewer crowds
- hiking
- mild weather
What to do
- Run the summer hike list without the storm clock: Fairyland Loop, Peekaboo, the Queen's and Navajo combination.
- Drive the full scenic drive to Rainbow and Yovimpa Points and walk the Bristlecone Loop at the far end.
- Sunrise is after 7 now, so first light at the amphitheater viewpoints no longer means a 5 a.m. alarm.
Pack
- Layers for frost at dawn and 70 by early afternoon
- A quart of water per 1 to 2 hours; the air is still dry
- A headlamp for the earlier sunsets
Bryce Canyon National Park in October
October: aspen color, frost at dawn, and the doors closing on the 18th
Highs in the upper 50s, lows just below freezing, and the first measurable snow at about 3 inches. Fall color shows in the aspen groves, mornings start with frost, and a few roads can close briefly during or after storms.
- 58° / 32°avg high / low
- 11.3 hdaylight, 7:35 am to 6:53 pm
- 1.7 inprecipitation, 3 in snow
What’s open
- Shuttle service ends October 18; after September 20 it runs limited weekday hours.
- Sunset Campground closes in mid-October (the park's pages differ by a day, so check the exact date). North Campground stays open.
- Bryce Canyon Lodge's season ends in October and it stays closed through March.
- Rain is notable at about 1.7 inches, and roads may close briefly around storms.
How busy
Moderate early in the month, then a sharp drop after mid-October.
Best for
- fall color
- quiet
- crisp hiking
What to do
- Look for the aspens turning in the groves along the scenic drive.
- Ride the shuttle one last time before it stops for the year, or walk the rim on a quiet frosty morning.
- Stop at Natural Bridge on the scenic drive while the road is still fully open.
Pack
- Traction for the first icy mornings
- Layers for below-freezing dawns
- A backup plan for a road that closes after a storm
Bryce Canyon National Park in November
November: the lodge closes, the snow comes back
Highs in the mid-40s, lows in the low 20s, and nearly 10 inches of snow. The park shifts to its winter footing: no shuttle, no lodge, one campground loop, and sunset before 5:20.
- 46° / 23°avg high / low
- 10.2 hdaylight, 7:08 am to 5:19 pm
- 1.3 inprecipitation, 10 in snow
What’s open
- Bryce Canyon Lodge is closed November through March; Ruby's Inn in Bryce Canyon City is the closest year-round lodging outside the park.
- Only North Campground Loop A stays open. Fairyland Point and Paria View roads close to vehicles for the winter.
- The visitor center is open year-round; backcountry permits switch to walk-in only and ranger programs drop to weekends.
- Traction devices are strongly recommended on trails after snow; black ice persists even after the roads are cleared.
How busy
Light. Visitation drops sharply after mid-October.
Best for
- first snow
- solitude
What to do
- Catch the first real snow on the hoodoos from Bryce Point and Sunrise Point.
- Walk the 1 mile in to Fairyland Point once the road gate closes.
- Drive the scenic drive on a clear day between storms; it closes briefly at mile marker 3 for plowing.
Pack
- Microspikes
- Insulated boots and a warm hat
- A headlamp for a sunset that comes before 5:20
Bryce Canyon National Park in December
December: fifteen inches of snow and the shortest days
Highs near freezing, lows around 17, and about 15 inches of snow. Daylight is under ten hours and the sun is down before 5:15, which leaves the longest nights of the year for a Dark Sky Park.
- 37° / 17°avg high / low
- 9.6 hdaylight, 7:36 am to 5:11 pm
- 1.3 inprecipitation, 15 in snow
What’s open
- Scenic drive open when plowed, with closures of an hour or two at mile marker 3 during heavy snow. Fairyland Point and Paria View roads are closed to vehicles.
- North Campground Loop A only; Sunset Campground and the lodge are closed.
- Entrance is $35 per vehicle for 7 days year-round; the entrance checkpoint and main rim viewpoints stay accessible.
- Ranger programs run on weekends; backcountry permits are walk-in only.
How busy
Light. The holiday week is the exception (estimate).
Best for
- snow
- solitude
- dark skies
What to do
- Snowshoe or cross-country ski the maintained sections, ideally on a ranger-led snowshoe hike.
- Walk the rim from Sunset to Sunrise Point in the snow with traction on.
- Stay for the stars: December's nights are the longest of the year.
Pack
- Full winter kit for lows around 17
- Microspikes or small crampons
- Thermos and hand warmers
Which month is yours?
Questions people ask about Bryce Canyon’s seasons
What is the best month to visit Bryce Canyon?
May, June and September balance good weather, manageable crowds and open facilities. May and September have mild highs of 63 to 70, rare snow and fewer visitors. June is warmer at about 75 with everything open but approaching peak season. July and August are the hottest and most crowded months and carry the thunderstorm peak.
When is the best time to visit Bryce Canyon to avoid crowds?
September, when crowds drop significantly from August but the shuttle, lodge and both campgrounds are still running, or after mid-October when visitation falls sharply. June through September account for 60 percent of annual visits, and in July and August the lots at Sunrise, Sunset and Inspiration Points are scarce by 10 a.m.
Does it snow in Bryce Canyon?
Yes, a lot. NOAA normals for park headquarters show about 3 inches in October, 10 in November, 15 in December, 20 in January, 18 in February, 13 in March, 6 in April and an inch and a half in May. Only July through September are snow-free on average.
Is Bryce Canyon open in winter, and are the roads open?
The park is open 365 days a year, 24 hours a day. The scenic drive is typically open but closes for 1 to 2 hours at a time during heavy snow at mile marker 3; Fairyland Point and Paria View roads close to vehicles entirely, though Fairyland Point is a 1-mile walk from the entrance area. Only North Campground Loop A stays open and the lodge is closed November through March. Traction devices are strongly recommended December through April.
How hot is Bryce Canyon in July?
The NOAA average high is 80 and the average low is 52, a 28-degree swing between midday and dusk. July averages about 11 afternoon thunderstorms, so plan hikes to finish by early afternoon.
What are the average temperatures in Bryce Canyon by month?
At the 7,890-foot headquarters station, NOAA normals run from a January high of 37 and low of 17 to a July high of 80 and low of 52. Higher elevations in the park run 10 to 15 degrees colder. Nights freeze from January through May and from September through October.
Every month on this page is built from NOAA 1991-2020 normals for the park headquarters station, the sun's position, and the park's published shuttle, campground, lodge and fee dates, not from a visit. Where the park's own pages disagree on a date, the page says so instead of picking one. Temperatures: Bryce Canyon Np Hqrs, Ut Us, 7,890 ft (NOAA 1991-2020 normals, station USC00421008).
