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Chiricahua: From National Monument to National Park?

While Chiricahua National Monument is a strong candidate for national park status due to its geological, ecological, and cultural significance, legislative hurdles and concerns about overcrowding and sacred sites remain. Visitors can still enjoy its wonders as a monument and its potential redesignation could elevate its profile bringing economic benefits but also challenges in preserving its serene character.

Beginning with the establishment of Yellowstone National Park in 1872, America’s National Park System has since grown into a rich and vast collection of 63 different national parks. And today, more than 150 years later, even more national parks may be needed. From its prestigious origins as the world’s first national park, Yellowstone is now so popular that visitors endure grim entry-point traffic even on Tuesdays.

While America can always use more national parks to lighten the load for parks like Yellowstone, the question of what the next national park should be is a different matter entirely. One exceptional natural wonder that has a strong claim to being America’s 64th national park is an unbelievable geological wonderland in Arizona known as Chiricahua National Monument.

Though it operates as part of the National Park Service (NPS) and though few would dispute that its views and resources more than meet national park criteria, Chiricahua National Monument still lacks elite “national park” status. As a result, the park sees far fewer annual visitors than many believe it should.

The state of Arizona has long wanted the underappreciated Chiricahua to become America’s next national park with several lawmakers, lobbyists, and supporters driving the charge. And while the establishment of a national park is ultimately up to Congress (and therefore subject to the complex, frustrating, and often stupid political pressures), Chiricahua is still one of Arizona’s top hidden gem attractions with or without the words “national park” in its name.

Chiricahua National Monument *© Rex Vogel, all rights reserved*

Chiricahua is the most eye-popping national monument you’ve never heard of

One of the most underappreciated national monuments

Arizona is certainly no stranger to unique and bizarre landscapes. From the Grand Canyon to the otherworldly mesas outside Sedona, Arizona’s expanse of red rock vistas is unlike anywhere else on Earth. Still, even in the one-of-a-kind landscape of Arizona, Chiricahua can make you do a double-take when you first see it.

This strange and complex landscape looks more like something from an alien planet (or possibly a large-scale modern art project) than anything formed by nature. But formed by nature it was, hard as that may be to believe.

Chiricahua National Monument’s most obvious feature is its mind-bending collection of hoodoos and other unusual rock formations. Hoodoos are tall, narrow spires of rock that rise abruptly from the ground often taking on distinct shapes and colors. Many of Chiricahua’s hoodoos feature prominent balancing rocks where top-heavy rocky peaks seem to balance on a narrower column below.

Chiricahua National Monument

Entry fee: Free
Hours of operation: Open 24 hours
Annual visitors (2024): 71,390
Nearest town: Willcox, AZ
Best time to visit: Spring and fall

As an impressive “garden” of natural hoodoos, Chiricahua is in good company within the NPS. For example, Utah’s Bryce Canyon National Park features iconic hoodoo formations like the formidable Thor’s Hammer.

In addition to Bryce Canyon, other national and state parks across the U.S. have notable hoodoo formations that make for some truly memorable sightseeing trips. However, Chiricahua’s impressive hoodoos also come in conjunction with the extraordinary geography of southeastern Arizona placing the park in a tier of its own.

Chiricahua’s hoodoo amphitheater sits in southeastern Arizona’s Chiricahua Mountains providing a grandiose backdrop to a scenic tour through the park’s rock gardens. Rising around these astounding geological formations are a series of titanic sky islands— isolated mountain highlands that rise dramatically from a flat basin around them. Taken together, it’s no surprise that these natural features spawned Chiricahua’s nickname of Arizona’s “Wonderland of Rocks.”

This unparalleled geology is home to a thriving community of desert animals including coatis, rattlesnakes, and even black bears. Chiricahua’s human history is also on display in the park in the form of the Faraway Ranch, a historic ranch and homestead founded by Swedish immigrants back in the 19th Century. Taken together, Chiricahua’s geological wonders, unique ecosystem, and historical significance are the perfect ingredients for full national park status.

