We were just mesmerized by the beauty of Bryce Canyon National Park! The hoodoo forests literally take your breath away. Our April visit was chilly but the snow added another dimension to the landscape. Bryce Canyon can be viewed from several scenic overlooks, trails and by the air. Our stay at the historic Ruby’s Inn RV Park & Campground provided a great location to explore the park and local attractions.
Key Takeaways:
- Bryce Canyon National Park is just hoodoo magic!
- April is a great month to visit with fewer crowds, but some trails and roads were closed during our stay
- There are several ways to see the park via stunning overlooks, an easy Rim Trail, moderate to strenuous hikes among the hoodoos, by horseback or a helicopter aerial tour
- There are only a couple dog-friendly trails in Bryce Canyon National Park but many local parks and recreation areas have dog-friendly trails, stunning views and fewer crowds
- Ruby’s Inn RV Park & Campground is a great RV stay with many amenities
Campground Review:
Ruby’s Inn RV Park & Campground as a great RV stay, just minutes from the front entrance to Bryce Canyon National Park. The Bryce Canyon Shuttle stop is ajacent to the property. Ruby’s features full hookups; large, pull-through sites, shaded sites and access to Ruby’s Inn restaurant, gift store and services. The campground has an outdoor pool and hot tub and guests of the campground have access to the indoor pool in the Best Western and the Main Lodge. Our dogs loved their long walks around the property.
What to do:
- Bryce Canyon National Park
- Stop at the Visitor’s Center for maps and up-do-date information on trail and road closures; during our late April visit, several roads and trails were closed due to snow and ice
- Drive the 18-mile scenic drive ending at Yomivpa Point, stop at all the scenic overlooks along the way; shuttle service is also available for the scenic drive
- Checkout stunning vistas of the Bryce Amphitheater from Bryce Point and Inspiration Point; drive or take the shuttle bus to these spectacular overlooks; walk the Rim Trail from Bryce Point to Inspiration Point (when open)
- Visit Sunset Point and Sunrise Point and walk the dog-friendly Rim Trail between these two overlooks
- Capture sunrise at Sunrise Point and walk the Queen’s Garden Trail, a spectacular out and back hike through the hoodoos
- Combine the Queen’s Garden Trail with the Navajo Trail to Sunset Point for a 2.9-mile round trip
- Take a helicopter tour of Bryce Canyon; we enjoyed our half-hour tour through Bryce Canyon Airlines, arranged at Ruby’s Inn
- Arrange a horseback riding tour on trails in Bryce Canyon
- Visit nearby Kodachrome Basin State Park and hike one of several dog-friendly trails
- Explore the nearby Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument; stop at a visitor center to learn more about this huge area; hike the dog-friendly Willis Creek Narrows Trail through a slot canyon
- Ruby’s Inn Cowboy’s Buffet & Steakhouse is a great place for breakfast and dinner
Tips for Visiting Bryce Canyon National Park
- April is a great time to visit Bryce Canyon National Park with fewer crowds, but expect some trail and road closures during your stay
- The Lodge at Bryce Canyon is an iconic historic structure; stop at the gift store and browse the lobby and great room to see historic photos and artifacts
- Sunrise is spectacular at Sunrise Point; go early, bring some coffee and your camera
- Pets are permitted only on the Rim Trail between Sunrise and Sunset Point or the Shared Use Trail between the Park Entrance and Inspiration Point; pets are allowed at paved viewpoint areas
- Check out dog-friendly trails at nearby Kodachrome Basin State Park and the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument
Bryce Canyon
Bryce Arch
Mike Hiking Among the Hoodoos
Queens Trail
Queens Garden Trail
Queens Garden Trail
Queens Garden Trail
Sunrise Point
Kodachrome Basin State Park
Willis Creek Trail
Bryce Canyon Sign
Bryce Canyon Overlook – Chili
Dogs at Bryce Canyon
Queens Garden Trail
Queens Garden Trail
Queens Garden Trail Arch
Chili & Cedar’s Review:
We liked Ruby’s Inn RV Park & Campground. It was cold during our stay but we enjoyed our long walks around the campground. There was no dog park at this campground, but plenty of green space at our campsite.
Campground Rating: 4.6 PAWS out of 5 PAWS
Bryce Canyon National Park is very pretty. We walked the Rim Trail from Sunset to Sunrise Point and we stopped at every overlook in the Park. We also liked our hike in the Kodachrome Basin State Park and our hike in the Willis Creek Slot Canyon – woof!