Go directly to the official Bryce Canyon National Park Service website for current conditions. The scenic drive is open year round to private vehicles unless it is closed for weather conditions. The rim drops directly away from most of the overlooks along the road and they are not as crowded as the ones closer to the visitor center and lodge. Have one of the elders purchase a golden age parks pass (if they don't already have one) and everyone in the car gets in for their reduced rate. That is true of any other national parks and monuments you may visit on your trip as well. You may also be interested in visiting Red Canyon (free) and its visitor center and rock tunnels just a few miles west on highway 12 in Dixie national forest.

I think you are a little confused. There are no auto restrictions in Bryce other than some roads are closed during the winter for safety. These are the spurs out to Fairyland Point (which is a turn-off before the visitor center) and to the Paria view. The shuttle runs on the same roads as auto traffic but only does the rim - from the Visitor Center to Bryce Point). This scenic drive extends another 12 miles or so south along rt. 63, out to Rainbow Point. If you want to look on google maps, this is road that will pass the Swamp Canyon Overlook and the Bryce Natural Bridge. Are you thinking of Zion? Only shuttles are allowed into the Valley north of the Canyon Junction Bridge there.

I have been at Bryce before and in September I just did a stop at the viewpoints/overlooks and took pictures It was a repeat trip, September starts to be a bit towards the low season - not a lot of children as they are back in school As such, finding parking was relatively easy and we could see all within a two hour period It will take longer in a very busy tourist period and it will take longer if you have not been there before simply because you will want to spend more time just admiring each area. but 2 hours minimum in an average busy day.

Yes. The free shuttle takes you a series of the most popular viewpoints (and other locations, such as a restaurant or lodge). All of these locations are reachable by private vehicle also. The primary advantage is that you don't have to worry about parking. On the day we visited (weekday, middle of summer), the popular spots had very full parking lots. We used the shuttle early in the morning, but then parked at some of the same locations later in the day. On a less-busy day, there would be very little incentive to take the shuttle if you prefer driving.

Hi! If you drive there, start your tour of the Scenic Drive by going all the way down to Bryce Point. Explore that, and then visit the different view points on the way back - they will all be on your right hand side. You need two nights in Bryce. On the second day, we recommend hiking dow to the bottom of the canyon. We hiked the Navaho-Queens Garden Trail. Start at Sunset Point and come back at Sunrise Point - thus you avoid a steep ascent. If you stay at Bryce Canyon Lodge (recommended), ask the helpful staff at the reception desk for further suggestions. We loved the sunrise, it's worth getting up early to see!