Bryce Canyon Backcountry Permit
Bryce Canyon National Park · Utah
The single overnight permit for camping below Bryce Canyon's rim, covering all 12 designated sites on the Under-the-Rim Trail and the Riggs Spring Loop Trail.
Get an alert when a spot opens in your Bryce Backcountry zone.
When it opens
- 3 months
- First come, first served from three months before your entry dateYou book on Recreation.gov.
Source: recreation.gov
70% of the openings our scanner caught on Bryce Backcountry were gone within 10 minutes.
Bryce Backcountry reservation dates
- Season
- March 1 to November 30
- max group size
- 15people
How to get a Bryce Backcountry permit
As of September 2026, Bryce Backcountry in Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah requires a permit issued via reservation. Bryce Backcountry rates 6/10 on PermitSnag's demand index. Cancelled Bryce Backcountry permits are re-released on the booking system, and PermitSnag alerts you the moment one opens. The permit season for Bryce Backcountry runs March 1 through November 30.
- Type
- Overnight
- Location
- Colorado Plateau, UT
Step 1: Create a Recreation.gov account
Sign up at Recreation.gov if you don't have an account. Have your payment info ready.
Step 2: Know the release schedule
Permits release on a rolling basis. Check the release time for your dates.
Step 3: Be ready when permits drop
Log in a few minutes early. Have your dates, group size, and payment ready to go.
Step 4: Monitor for cancellations
If your dates are sold out, people cancel all the time. Set up PermitSnag alerts to catch openings instantly.
Bryce Backcountry pro tips
- Book the moment your date opens 3 months out, the 12 sites fill fast on summer weekends.
- Borrow the free bear canister at the visitor center instead of buying one.
- Carry extra water, several listed springs run dry by late summer.
- Plan to reach the visitor center with time to spare, permits pull an hour before closing.
More on Bryce Backcountry: Live availability activityWhen Bryce Backcountry permits open up
How much a Bryce Backcountry permit costs
Bryce Backcountry permit fee: $5/person recreation fee plus $10 non-refundable reservation fee.
The Bryce Backcountry hike
- Route Type
- Varies
- Duration
- 1-3 nights
- Difficulty
- Strenuous
- Elevation Range
- 6,800 - 9,115 ft
Sleep under the rim among Bryce's pink and orange hoodoos, on the only two trails in the park that allow overnight camping.
About this permit
Bryce Canyon allows backcountry camping on only two trails, and both are covered by this single Recreation.gov permit. The Riggs Spring Loop Trail runs 8.8 miles with 4 designated sites near the park's high southern end at Rainbow and Yovimpa Points. The Under-the-Rim Trail runs 22.9 miles with 8 designated sites, following the base of the pink cliffs between Bryce Point and Rainbow Point.
Reservations for the March 1 through November 30 season open on Recreation.gov 3 months ahead of each date. After you book, you still pick up a physical permit in person from a ranger at the Bryce Canyon Visitor Center, at least one hour before it closes on your trip's start date, or the reservation is cancelled. Winter camping from December 1 through the end of February is walk-in only at the visitor center and is not sold online.
Why it matters
Almost everyone sees Bryce Canyon from the paved overlooks along the rim. Fewer than a handful of sites let you stay overnight below it. This one permit unlocks both backcountry trails: the 8.8-mile Riggs Spring Loop dropping through fir and ponderosa in the park's southern end, and the 22.9-mile Under-the-Rim Trail that traces the base of the amphitheater from Bryce Point to Rainbow Point. You get quiet nights, cold clear stars at 8,000 feet, and the hoodoos to yourself at dawn.
Bryce Backcountry hike highlights
- Two trails only: Riggs Spring Loop (8.8 miles, 4 sites) and Under-the-Rim Trail (22.9 miles, 8 sites)
- Camping only at designated sites with established tent pads
- Elevations from 6,800 to 9,115 feet with repeated steep climbs and descents
- Water sources that are seasonal and unreliable (Yellow Creek, Sheep Creek, Iron Spring, Riggs Spring, Yovimpa Spring)
- Cold nights year-round at altitude, even in summer
- In-person permit pickup at the visitor center on your start date
How hard the Bryce Backcountry hike is
- Physical DemandFitness and endurance required1/5
- Technical SkillClimbing, scrambling, or specialized skills2/5
- NavigationRoute finding and trail clarity2/5
- CommitmentDifficulty of bailing out mid-route3/5
Best for: Hikers of moderate fitness willing to put in the effort.
Recommended experience: Basic hiking experience. Start with shorter trails if new to hiking.
When to hike Bryce Backcountry
Best time to visit
Late May through September gives the most reliable weather and the best chance at flowing water. Spring and fall are quieter but can hold snow and ice on shaded, north-facing sections. Winter camping is walk-in only and issued in person.