Despite national park views, Chiricahua is still not a national park

Chiricahua’s otherworldly hoodoos and rhyolite pinnacles scream “national park material”

While its natural and historical resources clearly meet national park criteria, Chiricahua remains “only” a national monument. The lack of full national park status is even odder when you learn that Chiricahua has been part of the National Park System since 1924!

Established as a national monument by then-President Calvin Coolidge and later expanded by Franklin D. Roosevelt, Chiricahua has been protected as a National Park Service site for over a century which makes its lack of national park status all the more puzzling. Unfortunately, while national monuments can be established unilaterally by the president, national parks can only be created by legislation passed by Congress. As of 2025, Congress has so far failed to pass the necessary bill that would turn Chiricahua National Monument into Chiricahua National Park.

What’s the difference between a national park and a national monument?

Designation process, purpose, and management

National parks…

…are meant to protect large landscapes with significant natural beauty, several important natural resources, and exceptional recreational opportunities.
…can only be created by an act of Congress.
…are always administered by the National Park Service.

National Monuments…

…are meant to protect singular features which can be natural, historical, cultural, or scientific.
…can be created unilaterally by the President of the United States via the 1906 Antiquities Act.
…are usually administered by the National Park Service but can also be administered by other federal agencies (like the U.S. Forest Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Bureau of Land Management, etc.).

But for Chiricahua National Park advocates, recent years have brought renewed hope. In 2023, three members of Arizona’s congressional delegation introduced bipartisan legislation that would finally redesignate Chiricahua National Monument as a national park. Of course, politics can never be that simple and Arizona’s attempt to convert Chiricahua into a national park has gotten mixed reactions from stakeholders and locals.

A 2024 hearing before the House Subcommittee on Federal Lands brought both arguments for and against the proposed national park. Many local politicians and boosters (including the mayor of nearby Willcox) testified that the establishment of Chiricahua National Park would be a major boon to the region’s tourism industry. However, many local Native American groups expressed concerns that an influx of tourism would negatively impact access to important religious and cultural traditions for members of tribes native to the area.

As of 2025, progress remains on hold. Given the nature of Congress and American politics, supporters of Chiricahua National Park may, unfortunately, have to wait for political winds to align in a favorable way which is to say, they could be waiting a while. Still, with the Chiricahua National Park bill so tantalizingly close to being passed, supporters have much greater cause for hope in 2025 than they’ve had for most of the past century.

National park or not, Chiricahua is more than worth a visit

Chiricahua is a must-see, national park or not!

Even if advocates don’t prevail and Chiricahua never becomes the national park it deserves to be, the park is still one of the most memorable and worthwhile destinations in Arizona. While it would be worth a visit for its once-in-a-lifetime views alone, Chiricahua is also one of Arizona’s most underrated spots for first-rate outdoor adventures.

Chiricahua’s hiking trails alone offer a spectacular hiking adventure through much of the park’s phenomenal scenery. Even better, Chiricahua has a perfect blend of easy trails, moderate trails, and challenging trails to meet whatever hiking preferences you have. Many of the park’s trails are also superb spots for horseback riding, birdwatching, and even stargazing over the nighttime hours.

You can explore the park on your own or take advantage of Chiricahua’s ranger-guided programs for informative tours and demonstrations that can enhance your appreciation for the park and its resources. And for all its rugged terrain, Chiricahua even has some excellent scenic drives that let you explore the amazing scenery from your own vehicle.

Best hiking trails in Chiricahua National Monument

The monument’s remote vibe and lack of national park crowds make it a hiker’s paradise

Chiricahua National Monument with its 17 miles of trails winding through the surreal “Wonderland of Rocks” offers some of the best hiking in Arizona for those seeking stunning geology and solitude. Based on its unique volcanic formations, biodiversity, and trail variety, here are the top hiking trails in Chiricahua National Monument tailored for different skill levels and interests.

