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Bryce Canyon - Things to Do in Bryce Canyon in November

Things to Do in Bryce Canyon in November

November weather, activities, events & insider tips

November Weather in Bryce Canyon

45.6°C (114°F) High Temp
22.8°C (73°F) Low Temp
2.5 mm (0.1 inches) Rainfall
70% Humidity

Is November Right for You?

Advantages

  • Exceptional visibility for photography - November brings crystal-clear air with almost no haze, making sunrise and sunset shots at places like Sunset Point and Bryce Point absolutely spectacular. The low-angle winter sun creates incredible contrast on the hoodoos between 7-9am and 4-6pm.
  • Solitude on the trails - You'll have iconic hikes like Navajo Loop and Queens Garden essentially to yourself. Mid-week in November, you might go 15-20 minutes without seeing another person, even on the most popular routes. This is the polar opposite of summer's shoulder-to-shoulder crowds.
  • Comfortable hiking temperatures during midday - That 22.8°C to 45.6°C (73°F to 114°F) range means you can actually hike the more strenuous trails like Peek-a-boo Loop during the warmest part of the day without overheating. Morning starts around 7-8am are crisp but not bone-chilling.
  • Significantly lower accommodation costs - Lodge rates and nearby Bryce Canyon City hotel prices drop 30-40% compared to peak summer season. You can book quality rooms for typically 80-120 USD per night that would cost 180-250 USD in July, and you don't need to reserve months ahead.

Considerations

  • Unpredictable weather swings - That temperature range isn't gradual throughout the month. You might wake up to 0°C (32°F) one morning and have it reach 18°C (65°F) by afternoon, then drop again rapidly after sunset. November sits in that transitional zone where winter storms can roll in with little warning, bringing snow, sleet, or freezing rain that closes trails temporarily.
  • Limited services and shortened hours - The Lodge dining room operates on reduced schedules, the General Store closes earlier (typically 5pm instead of 8pm), and shuttle service ends for the season. You'll need your own vehicle and should pack extra food and water since resupply options become limited, especially mid-week.
  • Real possibility of snow affecting plans - November averages 10 days with precipitation, and at 2,400-2,700 m (8,000-9,000 ft) elevation, that increasingly means snow rather than rain as the month progresses. Early November might see light dustings that melt by noon, but late November can bring 15-30 cm (6-12 inches) that stick around and make trails like Fairyland Loop genuinely treacherous without microspikes.

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Best Activities in November

Rim Trail hiking sections

November is actually ideal for the 8.8 km (5.5 mile) paved and unpaved Rim Trail sections because you avoid both summer heat exhaustion and the deep winter snow that makes portions impassable. The sections between Sunrise Point and Sunset Point stay mostly clear, and that 70% humidity reading is misleading - at this elevation, it feels dry and comfortable. Early morning frost creates striking ice crystals on vegetation that photograph beautifully. The trail's relatively flat profile means you can adjust your distance based on weather conditions without committing to a full canyon descent.

Booking Tip: No booking needed for rim access, but if you want guided geology or astronomy walks, check the park's November schedule when you arrive. These ranger-led programs typically run on weekends only in November and are first-come first-served, usually free with park admission of 35 USD per vehicle (valid 7 days). The park entrance itself never closes, though the visitor center operates 8am-4:30pm in November.

Sunrise and sunset photography sessions

November offers the year's best light quality for hoodoo photography. The sun rises around 7am and sets around 5pm, meaning you don't need to wake up at 4am like in summer, and the lower sun angle creates dramatic shadows that define every ridge and spire. That UV index of 8 might seem high, but it's actually moderate for Bryce's elevation - what matters more is the exceptionally clear air. Bryce Point and Inspiration Point face east and southeast respectively, making them perfect for sunrise when the amphitheater glows orange and red. For sunset, Sunset Point lives up to its name, though Paria View sees fewer people.

Booking Tip: Consider photography workshops or guided photo tours that operate in November, typically costing 150-300 USD for 3-4 hour sessions covering both technical camera settings and optimal positioning. These guides know exactly where to stand as seasons change and light angles shift. Book 2-3 weeks ahead as November workshops are small groups of 4-6 people maximum. Search for Bryce Canyon photography tours through booking platforms.

Below-rim loop combinations

The Navajo-Queens Garden combination loop (4.6 km / 2.9 miles) becomes genuinely enjoyable in November rather than the endurance test it is in summer. You'll descend 158 m (520 ft) into the canyon where temperatures stay moderate even when the rim gets chilly. The key advantage is that afternoon temperatures in that 15-20°C (59-68°F) range mean the climb back up doesn't leave you gasping. Start by 9am to ensure you're back up before any afternoon weather changes, which happen quickly in November. The trail surface can be icy in shaded sections, particularly on the Navajo switchbacks, so traction devices become important late in the month.

