Campsites at Sunset Campground (2026 Guide)

Most visitors to Bryce Canyon National Park assume the two campgrounds are interchangeable. They're not. North Campground sits right across from the Visitor Center - convenient but exposed to road noise and constant foot traffic. Sunset Campground, 1.5 miles south of the Visitor Center and tucked a short walk from Sunset Point, offers a quieter basecamp with direct access to the park's most famous amphitheater hikes. If you're after proximity to the hoodoos without the bustle of the main hub, this is the loop you want.

Location and Layout

Sunset Campground lies west of Sunset Point, roughly 1.5 miles south of the Bryce Canyon Visitor Center along the main park road. It's comprised of 99 sites in three loops: Loop A is designated for RV campers (trucks, trailers, motorhomes), while Loops B and C are tent-only. The separation works well - RVs get a paved loop with enough turn-around space, and tent campers get quieter, more secluded spots with natural vegetation between sites.

A free shuttle stop sits right at the campground entrance, making it easy to reach the Visitor Center, lodge, and other viewpoints without moving your vehicle. The shuttle runs frequently during peak season (May through September). For early-morning hikers, Sunset Point is a five-minute walk from the campground - a major advantage over North Campground, which requires a longer walk or shuttle ride to reach the rim.

Site Details and Reservations

All sites at Sunset Campground are first-come, first-served? No - reservations are required as of the 2025 season. You book through Recreation.gov. Sites cost $30 per night for either tent or RV, with a 50% discount for holders of Senior or Access passes (valid ID required). Each site allows up to 10 people (maximum 6 adults), three tents, and two vehicles (or one RV plus one tow vehicle). Checkout is at 11:30 a.m.; quiet hours run from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m.

The dump station is included with your campsite fee - no extra charge. It's a single-lane setup, so expect a short wait on checkout mornings.

When It Opens and Closes

Sunset Campground is open from approximately mid-April through October, weather permitting. In 2026, the winter closure ended on April 14. The park closes the campground entirely during the winter months (November through mid-April) due to snow and freezing temperatures. If you're visiting before mid-April or after October, your only option inside the park is the limited winter camping at North Campground (Loops A and B, with vault toilets but no water).

Camping at Sunset Campground: What to Expect

Amenities (and What's Missing)

• Restrooms: Flush toilets are available in the campground, though they're not heated. They're cleaned regularly during peak season.
• Picnic tables and fire rings: Every site has both. Wood is not provided; you can buy firewood at the General Store near Sunrise Point or at local shops outside the park. Collecting wood inside the park is prohibited.
• Food storage: Bear-proof food lockers are available at every site. Use them - raccoons and squirrels are persistent, and bears do occasionally wander through the park. Rangers will tell you that a single unattended cooler is enough to earn a citation.
• Cell service: Expect no signal in most of the campground. The only reliable spot is near the entrance road or at the shuttle stop. Download maps and reservation confirmations before you arrive.

The RV Reality

Loop A can accommodate RVs up to about 40 feet, but the loops are tight. Longer rigs may have trouble maneuvering into some sites. Check Recreation.gov for site-specific length restrictions when booking. There are no pull-throughs - every site is back-in. Towing a trailer? Plan to disconnect before backing in; the loop road has limited turn-around space.

Tent campers should avoid Loop A entirely. The paved sites and generator noise from RVs make it less appealing. Loops B and C offer gravel or dirt pads set back from the road, with more trees and privacy. Some sites in Loop C back against the forest, though they're also closer to the road that leads to Sunset Point - expect some foot traffic during daylight hours.

Weather and Packing Tips

Bryce Canyon sits at about 8,000 feet elevation. Summer daytime highs reach the 80s°F, but nights drop into the 40s°F - sometimes lower. Bring a warm sleeping bag and layers even in July. Afternoon thunderstorms are common from July through early September; lightning on the rim is a real hazard. If you hear thunder, get off the exposed trails immediately.

Spring and fall bring colder nights (often below freezing) and possible snow. The campground closes for winter, so late-season campers should be prepared for winter conditions as early as mid-October.

Activities from Sunset Campground

You're staying at the gateway to the Bryce Amphitheater. The Navajo Loop Trail starts right at Sunset Point - a 1.3-mile loop that drops into the canyon through narrow slot-like switchbacks. (Note: As of spring 2026, the Wall Street side of Navajo Loop is closed due to hazardous conditions, so only the Two Bridges side is open. Check at the Visitor Center for updates.)

The Navajo/Peekaboo Combination (3-4 hours) connects the Navajo Loop with the longer Peekaboo Loop from Bryce Point. It's a mini figure-8 loop that covers the best hoodoo scenery in the amphitheater. If you want the full experience, the Figure-8 Combination (4-5 hours) adds the Queen's Garden Trail - the park's most popular hike. You can reach the Queen's Garden trailhead via a short walk or shuttle to Sunrise Point.

Rangers offer evening programs and ranger-led hikes during summer (Memorial Day through Labor Day). Check the park calendar. The Rim Walk with a Ranger departs from Sunset Point at 2 p.m. daily in summer - a 45-minute walk along the rim with geology and ecology commentary.

Stargazing

Sunset Campground is in one of the darkest night skies in the continental U.S. Bryce Canyon was designated an International Dark Sky Park in 2019. Head to Sunset Point after dark (a 5-minute walk) for unobstructed views of the Milky Way. Rangers lead full moon hikes several times a year (check the calendar). Bring a red flashlight to preserve night vision - white light is discouraged in the campground after dark.

Practical Takeaways

1. Reserve early. Sunset Campground fills most summer nights, especially on weekends. Book on Recreation.gov as far in advance as the 6-month window allows (typically mid-April for summer slots).
2. Bring all your water. Fill your tanks or jugs at the spigot near the North Campground dump station before setting up. There's no water at the site.
3. Pack warm. Even in August, nights in the 40s are common. You'll want a sleeping bag rated to 30°F or lower.
4. Use the shuttle. Parking at Sunset Point is limited. Walk or take the shuttle from the campground entrance - it's free and runs every 10-15 minutes in summer.
5. Check conditions. The Wall Street closure is just one example; trail and road conditions can change overnight. Stop at the Visitor Center (open daily 8 a.m.-5 p.m. in summer) for the latest.
6. Quiet hours are enforced. 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. Generators are only allowed during designated hours (typically 8 a.m.-10 a.m. and 6 p.m.-8 p.m.). Check the campground bulletin board for current rules.

For a deeper everything Sunset Campground offers - including detailed itineraries and gear recommendations - see our complete visitor guide. And for a full rundown of every camping option inside Bryce Canyon, explore our overview of all campgrounds.

Final Thoughts

Sunset Campground isn't the largest or most amenity-rich campground in Bryce Canyon. It's the one that puts you closest to the reason you came: the hoodoos. You trade hookups and convenience-store proximity for a ten-minute walk to the rim at sunset and a quiet night under skies so dark you'll see the Milky Way's dust lanes. It's a trade worth making - especially if you've ever stood at Sunset Point at dusk, watching the last light catch the spires, and realized you could walk back to your tent in under five minutes.