Swamp Canyon Overlook – The Bryce Scenic Drive
Swamp Canyon overlook is just one of those absolutely gorgeous places in Bryce Canyon National Park that is frankly stunning.
If you’re after a view with no hiking involved then this could be one of the best ones, because you are positioned at the very top of the canyon looking down into the valley with the hundreds if not thousands of unusual spire-like formations called hoodoos.
The colours of the landscape, the shape of the hoodoos, the variety; you’ve got thousands of trees from the forest and the distance, bright red rock and just simply incredible land formations.
You can’t go wrong with a quick pitstop at Swamp Canyon Overlook! Have a look below for some pictures in the area.
If you’re doing a Utah Road Trip, check out some of my other Utah articles, including the Rainbow Hills, Zion Hikes and Glamping in the region.
Quick Mini Guide To Bryce
Don’t have a lot of time? Here’s a quick mini guide to Bryce National Park.
Where to stay
- Bubble dome Glamp and Camp
- Best Western – The closest hotel to the entrance of Bryce.
Best Hikes & When to go
Wall Street, Navajo Trail, the Queens Garden. It’s best to go in Spring or Autumn. The summer becomes very hot & busy, so visit after 4pm.
Bryce Entry Fee
Private Vehicle: $35 for a 7-day pass, $20 for individuals
Car rental
Public transport is limited so car rental is your best option. Consider getting a 4×4 for any dirt roads.
Best Tours
Swamp canyon overlook
If you’re heading into brush Canyon National Park, then it’s best to be prepared. There is going to be a lot of different activities and things you can do so make sure you’re fully planned before you go.
It’s probably also worth noting that a lot of people go to Bryce Canyon National Park and it’s not hard to see why; it is absolutely incredible. In fact, in my opinion it’s possibly one of the best national parks in all of Utah thanks to the jutting land formations the dramatic peaks inspires the canyons and of course the Ridiculously beautiful hikes.
But it’s probably going to be busy.
If you go to Bryce Cannon National Park at peak times then it’s very likely you’re going to be faced with queues and you might even have some challenges parking your vehicle so if you have an option to park your vehicle and get a shuttle bus (via the National Park Service) in that’s always a really good option.
We went in June this is definitely one of the busier times for Bryce National Park however we felt that we needed to go later on in the afternoon or the evening to offset the huge crowds that visit this popular national park.
This means as well that it was extremely hot during the middle of the day and Frankly, I had no desire to be outside in the middle of the blazing summer under the hot sun.
This means that I went at 5 pm to a lot of national parks. The best thing about the summer is that the Sun doesn’t set until around nine or 930 so you still got a good several hours exploring the national park whilst it’s cool and there are much much fewer crowds.
Have a look below for sunrise and sunset times as well as the temperatures for Swamp Canyon Overlook and Bryce Canyon National Park.
Things to note before you go
- There is not actually a ton of parking at Swamp Canyon Overlook.
- You can always get the shuttle bus, free with park entry.
- Bring your camera! There are a lot of little angles to photograph when you’re at Swamp Canyon overlook
- Bring more water than you think you need, in case you run out!
- Just make sure you take five minutes to take it all in soak up with reviews soak up the incredible viewpoints.
- If you’re planning on staying overnight, you an stay Right Fork Swamp Canyon Campsite.
Shuttle Bus times
Bryce Canyon National Park runs a free shuttle bus from mid-April through mid-October. The shuttle generally operates on the following schedule:
- Early Morning: Begins around 8:00 AM and every 15-20 minutes thereafter
- Late Evening: Ends around 6:00 PM
It stops at major viewpoints and trailheads including the Visitor Center, Bryce Amphitheater, Sunrise Point, Sunset Point, Inspiration Point, and Bryce Point.
Hiking Trails at Swamp Canyon Overlook
With less signage, I strongly recommend you carry a map and any other offline means of navigation.
Swamp Canyon Loop Trail:
- Type: Backcountry Hiking
- Duration: 3-4 hours
- Distance: 4.3 miles (6.9 km) loop
- Overview: This moderately strenuous trail descends into Swamp Canyon, taking hikers through forested areas and past hoodoos and other rock formations. The trail offers a more secluded and intimate hiking experience compared to the more popular Bryce Amphitheater trails.
Sheep Creek / Swamp Canyon Connecting Trail:
- Type: Backcountry Hiking
- Duration: Varies depending on route (there are many variations)
- Distance: Approximately 4.0 miles (6.4 km) one-way
- Overview: This trail connects the Sheep Creek and Swamp Canyon areas, providing a longer and more difficult backcountry experience. It traverses diverse landscapes, including forests and rock formations.
