The breathtaking landscape of Bryce Canyon National Park is what draws most of its visitors each year. views are amazing! Come with U.S. News on a tour of The Langham, Boston. Just below are the Grey Cliffs, then in the distance are the White Cliffs, the Vermilion Cliffs and hidden from sight, the Chocolate Cliffs. With so many ski and snowboard resorts easily accessible in and around Utah, using the state as your gateway can maximize the value of any multi-pass.
Bryce Canyon visitors should plan their visit for early morning or late evening for the most dramatic views of this popular park.
, This article was last updated on August 19, 2019 and was excerpted from the National Geographic books, Why birds are building fortresses from anti-bird spikes, How shark meat became a global phenomenon. With everything from hoodoos to the canyon itself, you can see much of the park right from your window. [15], The forests and meadows of Bryce Canyon provide the habitat to support diverse animal life including foxes, badgers, porcupines, elk, skunks, black bears, bobcats, and woodpeckers. HIKES IN ZION: Observation Point, Angels Landing, Canyon Overlook, and the West Rim Trail are some of the top hiking trails in Zion. Tax identification number: 52-1086761. Hoodoos form where soft rock, like sandstone, is covered in a thin layer of harder rock. The main sights are Thor's Hammer (a large hoodoo on the Two Bridges side of the hike) and Wall Street, the second half of the loop, which is a slot canyon filled with Douglas firs. View a downloadable map of Bryce Canyon National Park, Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity. Bryce Canyon is a series of gorgeous, amphitheater shaped canyons that are known for their striking hoodoos. Heres what we did. BetweenCapitol ReefandBryce Canyonnational parks and perched on the edge ofGrand StaircaseEscalante National Monument, the town of Escalante offers access to some of the most beautiful parts of Southern Utah. More than 10 miles (16km) of marked but ungroomed skiing trails are available off of Fairyland, Paria, and Rim trails in the park. But if you don't want to get up early, don't worry: past visitors said the views are stunning any time of day. After the second bridge youll come to a fork. Which trail has the most elevation gain in Bryce Canyon National Park? Most of the park's day hikes can be found here. On a clear night in Bryce Canyon, the National Park Service reports you can see all the way to the Andromeda Galaxy, which is 2.2 million light-years away. Want to bring your furry friend on your next vacation? There are two trails that start at Bryce Point, including the strenuous 5 -mile Peek-a-Boo Loop Trail, which steeply drops to the canyon floor. From here, visitors can look toward the Silent City (near Sunset Point) with rows and rows of incomprable hoodoos. You can choose to go to the right here and venture through Wall Street, a narrow canyon. #2 - Wall Street and Queens Garden Loop Trail. The most popular trail is the Queens Garden Trail, but there are several other great trails to explore as well. Douglas fir and white fir, along with aspen and Engelmann spruce, make up the forests on the Paunsaugunt Plateau. Warm yellows and oranges radiate from the deeply pigmented walls as scatterings of light illuminate the pale spires. The park's runner-up is Under the Rim Trail: Bryce Point to Whiteman Bench, which will get you 3,103 ft of elevation gain. Bryce Canyon is open 24 hours per day, which means that you do not have to wait for the entrance to open in order to get into the park. Visitors should remain behind the railing at all times. Wind your way through the canyons, peaceful, stunning, and immense. The largest and most striking is Bryce Amphitheater. Beginning at Sunrise Point, Queens Garden is a 1.8-mile out-and-back trail that takes travelers 320 feet down into the canyon amongst hoodoos. Ironically, I would not recommend Sunrise Point because this spot does not offer those wide, expansive views of thousands of hoodoos like Inspiration Point. Bryce Canyon National Park Visitors Center Definitely make a stop at the Bryce Canyon National Park Visitors Center near the north entrance to the park. AllTrails has 38 great trails for hiking, walking, and camping and more. Note: the Visitor Center does not open until 8 am, so if you are here early, you will be unable to pick up a copy of the map. The view is similar to Inspiration Point. We did ebikes rental with Bryce Canyon EZ riders. Hoodoo can also be defined as a tall, thin spire of rock that protrudes from the bottom of an arid drainage basin. To get here, it takes about 20 minutes of driving from Bryce Point. In the town of Bryce there are several hotels and restaurants, just a few miles from the entrance to the park. Know that you'll be sharing the trail with horseback riders; the park advises giving them right-of-way. Significant elevation change for a short hike, switchbacks on both ends. The peekaboo hike has amazing views and little traffic in the morning. [30] Loop A in North