NPS campground cost
$20/night (check recreation.gov for current rates)
Reservation lead time
6 months ahead for summer; 2-3 months for shoulder
Booking platform (NPS)
recreation.gov
Elevation at campgrounds
~8,000 ft (2,440 m)
Summer night temps
38-50F (3-10C) - bring a warm bag
Park status
International Dark Sky Park
Glamping option
Under Canvas Bryce Canyon, ~15 min from entrance
Season (Under Canvas)
May through late September
All camping options near Bryce Canyon at a glance
| Option | Type | Distance to park | Hookups | From (per night) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Campground | NPS in-park | At the rim | None | $20 | Tenters, short-stay hikers |
| Sunset Campground | NPS in-park | At the rim | None | $20 | Tenters, quiet campers, RVs under 25 ft |
| Under Canvas Bryce Canyon | Glamping resort | ~15 min | N/A (tents) | From ~$300 | Couples, comfort seekers, DarkSky experience |
| Ruby's Inn RV Park | RV / campground | 1 mile | Full hookups | From ~$50 | RVers, families, larger rigs |
| Bryce Canyon Pines | Private campground | ~5 miles | Some hookups | From ~$35 | Budget, tents and small RVs |
NPS campgrounds inside the park
Bryce Canyon National Park has two developed campgrounds, both managed by the NPS and bookable through recreation.gov. Neither has electrical hookups. Both are open to tents and RVs within length limits. The advantage of staying inside the park is obvious: you wake up with the hoodoos already at your feet, there is no entrance fee to pay again on the day, and you can reach the main trailheads on foot.
North Campground
North Campground is the larger and more central option, sitting near the Visitor Center and the Rim Trail. Loop C is closest to the rim. The site is split into loops with a mix of shaded and open spots; heavily wooded loops are cooler in summer. It is the most convenient base for the Navajo Loop and Queen's Garden trailheads at Sunrise and Sunset Points, both reachable on foot. A small camp store sells firewood, ice and basic supplies.
- Sites: 99 (mix of tent-only and RV sites)
- RV max length: 20-25 ft depending on loop (check at booking)
- Hookups: None
- Season: Open year-round (some loops close in winter)
- Reservations: recreation.gov (required May-Oct; first-come in off-season)
Sunset Campground
Sunset Campground sits further south along the park road, roughly a mile past the Visitor Center. It is quieter than North and has slightly better shade coverage. The main draw is proximity to Sunset Point and the top of the Navajo Loop. It is also closer to the park's shuttle stops along the main scenic drive. Loop A at Sunset is one of the more protected spots in a storm.
- Sites: 100+ (tent and RV)
- RV max length: Check specific loop at booking
- Hookups: None
- Season: May through October
- Reservations: recreation.gov (6 months ahead for summer dates)
Both campgrounds share the same pricing structure. Check recreation.gov for current rates and availability, as pricing is subject to NPS fee adjustments.
Backcountry camping
Bryce Canyon has a designated backcountry campsite at Rigg's Spring, accessible via the Rigg's Spring Loop (about 8.8 miles). A free backcountry permit is required and available at the Visitor Center on a walk-in basis (no advance reservation). Only one party per night is permitted at the site. This is a niche option for serious hikers looking for solitude; the vast majority of visitors are better served by the NPS campgrounds above.
Glamping: Under Canvas Bryce Canyon
Under Canvas Bryce Canyon sits about 15 minutes from the park entrance near Tropic, Utah. It is one of the few DarkSky-certified resorts in the country, which is a significant designation at a park already renowned for its night skies. The property covers 700 acres of high-alpine juniper forest.
Tents range from standard canvas platform tents to the Stargazer (with a transparent roof panel for in-tent stargazing) and the Hoodoo Suite (a two-tent configuration for groups or families). All come with king beds, plush bedding, en-suite bathrooms with hot showers and wood-burning stoves. On-site dining is available so you do not need to drive back to town for dinner.
The season runs from early May to late September. Book well in advance: summer weekends and fall weekends sell out 2-3 months ahead, and the Stargazer tent in particular has limited inventory.
Under Canvas Bryce Canyon
DarkSky-certified glamping resort 15 minutes from the park. Canvas tents with king beds, en-suite hot showers and wood-burning stoves. Stargazer tent has a transparent roof panel for in-tent astronomy. On-site dining, communal fire pits and 700 acres of juniper forest. Season: May to late September.
RV parks and private campgrounds
If you have a large rig, need full hookups, or just missed the NPS reservation window, several private options sit close to the park entrance.
Ruby's Inn RV Park and Campground
Located about 1 mile north of the park entrance on UT-63, Ruby's Inn is the biggest and most convenient private option. It offers full hookups (water, electric, sewer) for RVs of any size, tent sites, a pool in season, laundry facilities, a coin-operated shower house and a general store. The on-site Best Western property gives you access to dining and an ATM. Walk to the park entrance is possible but not comfortable; most campers drive in. Book direct through Best Western or Ruby's website; availability is generally better than the NPS sites but fills in July and August.
