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Things to Do Near Bryce Canyon

If you’re planning a trip to Bryce Canyon, your adventurous heart is already looking forward to the otherworldly beauty of natural amphitheaters and the largest collection of hoodoos—those towering red spires rising from the bottom of the basin—in the world1.

Once you’ve done some stargazing in this dark sky designated park, witnessed a jaw-dropping sunrise, toured below the rim on horseback, and hiked the iconic Queen’s Garden/Navajo Loop Trail, you might like to branch out and add some of the other incredible and inspiring things to do near Bryce Canyon from our curated list below.

Southern Utah is loaded with swoon-worthy, family-friendly sites for the history buff, the naturalist, outdoor sports lovers, and wellness enthusiasts alike. As you plan your dream trip to southern Utah, don’t forget to incorporate some relaxation and recovery time. Zion Canyon Hot Springs is your reward at the end of the trail.

7 Must-See Attractions Near Bryce Canyon

Scenic Byway 12

One of the most beautiful drives in the world is located near Bryce Canyon National Park and connects Kodachrome State Park, Grand Staircase National Monument, and Capitol Reef National Park. The 122-mile drive from Panguitch to Torrey passes through twisting canyons, red rock towers, pine forests, and pioneer towns.

With so much tucked along one road, you’ll want to stop often to take it all in and make lasting memories. Crank up the music, roll down the windows, unplug, and take in “the most scenic road in America” with your loved ones2.

The Town of Escalante

About an hour east of Bryce Canyon along stunning Byway 12, Escalante features incredible hiking and delicious farm-to-table dining3. Start your day with a visit to Petrified Forest State Park, home to large pieces of petrified wood and numerous fossils4.

Then, venture over to Grand Staircase National Monument for a hike to Lower Calf Creek Falls. The strenuous 6-mile trek through often hot sand is worth the payoff, a 128-foot waterfall with a spectacular swimming hole shaded by canyon walls. It’s the ideal setting for a picnic lunch, but plan on dinner in town.

Note that most of Escalante’s restaurants are open seasonally from March through October, serving tourists and locals. Fourth West Pub is open year-round.

Anasazi State Park

If you’re driving Byway 12, you might continue east from Escalante to nearby Boulder and visit Anasazi State Park, where you can explore the Ancient Puebloan village once home to one of the largest Anasazi communities west of the Colorado River. Check out a replica of a typical dwelling, view artifacts, and learn about life here in 1050–1200 A.D5.

And since you’re already in the area, plan on dinner at Hell’s Backbone Grill & Farm, which features seasonal, farm-fresh Western Range and Southwestern flavors3.

Cottonwood Canyon Road

If you’re looking for a hidden gem experience, take this scenic dirt road (weather permitting, avoid if there’s a chance of rain) from Kodachrome Basin State Park (a gorgeous and underrated park with colorful cliffs and buttes in hues of red, orange, and yellow) to Kanab, a town with many unique attractions of its own.

In Kanab, you’ll find stunning Coral Pink Sands State Park, Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, museums, and a thriving food scene.

Brian Head Ski Resort

If you’re visiting in winter, go downhill skiing at this premier ski resort with the highest base elevation in Utah at 9,600 feet. You can also snowboard or tube down the slopes amid some gorgeous vistas. During summer and fall, you might rest up for your next stop, hike, bike, fish, go horseback riding, and they host plenty of events, including an Oktoberfest. With restaurants and shopping on site, it’s an excellent addition to an epic southern Utah itinerary2.

Zion National Park

As you head west toward Las Vegas International Airport, one of the best things to do near Bryce Canyon National Park is to take the time to visit Zion National Park and the surrounding towns for a few days.

With over 150 hiking trails, including two of the most iconic hikes in the world, Angel’s Landing which offers beautiful views of the park (permit required for this strenuous hike), and The Narrows, an often-wet hike through the Virgin River and a famous slot canyon, you’ll find plenty of awe-inspiring activities at one of America’s most treasured national parks.