Campground is open year-round. Read our Bryce Canyon travel tips to find out. This hike is labeled as strenuous because of its length and elevation changes. You can drive right in, tour Bryce, and pay your fee later in the day. Youre doing it wrong if you think road trip pit stops are boring layovers on your way to more exciting destinations. If you take the left, thats what will lead you to Mossy Cove. Since you'll likely be making frequent stops for photo-ops, you'll want to allot several hours to complete the trek. Unauthorized use is prohibited. Fairyland Loop Trail begins at Fairyland Point, at the northern portion of Bryce Canyon National Park, and takes you through spectacular hoodoos and scenery along the rim and into the canyon; including a spur trail to Tower Bridge. NPF funded research is helping track great white sharks, protecting the species, and enabling public safety officials to use science to educate the public on the risk of recreating in the waters off Cape Cod National Seashore. How many of these hidden gems have you been to? Here are some pointers for planning your Utah family ski vacation, including where to make homebase and why. Combine Queens Garden & Navajo Loop to form a 2.9-mile loop. When it comes to family bike tours, Utah is tough to beat. Related: EXPLORE THE TWISTING DESERT LANDSCAPES OF THE AMERICAN SOUTHWEST. Seeing the hoodoos covered in a shroud of fresh snow is surreal. [24] The Utah prairie dog is a threatened species that was reintroduced to the park for conservation, and the largest protected population is found within the park's boundaries. Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah 2322 reviews Starting at $254 /night Book Now Overview Rooms Gallery Policies Packages Property FAQ Compare Bryce Canyon Lodge Highlights 24 Hour Front Desk Help 3 Suites 40 Cabins 70 Motel Rooms Astronomy Programs Bryce Canyon Lodge Is Listed On The National Historic Register Thanks to an elevation between 8,000 and 9,000 feet, Bryce Canyon is one of few national parks where travelers can spend a day cross country skiing. Whatever you have planned for the day, you can find the perfect trail for your next trip to Bryce Canyon National Park. Once you find this hidden trailhead, youll be surrounded by breathtaking scenery and Wild West legend. Previous visitors used words like "awesome" and "fantastic" to describe the route, recommending future travelers set aside several hours for the drive to allow for frequent stops. Bryce Canyon first became a tourist destination in 1916 with Union Pacific. The harshest areas have limber pine and ancient Great Basin bristlecone pine, some more than 1,600years old, holding on. This area is also a stop along the free Bryce Canyon Shuttle route. by Jessica Schmit. Copyright 1996-2015 National Geographic Society, Copyright 2015-2023 National Geographic Partners, LLC. Gear up with some snowshoes (which are available for rental) and venture into the parks trails for an unforgettable day hiking. The major feature of the park is Bryce Canyon, which despite its name, is not a canyon, but a collection of giant natural amphitheaters along the eastern side of the Paunsaugunt Plateau. The orientation film includes closed-captioning. 2023 marks Bryce Canyon National Park's centennial, so be on the lookout for special programs and celebration events throughout the year. Comment below! Each layer is a different color and named as such. Sunrise Point is the trailhead for the 1.8-mile Queens Garden Trailthat descends into a section of hoodoos, which are naturally ruled by the Queen Victoria hoodoo (hence the name). Since Bryce sits at such a high elevation (8,000 feet), this park stays cool, even during the summer months. Republishing this article and/or any of its contents (text, photography, etc. Explore Bryce Canyon National Park Best Time to Visit Bryce Canyon [15] Elk and pronghorn, which have been reintroduced nearby, sometimes venture into the park. The alpine environment is home to dozens of species of mammals and birds, all acquainted with a spectacular truth: this is no ordinary forest. The trailhead for the strenuous 8-mile Fairyland Loop is located at this viewpoint and descends into the Fairyland, takes you around Boat Mesa and eventually ascends to meet the Rim Trail at Sunrise Point. While you can easily go stargazing on your own, the park offers several ranger programs to take advantage of the nighttime scenery. The view is great and allows you to get an idea of where you might want to go. Start here. From sunset point, walk north on the Rim Trail, towards Sunrise Point. Explore Hotels & Lodges Near Bryce Canyon. The allure of the Grand Staircase region the bulk of which is containedin the Grand StaircaseEscalante National Monument is phenomenal. We visited Bryce canyon last September with your recommendations in mind and it was amazing! What exactly is lab-grown meat? The Navajo Loop Trail is one of Bryce Canyon National Parks most popular trails. Barometer Hikes traverse up to 2 miles and there's usually an option for an