Bryce Canyon National Park sits at over 8,000 feet elevation on the edge of the Paunsaugunt Plateau, and its campgrounds split into two tiers: sites inside the park boundary with close trailhead access, and a set of developed options in the gateway towns below. Inside the park, North Campground and Sunset Campground are the two main options. Both book through recreation.gov, with reservations opening 6 months out. Sunset Campground runs tent and RV sites; North Campground has a mix and some sites with hookups. Peak dates in spring and fall sell out within days of the booking window opening. Bryce Canyon cabin rentals cover the cabin options on and around the plateau for those who want a roof and a base without competing for tent sites.
Bryce Canyon City sits about 3 miles from the park entrance and has private campgrounds and lodging-adjacent sites that take reservations on shorter windows, often 2-8 weeks out. Tropic is about 7 miles away and sits lower in elevation with a slightly warmer nighttime temperature. Where to find camping near Panguitch covers the dispersed options about 25 miles northwest, which serve as a fallback when park sites and gateway campgrounds are both full.
Elevation means cold nights even in July. A warm sleeping bag matters regardless of the daytime forecast. The park road is open year-round, but snow at the rim is common from October through May.
Compare 2 top campgrounds at a time to find your favorite!
Round 1 of 5
$30 / night
"This campground is located right within the Bryce Canyon National Park."
"The North campground is located inside Bryce Canyon National Park and is first come, first serve only. This is an excellent, clean site to stay if you’re going to spend your day exploring the park."
"Large resort complex just outside the gate to Bryce Canyon National Park. Great sites with full amenities and reasonably priced"
"Amazing location for Bryce Canyon National Park on the road to the park entrance and shuttle into the park available."
"Excellent proximity to Bryce Canyon National Park."
"We could drive all of the dirt roads in our Chevy Trax. Not much of any views where we stayed but lots of trees and privacy. Very close to Bryce Canyon National Park-only 15 minutes away!"
$30 - $100 / night
"Sunset Campground in Bryce Canyon National Park is beautiful and spacious, and is very close to some overlooks and the visitor's center."
"Visited Bryce Canyon National Park in the heat of summer. The campground is located about half way into the park."
"amp; it’s super close to the entrance of Bryce Canyon National Park. Highly recommend this spot!"
"Literally 5 minutes outside of Bryce Canyon National Park. But beware if you come late these spots do fill up. We got here at around 11am and set up before doing the park."
"It’s located 15ish mins from Bryce Canyon National Park and 10 Mins from Red Canyon. Highly recommend!"
"Based on a map posted at the entrance, we followed the road to find a bunch of spots about 20 minutes down the dirt road."
$35 - $70 / night
"Bryce View is a lovely campsite located in the heart of canyon county and perfect stopover location when accessing Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks."
"Very close to Bryce Canyon National Park, which quite honestly, is much more beautiful. Lots of hiking and even horseback riding available. Restrooms are really, really nice."
"I ended up having a late day at Bryce Canyon and needed to find somewhere close to stay around 5:30 pm on a Saturday in season."
"Large meadow camping/turn around at the 2nd junction with FR646 after the main area of pullouts. We chose FR3625 offshoot."
"Had access to 50 and 30 amp, sewer, and water. Make sure you use a pressure monitor as the pressure was strong. They offered firewood for sale and our fire pit was very nice."
"We had a great view from our camp spot and there were nice trails leading out of the park. The staff were very helpful to us, especially as newbies in camping."
"Great place to stay on the way to Bryce Canyon National Park."
"Only a short drive in to Bryce Canyon National Park! Perfect to do some exploring during the day and relax back at camp not too far at night! Can’t wait to go back and bring friends and family!"
GuideQuiet area in Dixie NF. Elevation meant cold nights, even in late May. Deer came around morning & evening. Chose this site based on proximity to both Zion & Bryce. Muddy after precipitation, but dried quickly. Our site was very level.
ScoutMe and my girlfriend are travelling together in rv for 3 weeks, and this is the best campground we have been so far. The campground team is the best. They take care of everything and they are super super nice and caring. Just about 35 minutes from Bryce NP, 50$ for full hookups.