Booking Tip: No permits or reservations needed for day hiking these trails. If you want a guided hike with geological interpretation, look for half-day canyon hikes through local guide services based in Bryce Canyon City or Tropic, typically 75-120 USD per person for 3-4 hours. Book 7-10 days ahead. These guides carry extra layers and traction devices, and they know which sections become hazardous first when weather deteriorates. Check current tours through booking platforms below.

Scenic drive to higher viewpoints

The 29 km (18 mile) scenic drive from the park entrance to Rainbow Point and Yovimpa Point stays open through November unless active snowstorms close it temporarily. November is actually perfect for this because you can stop at all 13 viewpoints without battling for parking spaces, and the drive takes 90 minutes round-trip with stops instead of the 3+ hours it requires in summer. The higher elevations at Rainbow Point (2,778 m / 9,115 ft) show more dramatic weather and often have snow when the main amphitheater doesn't, creating interesting contrasts. Bring binoculars - November wildlife viewing is excellent as deer and elk move to lower elevations.

Booking Tip: No booking required - just drive your own vehicle. The road is paved and well-maintained, though a late-November snowstorm might require chains or 4WD temporarily. Check road status at the visitor center before heading south. If you prefer not to drive, look for full-day park tours from nearby gateway towns that include the scenic drive plus guided stops, typically 120-180 USD per person. These tours handle all logistics and often include hotel pickup from Bryce Canyon City or even Tropic.

Night sky observation programs

Bryce Canyon earned International Dark Sky Park status, and November offers some of the year's longest viewing windows with sunset around 5pm and sunrise not until 7am. That's 14 hours of potential darkness, and November typically brings clear, stable nights between storm systems. The new moon periods in November 2026 will be particularly spectacular. Rangers lead astronomy programs on select November evenings, usually Friday and Saturday nights, using telescopes to view planets, star clusters, and galaxies. Dress for temperatures that can drop to -5°C to 0°C (23-32°F) at night - significantly colder than that daytime high suggests.

Booking Tip: Ranger programs are free with park admission and don't require advance booking, but arrive 15-20 minutes early as they're first-come first-served with limited capacity of around 30-40 people. Private astronomy tours with specialized equipment run 80-150 USD per person for 2-3 hour sessions and should be booked 10-14 days ahead through local operators. These private sessions go deeper into astrophotography techniques and use higher-quality telescopes than the ranger programs.

Nearby Red Canyon exploration

Located 16 km (10 miles) west of Bryce on Highway 12, Red Canyon offers similar geology with even fewer visitors in November. The 0.8 km (0.5 mile) Pink Ledges Trail and 1.1 km (0.7 mile) Arches Trail provide quick hikes through red rock formations and natural arches without the elevation extremes of Bryce proper. Mountain biking the Casto Canyon Trail (9 km / 5.6 miles one-way) is excellent in November when temperatures make sustained pedaling comfortable. Red Canyon sits about 215 m (700 ft) lower than Bryce, so it often stays snow-free when Bryce gets hit, making it a valuable backup plan.

Booking Tip: No fees or permits required for Red Canyon access. The area is managed by Dixie National Forest rather than the National Park Service. For mountain bike rentals, shops in Panguitch or Bryce Canyon City typically charge 35-55 USD per day for quality bikes in November, when demand drops. Book rentals 3-5 days ahead just to ensure they're still operating - some shops reduce November hours or close mid-week. Guided bike tours of Red Canyon run 90-140 USD per person for half-day trips.

November Events & Festivals

Late November

Thanksgiving Week Quiet Period

This isn't an organized event, but Thanksgiving week (late November 2026, around November 26-29) creates an interesting phenomenon where the park becomes extraordinarily quiet as most Americans travel to family gatherings elsewhere. If you're visiting from outside the US or don't celebrate Thanksgiving, this window offers the absolute emptiest trails and viewpoints of the entire year. The Lodge typically stays open through Thanksgiving but operates minimal services.