easy or strenuous hike. Whats the best time to visit Bryce Canyon National Park? One of the most popular viewpoints in the park, Bryce Point offers stunning sunrises for those willing to get up early. Campfires are restricted to established campfire grates, or personally provided grills. Enjoy hand-curated trail maps, along with reviews and photos from nature lovers like you. Established: 1928Size: 35,835 acresAnnual Visitors: 2.7 millionVisitor Center: Bryce CanyonEntrance Fee: $35 vehicles; $20 individualsnps.gov/brca. The views were gorgeous and breathtaking. The Cassidy Trail wasnt just the filming location for an iconic Western movie, its steeped in history. After a long day of exploring, come back to The Lodge at Bryce Canyon for delicious, handcrafted meals. Ready for your next hike or bike ride? European American exploration and settlement, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, List of national parks of the United States, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, "Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah - Monthly weather forecast and Climate data", Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, "Bryce Canyon joins list of closed national parks in Utah", "Capitol Reef, Bryce Canyon, and Zion are Starting to Reopen: What's Next for Utah's National Parks", "Bryce Canyon National Park (U.S. National Park Service)", "Bryce Canyon National Park: Utah Prairie Dog", "Discovery Circumstances: Numbered Minor Planets (45001)-(50000)", "Bryce Canyon National Park official website", Bryce Canyon National Park Rim Road, State Highway 63 to Rainbow Point, Tropic, Garfield County, UT, Grand StaircaseEscalante National Monument, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Bryce_Canyon_National_Park&oldid=1158475059, Religious places of the indigenous peoples of North America, Short description is different from Wikidata, Pages using Sister project links with hidden wikidata, Geographical articles missing image alternative text, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 4.0, Bristlecone Loop (one hour, Rainbow Point), and Queens Garden (12 hours, Sunrise Point), Tower Bridge (23 hours, north of Sunrise Point), Fairyland Loop (45 hours, Fairyland Point), This page was last edited on 4 June 2023, at 08:57. Download the official NPS app before your next visit. Accessibility: This trail is likely accessible for visitors using wheelchairs, mobility equipment, or strollers. Come with U.S. News on a tour of the XV Beacon Hotel in Boston. Check with the Park Service for more info. Your email address will not be published. Steep, spectacular hike through the heart of the park. During the summer season, rangers lead 20-minute constellation tours that point out constellations and discuss the field of astronomy. There is no water so be sure to bring your own. [15], Eleven species of reptiles and four species of amphibians have been found in the park. Hike through spruce-fir forests with bristlecone pines and expansive vistas. Bryce Canyon National Park Bryce Canyon Hikes Bryce Canyon National Park Bryce Canyon Fairyland Loop An enjoyable day hike, this route loops through the Fairyland amphitheater just north of Bryce Canyon past many interesting rock formations. The Navajo Loop Trail ascends back up to the rim. Twenty miles (32km) of connecting groomed ski trails are in nearby Dixie National Forest and Ruby's Inn. Inspiration Point is the No. For information about the park, visit the National Park Service website for Bryce Canyon National Park: Bryce Canyon National Park in Southwestern Utah is famous for the largest collection of hoodoosthe distinctive rock formations at Brycein the world. Bryce Canyon National Park rests within the Colorado Plateau, and is on the southeastern edge of the Paunsaugunt Plateau. Utah, United States North America. worth doing if youre in the canyon. Bryce Canyon National Park ( / bras /) is an American national park located in southwestern Utah. From Highway 89 approximately 7 miles south of Panguitch, Utah, travel east on Highway 12 for about 14 miles. If you have to choose between the 2, wed definitely recommend Peekaboo over Fairyland. nH2O); and the purples are from pyrolusite (MnO2). See the Chinese Wall, Tower Bridge, and tall hoodoos on a picturesque, less crowded trail. These 20-minute talks take place at Sunset Point and run daily year-round. Read more and find amap of state-wide fire restrictions. By getting here early, you can walk some of the trails before they get crowded. For most travelers, Southern Utah winters prevent comfortable camping, and occasional snowfall can make outdoor adventure a little more challenging. Terms of Service apply. A shady 1/4-mile spur trail leads to the bridge. One day is all you need to explore this park. Bryce Canyon is also home to horseshoe-shaped amphitheaters carved from the eastern edge of the Whether youre looking to explore the canyon, or relax in the endless nature, youll find your next getaway in Bryce Canyon. This great trail takes you by some of the parks most