Bryce Canyon National Park Begins Modified Shuttle Operations

As part of phased reopening, NPS steadily continues to increase recreational access and services

 

Bryce, UT – Following guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state and local public health authorities, Bryce Canyon National Park has begun modified shuttle services.

 

On June 1, the park began limited shuttle use with robust mitigations for staff and visitor safety. Currently four shuttles are running within the park, providing service at 15-minute intervals to all regular stops in the Bryce Amphitheater and Bryce Canyon City from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.

 

The park shuttle is free to ride with park admission, which can be purchased at the shuttle station and provides entry for you and your vehicle’s passengers. Proof of admission is only required to be shown at stops located outside the park in Bryce Canyon City. Visitors intending to ride the shuttle are encouraged to use the free, all-day parking lot available at the Shuttle Station in Bryce Canyon City to help reduce vehicle congestion within the park. While service to the Bryce Amphitheater has now resumed, Rainbow Point bus tours to southern viewpoints will not be offered at this time.

 

Safety modifications to normal shuttle operations include:

• Shuttle capacity is limited to 20 passengers at a time
• Visitor groups are asked to sit together to encourage distancing between groups
• Free masks and hand sanitizer are available for passengers
• Passenger entry and exit via rear doors only to accommodate plexiglass barriers in place to protect shuttle drivers
• Bus interior surfaces will be disinfected after each hour-long circuit is completed

 

RVs and other vehicles over 20 feet / 6 meters in length are strongly encouraged to park at the shuttle station to use either the shuttle or the Shared-Use hiking and biking path as parking for larger vehicles within the park is limited. Visitors with larger vehicles should expect the possibility of short-term restrictions at popular Bryce Amphitheater parking lots during peak times. Parking these vehicles in the Visitor Center Additional Parking lot and using the Shared-Use-Path is also a great option.

 

Key Areas and Services that visitors currently have access to:

• The main road and all viewpoints to Rainbow Point
• Visitor Center and NHA bookstore: outdoor and indoor operations from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. The theater and museum remain closed, and in accordance with regional public health guidance on group gatherings, indoor visitor occupancy will be limited for retail or restroom access only
• The General Store at Sunrise Point camp store and restrooms are open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., however showers and laundry services will remain closed
• In the Bryce Amphitheater area restrooms are also available at Sunset Point (24 hrs), Inspiration Point (24 hrs)
• Along the southern Scenic Drive, restrooms are available at Farview and Rainbow Points (24 hrs)
• All front-country trails within the park
• Guided horseback rides
• Shuttle service from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

 

While most of the park is now accessible for visitors to enjoy, a return to full operations will continue to be phased. When recreating, the public should follow local area health orders, practice Leave No Trace principles, avoid crowding and avoid high-risk outdoor activities.

 

Here are a few tips for the visiting public to ensure your best experience when visiting Bryce Canyon National Park:

• Visit the park during non-peak hours, either early morning or late afternoon/evening
• The park’s Shared-Use-Path provides a fun way to walk or ride a bicycle from less busy parking lots such as those in Bryce Canyon City and near the Visitor Center to popular park overlooks and the Rim Trail
• Avoid the park’s most popular overlooks at busy times by enjoying views along the Rim Trail, which provides endless vistas between Bryce Amphitheater viewpoints
• Be ready to don your face mask for places such as overlooks, trailheads and trail junctions, shuttle buses, restrooms, the Visitor Center and General Store, and wherever else social distancing may be difficult to maintain.

 

The CDC has offered guidance to help people recreating in parks and open spaces prevent the spread of infectious diseases. We will continue to monitor all park functions to ensure that visitors adhere to CDC guidance for mitigating risks associated with the transmission of COVID-19 and take any additional steps necessary to protect public health.

 

Park rangers are available in real time to answer phone calls and emails during regular business hours for information and trip planning. Call (435) 834-5322 or email the park at [email protected] for assistance. Visitors can also contact the park through its social media pages and find details on current park operations by visiting the park’s public health page.

 

-NPS-

 

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