Bryce Canyon National Park Parks and Outdoors Vacations

Bryce Canyon National Park Parks and Outdoors Travel Guide

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Aerial view of Thor's Hammer at sunset in Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah
Thor's Hammer at sunset, Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah (Ray Mathis/courtesy, National Park Service)

Bryce Canyon National Park Parks and Outdoors Highlights

By Travel Expert: Kim Lipker

  • To get a nice overview of Bryce Canyon National Park, drive the 18-mile main park road. On this paved route, you will have many chances to stop and admire the view from various overlooks. The main road takes you by Fairview Point, the Natural Bridge Arch, and Aqua Canyon. It ends at Rainbow and Yovimpa Points.
  • The hoodoos will invariably grab your attention first. These brown, red, orange, yellow, and white pinnacles of limestone, sandstone, and mudstone shoot toward the sky in fanciful formation. Closer inspection of the park reveals horseshoe-shape amphitheaters, and views of Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico. Ponderosa pines, high-elevation meadows, and fir-spruce forests border the rim of this canyon on the Paunsaugunt Plateau.
  • Within the migration season from May to July is the best time to see a wide variety of birds. There have been more than 170 bird species identified in Bryce Canyon National Park. Pick up a birding list at the visitor center.
  • A half-mile south of the visitor center and near the Bryce Canyon Lodge, numerous trailheads, and the General Store is the North Campground. Available on a first-come, first-served basis, it is best to arrive early during May through September. One of the sections of this campground is open year-round.
  • Highway 12 Scenic Byway is one of the most picturesque stretches of road in the Southwest and possibly in the entire United States. Starting at the intersection of US 89 west of Bryce National Park, you will be going through Escalante, passing through Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument and onto Capitol Reef National Park.

Bryce Canyon National Park Overview

There aren't many places in the world where the forces of nature have come together with such dramatic results as in Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks. From arid desert and desolate canyons to pine-covered peaks and awe-inspiring rock formations, these two parks -- located about 85 miles apart in colorful southern Utah -- offer some of the American West's most beautiful scenery, along with almost unlimited opportunities for hiking, camping, and other outdoor experiences. Read More

Hotels

expert favorite hotel
Bryce Canyon Lodge
PO Box 640079
Bryce Canyon National Park, UT 84764
Hotel Class: Not Yet Rated
Distance: 4.7 Miles
(from destination center)
Parks Expert Rating
5.0 out of 5
5.0 out of 5
Traveler Rating
Not Yet Rated
Recommended for:
Parks and Outdoors travel Active and Adventure travel
North Campground and Sunset Campground
PO Box 640201
UD, UT 84764-0201
Hotel Class: Not Yet Rated
Distance: 0.0 Miles
(from destination center)
Parks Expert Rating
5.0 out of 5
5.0 out of 5
Traveler Rating
Not Yet Rated
Recommended for:
Parks and Outdoors travel Active and Adventure travel
from: $67 compare hotel rates
Bryce View Lodge
997 South Highway 63
Bryce, UT 84764
Hotel Class: 2 class stars
Distance: 4.4 Miles
(from destination center)
Parks Expert Rating
5.0 out of 5
5.0 out of 5
Traveler Rating
Not Yet Rated
Recommended for:
Parks and Outdoors travel
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Attractions

expert favorite attraction
Bryce Scenic Drive
Bryce Canyon National Park
PO Box 640201
Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah 84764-0201
Distance: 3.6 Miles (from destination center)
Description: From the park entrance, this 18-mile road runs... Read More
Parks Expert Rating
5.0 out of 5
5.0 out of 5
Traveler Rating
Not Yet Rated
Recommended for:
Parks and Outdoors travel Active and Adventure travel
Hole-in-the-Rock Road
Southeast of Escalante
Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, 755 W. Main
Escalante, Utah 84726 Map
Distance: 0.0 Miles (from destination center)
Description:

This road once played a center-stage role in... Read More

Parks Expert Rating
4.0 out of 5
4.0 out of 5
Traveler Rating
Not Yet Rated
Recommended for:
Parks and Outdoors travel Active and Adventure travel
Rim Trail
Bryce Canyon National Park
PO Box 640201
Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah 84764-0201
Distance: 3.6 Miles (from destination center)
Description: This easy trail follows the rim with spectacular... Read More
Parks Expert Rating
Not Yet Rated
Traveler Rating
Not Yet Rated
Recommended for:
Active and Adventure travel
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Bryce Canyon National Park Parks and Outdoors Travel Guides

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