Echo Canyon Loop

Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 3.2 miles

The Big Loop

Difficulty: Hard
Distance: 8 miles

Echo Canyon Grottoes

Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 1 mile

Heart of the Rocks from Echo Canyon Trailhead

Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 7.2 miles

Massai Point Overlook Trail

Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 0.4 miles

Camping in Chiricahua National Monument

Think waking up to towering rock spires and starry nights with no city lights

Chiricahua National Monument’s Bonita Canyon Campground has 23 historic campgrounds with flush toilets, running water, and picnic tables. No ground fires, hook ups, showers, or dump station. Vehicle length limit is 29 feet (dip in road damages longer vehicle).

Regardless of the park’s official designation, camping overnight at Chiricahua is a truly unforgettable immersive experience in some of North America’s most hallowed landscapes. And though political wheels roll far more slowly than many would prefer (if they roll at all), a camping trip here offers the small but real chance that you’ll go to sleep in Chiricahua National Monument and wake up in America’s 64th national park!

Chiricahua National Monument may not yet have the official title of national park but it already holds everything that makes a place worthy of the name—stunning natural beauty, quiet trails, rare geological formations, and ecological diversity. Title or not, Chiricahua deserves a place on every adventurer’s radar.

Worth Pondering…

Most travelers hurry too much…the great thing is to try and travel with the eyes of the spirit wide open … with real inward attention. …you can extract the essence of a place once you know how.

―Lawrence Durrell

A Guide to Hoodoo Destinations Outside Bryce Canyon

This guide provides a comprehensive overview of hoodoo landscapes beyond Bryce Canyon showcasing the variety and beauty of these natural formations across several western states

America’s vast landscape features a wide range of majestic scenery touching on virtually every type of eco-region found on Earth. Across the country, travelers can find towering mountains, vast deserts, deep forests, and tropical wetlands, just to name a few.

But in addition to well-known natural features, America contains unique and remarkable rock formations as well. A great example of this is a striking type of geological formation commonly known as a “hoodoo.”

Hoodoos (also known as pinnacles, toadstools, or caprocks, depending on the location) are tall, thin spires of rock that jut out of the ground below them in prominent columns. Hoodoos form when the soft rock under a harder rocky surface gets eroded by wind and rain over time. The hard rock on top preserves the main column while the soft rock below gets gradually whittled away until all that’s left is a skinny stone column.

Though hoodoos are found across the world, they are most associated with the badlands and rocky deserts of the American West. Utah’s Bryce Canyon National Park is by far the best spot to see natural hoodoos. Bryce Canyon has a higher concentration of hoodoos than anywhere else in the world! Each year, millions of visitors flock to Bryce Canyon to see the park’s vast stone “forest” of hoodoos spread out across its natural amphitheaters.

But Bryce Canyon is not the only place in the United States to see hoodoos. If the larger crowds or $35 entrance fee at Bryce Canyon is making you reconsider your trip, these alternative destinations also contain prominent hoodoo formations that you can explore.

Badlands National Park *© Rex Vogel, all rights reserved*

1. Badlands National Park

South Dakota’s stunning badlands are anything but “bad”

Location: Pennington and Jackson counties, South Dakota
Closest town: Wall
Entrance fee: $30 per vehicle, valid for 7 days, all interagency passes accepted
Best hiking trails to see hoodoos: Notch Trail, The Door Trail, Castle Trail

With hoodoos so closely associated with badland formations, it’s no surprise that a great destination for hoodoo viewing is the appropriately named Badlands National Park. Situated across the vast prairie of South Dakota, the scenic but underrated Badlands National Park is perhaps the single best example of the geological formation that gives it its name.

The park’s landscape earns this distinction thanks to its excellent combination of geological and climate factors that make the perfect recipe for badland formation. The ground underneath South Dakota’s prairies consists primarily of softer, clay-heavy rocks deposited in distinctive layers over time. As nearby rivers began to course through the landscape around 500,000 years ago, this soft rock eroded into the distinctive features you can see today.

The hoodoos in the park’s badland regions usually pop up around larger butte and pinnacle formations. Park trails like the Notch Trail, the Door Trail, and the Castle Trail are probably the best destinations for seeing these distinctive hoodoo formations while immersing yourself in the complex network of canyons that wind through the landscape in picturesque displays.

