Bryce Canyon National Park

Sunset Point, Bryce Canyon National Park

Bryce Canyon National Park transports you to another world. Filled with death defying cliffs, domes, arches, and pillared hoodoos, this park is a must see!

Sunset at Fairyland Canyon, Bryce Canyon National Park

One feature I love about Bryce Canyon National Park is the amazing hoodoo formations. According to National Geographic’s book Secrets of the National Parks, “Angka-ku-wass-a-wits (“red painted faces”) is one of several names for Bryce Canyon National Park attributed to the Paiute people, who believed the ruddy pillars of the area were their human ancestors turned to stone.” Many of the hoodoo formations look like they have faces carved right into the sides of them. It’s pretty cool!

Sunrise on the Queen’s Garden Trail, Bryce Canyon National Park

Another thing I love about Bryce Canyon National Park is the size. Because Bryce Canyon is a smaller National Park, it is a lot easier to navigate. We were able to see a large portion of the park as well as complete 3 hikes. The hiking trails are well marked and you can even get a sticker for completing the “Hike the Hoodoos” challenge! What’s not to love about this national park! Bryce Canyon is also known for its amazing sunrises, sunsets, and stargazing opportunities.

Stargazing from Fairyland Canyon, Bryce Canyon National Park

As with all the National Parks, you could spend a lifetime in Bryce Canyon National Park and still not see it all. That said, there is plenty that can be done! No matter how much time you have, Bryce Canyon National Park is sure to capture your heart. Here are some tips to help make your visit to Bryce Canyon National Park a good one!

To find a list of the Best Photo Spots at Bryce Canyon National Park, click HERE!

Bryce Canyon National Park Details & Location

Location: Utah | Area: 55.98 mi²| Established: February 25, 1928 | Visitors: 2,571,684 (in 2017)

Directions: Bryce Canyon National Park is located in southern Utah. It can be accessed from the west via US-89 and UT-20 or from the East via UT-12 or UT-22. Once you arrive at Bryce Canyon National Park, there are two main sections of the park. A scenic drive on UT-12 in the north east section of the park, or the main section of the park via UT-63 S. UT-63 S takes you to the main attractions of Bryce Canyon, down an 18-mile scenic drive, and then dead ends at Rainbow point. This beautiful National Park is only 55.98 mi², making it a really pleasant and manageable National Park to visit. For more information about Bryce Canyon National Park, visit the National Park Service Website.

I only have a few hours to visit Bryce Canyon National Park:

If you only have a few hours to visit Bryce Canyon National Park, here are my top recommendations for must-see attractions:

• 18 Mile Scenic Drive plus turns outs (Natural Bridge is a must see!)
• Bryce Point
• Sunrise Point
• Sunset Point
• Rainbow Point
• Inspiration Point
• Bryce Canyon Visitor Center

I have a day to visit Bryce Canyon National Park:

If you have a full day to visit Bryce Canyon National Park, then I recommend the following:

• Do all of the above PLUS
• Queens Garden/Navajo Loop Combination Hike (Home to Thor’s Hammer, Queen Victoria, and Wall Street)
• Paria Point
• Fairyland Point
• Watch the sunrise at Sunrise Point

I want to live at Bryce Canyon National Park:

If you have more than a day at Bryce Canyon National Park, the opportunities are countless! Here are some options for things you can do:

• Do all of the above PLUS
• Fairyland Point Sunset, hiking and stargazing
• Swamp Canyon Trail
• Hike the Hoodoos Challenge
• Sunset at Bryce Point
• Agua Canyon Trail
• Yovimpa Point
• Bristlecone Loop Trail
• Tropic Trail
• Peek-a-boo Loop Trail
• Hike the Rim Trail
• Look for Prairie Dogs at Dave’s Hollow Meadow
• Backpack and camp along the Under the Rim Trail
• Hike to lower calf creek falls along scenic highway 12
• Stay at/visit the historic Bryce Canyon Lodge
• Attend a ranger-led program
• Go stargazing
• Hike to Mossy Cave

Best Sunrise Locations at Bryce Canyon National Park

If you can wake up early enough, catching the sunrise at Bryce Canyon National Park is worth it! The sunrise colors in the canyon reach their peak about 30-40 min. after sunrise, so it is worth sticking around after the sunrise to see them. According to a sign at the Bryce Canyon Visitor Center, the best sunrise locations at Bryce Canyon National Park are the following:

• Sunrise Point (plus several locations along the Queens Garden Trail)
• Bryce Point
• Inspiration Point (not recommended by the park for sunrise, but based on these photos, I think it would make for an amazing sunrise location!)

Best Sunset Locations at Bryce Canyon National Park

In addition to amazing sunrises, sunsets at Bryce Canyon National Park are spectacular! The best sunset locations at Bryce Canyon National Parkare the following:

• Sunrise Point
• Sunset Point
• Bryce Point
• Inspiration Point
• Fairyland Point (plus several locations along the canyon hike)

Top 6 Hikes at Bryce Canyon National Park

The hiking at Bryce Canyon is spectacular! That said, some hikes are more difficult than others. Here is a list from the Bryce Canyon Visitor Center of the top 6 hikes at Bryce Canyon National Park:

• Queens Garden/Navajo Loop (Sunset or Sunrise Point – “The world’s best 3 mile hike!)
• Mossy Cave (Highway 12 North end of park)
• Rim Trail (Anywhere along the rim (not a loop))
• Bristlecone Loop (Rainbow Point)
• Peekaboo Loop (Bryce Point)
• Fairyland Loop (Fairyland Point or north of Sunrise Point)

Current Weather Conditions at Bryce Canyon National Park:

I hope you get the opportunity to visit Bryce Canyon National Park for yourself. If not, at least you can see it through my photos! Thanks for reading and sharing my adventures with me!

Happy travels!

Juventa Vezzani

One of my bucket list items is to visit all 60 National Parks! For detailed posts about my adventures, click here!

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Want to see more? Here is a list of articles that I have written to help you further explore Bryce Canyon National Park: