If you’re looking for things to do in Bryce Canyon with kids, you’ve come to the right place!
The area around Bryce Canyon is not highly developed, so most of the adventures here will be a little more on the rustic side.
Fortunately, if your kids love dirt, rocks, trees, birds, and animals as much as our kids do, they’ll be perfectly content. The two days we spent camping at Sunset Campground in Bryce Canyon National Park were some of our kids’ favorite days on our southern Utah road trip!
Go for a hike
I’m not sure how we got so lucky, but our kids love to hike. Maybe it’s because we always hiked with them (even when they were newborns) or because they got hiking genes. Either way, I count myself fortunate!
Even if your kids don’t love to hike, there are trails in Bryce Canyon that I think every kid, and adult, will love.
Queen’s Garden + Navajo Loop
2.3 miles
Moderate
Hands down, this is our favorite trail in Bryce Canyon. While it can be a little steep at the start and finish, there are so many “fun” things about this trail that make kids happy.
There are weird rocks, chipmunks, tunnels, rock cutouts, tree tunnels, and a tall narrow slot canyon.
We rated it as The Best Family Hike in Bryce Canyon!
Rim Trail
As long or short as you want it to be
Easy
This wide, flat path will take you from Bryce Point to Inspiration Point to Sunset Point to Sunrise Point. You can walk the entire length or you can simply walk between two points, like Sunrise and Sunset.
Mossy Cave Trail
0.8 miles
Easy
Located outside of the main park area, this short jaunt offers something different–water. If water is flowing, that is. Kids may enjoy seeing something different, and Mossy Cave is different.
Take in the views
Don’t feel like hiking? Ride the shuttle!
Bryce Canyon shuttle buses are air-conditioned, which is lovely during the hot summer months. Kids will love sitting in a cushy chair, without a seat belt, and enjoying the canyon at an easy pace.
At most national parks that provide shuttle service, we like to ride the shuttle around the entire park when we first arrive to familiarize ourselves with the layout of the park.
The shuttle bus in Bryce Canyon takes visitors to well-known vistas including Inspiration Point, Bryce Point, Sunset Point, and Sunrise Point.
Bryce Point
Go for a bike ride
The bike trail system in Bryce Canyon is top-notch!
There is a shared-use, paved path that winds through the park and out of the park for 18 miles. The portion of the path that runs through the park isn’t completely level, so keep that in mind if you have young bikers.
Bikes can also be placed on a bike rack on the front of the shuttle bus, so we recommend riding downhill (Inspiration Point is the highest location), then having the shuttle bus take you uphill.
Explore the Visitor’s Center
We always love learning more about the places we visit, the Visitor’s Center is the perfect place to educate yourself!
Watch a Park Movie
A free film about the park, its history, and its inhabitants plays every 30 minutes, on the hour and half hour. Kids will also enjoy looking at the animal displays located in the theatre.
Discover Hands-on Displays
Within the Visitor’s Center are educational displays that provide a hands-on experience.
Participate in the Junior Ranger Program
The Visitor’s Center is also a great place to pick up a Junior Ranger Booklet for the kids to complete. They can take the pledge as a young ranger and earn their own Bryce Canyon badge!
Go Wildlife Viewing
Kids love nothing more than going on a wildlife sighting adventure! Take the shuttle, walk, bike, or hop in the car and search for wildlife at dusk. We saw birds, deer, turkeys, prairie dogs, chipmunks, and more!
Wander Through Old Town Bryce
While Old Town Bryce is small and may be a bit of a tourist trap, it’s certainly kid-friendly. Kids will enjoy souvenir shopping, looking at petrified wood, and grabbing a sweet treat to eat.
Attend the Bryce Canyon Country Rodeo
If you’re looking for an old-fashioned adventure, check out the Bryce Canyon Country Rodeo. It runs Wednesday through Saturday nights throughout the summer months.
Take a Horseback Riding Adventure
If you’d rather be in the saddle yourself, take a trail ride! Guests must be at least seven years old to participate.
Enjoy a Guided ATV Tour
For something a little more adventurous, take a guided ATV tour. Riders must also be at least seven years old to participate.
Or Simply Enjoy Your Campsite
Kids truly don’t need much to be entertained, and our kids enjoyed biking around the campground, finding lizards, making pine needle forts, playing games, and just hanging out!
Are you planning a trip to Bryce Canyon National Park with kids? Do you have any questions! I’d love to hear from you!