Theodore Roosevelt National Park *© Rex Vogel, all rights reserved*

2. Theodore Roosevelt National Park

North Dakota’s haven for bison, badlands, and hoodoos

Location: Billings and McKenzie counties, North Dakota
Closest town: Madora
Entrance fee: $30 per vehicle, valid for 7 days, all interagency passes accepted
Best hiking trails to see hoodoos: Painted Canyon Nature Trail, Caprock Coulee Loop, Petrified Forest to Overlook Trail

South Dakota is not the only Dakota to feature gorgeous badlands formations. Across the border, North Dakota has its amazing badland landscapes with their distinctive hoodoo formations.

In particular, North Dakota’s Theodore Roosevelt National Park is a splendid destination for exploring the rugged prairie landscape of the Upper Midwest, the stark and dramatic expanses of the region’s badlands, and the impressive rock formations that lie there.

Theodore Roosevelt National Park consists of three distinct units: the North United, the South Unit, and the Elkhorn Ranch Unit. While all three units are worthwhile visits, the South Unit is probably your best bet for seeing hoodoos particularly at the stunning Painted Canyon Nature Trail.

Here, the park’s natural badland formations create a stark “painted desert” effect more indicative of the colorful deserts of the Southwest than anything found in the Great Plains. In addition to its prominent hoodoos, the Painted Canyon Trail takes hikers on a tour of brilliant colorful buttes, intricate networks of canyons, and even large populations of American bison.

Other great Theodore Roosevelt trails for viewing natural hoodoos are the Caprock Coulee Loop Trail and the Petrified Forest to Overlook Trail, both of which showcase both the park’s unique geology and its mesmerizing rugged landscape.

3. Goblin Valley State Park

Utah’s state park alternative to Bryce Canyon

Location: Emery County, Utah
Closest town: Hanksville
Entrance fee: $20 per vehicle
Best hiking trails to see hoodoos: The Goblin’s Lair, Valley of the Goblins, Goblin Valley Trail

A little less than 200 miles from Bryce Canyon sits another impressive collection of hoodoos sprouting out of the Utah landscape. Though not as famous as Bryce Canyon, Utah’s Goblin Valley State Park is equally as impressive especially given the unique shapes and figures that the park’s many hoodoos display.

Unlike in Bryce Canyon, the hoodoos in Goblin Valley form unique “mushroom” shapes that give a distinctive appearance to the complex geological features of Utah’s already unique geography.

These hoodoos, locally known as “goblins,” stick out of the soft red ground in bizarre rock gardens. From a distance, these “goblin hoodoos” frame the surrounding mesas and the snowy Henry Mountains against the horizon creating one of the most distinctive natural displays found anywhere in the country. Thanks to the park’s open hiking trails, visitors to Goblin Valley can wander around the hoodoo “gardens” directly.

In addition to its amazing rock formations, Goblin Valley State Park is also a great spot for viewing many of Utah’s native species of wildlife. Jackrabbits, pronghorns, rattlesnakes, and other iconic desert animals all make their home among the park’s many rock formations.

4. Chiricahua National Monument

Where a hoodoo forest meets an actual forest in the Arizona desert

Location: Cochise County, Arizona
Closest town: Willcox
Entrance fee: Free
Best hiking trails to see hoodoos: Echo Canyon Loop, The Big Loop, Echo Canyon Grottoes

Much farther south from Utah in the rocky deserts of Southeastern Arizona sits the closest analog to Bryce Canyon in the American National Park System. Like Bryce Canyon, the amazing Chiricahua National Monument features a complex “forest” of natural hoodoos grouped in a large rocky amphitheater forged into the landscape by eons of weathering.

But Chiricahua’s surrounding geography is distinct in many ways from that of Bryce Canyon. Unlike Bruce Canyon, Chiricahua’s hoodoo “forest” blends with an actual forest.

