Bryce Canyon, I LOVE YOU. I feel like I say that about any of the National Parks I visit, but this one beats out the Grand Canyon for me.  Dan and I visited Zion National Park for a few days, and since Bryce Canyon is located about 2.5 hours from here, I knew we needed to make a visit and spend the day there as well.

Bryce Canyon National Park is located in southern Utah and is about 2.5 hours from Zion National Park. Bryce Canyon is known for crimson-colored hoodoos (spire-shaped rock formations). The park’s main road leads past the expansive Bryce Amphitheater, a hoodoo-filled depression lying below the Rim Trail hiking path. It has overlooks at Sunrise Point, Sunset Point, Inspiration Point, and Bryce Point. Prime viewing times are around sunup and sundown, but no matter when you visit, you will see the best sites you’ve ever seen!

Dan and I got our coffee and left for Bryce Canyon around 7:30 AM. We got to take the scenic route (starting through Mt. Carmel Tunnel) to Bryce Canyon and this Florida couple fan-girled at the views the entire time we were on the road. It was a quick 2 hours and we arrived in the town of Bryce and stopped at Ruby’s General Store where they had a plethora of merchandise, souvenirs, snacks, drinks, clean bathrooms, etc. It was pretty cold and we didn’t pack appropriately for it, so Dan bought gloves and I bought a scarf and we were on our way into the park!

We took another stop at the Bryce Canyon Visitor Center so I could use the bathroom, we could take a picture with the infamous national park sign, and we also bought our ornament (since we collect them from every new city we go). The visitor center was really nice and I was surprised how big it was -especially out in the middle of nowhere!

A lot of experts will say you only need one day to explore this park. I definitely agree with that, but if you want to spend a little more time exploring and not have to rush, there is lodging nearby in the town of Bryce.

Bryce Canyon is full of hoodoos! Hoodoos are tall, thin spires of rock that protrude from the bottom of an arid drainage basin. Hoodoos are found all around the world, but you’ll find the most in Bryce Canyon, which is so cool!. Hoodoos are the main display of this amazing landscape. While Bryce Canyon may be smaller and more compact than the Grand Canyon, this is still a beautiful site to see and one of my favorites.

Bryce Canyon has an amphitheater-like shape. The main viewpoints are along the upper rim of the “amphitheater” looking down into the valley of hoodoos and forests. If you have anyone who may not be able to hike, this is great for them because they still get gorgeous views of Bryce Canyon and don’t have to worry about walking too far, so everyone gets the chance to see this. There are a few different viewpoints that include Sunrise Point, Sunset Point, Inspiration Point, and Bryce Point.

Arrival in Bryce Canyon

Like any other national park, the later in the day you arrive, the busier it gets. Plan to arrive as early as possible. Usually, Dan and I prefer to start our hikes around 7 AM or so, but since we were coming from Zion, our drive put us arriving to Bryce Canyon around 10 AM. When arriving at Bryce Canyon, you will find a few parking lots to park in.

Queens Garden/ Navajo Loop Trail

The Queens Garden Trail starts at Sunrise Point. This point is on the Rim Trail and is an easy-to-walk trail with amazing views of Bryce Canyon It’s a little less than a mile down into the valley, but it goes so fast with so many gorgeous views to take in. Be sure to watch where you step because there is a horse trail. ;)

The most popular trail is Queen Gardens Trail. This is the trail we took, but you will also find other great trails to hike as well. The Queens Garden Trail descends down into the valley full of hoodoos and rock formations. It’s a fairly easy walk, but can be hard to come back due to the high elevation on return.

After walking the Queens Garden Trail, you can turn around and head back to  Sunrise Point, but you really should keep going! At the end of the Queens Garden Trail, you will follow signs to the Navajo Loop Trail. This part of the trail is mostly flat and takes you through a forest. You will think you’re lost, but keep following the path! You will also see signs telling you where to go. The Navajo Loop Trail ascends back up to the rim. It’s very strenuous if you’re not used to switchbacks and high elevation, but the views along the way are magnificent. Fun Fact: You can actually start this hike in revere. When starting at Sunset Point, hike down the Navajo Loop Trail and up the Queens Garden Trail. You will avoid hiking up the switchbacks on the Navajo Loop Trail, but I did prefer hiking the route we went.

The Navajo Loop Trail makes a loop, starting and ending at Sunset Point. However, you can get onto this trail by starting at Sunrise Point taking the Queens Garden Trail. You’ll see Thor’s  Hammer (SO cool). Wall Street (the only slot canyon located in Bryce Canton), and Two Bridges. You will have to choose to visit either the Wall Street trail or Two Bridges trail since you join this loop halfway through. I have seen amazing photos of Wall Street, but unfortunately during our visit, Wall Street was closed because it was considered a “winter month” (Late October), so we had to head to Two Bridges. If you can visit Wall Street during your hike, I highly recommend it! Photos that I’ve seen online look amazing!

Luckily we got to see Thor’s Hammer! This is one of the most popular hoodoos to photograph. If you start at Sunset Point, you can actually walk down the Two Bridges path and see it!

Other Great View Points to see:

Inspiration Point

Bryce Point

Rainbow Point

Yovimpa Point

Peekaboo Loop Trail

Fairyland Loop Trail

Other Tips:

Arrive at Brcye Canyon early! Avoid large crowds and the heat if you’re visiting in the summer months.

Bring water and be sure to hydrate.

Bring a jacket! It was much colder than we thought it would be when we got in the park, especially because it was overcast and the sun was hiding.

Looking to plan a visit out west? I’d love to help! Be sure to reach out to me for a free quote!

Love and Travel Dust,

Molly