iconic features, including Queen Victoria and Thors Hammer. We started at Navajo Loop and went all the way to Bryce Canyon Trail. An alpine forest with as many red rock hoodoos as trees. Many natural formations are whimsically named, and it's fun to see what places like Fairyland Canyon and the Silent City look like. Descend From Bryce Point. Among the nations most beloved (and photographed) parks, Bryce is a major draw for hiking, challenging rock climbing, and winter cross-country skiing trails. The park's 38-mile (round-trip) scenic drive features 13 viewpoints along the route. At the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, you can enjoy a getaway to stunning southern Utah while also making a difference in the lives of rescued animals. Photo showing the reddish hues of the fine-grained sedimentary rocks of the Claron Formation in Bryce National Park. There are also several campgrounds located inside of Bryce Canyon. Basic Information Current Conditions Current Conditions Alerts Current Conditions Roads Trails Fire Restrictions Weather Current Trail Closures in the Bryce Amphitheater area. Note: This post contains affiliate links. We've got you covered, with trails ranging from 6 to 4,366 feet in elevation gain. It was a lot of fun! Hikes with less than 1,000 feet of elevation gain and moderate lengths. When conditions of high wildfire dangers are reached within the park, additional fire and smoking prohibitions may be in place. Bryce Canyon National Park has two established campgrounds (North Campground and Sunset Campground) offering nearly 200 total campsites for tents, trailers, and RVs. Available Campsites. Getting here early has its advantages. An overhead photo of a red rock filled canyon with clouds in the background. Bryce Canyon makes a great destination all year long. Enjoy the view! Encompassing six square miles, it is the parks scenic heart. Water and wind over millions of years of freezes and thaws, have carved into the plateau endless fields of distinctive red rock pillars, called hoodoos, as well as into the park's series of natural amphitheaters. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. Spring and fall generally has pleasant weather and smaller crowds than the busy summer months. This is the longest hike on this list. Hiking through Bryce Canyon National Park is one of the best ways to see the parks famous hoodoos, spires and sandstone fins. Bryce Canyon is also an extraordinary winter park. hiking the Queens Garden and Navajo Loop Trails. Bryce is filled with short, incredibly scenic trails. Because of the park's relatively remote location, it gets a lot less foot and car traffic than other National Parks. NovemberMarch are the coldest, with temperatures peaking in the 3040Fs and freezing at night. Full instructions for getting tickets are on the hike's webpage.). Bryce Canyon National Park is located in southwestern Utah, not far from Zion National Park - just a scenic hour-and-a-half drive away. Which one of these spiders is a black widow? We went in March and there was still a good deal of snow, but tightly packed on the trail, although more slushy as its starting to melt. Hikers are cautioned to be aware that this trail is shared with horses. Its a gorgeous, relatively easy walk, perfect for all ages and ability levels. Aspen, cottonwood, water birch, and willow grow along streams. Ponderosa pine forests cover the mid-elevations with blue spruce and Douglas fir in water-rich areas and manzanita and bitterbrush as underbrush. This road trip through southwest Utah takes you to four of Utahs best places to see the Milky Way Capitol Reef National Park, Kodachrome Basin State Park, Bryce Canyon National Park and Cedar Breaks National Monument. The 114-room Bryce Canyon Lodge is another way to stay overnight in the park.[31]. Whether you are an adventurous hiker or a first-time explorer, there is something for everyone at Bryce Canyon. Recently Updated Youll start by hiking along the Navajo Loop Trail towards Sunset Point, where youll have fantastic views of the colorful canyon. Site 086, Loop Loop D, Type Tent Only Nonelectric By submitting my email, I agree to receive correspondence from the National Park Foundation. Also in the park are the black, lumpy, very slow-growing colonies of cryptobiotic soil, which are a mix of lichens, algae, fungi, and cyanobacteria. The top (where visitors stand) is known as the Pink Cliffs. According to AllTrails.com, the longest trail in Bryce Canyon National Park is. Check it out and plan your trip! Bryce Canyon visitors should plan their visit for early morning or late evening for the most dramatic views of this popular park. Privacy Notice: The National Park Foundation adheres to the privacy policy found at nationalparks.org. The trail takes its name from the surprises that await around its many turns and elevation changes. Hop off I-15 and take Highway 89 and four nearby scenic byways to see and do as much as you possibly can on your way to Zion. On the way here, you can also stop at Natural Bridge for a