Camping in Bryce Canyon: North, Sunset, Reservations, and Rates ($30/night)

By Jocelyn Pion · Data: National Park Service · ← Complete guide Bryce Canyon

Bryce Canyon National Park has two NPS-operated campgrounds, North Campground and Sunset Campground, with 199 sites total. Both accommodate tents and RVs, but neither has electrical hookups. Reservations through Recreation.gov are essential during the busy season. The rate is the same at both campgrounds: $30 per night.

Campgrounds in the park (2)

• Campground North Campground see NPS · 100 sites Directions ↗
• Campground Sunset Campground see NPS · 99 sites Directions ↗

Show interactive map Base map © OpenStreetMap · © CARTO

Can you camp inside Bryce Canyon?

Bryce Canyon allows camping only in designated sites. Wild camping outside developed areas isn't allowed in the frontcountry, so you can't pitch your tent just anywhere in the park. Two NPS-operated campgrounds welcome visitors, along with a few backcountry sites reserved for hikers with a permit.

The park is open 365 days a year, 24 hours a day. That doesn't mean both campgrounds stay accessible in winter. Only North Campground operates year-round.

Campgrounds inside the park

North Campground

North Campground is the more central of the two, just steps from the Visitor Center and Bryce Canyon Lodge. With 100 sites (46 for tents only and 50 for RVs), it's the larger campground and the only one open year-round. From early October through mid-April, only Loops A and B remain open, depending on weather conditions. Outside this shorter season, the campground operates at full capacity.

All sites require reservations through Recreation.gov. In July and August, they can disappear within minutes of the booking window opening. The Rim Trail starts nearby, so you can reach the hoodoos before breakfast. Both campgrounds have a store, a firewood sales point, and laundry facilities, which isn't standard at most national park campgrounds.

Sunset Campground

Sunset Campground sits about 1.2 miles south, near Sunset Point. It opens from April through late October, depending on the weather, and closes for winter. The 2026–2027 winter closure runs from early November through March 24, 2027. With 99 sites (52 for tents only, 46 for RVs, and 1 group site), it's slightly smaller than North, but it's the only one of the park's two campgrounds with a group site.

Reservations work on a mixed system. Some sites are reservable through Recreation.gov, while others are first-come, first-served. Check the exact opening dates and site breakdown at nps.gov/brca before you leave, since they vary from year to year.

RV vs. tent camping: which site should you choose?

Both campgrounds accommodate RVs, but individual sites have no electrical, water, or sewer hookups. North Campground and Sunset Campground each have a shared dump station, a service that's far from standard in national parks. Check your vehicle's maximum permitted length before booking, since some loops can't accommodate very large rigs. Generators are allowed only during the hours posted at the campground entrance.

For tent campers, most sites work well at either campground, with restrooms, drinking water, a store, and laundry facilities nearby. The Bryce Canyon RV camping guide covers the specific restrictions, including signage on UT-63 for long vehicles.

Camping nearby: campgrounds outside the park

If the park campgrounds are full, which happens frequently starting in June, you'll find several options nearby:

• Red Canyon, about 9 miles west in Dixie National Forest, has less expensive sites that are often available. The red pinnacles are well worth the detour.
• Bryce Canyon City, just outside the park entrance, has private campgrounds with more services, including electrical hookups, laundry facilities, and sometimes Wi-Fi.
• Several private properties add to the options within a 19-mile radius.

For lodges, hotels, and cabins near the park, the Bryce Canyon accommodations overview and the hotel and lodge guide bring together all the options.

Wilderness camping and backcountry stays

Backcountry camping is allowed in specific areas, including along the Under-the-Rim Trail and on the Riggs Spring Loop. A wilderness permit is required. You can get one in person at the Visitor Center for a modest fee. Check the current rate on site, since it can change.

The rules are strict. Camp only in designated sites, keep all food and scented items in airtight containers, leave no waste behind, and don't build campfires. The Bryce Canyon hiking guide covers the trails that allow this type of trip in detail.

How and when to reserve a campsite in Bryce Canyon

Reservations are made through Recreation.gov. The booking window opens six months ahead. Check the website for the exact date for each campground. If you're planning a July stay, your window opens in early January, so be ready to book right away.

Here are a few useful guidelines:

• May–June and September: book 3 to 4 months ahead. Sites usually remain available for a few weeks after the window opens.
• July–August: book as soon as the window opens, exactly six months out.
• October: Sunset Campground closes sometime during the month, depending on the weather. North remains open with reduced operations, on Loops A and B only.

To choose when to visit, see the guide to the best times to visit Bryce Canyon.

Rates: how much does a night at a Bryce Canyon campground cost?

A night at either NPS campground costs $30 per site, whether you're camping in a tent or an RV. Both campgrounds charge the same rate, with no package surcharge. This doesn't include the park entrance fee, which is $35 per private vehicle or $20 per pedestrian or cyclist.

If your road trip includes several national parks, the America the Beautiful Pass (see the current rate on Recreation.gov) covers all federal recreation sites for one year and quickly pays for itself. The National Park entrance fees and passes page explains the available entrance fees and passes.

Camping safety and best practices

Temperatures: plan for a wide range

Bryce Canyon rises above 7,900 feet. From October through May, temperatures drop below freezing almost every night. Even in July, nighttime temperatures often fall below 50°F. An undersized sleeping bag can quickly ruin a trip. Snowfall is still possible through April and can occasionally be heavy.

Food storage and wildlife

Mountain lions and black bears live in the area. The NPS requires you to store ALL food, drinks, and scented items (toothpaste, soap, sunscreen) in a locked hard-sided container or in the metal boxes provided at the sites. Don't leave anything visible inside your vehicle overnight, even in the trunk. A curious bear doesn't need an invitation.

Summer afternoon thunderstorms

In July and August, severe thunderstorms break out almost every afternoon. If you're on the rim or in an open area, head back into the conifer forest before 2 p.m. Lightning over the hoodoos makes for a good photo from a distance, but much less so up close.

Elevation and hydration

The elevation can cause mild altitude sickness. Drink more water than usual, even in cool weather, and slow your pace on the first day.

Which campground should you choose?

For trails accessible from the campgrounds, our complete Bryce Canyon guide and our Hiking page will point you to the best routes for your experience level.

Frequently asked questions