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 been steadily increasing recreational access and services and will resume collecting fees this week. The success of this phased reopening has been in large part thanks to the cooperation of the visiting public, which helps the park to take further steps to increase recreational access and services.
Bryce Canyon National Park is pleased to announce further increases in access. “Bryce Canyon is excited to provide more access to this beautiful park. We will continue to do so in a thoughtfully paced approach to ensure the utmost safety for our employees, our visitors and our communities. The spirit of cooperation and a continued focus on safety will help us continue moving forward,” said Superintendent Linda Mazzu.
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
- In the Bryce Amphitheater area, restrooms are 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)
- Trails within the Bryce Amphitheater area (only the Navajo Loop remains closed)
- Mossy Cave parking, restroom, and trail area (this area may temporarily close for short periods due to construction)
- Guided horseback rides
Key Areas and Services planned to resume with anticipated dates:
- Effective May 20th the park will resume collecting park entrance fees via traditional methods of credit card (preferred) and cash, or park pass; digital fee collection via recreation.gov is not yet available at Bryce Canyon, but will likely be announced soon as a preferred option
- Effective May 22nd, the General Store will reopen its camp store and restrooms from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., however showers and laundry services will remain closed
- Effective June 7th, Sunset Campground will reopen to the public for camping by reservation only—visit www.recreation.gov for reservation information
- Effective June 15th, private horse use reservations will resume within the park
- Effective no later than July 1st, hiking of backcountry trails and permits for backcountry camping at sites along these trails will again be permitted—park backcountry trails include the Riggs Spring Loop, the Under-the-Rim Trail, and Under-the-Rim connecting trails
Services and activities that do not yet have a date to resume:
- All park food service
- The park Lodge and its overnight accomodations
- Park shuttle service
- North Campground is currently closed for paving and will reopen for first-come-first-serve camping when this rehabilitation project is completed
While these areas are accessible for visitors to enjoy, a return to full operations will continue to be phased and services may be limited. 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
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 the latest on park operations by visiting the park’s public health page.
-NPS-
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