The entrance fee for Zion National Park is $35, but if you’re planning on visiting at least 3 national parks in the next year, it’s worth it to purchase an America the Beautiful Annual National Parks Pass for $802.

Zion Canyon Hot Springs

As your trip winds down, take some time to rest, recover, and reflect on this legendary adventure. Approximately half an hour from Zion National Park in La Verkin, you’ll find Zion Canyon Hot Springs is the ideal spot for pampering and relaxation.

Boasting 32 natural geothermal hot springs with water pulled and treated from the natural hot springs of the Virgin River, 16 globally-inspired mineral soaking pools, each inspired by legendary destinations—like Iceland’s Blue Lagoon and the Dead Sea—cold plunges, barrel saunas, delectable food and drinks served poolside, Zion Canyon Hot Springs is a stellar reward at the end of the trail.

We have both family-friendly and 21+ areas, so whether you’re traveling with friends or little ones, our water-rich oasis has everything you need to ease your aches and pains so you can return home not only inspired by all you’ve seen in this unforgettable part of the country, but also well-rested and rejuvenated in both body and mind. Book in minutes. Soak for hours.

Sources:

(10 December 2021). The Perfect 72 Hours Near Bryce Canyon National Park. Under Canvas. Retrieved September 15, 2025, from https://www.undercanvas.com/blog/72-hours-near-bryce-canyon-national-park/

(9 September 2022). 11 Things to Do Near Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah. The Wildlife Diaries. Retrieved September 15, 2025, from https://www.thewildlifediaries.com/things-to-do-near-bryce-canyon/

Bauer, A. Fun Family Things to Do Near Bryce Canyon (Plus the Best Place to Stay!). Zion Adventure Photog. Retrieved September 15, 2025, from https://www.zionadventurephotog.com/single-post/things-to-do-near-bryce-canyon

Ockey, N. (22 April 2023). Things to Do Near Bryce Canyon. Utah’s Adventure Family. Retrieved September 15, 2025, from https://www.utahsadventurefamily.com/things-to-do-near-bryce-along-scenic-highway-12/

Parks and Other Tourist Attraction Spots near Bryce Canyon. Bryce Canyon. Retrieved September 16, 2025, from https://www.brycecanyon.net/parks-tourist-attraction-spots-near-bryce-canyon/

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(February 12, 2025). Day Hikes. National Parks Service. Retrieved October 22, 2025, from https://www.nps.gov/glca/planyourvisit/day-hikes.htm Utah Office of Tourism. Kanab. Utah: Life Elevated. Retrieved October 23, 2025, from https://www.visitutah.com/places-to-go/cities-and-towns/kanab Utah Office of Tourism. Zion National Park. Utah: Life Elevated. Retrieved October 23, 2025, from https://www.visitutah.com/places-to-go/parks-outdoors/zion

