Bryce Canyon National Park is one of the most popular parks in Utah’s Mighty 5 (Bryce, Zion, Arches, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef). Because of that, it can be incredibly busy during the summer, and while it is amazing, I recommend going in the winter. In the winter the park is desolate, which is awesome as you don’t have to fight the crowds, and the hoodoos (rock formations) are stunning with their red color mixing with the white of the snow.
While there are some trails in the park, the majority of what you will be doing is going from viewpoint to viewpoint and just taking in the stunning views. I collected a sample view from all of the viewpoints in winter below so that you can see what ones you want to go to. I would recommend the four main ones (Sunrise, Sunset, Inspiration, Bryce) and Natural Bridge as must-see. Rainbow Point is also beautiful and has an expanse of scenery but it is the last stop on the road, 17 miles from the visitor center, so that can deter people from visiting. I would also recommend starting at the end if you are going to do them all as the views get progressively better if you start at the end and work your way back. So without further ado here are all the viewpoints from the start of the park to the end.
Sunrise Point
A great intro to the park and the hoodoos, the views are spectacular and you can see for miles. As the name implies it is good for sunrise.
Sunset Point
One of my favorites as this spot is a jumping-off point for many of the hikes into the canyon itself, such as the famous Wall Street area. Of course, it is the best sunset spot as well.
Above is what the Wall Street area looks like in the winter but you are not able to hike it.
Inspiration Point
The lookout itself was closed when I went but the views from the halfway point band to the hoodoos were fantastic and worth going for.
Bryce Point
One of the best in my opinion as the viewpoint is a little platform out at the end of the mountain and it overlooks the hoodoos in and amazing way.
Swamp Canyon
Natural Bridge
This spot is amazing, there is no other way to say it. You literally get out of your car and you are staring down at one of the most amazing rock bridges you have ever seen. When the snow is on top it is impossible to take a bad picture.
Agua Canyon
Ponderosa Canyon
Black Birch Canyon
Rainbow Point
This is the last viewpoint on the drive and it is a really good one. The view is different than others as it has less of the hoodoos but the views are simply stunning and it is a spot you will just want to sit and take in.
As you can see Bryce National Park is something you must visit in your life, and I would recommend that you do it during the winter. Let me know what your favorite spot in the park is in the comments.
