"BRYCE CANYON NP - COLORS GONE CRAZY" Bryce Canyon National Park by mtncorg

Bryce Canyon National Park Travel Guide: 588 reviews and 1,461 photos

From one of the tunnels in the Queens Garden

Bryce is an amazing example of the geological process of erosion. Rain, snow and ice have carved deeply into the Pink Cliffs formation - ancient lake deposits 800-1300 ft/250-400 m thick - to create a phantasyland of towers, minarets, windows and many other things your mind can conjure up. The cliffs go on and on for miles though the central amphitheater is a little over a mile across from Sunrise Point to Bryce Point.

For most visitors, Bryce is a driving park - not drive-through since the roads dead end - where different viewpoints can be experienced along the rim of the Pink Cliffs. For the Bryce we know from pictures we have seen, the first four overlooks will give us these views - Sunrise, Sunset, Inspiration and Bryce Points. A separate road takes off for Fairyland Point just before you get to the visitor center near the main entrance while Paria Point is around the corner from the spectacular views of Bryce Point. The other viewpoints are located on a 15 mile road that goes south to Rainbow Point.

There are two campgrounds and a lodge near the main amphitheater - just off the rim from Sunrise and Sunset Points. A free bus shuttle - voluntary like on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon and unlike the involuntary Zion Canyon shuttle - runs from near the Park entrance past the first four viewpoints around the main amphitheater, as well as the campgrounds, lodge and visitors center. Sadly, there is no shuttle beyond on the road to Rainbow Point which is a shame for long distance hikers who would like to do parts of or the whole 22 miles of the Under the Rim trail which begins at Bryce Point and heads south to Rainbow. In addition to that trail, several others exist to entice the visitor off of the rim with the best examples being the Queens Garden trail and the Navajo Loop trail going off the rim from Sunrise and Sunset Points, respectively.

You can experience Bryce Canyon in one day or even a full half day. You can also take your time and watch the colors change with day and sky. A word about crowds. This Park can get a bit hectic around the main amphitheater area. From rough experience, I would put it on par almost with its compatriots - the South Rim of the Grand Canyon and Zion Canyon. I could see one day the voluntary shuttle becoming involuntary as has been done in Zion and has should be done on the South Rim and in Yosemite Valley. The experience of eliminating cars in Zion Canyon makes for a much less hectic environment - though it would probably make you need more time to visit Bryce.

Last visit to Bryce Canyon National Park: Sep 2005
Intro Written Oct 3, 2005
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Reviews (7)

Pink Cliffs glowing in late afternoon sun - Bryce Canyon National Park

PARIA VIEWPOINT Things to Do (7)

This viewpoint is just south of the main Bryce amphitheater and offer you the first look at the Pink Cliffs beyond. The... more travel advice

Amphitheater of color from Bryce Point - Bryce Canyon National Park

BRYCE POINT Things to Do (7)

Highest and southernmost of the amphitheater viewpoints, Bryce Point gives you the overview. It is all laid out here... more travel advice

After colors inspiring from Inspiration Pt - Bryce Canyon National Park

INSPIRATION POINT Things to Do (7)

Just beyond Sunset Point, the road branches with the main road going on to Rainbow Point and the road to the left... more travel advice

Deep in the heart of Wall Street - Bryce Canyon National Park

NAVAJO LOOP TRAIL Things to Do (7)

Normally a loop, but the north leg - Twin Bridges was closed when I was there for trail repair. The south leg, the Wall... more travel advice

Comments (5)

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Faiza-Ifrah Oct 21, 2009 at 6:28 PM

very nice tip on a park that i did not know much about. pictures give a great feeling probably because there is lot of sunshine :-)
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agapotravel Mar 17, 2007 at 4:11 PM

Wow...stunning pictures!! How long did you spend in Utah?
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madamx Sep 18, 2006 at 6:41 PM

Hi Mark, how are you? Haven't seen you around to much. Beautiful photos; Hoping to get to Bryce Canyon in a couple of weeks when we go to Vegas :o)
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karenincalifornia Oct 24, 2005 at 11:24 AM

Haven't been back since doing the Loop trail in 100 degree weather with a toddler on my back. Crowded back then - sounds like not much has changed. Beautiful photos you have there - it's still one of my favorite Utah NPs.
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Trekki Oct 3, 2005 at 10:52 PM

Ahh - Bryce Canyon in it's wonderful colors :-) Good to see the little Douglas Fir is still well and alive in Wall Street :-)