photo-op. Right outside of the national park, Bryce Canyon City is most known as the home to Ruby's Inn, which offers lodging, camping, guided experiences, annual events, dining and a general store. Want to find the best trails in Bryce Canyon National Park for an adventurous hike or a family trip? The hike starts at Bryce Point. Panguitch, Utah, captures the enduring pioneer spirit of Utah with its welcoming rural charm and strong sense of heritage. Welcome to Utahs Scenic Byway 12, a designated All-American Road. For millions of years, water has carved Utahs rugged landscape, leaving a stunning natural playground. Explore wildlife near Bryce Canyon at the Bryce Wildlife Adventure Museum. Prepare your appetite! The trail is often combined with the Queens Garden Trail, which leads through the Queens Garden and ends at the rim at Sunrise Point. Sign up to receive the latest NPF news, Utah's national parks seen through a lifelong relationship with Capitol Reef. Airstreams, cabins and RV sites on the grounds of an old drive-in movie theater near Bryce Canyon and Escalante. Bryce Canyon Lodge. The colors of the rock at Sunset Point are quite striking, with iron oxide minerals making the bright reds, oranges and yellows stand out. Avoid crowded parking lots by riding the free shuttle. Hikers noted that many portions of the trail are uphill and in direct sunlight. A good place to start for trip planning information. Most park visitors sightsee using the scenic drive, which provides access to 13 viewpoints over the amphitheaters. during summer thunderstorms in July and August. Visitors can expect spectacular . If you have time for both, the fairyland is still a very nice hike but a little less enjoyable if the weather is tough , Thanks for writing in with your experience and these suggestions! The oldest members of this supersequence of rock units are exposed in the Grand Canyon, the intermediate ones in Zion National Park, and its youngest parts are laid bare in the Bryce Canyon area. We spent only half a day here, leaving the afternoon free to explore nearby places (Kodachrome Basin State Park and Willis Creek slot canyon). Click here for a map that outlines clearly all the places where various events can be held. Hikes with elevation gains of 200 feet or less and shorter in length. Geologically, hoodoos are found all around the world, but they occur in the most abundance in Bryce Canyon. UNITED STATES: We have TONS of information about places to visit in the United States in our USA Travel Guide. No vacation at Bryce Canyon National Park is complete without some stargazing. Combine Queens Garden, Peekaboo Loop, and Navajo Loop into one ultimate hike! The inclines were tough but luckily there is enough shade to take breaks and rest. Click for larger view. Additionally, you can only hike this trail clockwise. AMERICAN SOUTHWEST ITINERARY: If you have 10 days, learn how to road trip through the American Southwest, visiting several national parks, state parks, and scenic spots in Arizona, Utah, and Nevada. The easiest way to dip down into the canyon is the Queens Garden Trail, a 1.8-mile route that starts from Sunrise Point. Bryce Canyon National Park's clear air, high elevation and lack of light pollution make it a prime stargazing spot. Relevance There is only one lodge, the Bryce Canyon Lodge, available inside of the park, so if you want to stay here, reservations need to be made far in advance. Check out The Rim Trail for an easy family hike, or gear up for a backpacking excursion on the Under The Rim Trail. It is home to trees that are well over 1,000 years old, endangered species like Utah prairie dog, the California condor, and the southwestern willow flycatcher, and 400 native plant species. Stay in Bryce Canyon National Park to get the most of your trip! It was then declared a Boat Mesa is topped by the resistant rock called "The Conglomerate at Boat Mesa" and rises above the hoodoos of Fairyland Canyon to 8,073 feet. Have you been to Bryce Canyon? Can laughter strengthen your immune system? Privacy Policy and This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Cheers, Julie, Your email address will not be published. Where is the best place to hike in Bryce Canyon National Park? Depending on how much time you have and how much physical activity you're up. Explore hikes outside the Bryce Amphitheater, Sort By: The Sunrise Unit of Bryce Canyon Lodge has wheelchair-accessible rooms and restrooms. Take a road trip from Capitol Reef to Bryce Canyon and enjoy the best of Utah landscapes during its quiet season. Service animals must be on-leash throughout the park. Before sunrise, there will not be a ranger at the fee booth. Many descend on trails that give hikers and horseback riders a close look at the fluted walls and sculptured pinnacles. Get here as early as you can. Utah is home to several great dog-friendly national parks and other fun destinations. By continuing to browse this website you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Wherever you go, don't forget your camera as