Bryce Canyon Camping Guide

Sleeping inside Bryce Canyon means waking up minutes from the rim and staying for the dark sky long after day visitors have driven back to town. The park runs two campgrounds, both at around 8,000 feet among ponderosa pines, plus a permit-only backcountry option. This guide breaks down North versus Sunset Campground, how to lock in a site, and where to camp nearby when the park fills up. If you want to fold camping into a complete trip, our Bryce Canyon itinerary maps out which hikes pair best with each night.

North Campground

North Campground sits closest to the visitor center and is within walking distance of Sunrise Point and the General Store. It has about 99 sites spread across four loops. Loops A and B take reservations during peak season, while loops C and D are first come, first served, making North the better bet if you arrive without a booking. Its location is the biggest draw: you can stroll to the Rim Trail without moving your car or fighting for parking.

• Sites: roughly 99, mix of tent and RV
• Hookups: none, but a dump station and General Store with coin showers and laundry are nearby
• Best for: walk-up campers and anyone who wants quick rim access

Sunset Campground

Sunset Campground is about a mile south, across the road from Sunset Point and a short walk from the Navajo Loop trailhead. It has around 100 sites and is fully reservation-based during its open season, which typically runs spring through fall and closes in winter. Sites here feel a touch more spacious and wooded, and you are perfectly positioned for an early start down into the amphitheater before the crowds.

Reservations and Fees

Reservable sites at both campgrounds are booked through Recreation.gov, usually available up to six months in advance, and summer weekends sell out fast. Expect a nightly fee in the low to mid thirties for standard sites. A few key planning notes:

• Book the moment your dates open six months out if you want a summer or holiday weekend
• First come, first served loops at North fill by early afternoon in July and August
• There are no electrical, water, or sewer hookups at either campground; plan as if you are dry camping
• The General Store sells firewood, ice, and basic groceries during the season

Backcountry Camping

For solitude, the park offers backcountry camping along the Under-the-Rim Trail and the Riggs Spring Loop, with designated sites that require a permit from the visitor center. This is the only way to spend a night below the famous hoodoos. Permits are limited, water sources are seasonal and unreliable, and you must store food properly, so come prepared for a true wilderness night.

Camping Near Bryce Canyon

When park campgrounds fill, several nearby options work well. Dixie National Forest surrounds the park and has dispersed and developed sites at high elevation. The town of Tropic, about 11 miles east on Highway 12, and the area near Bryce Canyon City just outside the entrance both have private RV parks and campgrounds with hookups and showers. Kodachrome Basin State Park, around 20 miles southeast, is a scenic alternative with its own sandstone spires and a quieter campground.

What to Know About Camping at Altitude

At 8,000 feet, nights are cold even in summer, often dropping into the 40s Fahrenheit, so pack a warm sleeping bag rated lower than you think you need. Afternoon thunderstorms roll through during the late-summer monsoon, and snow can linger into May and arrive again by October. The payoff for braving the chill is unbeatable: rolling out of your tent for sunrise at Sunrise Point and stepping into one of the darkest night skies in the country once the sun goes down.