Though the trees and shrubs that grow in Southeastern Arizona are generally smaller than those found in temperate forests, they do forge a unique palate of greenery that contrasts with the rocky pinnacles popping out of the ground. The park’s Echo Canyon Loop and Big Loop Trails provide hikers with exceptional scenery of both rock and flora intermingling in one of the most distinctive sights found anywhere in the US.

In addition to its impressive hoodoo collection, Chiricahua National Monument also contains many other striking rock formations. Most notably, Chiricahua contains several prominent “balancing rocks,” formed when natural erosion picks away at the base of a rocky pinnacle until the boulder on top seems to “balance” on a thin column below it.

Among other features, the park’s Pinnacle Balanced Rock might be Arizona’s most mind-blowing rock formation.

And if amazing rocks and gorgeous desert plants weren’t enough, Chiricahua is also a great spot for wildlife viewing! For example, Chiricahua is one of the best spots in Arizona to see native coatis, a wily relative of the raccoon that can often be seen scurrying around the park’s hoodoos in search of food.

Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument *© Rex Vogel, all rights reserved*

5. Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument

One of the most alien landscapes on Earth—right in the heart of the American Southwest!

Location: Kane and Garfield counties, Utah
Closest town: Cannonville, Escalante, Boulder
Entrance fee: Free
Best hiking trails to see hoodoos: Toadstool Hoodoos Trail, Devils Garden Trail

Nestled among Utah’s many bizarre natural wonders are five of America’s 63 national parks, the third-most of any state in the country. But for many travelers, Utah’s most vibrant landscape is not administered by the National Park Service at all.

Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument is a large and complex expanse of land in southern Utah, encompassing several distinctive geographical formations. Among its many features are the prominent Grand Staircase (a massive sedimentary rock formation), several natural canyons formed by the Escalante River, and the immense Kaiparowits Plateau.

Unlike other national monuments, Grand Staircase-Escalante is administered by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) rather than the National Park Service (NPS). This is due to the park’s central place in the larger National Conservation Lands arrangement, a federal system that protects specific geographic features deemed to be particularly important to the natural and cultural characteristics of the American West.

Sitting only around 20 miles from Bryce Canyon, Grand Staircase-Escalante shares the same geological foundation that formed Bryce Canyon’s prominent features. As such, Grand Staircase-Escalante also contains a good number of prominent hoodoos and related rock formations that give a distinctive character to the already memorable landscape.

The park’s Toadstool Hoodoos Trail, as its name suggests, provides an excellent walking tour of many of the park’s unique “toadstool” hoodoo formations. Elsewhere in the park, the equally worthwhile Devils Garden Trail is a great destination for seeing both natural hoodoos and many other striking rock formations (among other features, Grand Staircase-Escalante contains natural arches, balancing rocks, and slot canyons).

6. Bisti-De-Na-Zin & Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Wilderness Areas

Off-the-radar wilderness perfect for roughing it in backcountry New Mexico

Location: San Juan County
Closest town: Farmington
Entrance fee: Free
Best hiking trails to see hoodoos: Bisti Badlands Trail, Bisti Wash Loop, Bisti Wings Trail, Ah-shi-sle-pah Trail

Not every collection of hoodoos in the American West sits in a popular national park site. As hard as it may be to believe, there are a few lesser-known stretches of the southwestern landscape that offer hidden geological treasures to travelers lucky enough to stumble across them. New Mexico’s Bisti-De-Na-Zin and Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah wilderness areas are just such spots.

Stretching across the complex landscape of New Mexico’s San Juan County not far from the Four Corners region these two adjacent wilderness areas preserve a mesmerizing stretch of badlands carved into the New Mexican landscape by countless eons of wind and rain.

This part of New Mexico contains large amounts of sandstone, mudstone, silt, shale, and other malleable elements. When hit with long-term weathering, this landscape ended up as a brilliant natural “museum” of hoodoos and other prominent badland formations.

The hoodoos in these two parks form complex shapes often taking on thin “mushroom” forms or narrow spires. With little vegetation growing in this part of New Mexico, the natural hoodoos here stand out much more starkly than they would in other areas.