Essential Tips

What to Pack

Layering system with serious range - Pack for both 22.8°C (73°F) and potential snow. Bring a moisture-wicking base layer, insulating mid-layer like fleece or down, and a windproof/waterproof outer shell. You'll likely wear all three in the morning, strip to base layer by noon, then add everything back by 4pm. Avoid cotton entirely - it's dangerous when wet in November temperatures.
Microspikes or traction cleats - Even if early November looks clear when you book, late-month visitors need these absolutely. They weigh 340-450 g (12-16 oz) and pack flat, but they transform icy trail sections from genuinely dangerous to manageable. The Navajo Loop switchbacks and Queens Garden lower sections develop black ice in shaded areas that lasts all day.
UV-blocking sunglasses and SPF 50 sunscreen - That UV index of 8 at 2,400+ m (8,000+ ft) elevation means you'll burn faster than you expect, especially with snow reflection if you visit late November. The thin atmosphere at this altitude provides less UV protection than sea level. Reapply sunscreen every 90-120 minutes even though it doesn't feel hot.
Insulated water bottles (two minimum) - Carry at least 2 liters (68 oz) total capacity in insulated bottles that won't freeze. Hydration pack hoses freeze solid in November morning temperatures, making them useless. That 70% humidity reading is misleading - you're at high desert elevation where you'll dehydrate quickly without realizing it, even in cool temperatures.
Headlamp with extra batteries - Sunset at 5pm means you might finish a hike in darkness if you misjudge timing or take longer than planned. Cold temperatures drain batteries 30-40% faster than normal. Bring a headlamp that produces at least 200 lumens and carry spare batteries in an inside pocket to keep them warm.
Warm hat and gloves for mornings and evenings - Even if midday hits 18°C (65°F), mornings start around 0-5°C (32-41°F) and evenings drop fast after sunset. Bring a fleece or wool beanie that covers your ears and gloves that work with phone touchscreens for photography. You'll wear these for the first 2-3 hours of any morning hike.
Weatherproof hiking boots with ankle support - The 10 days of precipitation in November means trails get muddy or icy. You need boots with aggressive tread and waterproofing, not trail runners. Ankle support becomes critical on the steep switchbacks when surfaces are slick. Break them in completely before arriving - blisters at altitude heal slowly.
Trekking poles - The 158 m (520 ft) elevation changes on below-rim trails become much easier with poles, especially when descending on potentially icy surfaces. They also help with balance when crossing snow patches or muddy sections. Collapsible poles pack easily if you're flying in.
Emergency bivy or space blanket - November weather can change dramatically in 30-60 minutes. If you're caught in a sudden snowstorm or someone in your group gets injured, an emergency shelter weighing 85-140 g (3-5 oz) could be lifesaving. This isn't paranoia - November sees real mountain weather at these elevations.
Snacks with high calorie density - Your body burns significantly more calories maintaining core temperature in November's variable conditions. Pack nuts, energy bars, chocolate, or dried fruit that won't freeze solid. Bring 50% more food than you think you'll need - if weather forces you to move slower or take shelter, you'll want the extra calories.

Insider Knowledge

Check weather at 6am for the day's real conditions - November forecasts for Bryce are notoriously unreliable more than 12 hours out because the park sits at the intersection of several weather patterns. The visitor center posts current conditions and trail status each morning. If the forecast shows any chance of precipitation after 2pm, start your below-rim hikes by 8am to ensure you're back up before conditions deteriorate.
The Bryce Canyon City gas station 5 km (3 miles) from the park entrance is your last reliable fuel until Panguitch (39 km / 24 miles away) - and it closes at 6pm in November. Fill up before entering the park for the day, even if you have half a tank. Running low on fuel in a November snowstorm with limited services is a situation you want to avoid entirely.
Download offline maps before arriving - Cell service throughout the park is essentially nonexistent, and November's reduced visitor services mean fewer people to ask for directions. Download the National Park Service app and offline maps of the area. The park WiFi at the visitor center works but only during 8am-4:30pm operating hours.
Book the Lodge dining room for dinner if staying there - Even though November crowds are light, the Lodge restaurant operates with reduced staff and limited seating in November. If you're staying at the Lodge (which is genuinely convenient for sunrise photography), make dinner reservations that morning. Otherwise, your nearest restaurant options are back in Bryce Canyon City, and you'll be driving 10 km (6 miles) round-trip in the dark on winding roads where wildlife crosses frequently.

Avoid These Mistakes

Underestimating how quickly weather changes at 2,400+ m (8,000+ ft) elevation - Tourists used to sea-level weather patterns don't realize that November storms at Bryce's elevation can bring temperature drops of 15-20°C (27-36°F) in under an hour. That sunny 15°C (59°F) morning can become a 0°C (32°F) whiteout by noon. Always carry your full layer system even on seemingly perfect days, and turn back early if clouds build.
Attempting the longer backcountry trails without checking current conditions - The Fairyland Loop (13 km / 8 miles) and Peek-a-boo Loop (9 km / 5.6 miles) are spectacular but become genuinely dangerous in November when snow covers the trail and obscures the route. Rangers close these trails when conditions warrant, but if they're technically open, tourists assume they're safe. Check specifically about your intended trail at the visitor center, not just general park status.
Arriving without tire chains or 4WD capability late in November - Rental car companies in Las Vegas (the nearest major airport, 435 km / 270 miles away) often don't provide chains, and tourists don't think to bring them. Late November snowstorms can dump enough snow that 2WD vehicles without chains literally cannot leave the park safely. Either bring chains, rent a 4WD vehicle, or be prepared to wait out storms for 24-48 hours until roads are plowed and dried.

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October

Travel guide for October

December

Travel guide for December

Climate Guide

Weather and seasonal patterns for Bryce Canyon

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