Bryce Canyon National Park Utah is a magnificent display of erosion. The red, orange and white colors of Bryce Canyon National Park provide a spectacular landscape with sunrise and sunset being especially impressive. In a splendid geologic process of erosion, Bryce Canyon has been sculpted into an incredible landscape just waiting for you to explore!

In Bryce Canyon National Park you will be rewarded with the dramatic view of spectacular overlooks into vast natural amphitheaters. The panorama before you of towers, fins and hoodoos of a color hard to describe will astound you.

Sunrise on the wide expanse of hoodoos (strange shaped pillars of red rock left standing by the forces of erosion) sets the surreal landscape aglow. White tips on the hoodoos appear to be lit from within like glowing light bulbs. Another incredible sunrise you may want to read about was when we visited Mesa Arch in Canyonlands National Park in Utah.

What is Bryce Canyon National Park?

Bryce Canyon, one of Utah’s 5 National Parks, is not a canyon at all but rather a large area of natural amphitheaters of geological structures called hoodoos and fins. Wind, water and time have eroded the sandstone cliffs of Bryce Canyon National Park Utah. Hoodoos are formed by rainwater seeping into cracks in the rock. During Bryce’s cold nights the water freezes, expands and breaks the rocks apart. Fins are deep, narrow walls that are the result of rain and melted snow running down the slopes of the rim of Bryce Canyon. These fins form holes called windows. When these windows grow larger they collapse and create the strange looking hoodoos we see in Bryce Canyon today.

During sunrise the hoodoos themselves take on an incredible orange hue. Be sure to check the charts for sunrise times and weather forecast then head out and watch the grand scene unfold.

Facilities Near Bryce Canyon

All the facilities and services you may need can be found in the nearby towns of Panguitch, Bryce Canyon City, and Tropic. Hotels, restaurants, outfitters and tour guides are all nearby. We stayed in the town of Tropic and had no problem arriving at Bryce Canyon National Park in time to witness sunrise in this amazing park. You can find lodging deals for any season near Bryce Canyon National Park at Booking.com.

The rim of Bryce reaches 9,100 feet above sea level. Due to its high elevation climate, temperatures usually range in the high 70s to low 80s in July and August. Winter snow can stay in the canyon through April making it a perfect location for winter sports such as snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.

Bryce Canon National Park overlooks can be viewed by car, while the canyon floor can be viewed by foot. Most overlooks are reach by a short walk from the parking lot to the overlook.

Day hikes range in distances from 1-mile loops to more difficult 11-mile round-trip adventures. The park is open year-round with many opportunities for summer as well as winter activities.

Things to Do in Bryce Canyon National Park

Bryce Canyon is an outdoor lovers paradise. Popular activities in Bryce include biking, hiking, horseback riding, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, landscape and nature photography. Jeep and helicopter tours are also available and fun! Camping at Bryce is also fun if you would like to enjoy the evening sky with its amazing stargazing. Because of its clean air and lack of development surrounding the park, it is one of the best stargazing spots in the nation, especially when the moon is dark.

Hiking in Bryce is the best way to see the hoodoos from the canyon floor. We hiked the Navajo Loop trail and were in awe of the size of the canyon walls and surrounding hoodoos.

Where is Bryce Canyon National Park?

Bryce Canyon National Park is located in southwestern Utah near the junction of Utah Scenic Byway 12 and U-63.

There is no place like Bryce Canyon. Although hoodoos can be found throughout the world, here you will find the largest collection on earth! Get up early enough to see the brilliant colors of sunrise over Bryce Canyon; it will be an experience you will not soon forget!

Interested in staying at or near Bryce Canyon National Park? Check on Booking.com for lodging options. Here you will find photos, discriptions and reviews along with availability on many hotels choices.

Check out these other National Parks we’ve written about:

•Canyonlands National Park & Mesa Arch
•Zion National Park & Canyon Overlook Trail
• Mesa Verde National Park

Have you been to Bryce Canyon? We’d love to hear your thoughts on the area too.

Let us know about your visit in the comments below.