Since both Bisti-De-Na-Zin and Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah are less developed wilderness areas rather than well-maintained national parks, there’s less accessible infrastructure here than in other prime hoodoo viewing locations. Many of the two parks’ hiking trails are more rugged, backcountry treks through untamed wilderness, so future visitors will need to plan accordingly.

Still, with few crowds and fewer signs of civilization these two wilderness areas are excellent spots for exploring hoodoos in an undisturbed, pristine natural setting.

Petrified Forest National Forest *© Rex Vogel, all rights reserved*

7. Petrified Forest National Park

Hoodoos growing amid ancient trees and painted deserts in the Arizona landscape

Location: Navajo and Apache counties, Arizona
Closest town: Hallbrook
Entrance fee: $25, valid for 7 days, all interagency passes accepted
Best hiking trails to see hoodoos: Blue Mesa Trail, Historic Blue Forest Trail, Painted Desert Rim Trail

Outside of the Dakotas, the most famous example of badlands in the United States is probably Arizona’s enchanting Painted Desert. Located on Navajo Nation land in Northeastern Arizona, the Painted Desert displays a sparkling pattern of bright reds and purples left over from long-term erosion of the region’s colorful soil.

The Painted Desert’s most famous spot is undoubtedly Petrified Forest National Park, a top destination for travelers in this corner of Arizona. As the park’s name suggests, its defining feature is its large collection of fossiled or “petrified” trees dating back to the Triassic Period some 250 million years ago.

However, though Petrified Forest shares a history with dinosaurs, the national park site also contains a particularly gorgeous stretch of colorful Painted Desert Badlands which features its collection of notable hoodoo formations. Popular hiking routes like the Blue Mesa Trail, the Historic Blue Forest Trail, and the Painted Desert Rim Trail are excellent spots for exploring the breathtaking Painted Desert badlands while walking right next to many of the park’s natural hoodoos.

And as a bonus, hikers can make a detour to explore the park’s famed petrified forest and see the preserved remains of trees that stood when the earliest dinosaurs walked the earth.

Cedar Breaks National Monument *© Rex Vogel, all rights reserved*

8. Cedar Breaks National Monument

Location: Iron County, Utah
Closest town: Cedar City, Parowan, Panguitch
Entrance fee: $25, valid for 7 days, all interagency passes accepted
Best hiking trails to see hoodoos: Spectra Point and Ramparts Trail, Rattlesnake Trail

Cedar Breaks National Monument, established in 1933, is a 6,155-acre park in southern Utah perched at over 10,000 feet elevation. Known for its colossal natural amphitheater—3 miles wide and over 2,000 feet deep—the monument is renowned for its vibrant hoodoos, colorful cliffs, and high-altitude alpine environment. Often compared to Bryce Canyon (30 miles away), Cedar Breaks offers a quieter, less crowded experience with similar geological splendor making it a gem for hoodoo enthusiasts, hikers, and stargazers.

Hoodoos are tall, thin rock spires formed by differential erosion and Cedar Breaks’ hoodoos are a standout feature of its dramatic landscape. The hoodoos are carved from the Claron Formation a mix of limestone, sandstone, and mudstone deposited 55–35 million years ago in an ancient lake environment. Erosion from rain, wind, and over 200 annual freeze-thaw cycles sculpts the softer rock beneath harder capstones creating spires up to 100 feet tall. The vibrant reds, oranges, pinks, and whites come from iron and manganese oxides in the rock.

The hoodoos form a kaleidoscope of colors in the amphitheater with dense clusters visible from rim viewpoints. Their shapes range from slender columns to jagged, castle-like formations, set against a backdrop of evergreen forests and alpine meadows.

Unlike Bryce Canyon’s sprawling hoodoo fields, Cedar Breaks’ hoodoos are concentrated in a single, bowl-shaped amphitheater creating a focused, awe-inspiring vista. The high elevation adds a crisp clarity to the colors especially at sunrise or sunset.

