Bryce Canyon National Park

Located in Southwestern Utah lies one of the truly marvelous landscapes in America, Bryce Canyon National Park. This small but mighty park is a must-see destination for any outdoor enthusiast!

The Amphitheater at Bryce Canyon National Park

Established in 1928, Bryce Canyon National Park protects just over 35,000 acres of land, making it the smallest of Utah’s Mighty 5 National Parks. What it lacks in size it more than makes up for in jaw-dropping scenery everywhere you look. This diminutive National Park sees approximately 2.3 million visitors annually who travel from all over the world to catch a glimpse of the impressive hoodoo’s!

Hoodoo’s along the Queen’s Garden Trail at Bryce Canyon National Park

Bryce Canyon National Park is open 24 hours a day and requires a $35 entrance fee. The park is primarily accessed via Scenic Drive which runs alongside the many amphitheaters throughout the park, and ends at the Park’s southern terminus at Yovimpa Point. Along Scenic Drive are numerous overlooks that offer sweeping views of Bryce Canyon National Park. For those looking for a more relaxed ride through the park, Bryce Canyon National Park offers a free shuttle service which runs through the park, stopping at most trailheads and overlooks along Scenic Drive.

Swamp Canyon within Bryce Canyon National Park

Bryce Canyon National Park represents the top layer of the Grand Staircase, a massive region of layered rock stretching from the Grand Canyon to Bryce Canyon National Park. The Pink Cliff layer of rock provide vibrant colors to the incredible hoodoos, walls, arches, and windows scattered throughout the Park.

The snow provides an incredible contrast to the hoodoos at Bryce Canyon National Park

Located between Bryce Canyon City and Tropic, UT, Bryce Canyon National Park is not actually a canyon at all. As a true canyon requires a moving body of water to erode the rock, Bryce Canyon National Park was formed through a different process known as headward erosion. This process excavated a series of amphitheaters containing thousands of pinnacle-like sandstone rock formations known as hoodoos, some standing over 200 feet tall.

The Wall of Windows at Bryce Canyon National Park

Bryce Canyon National Park offers lodging and eating within the park at the Bryce Canyon Lodge. Just outside the gates, the small community of Bryce Canyon City offers a variety of restaurants, shops, and accommodations, as well! There are also 2 campgrounds within the park which operate on a first come-first served basis.

The hoodoos and Bristlecone Pines at dawn at Bryce Canyon National Park

While many visitors choose to view the park from Scenic Drive, the park offers many activities for the more adventurous explorers. From short, easy hikes such as the Rim Trail or Mossy Cave Trail, to the backcountry multi-day Under-The-Rim Trail, hikers of any level can explore Bryce Canyon National Park. Additionally, the park offers horseback riding through the hoodoos, cycling along Scenic Drive, and skiing in the winter.

The sprawling Bryce Amphitheater at Bryce Canyon National Park

While daytime activities at Bryce Canyon National Park are numerous, the park is also home to one of the darkest sky locations in America. The combination of virtually zero light pollution and extremely clean air provide excellent views of the night sky, and ranger-led stargazing events are available throughout the summer, as well as the popular Bryce Canyon Astronomy Festival held annually in June at the park.

The Ponderosa Pines standing tall under a starlit sky at Bryce Canyon National Park

From the world’s largest collection of hoodoos to the vast variety of plant and animal life found within the park, Bryce Canyon National Park is an incredible destination. The expansive amphitheaters, unbelievable hikes, and stunning night skies make for an unbelievable experience for any traveler. Situated in Southwestern Utah, the magnificent Bryce Canyon National Park may be small in size, but delivers a larger-than-life experience for all who venture into this gorgeous landscape!

Hoodoos from Fairyland Loop at Bryce Canyon National Park