Spend three days experiencing the best things to do in Bryce Canyon Country with this action-packed itinerary covering the national park and surrounding area. Perfect for a long weekend or a mid-week break, this three-day Utah getaway includes everything from ancient Puebloan villages to colorful food trucks and dazzling night skies with a healthy dose of hiking and recreational activities in between.
This post was created in partnership with Bryce Canyon Country.
Day 1: Boulder, Utah & Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument
Boulder Mountain Guest Ranch
There are countless options for places to stay in Bryce Canyon Country, but one unique option is the Boulder Mountain Guest Ranch. Just 45 minutes from Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument, it offers incredible features. Guests can rent a room, a tipi, or a cabin and experience life on the guest ranch in comfort and style.
The Boulder Mountain Guest Ranch offers many activities for its guests from hiking, and horseback riding, to guided garden tours, and fly fishing, even yoga on the heated patio. At the Sweetwater Kitchen located on the ranch property, the food is farm to table and all meat is organic and pasture-raised locally in the state of Utah. This restaurant will even pack a lunch for you if you are going to be gone exploring all day!
Anasazi Museum
In the Escalante and Boulder area, there are countless hikes, restaurants, museums, and other incredible things to do. Start your morning in the Anasazi Museum to beat the crowds and the heat. If you want to learn more history when you’re visiting the Bryce Canyon area, the Anasazi Museum lets you explore an ancient Puebloan village that was likely occupied from A.D. 1050 to 1200. Outside is the six-room replica of the Pueblo, and inside you will find genuine artifacts recovered from the site.
Scenic Byway
Next, hop in the car and take Highway 12 to Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument. Highway 12 is one of the most famous scenic byways in the country and is also classified as an All-American Road. This trip will take about 45 minutes and along the way, there are countless arches, rivers, and other natural wonders that can be seen from the car. You can also pull over and hike to get a better view of spots like Calf Creek Falls, a beautiful six-mile hike. There are also wonderful places to stop for a bite like Kiva Koffeehouse, which offers coffee and treats paired with incredible views.
Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument
Once in Escalante, explore, relax, and check out the Escalante Interagency Visitor Center before heading to the monument. There are many roads for vehicles in the park, but they might not be on your GPS, so make sure to grab a map in the visitor’s center. Also, keep in mind that this park is run by the Bureau of Land Management, rather than the state or national parks services, so most of the roads will not be paved.
A great place to start is the Hole in the Rock Road, where you can access various slot canyons or Devil’s Garden. If you want to explore some of the hidden gems in the area, it is best to hire a local outfitter based in the town of Escalante. Guides are equipped to keep you safe while squeezing through slot canyons and experiencing all of the thrilling things to do in Bryce Canyon. Visit the Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument in the evening to avoid the heat of the day and make the most of stargazing in the park.
Day 2: Tropic, Utah & Thunder Mountain Trail
Dining in Bryce Canyon Country
In Bryce Canyon Country, you will find one some of the most recommended restaurants in Utah. One highly-rated fine dining experience is Stone Hearth Grille, known for outstanding views from the restaurant deck. It operates seasonally, so check availability against your dates of travel. Another high-end option is the Sky Nova Bar & Brill at Clear Sky Resort, where you can sip craft cocktails under a geodesic dome. Other options in the area include cowboy cookouts where your meal is prepared over an open flame plus saloons, diners, and food trucks.
Mountain Biking
Mountain biking is one of the best things to do in Bryce Canyon, and the iconic landscapes whizzing by seem like they’re made for being admired from the seat of a mountain bike. If Thunder Mountain Bike Trail sounds familiar to you, that’s because there is a Disneyland ride by the same name. This trail is considered intermediate/difficult, so first-timers might want to try the Red Canyon Bike Trail instead.
Day 3: Antimony, Utah & Ranch Life
Dude Ranch
Finally, head on over to the Rockin R’ Ranch. This place is incredibly unique and filled with activities which easily fill up an entire day or even an entire week. Rockin’ R Ranch offers horseback riding and instruction, barrel racing, archery, western dancing, and more. If you have ever dreamed of living the cowboy lifestyle, the Rockin’ R Ranch can offer you all that and more. This is the perfect place to take the whole family and share some uninterrupted quality time.
Trying to narrow down the best things to do in Bryce Canyon Country in just three days is difficult, so take your time and venture into the unknown at your own pace. You won’t be disappointed with the experiences that await.
