Bryce Canyon National Park: Hike Through Hundreds Of Hoodoos In Utah

If you didn’t know any better, driving through Southern Utah might leave you feeling as if you’d left the planet. The rugged terrain and unique rock formations are, at times, outright otherworldly. Bryce Canyon National Park showcases the stunning geology of this part of the country, and it’s a natural wonder well worth exploring.

Bryce Canyon is a sea of red rocks, pink cliffs, and endless vistas. It’s a hiker’s paradise, a fantastic place to camp, and boasts incredible views and top-notch stargazing. It’s really no wonder that an estimated 2.7 million people visit each year, visitors looking to tackle some of the best hiking trails in the U.S. — plus some of the best road trips in the USA!

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While the park itself was founded in 1928, it took millions of years of wind, water, and snow to create this rugged terrain.

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Rather, it is a series of more than a dozen natural amphitheaters. And although it is close to Zion National Park, at 35,835 acres, it's much smaller.

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According to the experts, the ideal time for getting the best photos is sunrise, with sunset being a close second. The morning and evening light casts the park in a soft glow.

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There are quite a few scenic drives that showcase some of the best parts. The Natural Bridge, pictured here, is one of seven natural arches found in the park. It's one of the major points of interest on Highway 63.

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Guests can also access Highway 12, which cuts across the scenic Northeast portion of the park.

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Canyon Trail Rides is a company that offers horseback tours for both Bryce Canyon and the Grand Canyon.

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Luckily, Bryce Canyon has dozens of amazing hiking and backpacking trails. Navajo Loop & Queen's Garden Trail is one of the most popular treks.

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This loop starts with a fairly steep clockwise climb, but it leads to some impressive overlooks.

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This mile-long hike is a nice, easy trek, perfect for someone short on time who still wants the reward of a breathtaking view.

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Bryce Canyon Airlines offers a bird's eye view of the stunning hoodoos.

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The park has two campgrounds, North and Sunset, located in close proximity to the Visitor Center. Sunset Campground accepts reservations up to six months in advance, while North Campground is first-come, first-served.

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It's a must-see for anyone interested in astronomy. Guests will enjoy a variety of astronomy-themed activities and programs offered both day and night, plus hear from a keynote speaker.

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If you ever find yourself exploring Utah, don't pass up a chance to see this enchanting place.

Hikers, backpackers, and all nature lovers will be smitten by Bryce Canyon National Park. For more information on planning your visit, check out the NPS-Bryce Canyon website.

General Information:

Accessibility: Parts of the park, such as the Visitor Center and select campgrounds, are wheelchair accessible. For the complete breakdown of the park’s accessibility, see this page.

Pet-Friendly: Pets are permitted at campgrounds, in parking lots, on paved roads, in paved viewpoint areas, on the paved trail between Sunset Point and Sunrise Point, and on the paved Shared Use Path between the park entrance and Inspiration Point. They are not permitted on unpaved trails or viewpoints, in public buildings, or on public transportation vehicles. Dogs must be kept on a leash at all times.

Parking: There are vehicle parking lots near the Visitor Center, the Shuttle Station Parking Lot in Bryce Canyon City, and park campsites. Bryce Canyon also has a park shuttle (at no additional charge) to minimize vehicle congestion. Additional shuttle information can be found here.

Seasonal Access: The park is open 24 hours a day throughout the year, though there may be temporary closures due to excessive snow or other weather-related conditions. The visitor Center and Fee Booths are closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.

Cost: A pass must be purchased before entering the park. Entrance fees are $35 for a private vehicle, $30 for a motorcycle, $20 for a pedestrian, and $40 for an annual pass. All entrance fees other than annual passes are good for 7 consecutive days.

Free Park Days: On select days throughout the year, the National Park Service offers free national park days. These can be wonderful times to visit the next park on your bucket list. Keep in mind, however, that national parks are likely to be especially crowded on those days. Free park days typically include the Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr., the first day of National Park Week, the Anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act, National Public Lands Day, and Veterans Day.

Restrooms: There are accessible restroom stalls available at the visitor center, the General Store, Bryce Canyon Lodge, and near Fairview Point and Sunset Point.

Showers: If you are camping or traveling and need to shower, there are showers ($2), and a coin-operated laundry facility located at the General Store at Bryce Canyon National Park.

Curious to take a look at Bryce Canyon National Park? Check out the incredible footage below, and you’ll get a hint of what makes this park so special:

Feeling inspired to fill your Bucket List? Check out our previous features of Hoh Rain Forest in Washington, Maroon Bells in Colorado, and Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park in Hawai’i, then subscribe to our weekly Bucket List newsletter to discover new destinations across the country that definitely deserve a visit.