The best camping in Bryce Canyon National Park, UT

Set in the southwestern corner of Utah, Bryce Canyon National Park is famous for its shale and sandstone rock formations, known as hoodoos or fairy chimneys, which dominate the landscape. Hiking and photography, unsurprisingly, are particularly popular activities, and the park offers a variety of trails that range from easy walks along the rim to more challenging backcountry hikes. The visitor center also offers a variety of educational programs, from ranger-led horseback rides to an interpretive film about the park’s geological history. You can even camp among the hoodoos, either at one of two campgrounds or at one of 10 backcountry campsites.

• Great for families: North Campground offers reservable sites (in the high season) and its own general store.
• Great for hikers: Sunset Campground has both tent and RV sites just a five-minute walk from the Rim Trail.

1. Sunset Campground is open seasonally, from mid-April through the end of October. All sites are allocated on a first-come, first-served (FCFS) basis, except for the reservable group site.
2. North Campground sites are reservable for the period between Memorial Day weekend and October 1. During the rest of the year, sites are allocated on an FCFS basis.
3. Reservable campsites can be booked up to six months in advance on the National Park Service (NPS) website. Reservations open at 7am Pacific Time, and it’s wise to reserve right when they go live.
4. If you're looking for a large RV park with amenities near the park, Ruby's Inn RV Park and Campground is as close as it gets.

Bryce is at its busiest between Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends, when campsites are often at capacity and popular hiking circuits are at their most crowded. The weather this time of year is characterized by hot days and moderately cool evenings, excellent for camping. Visit in early to mid-May or mid to late September to catch the beginning (or tail end) of the warm season and avoid crowds.

• You can pick up groceries and supplies in Panguitch, just under a 30-minute drive away.
• Bryce trails can be sandy and rocky, so it's wise to wear hiking boots with ankle support.
• Drink plenty of water. The park is dry and at a high elevation, and it's easy to get dehydrated quickly, without even realizing it.
• The Bryce Canyon Visitor Center is wheelchair accessible, and accessible restrooms and parking are available. A half-mile section of the Rim Trail is wheelchair accessible, as are sites 223 and 224 at Sunset Campground.
• RV travelers will love the space and proximity to the park provided by Ruby's Inn.