Best Time to Visit Bryce Canyon National Park

Crowds and weather by month · Utah · NPS visitor counts through 2025

The short answer

Mild weather, fewer people: October — 71% as busy as September, about 6,749 visitors a day, average high 58°F (15°C).

Quietest month: January — about 832 visitors a day, average high 37°F (cold).

Busiest month: September — about 9,528 visitors a day.

Best balance of crowds and weather (Oct)Other monthsNumber = visitors per day as % of the busiest month (100)

Bryce Canyon month by month

MonthCrowds · visitors/dayHigh / low · precip.
JanuaryQuietest× Cold Very quiet9% of peak · 832/day37° / 17°F3° / -8°C · 1.9 in · 4 wet days · snow 20 in
February× Cold Very quiet11% of peak · 1,082/day39° / 18°F4° / -8°C · 1.7 in · 4 wet days · snow 18 in
March× Cool Quiet28% of peak · 2,688/day46° / 23°F8° / -5°C · 1.3 in · 4 wet days · snow 13 in
April× Cool Busy66% of peak · 6,332/day54° / 29°F12° / -2°C · 0.8 in · 3 wet days · snow 6 in
May○ Mild weather, busy Peak85% of peak · 8,127/day63° / 37°F17° / 3°C · 0.9 in · 3 wet days · snow 2 in
June○ Mild weather, busy Peak96% of peak · 9,185/day75° / 45°F24° / 7°C · 0.5 in · 1 wet days
July○ Mild weather, busy Peak88% of peak · 8,380/day80° / 52°F27° / 11°C · 1.6 in · 4 wet days
August○ Mild weather, busy Busy82% of peak · 7,838/day78° / 50°F25° / 10°C · 1.9 in · 6 wet days
September○ Mild weather, busy Peak100% of peak · 9,528/day70° / 42°F21° / 5°C · 1.8 in · 4 wet days
OctoberBest○ Mild weather, busy Busy71% of peak · 6,749/day58° / 32°F15° / 0°C · 1.7 in · 3 wet days · snow 3 in
November× Cool Quiet23% of peak · 2,145/day46° / 23°F8° / -5°C · 1.3 in · 2 wet days · snow 10 in
December× Cold Quiet16% of peak · 1,551/day37° / 17°F3° / -8°C · 1.3 in · 3 wet days · snow 15 in

Crowds = visitors per day as % of the busiest month: ●●●●● Peak (85–100) · ●●●●○ Busy (60–84) · ●●●○○ Moderate (35–59) · ●●○○○ Quiet (15–34) · ●○○○○ Very quiet (under 15). ◎ mild weather, fewer people · ○ mild but busy · △ very few visitors (often seasonal closures) · × cold or hot. Wet days = days with at least 0.1 in of rain or melted snow.

Visitors per year

YearRecreation visits
20151,745,804
20162,365,110
20172,571,684
20182,679,478
20192,594,904
2020pandemic1,464,655
2021pandemic2,104,600
20222,354,660
20232,461,269
20242,498,075
20251,967,367

Where the weather numbers come from

Temperatures and precipitation are 30-year averages (1991–2020) from the NOAA station BRYCE CANYON NP HQRS — Park headquarters (8,000 ft rim), at 7,890 ft (2,405 m). Higher viewpoints and trails can be much colder and snowier than the station.

Months with very few visitors often have roads, campgrounds or visitor centers closed for the season. Check current conditions on the official Bryce Canyon National Park website before you go.

Other parks at their best in October

All parks in October →

How “best” is chosen: the least crowded month with an average high between 55°F and 85°F (13–29°C), skipping months with under 30% of peak visitors because those are often seasonal closures. Crowds compare visitors per day, so short and long months are treated fairly.

Sources. Visitor counts: National Park Service, Visitor Use Statistics (recreation visits, final figures through 2025; typical months use 2022–2025). Weather: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (station BRYCE CANYON NP HQRS, USC00421008, 7,890 ft / 2,405 m). Both are U.S. Government works in the public domain. How we calculate.

Park Months is an independent site and is not affiliated with the National Park Service or NOAA.