By Rashmi Pali
For Now Utah
Erosion is a test of time, and they say only the hardest rock can pass it. Standing for centuries against weathering — the continuous freezing and thawing along the weaker joints of its body — the land has become more resistant, more colorful with every passage of time. Surrounded by the beauty of southern Utah, Bryce Canyon National Park is one of nature’s most amazing masterpieces and it casts a spell on anyone who visits.
Magical for some, serendipitous for many, this fairyland will take you on a journey among countless colorful spires, stone figures of every shape and size. “Is that a row of goblins along the ridge?” you may ask. Yet from another angle they seem like soldiers on a parade. But they are always lined up in a row. These towering pinnacles are called “hoodoos” — the object of curiosity for many.
This enchantment makes the place an alluring destination for visitors year-round, from breathtaking hiking spots in summer to snowshoeing expeditions and cross-country skiing all winter long. The park will transport you to a garden full of rock sculptures and as you look down into it, you find yourself in the middle of a stadium, a playground full of spires — Bryce Amphitheater; a natural amphitheater where the rocks manage to put up a colorful show of red, pink, yellow, orange and white.
The park is vast and viewpoints many, so it would be ideal to make your first stop at the visitor center, watch an award-winning film, discuss with a ranger and accordingly plan your itinerary.
A recommended route is to start from the park’s southern end at Rainbow Point, by driving around the Plateau Rim, an 18-mile paved road and enjoy the ambush of colors during autumn or simply watch the forests change along the drive. Be sure to give yourself enough time at each of the 13 overlooks to take in the park’s majesty, then end the drive at the visitor center.
For those who want to go deeper and descend into the landscape, catch the early morning sunrise at Sunrise Point. A fairly moderate hike of 3 miles, you descend into the canyon by hiking the Queen’s Garden Trail, an easy one- to two-hour walk to the naturally sculpted Queen Victoria hoodoo. Add to this walk the Navajo Loop Trail and exit uphill at the Sunset Point. Then catch a free shuttle back to your transportation at Sunrise Point. “Of the dozen trails in Bryce, this is one of the best hikes and encircles the Bryce Amphitheatre. A great way to experience the grandeur and intimacy of Bryce,” says a ranger at the visitor center.
There is truly no other way to enjoy this hoodoo heaven than on foot. And although you may see no animals along the trail as you walk, Bryce is full of life. The forests and meadows are a perfect setting to support a diverse wildlife, from 160 different species of birds visiting every year to mammals, foxes and black bears having made this southern Utah paradise their permanent abode.
For the floral eye, Bryce Canyon is a never-ending array of oak trees, ponderosa pine, spruce fir and aspen, while the wild paintbrush is found only here in Bryce.
But in the midst of all the real life animation and beauty, remember to take some time off and be at the visitors center for a star-filled excursion in the evening. Gazing at the 7,500 stars visible in the night sky at one of the park’s regular Astronomy Night Sky programs.
Last but not the least, if you have planned your stay at Bryce during a full moon, you are in for a treat. During the full moon, when the shadows and moonlight cause the hoodoos to take on a spooky personality, the national park service offers free-guided 1- to 2-mile-long moonlit hikes.
Details
How to get there?
Located in southwestern Utah, Bryce Canyon is 270 miles south of Salt Lake City — roughly a five-hour drive.
Where to stay?
Bryce has two campgrounds within the park — North and Sunset — both close to the visitors center. They are available on a first-come, first-served basis and thus no reservations are required. However, for booking group sites located at Sunset campground, call 877-444-6777 or click www.recreation.gov to make reservations in advance.
For those seeking a more comfortable stay within the park, try the 114-room Bryce Canyon Lodge (www.brycecanyonlodge.com), a National Historic Landmark. For reservations, call 888-297-2757.
Outside the park, the closest lodging is Ruby’s Inn (www.rubysinn.com).
Visitor Tip
During summer months, the park offers visitors a free shuttle service that stops at the most popular viewpoints, trails and facilities along the central Bryce Amphitheater. So leave the traffic and parking hassles behind, and hop into a shuttle.
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