Are you planning your next family vacation in Utah?  Want to take the family to Bryce Canyon?  It’s a great place for the whole family to enjoy.  Do you need some ideas of what to do when you get there?  Don’t worry.  I’m sharing a list of family-friendly activities available at Bryce Canyon.

Perhaps I should include that these activities are good for young and growing families.  They are not all the best choices for those with babies and extremely young children, like toddlers.  Also, the aged and infirm might have issues with some of these activities.  Pursue any or all of these available activities at Bryce Canyon at your own discretion.

1. Hiking

Firstly, I must include the single most popular activity available at Bryce Canyon.  Of all the available activities at Bryce Canyon, most people who visit the park pursue some amount of hiking.  There are trails suited for beginners and the infirm.  Also, you’ll find some longer trails better suited for more experienced hikers.  Finally, there’s a few back-country trails which require permits to hike.

If you plan on hiking in Bryce Canyon, please remember that it’s located in a high desert.  Bring lots of water with you and plan for cold and inclimate weather conditions.

2. Horseback Riding

There’s nothing quite like exploring a piece of the Old West on horseback.  In fact, there’s several trails in Bryce Canyon devoted to horseback riding.  Horses can go further than most humans can on foot.  Also, they can climb or descend places we can’t.  Given Bryce Canyon’s unique and varied terrain, horseback riding is a perfect way to see the area for yourself.  You may rent horses from more than one location nearby the canyon.

Due to the nature of horseback riding, I would not advise bringing your very young children with you.  They will quickly tire of the activity.  Also, I’m not aware of any pony rental available.  So, your child(ren) needs to be big enough to ride a fully grown horse if you want to enjoy this activity as a family.

3. Bicycling

If you come to Bryce Canyon, you’ll find lots of empty stretches of road.  There’s plenty of space for you and your family to mount up on bicycles and take a ride together.  There’s even a trail or two which runs close by the national park which you might enjoy.  You’ll also find bikes for rent.  I’ve even seen electric bikes (E-bikes) available too.

If you want to bike as a family while visiting Bryce Canyon, please keep in mind that you’re restricted from using your bike in most places.  In fact, you may only use your bike (E-bikes included) on paved areas of the park.  You may not take your bicycle with you onto unpaved areas or into the canyon itself.

4. ATV/OTV Riding

If you’re more interested in motorized sports, then we’ve got you covered.  You’ll find several ATV trails in the neighborhood of Bryce Canyon National Park.  In fact, you’ll also find several places offering ATV rental.  If you and your family are into faster outdoor sports, then you won’t be disappointed.

Please remember that motorized sports vehicles are forbidden in the actual park itself.  You will not find any trails in Bryce Canyon.  But there are several nearby which should do just as well.  In fact, the Paunsaugunt ATV trail offers riders similar scenery to that found in the park.

5. Camping

If you and your family are interested in camping, then you’re in luck.  Bryce Canyon, and the surrounding area, offers many opportunities for camping.  In fact, the park itself offers 2 campgrounds requiring reservations.  You’ll also find other local campgrounds and camping options.  Some places offer teepees or yurts if you want that experience.  You’ll also find many local RV parks if you prefer RV camping instead of tents.

If you plan on camping during the summer, you should be good.  However, if you want to camp during the winter, you should consider the following points.  Bryce Canyon’s campground are available year-round.  However, many of the smaller locally-owned campgrounds close for the winter.  Also, Bryce Canyon is located in the high mountains.  Winters are nasty and cold.  Check out this article for a better idea about winter camping at Bryce Canyon.

6. Astronomy

Did you know that Bryce Canyon has some of the darkest skies available in the lower 48 states still easily accessible by road?  Yep.  Bryce Canyon is a certified Dark Skies location.  It’s great!  We enjoy clear views of the Milky Way frequently.  If you’re interested in astronomy, then Bryce Canyon is a great place to go.  Bring your telescope with you as most places don’t offer telescope rental.

If you do plan on some late-night sky observation, then please remember that you’re still in the mountains.  It gets cold at night.  Depending upon the time of year, temperatures and wind chills may drop to uncomfortable or even dangerous levels.  Bring warm gear with you.

7. Aerial Tours

Finally, if you have the money for it, you and your family might enjoy an aerial tour over Bryce Canyon together.  The very local airport offers flights over Bryce and several other local parks and monuments such as Zion and the Grand Canyon.  You may experience Bryce Canyon as few others have: from the air.

Obviously, if you want an aerial tour, then you must charter your flight.  You might need to do so significantly in advance depending upon the timing of your visit.  Should you wish to fly over Bryce Canyon during a slower part of the tourist season, you might not require much advanced planning.  However, if you want that flight during a peak window, then you must plan ahead.  Slots will fill up quickly.

Conclusion

Bryce Canyon makes several family-friendly activities available to you for your vacation.  All you need to is choose and schedule the ones you wish to experience.

I hope that you and your family build extra special memories together while visiting this unique national park.  The surrounding area sure makes things easy if you know what you want to do.  I hope to see you out on the trails sometime very soon.