Bryce Canyon National Park
- Address: Off Hwy 63 & Hwy 12, Utah
- Hours: Open daily year-round
- Admission: $12 - $18 (adults)
ATTRACTION Keywords:
Nature & Wildlife,
Off-the-Beaten Path,
Walking/Hiking,
Monument - Natural,
National Park
Bryce Canyon is the culmination of a series of steplike uplifted rock layers known as the Grand Staircase, stretching north from the Grand Canyon. The park's Pink Cliffs formations are crammed full of wonderful pinnacles, steeples and spires, and weird geological creations called 'hoodoos' sculpted by wind, water and ice.
It may be called a canyon, but Bryce is actually more a series of natural amphitheaters formed by erosion over the millennia. The wind and rain have peeled back the sedimentary layers to reveal stripes of red, orange and white, at heights of around 9,000 feet (2,700 m).
Being more remote than the Grand Canyon or Zion National Park, a visit to this far-flung natural gem rewards you with a true sense of wilderness in its pristine glory.
On arriving at Bryce Canyon National park, you’ll travel through the park's plateau region to the edge of the rift valley. Your first view of the valley and cliffs spiked with red-rock pinnacles is one you won’t forget.
One of the park's major natural formations is Rainbow Point, reached via an 18-mile (29 km) scenic drive. You'll also see forests of blue spruce and Douglas fir, inhabited by mule deer and prairie dogs.
Latest Reviews
Review by Peggy L, April 2013
Doing what: Bryce Canyon and Zion National Parks Small-Group Tour from Las Vegas
Hello Photo Tours,
Thank you for conducting such an enjoyable and enlightening tour of Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon. Our tour guide, Bill was superb. He had the right mix of down-home style, humor and local knowledge to make our travel seem short. This tour is a breathe taking must–do for locals thinking about trekking the park or canyon and for a tourist like myself wanting to see as much as possible of the vast differences in landscape and rock formations in America’s west. I will be returning to see more of the treasures Photo Tours has to offer.
Peggy from CT
Review by Francisco M, October 2012
Bryce canyon is a spectacular nature show. For us living in an area without mountains, this was a treat of creeks,vegetation, landscape. A perfect vista point for your most memorable photos.
Practical Info
To reach the park, follow Highway 63 from Highway 12. After 4 miles (6.5 km) you’ll reach Rim Road Drive, which leads to Inspiration Point and Rainbow Point, passing the visitors center and the Bryce Canyon accommodation lodge along the way. A free shuttle bus can take you into the park from Highway 12.
The park has eight hiking trails for day treks, including the one-hour walk to Mossy Cave. The Rim Trail takes around six hours, plus there are two overnight trails. Horseback riding is another favorite activity, along with cross-country skiing in winter. Oh, and the night sky is stunning, with thousands of stars visible in the black velvet heavens.
