Set in the heart of tiny Bryce Canyon City is an even tinier hamlet to visit, Old Bryce Town. This popular tourist destination just outside Bryce Canyon National Park offers an eclectic collection of shops and dining outlets, all intended to give visitors an authentic Wild West feel. Savor a hand-dipped ice-cream cone, shop for Native American jewelry and get your photo taken in old-timey, Western costume.
Be sure to stop at the Canyon Rock Shop. Browse museum-quality petrified wood, local Utah rocks, dinosaur fossils and other interesting specimens. Rock hounds love the large rock yard outside which you’re invited to explore and discover on your own.
At Ruby’s Inn General Store, shop for hiking and camping supplies, sporting goods and souvenirs. Visit the supermarket here as well to pick up groceries and picnic makings.
Bryce Canyon City is home to fewer than 250 permanent, year-round residents, but because of attractions such as Old Bryce Town and its proximity to the national park, the small city hosts hundreds of visitors from April through October. From here, hop on the Bryce Canyon National Park Shuttle, which will deliver you into the park, a free service included with the park admission fee.
Plan your visit during one of the city’s many fun events, including the Bryce Canyon Winter Festival and Bryce Canyon Country Rodeo on Saturdays during the summer.
While you’re in Bryce Canyon City, take a walk or bike ride on the popular Canyon 2 Canyon Bike Ride. The trail is paved and connects to the Thunder Mountain Trail and the Bryce Canyon Multi-Use path. Consider a variety of tours for exploring the area while you’re here, including ATV excursions, horseback riding, mountain biking and flightseeing tours.
Find Old Bryce Town across the street from Best Western Ruby’s Inn. It is open daily throughout the summer. Bryce Canyon City is a 90-minute drive from Cedar City and a 4-hour drive from Salt Lake City, Moab or Las Vegas.
