Bryce Canyon National Park

About Bryce Canyon National Park

Bryce Canyon National Park is a laboratory for scientists and a children's playground, formed by erosion. This colorful and quirky formation, known as Hoodoo, is located in front of the horseshoe-shaped amphitheater at the foot of Bryce Canyon's Grand Canyon.

Here in Bryce you can enjoy a variety of wildlife such as birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, birds and reptiles. The diversity of this habitat ensures a high biodiversity and is home to many plant, animal and bird species.

The towers, known as Hoodoos, were formed when ice and rainwater removed the weak limestone that makes up the Claron Formation. It is the uniqueness of these rocks that has led to Bryce Canyon being declared a National Park. The geological history of the Hoodoo is also closely linked to the history and development of Bryce Valley and Bryce Lake, the largest lake in Bryce.

In short, Bryce has enough fascinating geology to fill a textbook, but one day we will come and experience the real thing in person. We invite you to explore some of the highlights of Bryce Canyon's natural world in this section of our website, and hope that you will experience these real things in person on one of these days!

One of the first questions people ask when visiting the rugged wilderness of southern Utah is whether they want to live here or not. Think how most people in history have travelled the world today, and the winter in Bryce Canyon is so cold that even year-round colonization was difficult. This shows that people have been marvelling at Bryce's hoodoo for at least 10,000 years.

At the end of the Ice Age, the Paleoindians hunted huge mammals here, and the Pueblo people hunted game in the forests and meadows of the plateau. Paiutes visited this plateau to harvest pine nuts and to conduct a large-scale rabbit hunt known as rabbit hunting.

Mormon pioneers diverted water from the valley to the plateau by digging a 16-kilometer irrigation ditch through the forest and rocks of the later park. Later, in 1924, Bryce Canyon was put on the map as a national park and efforts were made to make it accessible to modern travelers. These efforts gave the city the name Tropic of Utah and were one of the first steps in making Bryce accessible to modern travelers.

These improvements were implemented quickly and by the end of the year 1.5 million people came to see this small park with enormous attractions. The season starts on April 1st and lasts until October 31st, with the exception of a few weeks in the summer months of June, July and August.

Bryce Canyon Lodge's dining room is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and the lodge also has a gift shop and post office. Bryce Canyon National Park has two campsites in the immediate vicinity of the visitor center. There are other accommodation options in the area, such as a campground, picnic area and outdoor leisure area.

In the summer months, there are symbolic washing and showering facilities in a nearby shop, but no fee is charged for using the landfill. The landfill is closed in winter due to freezing temperatures and there are no charges for use. Each has a toilet, flush toilet and drinking water, as well as access to showers, toilets, showers and toilets.

At the North Campground, there is a seasonal fee for landfill use, but pitches are limited and cost $10 per night. Both campsites have a similar appearance and are located in the same area, just a few hundred meters from each other, and have a hook height. Pitches are available for $5 per night and are limited to a maximum of three pitches per campsite per person per day.

North Camprgound is located near the Bryce Canyon Visitor Center and has 107 seats and 4 loops, and is close to general business. In the summer months you fill the spaces in the early afternoon and get 50% discount and park for free.

Loops A and B are intended for campers, loops C and D for tent campers, loops C - D for tents and camps, loops A - B for hikers.

Zion and Grand Canyon National Parks use different reservation systems for their campsites, but all reservations for 32 sites are made between May 15 and September 30. Sunset Campground is located at the southern end of the park, south of Sunset Point and has 3 loops. It is the best hiking trail that starts and ends at sunset, as well as the most popular campsite in the entire park.

Loop A is for campers, Loop B and C are for tents and tents, and Loop A and B are for hikers and hikers only, with a limited number of tents available.

The Sunset Campground also has group places and two wheelchair-accessible places in Loop A, as well as a group place in the parking lot at the end of the park.

Group sizes are limited to 7 - 30 people and 8 vehicles and are subject to the same parking requirements as other camping sites in the park. Motorhomes and trailer combinations up to 45 feet are not prohibited or allowed, but limited to a maximum of 10 persons per vehicle and not more than 30 feet in length.

For a stay in the hinterland, a permit worth 5 dollars is required, the cost is 3 dollars and the permit must be obtained in person. Permits are issued on the "first come, first served" principle and can be issued at any time of day or night for a maximum of 3 days and a minimum of 2 nights.

Reservations can be made up to 48 hours in advance, but we do not accept reservations made by phone or e-mail.

Park staff reserve the right to refuse permission to parties who do not show the necessary willingness required by the high, dry hinterland of Bryce Canyon. The interlands of Bryce Canyon are primitive areas and are managed under regulations that protect their value as wilderness. Camping inland is limited and only allowed on designated campsites.

