Bryce Canyon City- Closest Town to Bryce Canyon National Park (St. George, UT)

We were heading to a small town on UT-12, Bryce Canyon City.

Bryce Canyon City is the closest town to Bryce Canyon National Park. Formerly known as Ruby's Inn, the town officially incorporated on July 23, 2007, and has an elevation of 7,664 ft. (2,336 m.). It is located just outside the entrance to Bryce Canyon National Park, about 2.5 miles (4 km.) from the park's visitor center.

In 1916, around the start of promotion of Bryce Canyon as a tourist attraction, Reuben C. "Ruby" Syrett built a lodge and cabins in this location (known as Ruby’s Inn). As the park gained in popularity, so did Syrett's business, especially after Bruce was elevated to National Park status in 1928. The area became an important junction and its services developed into a small community. Syrett donated some of his land to the state of Utah for construction of a road (Utah SR-63), which put Ruby's Inn right at the entrance to the park.

Bryce Canyon City consists solely of the property of Ruby's Inn and the Syrett family, its third-generation owners. It includes the two hotels, souvenir-filled gift shops, rodeo arena, restaurants, gas stations, grocery store, and areas for campers and RVs. The company's board president, Rod Syrett, was chosen as the town’s first mayor.

Even though the town has fewer than 200 residents, between April and October the area hosts more people each day than the entire population of surrounding Garfield County (Utah). The new transportation hub is a major stop along the free Bryce Canyon Shuttle route, which transports visitors into the park without the hassle of traffic and parking. Each year the town hosts several major events, including the Bryce Canyon Country Rodeo, Bryce Canyon Rim Run and Walk, and the Bryce Canyon Winter Festival.

Also, Bryce Canyon City has a well-preserved old town. 

This is Old Town behind the main street with many souvenir shops.