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Zion Canyon Hot Springs is your reward at the end of the trail. 7 Must-See Attractions Near Bryce Canyon Scenic Byway 12 One of the most beautiful drives in the world is located near Bryce Canyon National Park and connects Kodachrome State Park, Grand Staircase National Monument, and Capitol Reef National Park. The 122-mile drive from Panguitch to Torrey passes through twisting canyons, red rock towers, pine forests, and pioneer towns. With so much tucked along one road, you’ll want to stop often to take it all in and make lasting memories. Crank up the music, roll down the windows, unplug, and take in “the most scenic road in America” with your loved ones2. The Town of Escalante About an hour east of Bryce Canyon along stunning Byway 12, Escalante features incredible hiking and delicious farm-to-table dining3. Start your day with a visit to Petrified Forest State Park, home to large pieces of petrified wood and numerous fossils4. Then, venture over to Grand Staircase National Monument for a hike to Lower Calf Creek Falls. The strenuous 6-mile trek through often hot sand is worth the payoff, a 128-foot waterfall with a spectacular swimming hole shaded by canyon walls. It’s the ideal setting for a picnic lunch, but plan on dinner in town. Note that most of Escalante’s restaurants are open seasonally from March through October, serving tourists and locals. Fourth West Pub is open year-round. Anasazi State Park If you’re driving Byway 12, you might continue east from Escalante to nearby Boulder and visit Anasazi State Park, where you can explore the Ancient Puebloan village once home to one of the largest Anasazi communities west of the Colorado River. Check out a replica of a typical dwelling, view artifacts, and learn about life here in 1050–1200 A.D5. And since you’re already in the area, plan on dinner at Hell’s Backbone Grill & Farm, which features seasonal, farm-fresh Western Range and Southwestern flavors3. Cottonwood Canyon Road If you’re looking for a hidden gem experience, take this scenic dirt road (weather permitting, avoid if there’s a chance of rain) from Kodachrome Basin State Park (a gorgeous and underrated park with colorful cliffs and buttes in hues of red, orange, and yellow) to Kanab, a town with many unique attractions of its own. In Kanab, you’ll find stunning Coral Pink Sands State Park, Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, museums, and a thriving food scene. Brian Head Ski Resort If you’re visiting in winter, go downhill skiing at this premier ski resort with the highest base elevation in Utah at 9,600 feet. You can also snowboard or tube down the slopes amid some gorgeous vistas. During summer and fall, you might rest up for your next stop, hike, bike, fish, go horseback riding, and they host plenty of events, including an Oktoberfest. With restaurants and shopping on site, it’s an excellent addition to an epic southern Utah itinerary2. Zion National Park As you head west toward Las Vegas International Airport, one of the best things to do near Bryce Canyon National Park is to take the time to visit Zion National Park and the surrounding towns for a few days. With over 150 hiking trails, including two of the most iconic hikes in the world, Angel’s Landing which offers beautiful views of the park (permit required for this strenuous hike), and The Narrows, an often-wet hike through the Virgin River and a famous slot canyon, you’ll find plenty of awe-inspiring activities at one of America’s most treasured national parks. The entrance fee for Zion National Park is $35, but if you’re planning on visiting at least 3 national parks in the next year, it’s worth it to purchase an America the Beautiful Annual National Parks Pass for $802. Zion Canyon Hot Springs As your trip winds down, take some time to rest, recover, and reflect on this legendary adventure. Approximately half an hour from Zion National Park in La Verkin, you’ll find Zion Canyon Hot Springs is the ideal spot for pampering and relaxation. Boasting 32 natural geothermal hot springs with water pulled and treated from the natural hot springs of the Virgin River, 16 globally-inspired mineral soaking pools, each inspired by legendary destinations—like Iceland’s Blue Lagoon and the Dead Sea—cold plunges, barrel saunas, delectable food and drinks served poolside, Zion Canyon Hot Springs is a stellar reward at the end of the trail. We have both family-friendly and 21+ areas, so whether you’re traveling with friends or little ones, our water-rich oasis has everything you need to ease your aches and pains so you can return home not only inspired by all you’ve seen in this unforgettable part of the country, but also well-rested and rejuvenated in both body and mind. Book in minutes. Soak for hours. Sources: (10 December 2021). The Perfect 72 Hours Near Bryce Canyon National Park. Under Canvas. Retrieved September 15, 2025, from https://www.undercanvas.com/blog/72-hours-near-bryce-canyon-national-park/ (9 September 2022). 11 Things to Do Near Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah. The Wildlife Diaries. Retrieved September 15, 2025, from https://www.thewildlifediaries.com/things-to-do-near-bryce-canyon/ Bauer, A. Fun Family Things to Do Near Bryce Canyon (Plus the Best Place to Stay!). Zion Adventure Photog. Retrieved September 15, 2025, from https://www.zionadventurephotog.com/single-post/things-to-do-near-bryce-canyon Ockey, N. (22 April 2023). Things to Do Near Bryce Canyon. Utah’s Adventure Family. Retrieved September 15, 2025, from https://www.utahsadventurefamily.com/things-to-do-near-bryce-along-scenic-highway-12/ Parks and Other Tourist Attraction Spots near Bryce Canyon. Bryce Canyon. Retrieved September 16, 2025, from https://www.brycecanyon.net/parks-tourist-attraction-spots-near-bryce-canyon/