Bryce Canyon National Park is home to the largest collection of hoodoos on Earth — thousands of thin, colorful spires of rock rising from the floor of a natural amphitheater carved into the edge of the Paunsaugunt Plateau. At sunrise and sunset, when the low light sets the orange and pink rock ablaze, Bryce Canyon becomes one of the most photographed landscapes in the entire National Park System.
Top Things to Do in Bryce Canyon
Bryce Amphitheater, viewable from a string of overlooks including Sunrise Point, Sunset Point, Inspiration Point, and Bryce Point, offers some of the most dramatic scenery in the park without requiring a single step off pavement. For those who want to walk among the hoodoos, the Navajo Loop and Queen's Garden Trail combination is the park's most popular hike — a moderate 3-mile loop that descends into the amphitheater and winds directly through the spires.
Bryce Canyon sits at over 8,000 feet, making it one of the darkest and clearest places in the country for stargazing — the park hosts regular ranger-led astronomy programs and an annual Astronomy Festival. In winter, the hoodoos dusted in snow against a red-rock backdrop create a scene unlike anywhere else in the Southwest, and the crowds thin out considerably.
What to Pack for Bryce Canyon
Bryce Canyon's elevation means cooler temperatures and stronger sun than you'd expect from the desert Southwest — layers and sun protection are both essential. The VacationGrabs Big Outdoor Leather Backpack handles a descent into the amphitheater and an evening stargazing session equally well. For a multi-park Utah road trip, the Vintage Leather Backpack by VacationGrabs is a stylish, durable option for moving between parks.
Book Bryce Canyon Tours and Experiences
Sunrise hoodoo tours, horseback rides through the amphitheater, and stargazing excursions are among the best ways to experience Bryce Canyon. Browse Bryce Canyon tours and experiences below to plan your trip.
0 comments