Weather Forecast
Trailhead (6,800 ft)
Backcountry Tips
- Today: 64% chance of precipitation. Pack rain gear.
Today
50°
41°
64%
Wed
64°
43°
Thu
70°
48°
Fri
71°
51°
Sat
72°
53°
Sun
68°
52°
Mon
64°
49°
Bryce Backcountry rules, gear and safety
Gear checklist
Required- Bear-resistant canister (loaned free at the visitor center if you do not own one)
- Water treatment (filter, chemical drops, or a stove to boil)
- At least one gallon of water capacity per person per day
- Warm layers and a cold-rated sleeping bag for high-elevation nights
- Sturdy footwear for steep, rocky, uneven trail
Recommended gear
- Trekking poles for the repeated climbs out of the amphitheater
- Sun protection for exposed rim sections
- Extra water carry capacity in case a spring is dry
- Microspikes in early spring or late fall when trails may hold snow or ice
Rules & regulations
- 01Overnight permit required, reserved on Recreation.gov for the March through November season
- 02Bear-resistant canisters required, loaned free at the visitor center, store all food and scented items inside them
- 03Camp only at your reserved designated site, no dispersed camping
- 04Each standard backcountry campsite has 3 tent pads and takes at most 3 groups totaling 6 people; backcountry group campsites are limited to 15
- 05No open fires, only pressurized gas stoves are allowed for cooking
- 06No pets, no hammocks, no attaching anything to trees
- 07Purify all backcountry water by boiling, filtering, or chemical treatment
- 08Stay on designated trails, cutting switchbacks is prohibited
- 09Pack out all trash and used toilet paper
- 10Maximum stay of 14 nights
Hazards & considerations
- Dry springs, several listed water sources run seasonal and cannot be counted on
- Afternoon thunderstorms and lightning on exposed rim sections in summer
- Steep elevation changes that make short mileage feel long
- Snow and ice on shaded sections in spring and fall
- Altitude, trails sit between 6,800 and 9,115 feet
Safety & planning
Emergency Info
Emergency contacts, ranger station locations, and satellite communicator tips for Bryce Backcountry.
Food Storage
Bear canister requirements, approved container lists, and rental locations for this permit.
Gear Checklist: Required and recommended gear for Bryce Backcountry · Shuttle Services: Trailhead transportation options · Guide Services: Experienced wilderness guides
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Bryce Backcountry FAQ
How do I get a Bryce Canyon backcountry permit?
Reserve online at Recreation.gov (permit 4675330). Dates in the March 1 through November 30 season open 3 months in advance. After booking you must pick up the physical permit in person from a ranger at the Bryce Canyon Visitor Center, at least one hour before it closes on your start date.
How much does a Bryce Canyon backcountry permit cost?
There is a $5 recreation fee for each person on the permit plus a $10 non-refundable reservation fee. The recreation fee is refundable up to 3 days before your start date. Park entrance fees are separate.
Which trails does the Bryce Canyon backcountry permit cover?
Only the two overnight trails in the park: the 8.8-mile Riggs Spring Loop Trail with 4 designated sites, and the 22.9-mile Under-the-Rim Trail with 8 designated sites.
Are bear canisters required for the Bryce Canyon backcountry permit?
Yes. Bear-resistant canisters are required for all overnight trips and are loaned free of charge at the Bryce Canyon Visitor Center. All food and scented items must be stored inside them.
What is the group size limit for a Bryce Canyon backcountry permit?
A standard backcountry campsite has 3 tent pads and holds no more than 3 groups totaling 6 people. Backcountry group campsites are limited to 15 people.
Can I get a Bryce Canyon backcountry permit in winter?
Winter trips from December 1 through the last day of February are walk-in only and issued in person at the visitor center. They are not sold on Recreation.gov.
Bryce Backcountry trail conditions and trip reports
Trail Conditions
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Write the First ReportAlternatives to a Bryce Backcountry permit
- Same AreaPermit required
Under-the-Rim Trail
The 22.9-mile point-to-point route below the amphitheater, the longer of the park's two backcountry trails.
Tradeoffs
Same permit, more days and a car shuttle between Bryce Point and Rainbow Point.
- Same AreaPermit required
Riggs Spring Loop
An 8.8-mile loop from Rainbow Point through the park's high forested southern end.
Tradeoffs
Same permit, shorter and doable as a single overnight.
- Similar ExperiencePermit required
Zion Narrows
An overnight through Zion's slot canyon a couple hours west, wading the Virgin River between towering walls.
Tradeoffs
Wetter and lower, a lottery-style permit instead of a straight reservation.
Where to stay near Bryce Backcountry
- North Campground (Ut)Bryce Canyon National Park
- Sunset Campground (Ut)Bryce Canyon National Park
- Kings Creek campgroundDixie National Forest
- All Utah campgrounds
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