GuideGood over night or base camp for Zion/Bryce National Parks. Friendly staff. With a simple mostly burger restaurant (Red Dirt Cafe). Clean restrooms/showers. We spent three nights in the open style parking with sewer/water/electric area. But it does have sites along the small river. Usually when we arrived back in the park. There was not an attendant at the check in station. And on our first night...had to call to get checked in. We were on site 4. Spacious sites. The biggest concern was the daily winds at 20 to 25 mph winds. Which one camper said is somewhat normal. The WiFi was pretty much worthless at our site. But all in all...would recommend this park for easy access to national parks and right on 89 hwy. And really didn't have the hwy noise because of the ridge between hwy and camp site.
TravelerFire rings already there, if you travel back near the wash, there is a great overlook. A little rough for our 2wd campervan but it was able to get up there.
ScoutThe dogs from the house kept barking until 3 AM. At one point we woke up and one was 20 feet from our tent just barking at us. Couldn’t sleep at all
ScoutThis campsite is great for a quick stop if you’re needing somewhere to sleep and can’t find dispersed camping. Each site is well spaced apart but not far. The sites are mostly level so it’s decent for roof tent camping. We reserved our spot the afternoon of and had a few options to choose from so it wasn’t too busy. It was However extremely windy and we did not get much sleep. But this seems to be circumstantial and not a common occurrence. Overall good experience
GuideAmazing campsites nestled between trees and near pastures. 26 designated sites that are fairly flat with fire rings. We turned off the main road just before entrance to Bryce and found three open spots. We had high clearance vehicle but we saw RVs and regular cars make it in ok. We road bikes into park along great bike path to main park. One of the most convenient and quietest spots we have stayed. Can’t wait to go back!
GuideConvenient location if passing through. Plenty of sites in juniper and pinyon forest which offers privacy. Near road but didn't hear any noise. Cliff front spots with views for days.
TravelerThis is a nice little spot between Zion and Bryce National Parks. The spots are a little tight but the grass and ground are well kept. There is laundry, bathrooms and they even offer fresh eggs!
Bryce Canyon camping options extend beyond the park boundaries, with elevations ranging from 7,000 to 9,000 feet across the region. The high-desert climate creates temperature swings of 30+ degrees between day and night. Camping near Bryce offers access to both the iconic park formations and lesser-known areas in surrounding Dixie National Forest.
Hiking from campsites: North Campground at Bryce Canyon National Park connects directly to trails. "The trails are located close by and offer plenty of opportunity to explore. The facility was clean and the sites were well maintained," notes Chad K., who found the campground perfect for accessing hiking routes.
Winter exploration: North Campground remains open year-round while Sunset closes seasonally. "This place is like a winter wonderland if you come during or after a snowfall. Breathtakingly beautiful," writes Carlisle B. after camping with snow everywhere in winter, adding that bathroom facilities stay warm despite freezing temperatures outside.
Mountain biking: Dispersed camping at Dixie National Forest puts you close to mountain biking trails. "Close to Bryce Canyon and easy access to Thunder Mountain trail loop, awesome moderate mt biking trail," says Jeanie P., who found more secluded camping spots by traveling a mile off the main forest road.
Dark skies for stargazing: Tom's Best Spring Road offers wide-open dispersed camping spaces with minimal light pollution. "Just 12 miles from the crush of people at Bryce Canyon, but a world away... an amazing view of the stars," reports Morgan Y., who found solitude even during busy periods.
Temperature management: Kodachrome Basin State Park's Basin Campground provides sites with varying sun exposure. "Sites are spacious and not on top of one another," notes Avram M., who appreciates the campground's location in a canyon that moderates temperature extremes.
Wildlife viewing: Dave's Hollow in FR 090 dispersed camping areas offers forest settings with wildlife. "Super remote, the location was great not far at all from the entrance to Bryce Canyon NP. Fire pits and lots of trees for shade," mentions Bree S., who spotted deer and birds throughout the camping area.
Site availability timing: During peak season, arrive by mid-afternoon for dispersed camping. "I'd say get here by 4P for a guaranteed spot on the weekend," advises Jeff P. about FR 090, noting that vans started arriving around 5:30-6PM on Fridays.
Fire regulations: Fire restrictions change seasonally and by location. "Due to fire restrictions, you need to drive 1173 or other older interstate dirt roads to find eligible camping areas," explains Kate L., who found camping spots along Great Western Trail where fires were permitted.