The Bryce Scenic Drive
A lot of people go straight to hike the Navajo trail, or look at Sunrise point or Sunset point. And they miss the whole scenic drive that takes you to the very end of Bryce Canyon, which is Rainbow point and Yovimpa point. Don’t miss Agua Canyon Overlook, Ponderosa Canyon, Black Birch Canyon and the Bryce Natural Bridge.
- Duration: 2-12 Hours (depending on whether you hike any of the trails).
- Reservations: No
- Pets: Yes
- Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
- Time of Day: Day, Night, Dawn, Dusk
The main park road stretches 18 miles (29 km) from the park entrance in the north to Rainbow and Yovimpa Points at the southern end. The first 3 miles (4.8 km) feature the Bryce Amphitheater area, while the next 15 miles (24 km) are known as the Southern Scenic Drive. This section includes 9 scenic overlooks and vehicle pullouts, offering views of Bryce Canyon’s unique geology and wildlife.
Swamp Canon Overlook facts
- Location: Swamp Canyon Overlook is located along the main park road, about 6 miles south of the Visitor Center.
- Elevation: The overlook is situated at an elevation of approximately 7,998 feet (2,438 meters).
- Views: The overlook provides stunning views of Swamp Canyon, showcasing a mix of dense forests, open meadows, and hoodoos. The canyon is more lush and green compared to other areas of the park.
- Trail Access: From the overlook, visitors can access the Swamp Canyon Trail, which is a moderately strenuous 4.3-mile loop that descends into the canyon and offers close-up views of the hoodoos and other geological formations.
- Flora and Fauna: The area around Swamp Canyon Overlook is home to diverse plant and animal life, including ponderosa pines, firs, mule deer, and various bird species.
- Less Crowded: Swamp Canyon Overlook tends to be less crowded than some of the more popular overlooks, offering a more tranquil and secluded experience.
- Photography: The overlook provides excellent opportunities for photography, especially during sunrise and sunset when the lighting enhances the colors and textures of the landscape.
Weather in Utah
Be wary of the weather in Utah, it’s so diverse! In the winter, it is literally freezing.
In the summer it is literally boiling, and it can actually be difficult to be out in the middle of the day. Whatever the time of year you visit, be prepared, whether that’s water bottles, or extra layers to keep warm.
Utah Weather in January
- Average temperature: -1°C (30°F)
- Average rainy days: 5
- Average daylight hours: 10
- Average sunrise time: 7:45 AM
- Average sunset time: 5:30 PM
Utah Weather in February
- Average temperature: 2°C (35°F)
- Average rainy days: 5
- Average daylight hours: 11
- Average sunrise time: 7:30 AM
- Average sunset time: 6:00 PM
Utah Weather in March
- Average temperature: 7°C (45°F)
- Average rainy days: 6
- Average daylight hours: 12
- Average sunrise time: 7:00 AM
- Average sunset time: 6:30 PM
Utah Weather in April
- Average temperature: 11°C (52°F)
- Average rainy days: 6
- Average daylight hours: 13
- Average sunrise time: 6:30 AM
- Average sunset time: 7:30 PM
Utah Weather in May
- Average temperature: 16°C (61°F)
- Average rainy days: 5
- Average daylight hours: 14
- Average sunrise time: 6:00 AM
- Average sunset time: 8:00 PM
Utah Weather in June
- Average temperature: 21°C (70°F)
- Average rainy days: 3
- Average daylight hours: 15
- Average sunrise time: 5:45 AM
- Average sunset time: 8:45 PM
Utah Weather in July
- Average temperature: 26°C (79°F)
- Average rainy days: 4
- Average daylight hours: 15
- Average sunrise time: 6:00 AM
- Average sunset time: 8:45 PM
Utah Weather in August
- Average temperature: 24°C (75°F)
- Average rainy days: 4
- Average daylight hours: 14
- Average sunrise time: 6:30 AM
- Average sunset time: 8:30 PM
Utah Weather in September
- Average temperature: 19°C (66°F)
- Average rainy days: 4
- Average daylight hours: 12
- Average sunrise time: 7:00 AM
- Average sunset time: 7:30 PM
Utah Weather in October
- Average temperature: 12°C (54°F)
- Average rainy days: 4
- Average daylight hours: 11
- Average sunrise time: 7:30 AM
- Average sunset time: 6:30 PM
Utah Weather in November
- Average temperature: 5°C (41°F)
- Average rainy days: 4
- Average daylight hours: 10
- Average sunrise time: 7:00 AM
- Average sunset time: 5:00 PM
Utah Weather in December
- Average temperature: -1°C (30°F)
- Average rainy days: 5
- Average daylight hours: 9
- Average sunrise time: 7:30 AM
- Average sunset time: 5:00 PM
Certainly a bucket list Utah Road Trip. Have a look at my other USA articles that you might find interesting:
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