there are so many beautiful views. They also enjoyed the plentiful and inescapable scenery. Truth be told, Bryce isnt a canyon. easy trail, combining two of bryce canyons most popular hikes. Once at Rainbow Point, you'll have access to restrooms and several trails, including the mile-long Bristlecone Loop trail, which leads through a forest with bristlecone pines that are up to 1,800 years old. Heres what experts say you can do instead if youre feeling off-kilter. Some backcountry camp areas are available as well (permits required). The unique views make this worthwhile. Check out the NPS website to find out more about Inspiration Point's geology. Wind Speed Pillars of red, white, and orange cut through bluest skies. Bryce Canyon is also home to horseshoe-shaped amphitheaters carved from the eastern edge of the Paunsaugunt Plateau, scenic vistas, and the dark night sky. Can I camp? Several summer Ranger-led programs are wheelchair accessible including geology talks, rim walks, and evening programs in the auditorium The trail also provides access to Water Canyon in one direction and to view a sheltered overhang known as Mossy Cave in the other. #10 - Queen Victoria via Queen's Garden Loop. If you're up for the challenge, keep in mind that overnight hikes through Bryce Canyon's backcountry require a permit. The rim at Bryce varies from 8,000 to 9,000 feet. information on how you can support our national treasures, and travel ideas There are two viewpoints at Inspiration Point. Fun newly paved trail with curvy ribbon flow. Explore the parks two established campgrounds to start planning your trip. Hoodoos (irregular columns of rock) exist on every continent, but here is the largest concentration found anywhere on Earth. Bryce Canyon National Park 657 reviews Unclaimed Open Open 24 hours See hours See all 4606 photos Write a review Add photo Review Highlights "You'll never see anything else like it (truly, it's the highest concentration of hoodoos on earth)." in 182 reviews The Peekaboo Loop Trail is a 4.8 mile trail through a valley filled with pink and orange hoodoos. After having lunch in the town of Bryce, we drove to Kodachrome Basin State Park and did two short hikes here. The views are just something out of this world and the trail is extremely well maintained. If you have less than one day, thats OK too. In the early morning you can stand for long moments on the rim, held by the amphitheaters mysterious blend of rock and color. We also did the Fairyland loop the day after, but we liked it less than the Peekaboo. road trip through the American Southwest, Hiking Bryce Canyon: Queens Garden and Navajo Loop Trails, One Perfect Day in Arches National Park (+ HELPFUL Tips & Map), A Quick Visit to Kodachrome Basin State Park, 12 Best National Parks to Visit in November 2023 (USA). Bryce Canyon showcases the stunning geology of southern Utah, a red-rock wonderland created by wind, water, and snow. We got the trails quite early at 7am to beat the heat, we havent seen a single should on Peakaboo loop. Ready for your next hike or bike ride? See Thors Hammer, Two Bridges, and the bottom of Wall Street on this short but steep trail. The formations exposed in the area of the park are part of the Grand Staircase. You have the rock formations, even some windows you can see, you cross two bridges over a beautiful small river/creek, the cave itself which has a spring seeping from the underside of the rock and was frozen over when we were there (So cool!). Hiking, Horseback Riding, Biking and ATV Tours are popular activities year round! There are no trails that lead into the canyon, and the park says that the cliffs of Inspiration Point are quite dangerous, with crumbly rocks, drop-offs and slick slopes. If sweeping views of the hoodoos is all you want from a Bryce Canyon adventure, hit the Rim Trail. For the full list, read our Best Hikes in Zion guide. Make sure you pack plenty of water and snacks, use sunscreen and wear sturdy hiking shoes. As youre mapping out your winter trip through southeastern Utah, consider adding the following parks and natural wonders to your itinerary. Bryce Canyon National Park, located in southwest Utah, is home to some of the most interesting landscapes in the United States. Unlike the early Mormons who viewed Zion Canyon as a heavenly gift, rancher Ebenezer Bryce viewed the badlands that ran through his 1870s ranch as a bane. Sun-drenched Utah backcountry spreads outwell beyond the visible horizonfrom the road, whether youre traveling along theTheAll-AmericanRoad:Scenic Byway 12, or on Highway 89. We highly recommend this hike if you are looking for something else to do in the area. This trail tends to be less crowded than Queens Garden or the Navajo Loop Trails. So, whats a hoodoo? After we explored there, the kids enjoyed going off trail to explore the riverbed for another hour or so. Connect with the parks you love. Here is our one day itinerary for touring Bryce Canyon. After walking the Queens Garden Trail, you can turn around and retrace your steps back to Sunrise Point.