Road conditions: Many dispersed camping roads require appropriate vehicles. "The road is dirt and that area doesn't get a lot of rain so things are often dusty," warns Dillon M. about Tom's Best Spring Road, adding that traffic levels can be higher than expected for a dirt road.
Toilet facilities: Most dispersed camping lacks restrooms. "There is a rest area about 2 miles east on the highway so that's where I went to use the restroom," shares Fernando H., who camped at Dixie National Forest while visiting Bryce.
Junior Ranger programs: Access park education programs from campsites. "The junior ranger program was awesome!" says Kelley H. after staying at Sunset Campground, which offered easy access to park programs despite chilly March temperatures.
Playground access: Some private campgrounds offer play areas. "A nice little playground, used pretty regularly by little ones. Lots of space to walk dogs out back," explains R.E. about their stay at Bryce Canyon RV Resort.
Tent placement strategies: At established campgrounds, consider site layout. "The spaces are spread out with plenty of space to roam for the kids," notes Chad K., who appreciated the room for children to explore safely near their campsite at North Campground.
Leveling challenges: Scout sites before committing at North Campground. "Had booked a couple of RV spots. RV spots are pretty exposed & mine was on a hill w/ only one levelish portion (53)," warns Beverly O., who ended up moving to a tent area that worked better for their camper van.
Off-season accessibility: Ruby's Inn RV Park offers full hookups year-round. "We stayed in September and by the middle of the night it was about 20 degrees so bundle up!!" advises Emily, who appreciated the warm showers after freezing nights near Bryce.
Cell service variations: Connectivity differs between campgrounds. "Four bars of AT&T 4G. Ten miles to Bryce Canyon visitor center," reports Tom W. about dispersed camping at FS #117 Rd, noting the reliable signal despite the remote location.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find camping near Bryce Canyon National Park if the park campgrounds are full?
Several excellent alternatives exist when Bryce Canyon's campgrounds fill up. Rubys Inn RV Park and Campground is located just outside the park entrance with full amenities, shuttle service into the park, and reasonable rates. For a quieter experience, Dixie National Forest King Creek Group Site offers a well-shaded area with running water and flush toilets just 10-15 minutes from the park. Dispersed camping options include Tom Best Spring Road, Great Western Trail, and Forest Service Road 117 areas, all within 15-20 minutes of the park. Kodachrome Basin State Park and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument also provide established campgrounds within a short driving distance.
What are the different campgrounds inside Bryce Canyon National Park?
Bryce Canyon National Park offers two primary campgrounds. Sunset Campground is a beautiful and spacious option located conveniently close to popular overlooks and the visitor center. The sites are well-maintained though they offer limited privacy between neighbors. The park also has North Campground, which remains open year-round (though with limited sites in winter). Both campgrounds provide basic amenities including picnic tables, fire rings, and access to restrooms with flush toilets. Neither campground offers hookups for RVs, but there are dump stations available during the warmer months. Reservations are highly recommended during peak season (April-October).
Can you camp at Bryce Canyon year-round?
Yes, camping is available year-round at Bryce Canyon National Park, though with seasonal limitations. North Campground remains open throughout the winter months, but with reduced capacity and only one loop available. Winter camping requires preparation for extreme conditions, as temperatures often drop well below freezing and snowfall is common at the park's 8,000+ foot elevation. Dave's Hollow is another option just outside the park that may be accessible in milder winter conditions. Great Western Trail Dispersed camping areas may be inaccessible during winter due to snow. Both park campgrounds (North and Sunset) are fully operational during the peak season from late spring through early fall.
Are there RV camping options at Bryce Canyon National Park?
Bryce Canyon National Park accommodates RVs at both North and Sunset Campgrounds, though neither offers hookups. For full RV amenities, Bryce Pioneer Village RV Park provides 20/30/50 amp electrical service at each site, though you'll need a 20-foot sewer hose. Their facilities include clean showers with hot water. Another excellent option is Rubys Inn RV Park and Campground, located just outside the park entrance with full hookups and amenities. Both external options are significantly more RV-friendly than in-park camping, with Rubys even offering an LP fill station, convenience store, and laundry facilities. The park's RV dump stations typically operate from April through October.
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