Bryce Canyon Pines Campground
About 5 miles from the park entrance on US-12, Bryce Canyon Pines is a smaller, quieter option with tent sites and some hookup sites for small to mid-size RVs. It is the budget choice in the area, and it sits adjacent to a small restaurant and store. The drive to the park is short enough to not be a meaningful inconvenience.
Stargazing from camp
Bryce Canyon is one of the darkest places in the continental United States. The combination of high altitude (which means thinner, clearer air), minimal light pollution from surrounding towns, and the park's official International Dark Sky Park designation makes it genuinely extraordinary at night. Both NPS campgrounds have unobstructed overhead sky. On a clear night, the Milky Way is visible to the naked eye.
The park runs a free ranger stargazing program on select evenings from May to October, with telescopes set up at the Visitor Center parking area. Dates are posted at the Visitor Center. If you want a guided experience with deeper astronomy commentary and professional equipment, the Viator-bookable stargazing tour runs from inside the park with a knowledgeable guide.
Bryce Canyon Stargazing Adventure
90-minute guided stargazing tour inside Bryce Canyon National Park. Professional telescopes, expert astronomy guide and commentary on the hoodoo landscape under the night sky. Bryce is one of the darkest places in the US, making this a genuine night-sky experience rather than a novelty.
How to choose your camping option
- You want the closest possible access to the trails: North or Sunset Campground. Book exactly 6 months ahead. No other option puts you this close.
- You have a large RV or need hookups: Ruby's Inn RV Park. Full hookups, no NPS length restrictions, 1 mile from the entrance.
- You want a memorable experience without the hassle of tents: Under Canvas Bryce Canyon. The DarkSky certification is genuine, the Stargazer tent is excellent for couples, and the wood stove makes cold nights comfortable. It is a deliberate splurge, not a value play.
- Budget is tight and the NPS sites are full: Bryce Canyon Pines on US-12. Quiet, affordable, and close enough.
- You want solitude and do not mind a full-day hike: Rigg's Spring backcountry permit. Walk-in only at the Visitor Center, one party per night.
Do you need a reservation to camp at Bryce Canyon?
For North Campground and Sunset Campground, yes. Both NPS campgrounds require advance reservations through recreation.gov, especially from May through October. In peak summer (June-August) sites book out 6 months ahead on the day reservations open. A small number of sites are walk-up each morning, but arriving by 6 a.m. is not unusual for those spots. Outside peak season, availability opens up considerably.
How cold does it get camping at Bryce Canyon at night?
Very cold, even in summer. Bryce Canyon sits at 8,000 to 9,000 feet. Nighttime temperatures in July can drop below 40F (4C), and in May and September below freezing is possible. A four-season sleeping bag rated to at least 20F (-7C) is a good idea year-round. The cold is part of what makes the stargazing so extraordinary: clear, crisp air and minimal humidity.
Can you camp with an RV at Bryce Canyon National Park?
Yes, but with restrictions. North Campground and Sunset Campground both accept RVs, though neither has full hookups. Generator hours are limited. The maximum vehicle length in most NPS loops is 20-25 feet, so large rigs should check specific loop restrictions before booking. Ruby's Inn RV Park outside the entrance has full hookups and accepts larger rigs with no NPS length restrictions.
What is the best campground inside Bryce Canyon National Park?
North Campground is generally preferred for its proximity to the Visitor Center, the Rim Trail, and the Sunrise and Sunset Point trailheads. It is the more convenient base for hiking. Sunset Campground is quieter and slightly larger, and it is closer to Sunset Point and the Navajo Loop trailhead. The practical difference is small; both put you inside the park with a short walk to the main viewpoints.
Is there glamping near Bryce Canyon?
Under Canvas Bryce Canyon is the main upscale option, located about 15 minutes from the park entrance in Tropic, Utah. It is a DarkSky-certified resort with canvas tents on platforms, king beds, en-suite bathrooms with hot showers, wood-burning stoves and on-site dining. The Stargazer Tent version has a transparent roof panel. The season runs from May to late September. Book well in advance for summer weekends.
How far in advance should I book Bryce Canyon campgrounds?
For peak season (June-August) at the NPS campgrounds, book exactly 6 months ahead at 8 a.m. Mountain Time on recreation.gov. Sites go fast. For May and September, 2-3 months ahead is usually sufficient. For Ruby's Inn RV Park and similar private options, 4-6 weeks ahead covers most situations. Under Canvas Bryce Canyon tends to sell out summer weekends 2-3 months out.
Are campfires allowed at Bryce Canyon National Park?
Campfires are allowed in designated fire rings at North and Sunset campgrounds when conditions permit. Firewood is available for purchase at the campgrounds. Fire bans can be put in place during dry periods, which is common in late summer. Check current conditions at the Visitor Center on arrival. Under Canvas Bryce Canyon has communal fire pits managed by staff, so that question does not apply there.
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Written by Diego Fresno, Travel writer and independent publisher specialising in the American Southwest. Latest research conducted on location in Page, Arizona during July 2025. Guides are verified quarterly; last review April 2026.. Verified quarterly: last review April 2026. About the author →