Bryce Canyon boasts over 60 miles of hiking trails. All accessible and featuring something different. The trails range from easy to strenuous with differing lengths. I was lucky to hike 13.06 miles during my day of deep exploration. If you only have time for one hike during your visit, then it should be the “Queen’s Garden.”
If time permits, the Queens Garden connects to the “Navajo Loop.” Thus, adding another 1.3 miles of moderate hiking. I’ll take this moment to note that the Navajo Loop returns to the canyon rim. It moves through a section called, “Wall Street,” where the Hoodoos tower over the trail from all sides.
Bryce Point and Rainbow Point have the coolest views of the canyon. Paria point is especially noteworthy for a section with young erosion. This makes it much easier to understand the process that formed the park’s main features.
Snow and ice melt seep their way into fractures. Then, as the water refreezes, it expands, cracking the rock around it. Bryce Canyon’s temperatures greatly vary depending on the time of day. The afternoons get hot, while nights drop below freezing around 180 days each year.
This wild combination of gravity and meltwater causes soil creep. This process moves stone fragments downhill. The rain from the summer storms further dissolves the limestone into a clay ooze. Which generates enough flowing water to remove the debris. This process helps create the vast and colorful landscape that we know today, as Bryce Canyon.
Panoramic Views and Golden Rays
During my days in Bryce Canyon, I saw two sunrises and sunsets. Neither of which left me disappointed. I highly recommend watching the sunrise at Sunset Point. The view is better thanks to a wider panoramic view than Sunrise Point. In contrast, I found the best sunrise from Bryce Point. This overlook has the best panoramic view of the Canyon.
The sunrise and sunsets in Bryce Canyon were my favorites. Each are special with something different to look forward to. Especially when compared with the other National Parks that I’ve visited. Although, once the sun disappears behind the horizon, the magic of Bryce Canyon was far from over.
This 24-hour Park offers fantastic views of the Milky Way after dark. Stars splash through the sky, like a bowl of cereal sloshing over the edge. High elevation, clean dry air, and a lack of light pollution makes this Canyon one of darkest places on Earth. For this reason, it’s registered as an International Dark Sky Community. The celestial sky stretches to the horizon, shimmering and twinkling to say hello.
If interested, it’s possible to sign up for a stargazing tour with a night ranger. These tours are also offered during a full moon, when visitors can take a moonlit hike led by night rangers. Bryce Canyon is the perfect place to explore the wonders of astronomy in the nights sky.
Getting There & Where to Stay
Getting to this National Park is simple, but only if you have transportation. The cheapest, and easiest, way to get there is with a rental car and Google Maps. Although, I suppose, it could be possible with a taxi or an Uber, but also very expensive.
Find the best cheap accommodations through Booking.com. Booking offers the most affordable prices for both hotels, and guest rooms. Unfortunately, there are no hostels in the region. Yet, camping is widely available throughout the canyon.
Entrance fees for Bryce Canyon are the same as other U.S. National Parks. The fee is $35 for non-commercial vehicles (15 people or less), and everyone inside it, and $30 per motorcycle. If entering on foot, or bicycle, the price is $20 each. An annual pass costs $70 and is good for 12 months from the date of sale. The annual pass also provides entrance to all other U.S. National Parks.
If you like to show up prepared, and book tours in advance, then use Viator for the best prices. Viator offers day trips from Las Vegas, making for a convenient way to visit from the closest big city. They even offer a refund up to 24 hours in advance with a cancellation.
I’ll take this moment to note, that Bryce Canyon is a relatively small National Park. It has limited parking both at the viewpoints and the pullouts. Bryce offers two free shuttle buses to address the issue. Visitors can park outside the gates, at the gas station, in town, with the oversized parking lot.
The main shuttle services Bryce Point through Sunrise Point. The shuttle runs between 8 am and 6 pm during the shoulder seasons, and 8 am to 8 pm during the busy summer months. It tends to be open between April and September. The shuttle services the furthest reaches of the park. Unfortunately, it’s now closed for the winter season.
Final Thoughts
I cannot stress enough how much I love Bryce Canyon National Park. Every part offers something new. The viewpoints are insatiable while the hiking is a step ahead! I will be back to Bryce Canyon. It’s one of the top five National Parks that I’ve been to. The beautiful views are like nothing I’ve seen before. The Hoodoo formations are rare and only happen in a few places on the planet. So, what are you waiting for? Make those reservations today and see what all the hype is about.
Quick Notes:
- Bryce Canyon Entrance Fees:
- $35 for non-commercial vehicles (15 people & under)
- $30 per motorcycle
- $20 per person on foot or bicycle
- Annual Pass is $70 and good for 1 full year from date of sale
- Hours of operation: 24 hours, 7 days a week
- The best sunrise is at Bryce Point
- Bryce Canyon is an International Dark Sky Park with some of the best views of the night sky in the world