The Rim Trail, which stretches from the southern end of the park to the west side of Bryce Canyon National Park, has steep terrain but is the easiest way to behave.

The Peekaboo Loop Trail also serves as a horse trail, but note that the path along the canal includes a steep climb to the gorge. Wear hiking shoes, a pair of hiking boots, a hat, gloves, an axe or other protective equipment and sunscreen.

The Rim Trail stretches from Bryce Point to Rainbow Point and has eight backcountry campsites, but also knows its own physical limits. The path descends from the edge of a plateau and leads into a wooded area with a steep ascent to the ridge and a short walk back down. There are four villages in the hinterland, and the path descends to an altitude of about 3000 feet.

Permits are available at the Visitor Centre at 5 a.m. and must be obtained in person. Permits are required for all night walks. Permits can be issued at any of the four campsites along the trail and at other inland campsites, but they are not issued during the day.

Reservations can be made up to 48 hours in advance, but reservations by phone or e-mail are not accepted.

Park staff reserve the right to refuse permission to parties who do not show the necessary willingness required by the high, dry hinterland of Bryce Canyon. The interiors of Bryce Canyon are primitive areas and are managed under the protection of their wilderness values. Camping in this hinterland is limited and only allowed on designated campsites.

Look for exciting ways to see Bryce Canyon, such as hiking, mountain biking, camping and hiking. Rangers' Canyon Trail Ride takes you on a 1.5 km tour through the park's high, dry hinterland.
For more information, visit www.canyonride.com or our website for more details about the Bryce Canyon hiking and other activities.

Why are the rocks red, what is a deer's favourite food, where does the name Hoodoo come from, and why is the rock red? You are not alone in your quest to find the true origin of the red rocks in Rocky Mountain National Park.

The magic of Bryce Canyon captures the imagination and amazement of park rangers and visitors. The Ranger program is a great way to expand your exploration of Bryce Canyon. Spend a few minutes to an hour telling us what you have learned about the National Park.

Our summer calendar is busy, so please visit us at your current location and time to learn more about the ranger program and other activities in Bryce Canyon National Park.

The Bryce Canyon National Park Ranger Program, a program of the U.S. Forest Service, is open to all visitors, regardless of age.

Spend an hour with a ranger to discuss the latest scientific explanations for Bryce Canyon.

Geologists have spent years exploring the unique history of Bryce Canyon and share their findings with you.

This ranger-led hike offers you the opportunity to immerse yourself in the wonders of Bryce Canyon and explore the park's most popular attractions, including the Grand Canyon, the Great Basin and more.

Offering an alternative to the regular program is a chance to be creative, and each ranger has his own unique hiking style. Each ranger is as unique as you and has the personal choice to walk or talk to you. The Visitor Centre provides information on the programme and age requirements for each day.

The evening program offers the opportunity to immerse yourself in some of the compelling stories and interesting resources Bryce Canyon is supposed to preserve. Themes, times and places are available weekly at the Visitor Center, and each presents a different story about what we all have in common, such as the Great Smoky Mountains, the Grand Canyon or the Colorado River.

Learn more about the history of Bryce Canyon National Park in this program, which will introduce park ranger Jean Novicki at 7 p.m. at the Grand Canyon Visitor Center.

We embark on a journey of 200 million years, while studying the evolution of Bryce Canyon National Park and its surroundings. These changes were the dominant forces that made Bryce Canyon what we see today, and it is part of the history of our country's largest national park and one of its most diverse ecosystems.

We learn how the towers of Bryce Canyon were built and what they can tell us about the history of the area. Randy ventures to the top of a tower in Grand Canyon National Park to learn more about how it came into being and what it means.

Learn more about the history of Bryce Canyon National Park and its history as a national park in this slideshow demonstration. Battle does a great thing, with many great photos of the park's history and some interesting facts about its past.

Special lectures are held by visiting researchers and artists throughout the summer, so check out the Visitor Centre for special opportunities.

Garfield Country, which operates Bryce Canyon Airport (4 miles), has commercial flights to Las Vegas.
Private planes are welcome at this uncontrolled airport, but private planes and helicopters are not.
Turn right on Utah 63 south and turn left to reach the entrance to the park and drive two miles to there. Travel north on US 63 for approximately one mile until you turn south and left onto Utah 65 and then right into the parking lot of Bryce Canyon National Park.

You can use the Bryce Canyon Shuttle to get to and visit Bryce Canyon National Park, but the Grey Hound bus only goes to the entrance of the park and not to the parking lot of Bryce, the main entrance.

Although not required, the Bryce Canyon shuttle helps to protect this world - conserving class resources and minimizing congestion and emissions. The shuttle season runs from May 15 to September 20, and in summer 2004 the entire park will be accessible by shuttle service. You must park your car in the Grey Hound parking lot to enter the park, not at the main entrance.