Bryce canyon is simply stunning. Driving into the park alone will have you jaw-dropped and giddy with excitement. As you approach Bryce Canyon, the landscape is what you would expect from any national park: Big pines and green foliage layered throughout soft rolling hills. However, as you begin nearing the entrance, you can see the stark contrast of the red sandstone cliffs looming in the distance.
At one point of the drive, the road takes you seamlessly through a sandstone arch that had been carved out in the mountainside, revealing the True Bryce canyon in all its glory. The rust-colored canyon highlights these stunning rock formations of what this park is most famous for. These sandstone formations are called hoodoos, which are tall and thin pillars that make this area so unique.
The first thing I thought of when I was driving through Bryce is how I felt like I had been transported to Mars. I had never seen anything so drastic in nature, so utterly foreign you could only believe it if you saw it with your own two eyes, and even then it still shocked you.
Why You Should Visit Bryce Canyon
Whether you are looking to adapt your travel plans due to COVID or you’re just trying to explore nearby states, a trip to Utah is definitely worth a visit. However, with that being said, make sure you combine Bryce Canyon with other nearby parks. While I loved exploring the hikes and hoodoos, you really don’t need too much time. After doing a few of the most popular hikes and drive-up viewpoints, everything else felt a bit redundant.
How Long Should You Spend in Bryce Canyon?
When it comes to planning your trip to Bryce Canyon, a full day is really all you need to see the whole park. There is only one main road, which takes about 30-40 minutes to get from one end to the other. I suggest you start early in the morning and stay until sunset. That way you can see the colors of the valley change throughout the day.
What to Do in Bryce Canyon
Like I said earlier, as long as you start your day decently early, you won’t have any issues in hitting the major stops while visiting Bryce Canyon. Below are some of the most popular viewpoints and hikes to pencil into your itinerary. In my opinion, I suggest starting with the Navajo and Queens Garden Loop Hike. This path allows you to get up close and personal with the famous hoodoos, serving as a great place to start your day.
Other important stops include:
- Sunrise Point
- Sunset Point
- Scenic Loop Drive
- Natural Bridge
- Agua and Ponderosa Canyons
- Farview Point
- Bryce Point
- Inspiration Point
- Navajo Trail Loop: Start at Sunset Point (1.3 miles)
- Queens Garden Hike (which can be combined with Navajo Trail Loop)
- Bonus hikes: Bristlecone Loop Trail, Mossy Cave Trail, Hat Shop Trail
No matter how you choose to spend the day, make sure to head on over to sunset point before leaving the Canyon. Come a bit early to stake out a spot. Since this viewpoint is connected to a parking lot, there will be plenty of other park visitors and hikers also joining you. Regardless of the crowds, the sunset glow on the spires dotting the entire valley floor is absolutely priceless.
What Other National Parks Are Nearby?
Whether you are from California or visiting from other nearby states, I highly suggest combining your time in Bryce Canyon with another national park. Now, keep in mind that the parks are fairly spread out, so you can’t just hit a few within the same day unless you want to spend hours in the car. Some other parks you may want to consider visiting during your trip include:
- Zion National Park
- Arches National Park
- Canyonlands National Park
- Capital Reef National Park
What to Know Before You Go to Bryce Canyon
If you are planning on visiting Bryce Canyon, I have one major tip of advice: Pack your own picnic. Unlike Zion National Park that offers a bunch of restaurants and eateries right outside the gates, Bryce had very few options and even fewer during COVID. We ended up going to a nearby diner within a 20-minute drive (which was one of the only places open) and we were served one of the saddest sandwiches we had ever eaten. Do yourself a favor and make a picnic before spending a day in the park.
When it comes to accommodations, do your research. There are not a lot of options outside of the park. If you plan on going to Zion or one of the other parks the following day, it may be wise to drive in that direction once you’re done with Bryce. While it may mean a long day in the car, you’ll at least have more options when it comes to accommodations.
Other important things to know before you go:
- The visitor center opens at 8 am, stop by to ask any questions or to get a more detailed map of the surrounding area
- The park entrance fee is $35 per car (includes free shuttle service and is good for a week)
- The free shuttle service can pick you up from your hotel and take you to all the top viewpoints, however, if you’re going in the offseason, it’s not necessary
- Rim Trail connects most viewpoints. You can either walk the whole thing or hop on and off depending on where you want to go
Check out this National Park website for updated information on hiking trails, road closures, and more.
My Opinion On Bryce Canyon
Bryce Canyon is simply stunning, there’s no doubt about that. It’s miles of pink and orange pinnacles exemplify nature’s raw and honest beauty. It’s a view that I think everyone should see at least once in their lifetime.
However I will say, there wasn’t as much to do as I had anticipated. Now, there’s nothing wrong with viewing the canyon from 10 different angles, but I was expecting more hiking options or at least a bit of contrast in scenery. Nonetheless, make sure you come here knowing it will only take a few hours to see the whole park.
As always, use this as a quick guide to get your barrings and become familiar with what you are about to see. But by no means should you use this as your bible to guide you through your trip. In my opinion, there’s nothing better than going on a road trip with little expectations. You’ll be pleasantly surprised by all the beauty you find along the way.
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