Worth Pondering…

Stepping out onto any lookout, you are invited to connect with an amazing example of some of the most unusual terrain on this planet making you feel as though you are stepping foot on the edge of another world.

―Stefanie Payne

These Are 12 of the Most Remarkable Rock Formations in the United States

The United States is home to some of the most stunning and unique rock formations in the world shaped by millions of years of geological processes like erosion, volcanic activity, and tectonic shifts. Below are 12 remarkable rock formations based on their geological significance, visual impact, and cultural importance.

The United States is full of stunning rock formations including arches, balanced rocks, spires, butts, and more. While the bulk of America’s most stunning rock formations are out west in places like Arches National Park and in the Najavo Nation (such as Monument Valley), some incredible formations can be found elsewhere.

Here are ten of the most remarkable rock formations found in the United States.

Landscape Arch *© Rex Vogel, all rights reserved*

1. Landscape Arch, Utah

The arch is known for its extreme slenderness

Location: Arches National Park
Overview: Landscape Arch is the longest natural rock arch in the world, located in Arches National Park, Utah. Its delicate, ribbon-like span stretches across a dramatic desert landscape, making it one of the most remarkable rock formations in the United States.
Description: Landscape Arch located in the Devils Garden area at the northern end of Arches National Park is the longest natural stone arch in the world with a span measuring approximately 290 to 306 feet.
Geological significance: Exemplifies the fragility and ephemerality of natural arches formed by differential erosion in a desert environment.
Why remarkable: The arch’s slender structure with sections as thin as 6 feet, defies gravity and showcases the transient beauty of geological processes.

2. Delicate Arch, Utah

The arch is a defining symbol of the park and a must-see for visitors

Location: Arches National Park
Overview: Delicate Arch is perhaps the most famous landmark in Utah. It is a remarkable free-standing arch and is easy to visit via a short trail from the road.
Description: .A freestanding natural arch carved from red sandstone standing 52 feet tall in a dramatic desert landscape.
Geological significance: Formed by wind and water erosion on Entrada Sandstone showcasing the power of natural forces in sculpting delicate structures.
Why remarkable: A symbol of Utah, it’s a bucket-list hike destination with breathtaking views especially at sunset.

Balanced Rock *© Rex Vogel, all rights reserved*

3. Balanced Rock, Utah

A textbook example of differential erosion

Location: Arches National Park
Overview: Balanced Rock is one of the most iconic features in Arches National Park, located in Grand County, Utah, approximately 9.2 miles (14.8 km) from the park entrance along the main park road (Arches Scenic Drive). It is a gravity-defying geological formation, easily visible from the road, making it a popular stop for visitors.
Description: The formation stands 128 feet with the balancing boulder rising 55 feet above a 73-foot pedestal
Geological significance: Balanced Rock is a classic example of differential erosion where materials of varying resistance erode at different rates.
Why remarkable: The 3,577-ton boulder standing 55 feet atop a narrowing 73-foot pedestal appears to defy physics creating a jaw-dropping sight. Its precarious balance captivates visitors as it seems a slight push could topple it.

4. Devils Tower, Wyoming

Devils Tower was the first United States national monument

Location: Devils Tower National Monument
Overview: Devils Tower, also known as Bear Lodge, is a striking geological formation in northeastern Wyoming rising 1,267 feet above the surrounding plains. It’s one of the most iconic rock formations in the United States recognized for its unique shape, cultural significance, and cinematic fame.
Description: A monolithic igneous intrusion or volcanic neck rising 1,267 feet above the surrounding plains.
Geological significance: Likely formed by magma cooling underground, later exposed by erosion. Its columnar jointing is a rare and striking feature.
Why remarkable: Sacred to Native American tribes and featured in Close Encounters of the Third Kind, it’s a geological and cultural icon.

Double Arch *© Rex Vogel, all rights reserved*

5. Double Arch, Utah

Two large arches that share some common rock legs

Location: Arches National Park
Overview: Double Arch is a spectacular rock formation in Arches National Park. It consists of two natural arches that share a common base creating one of the most visually striking and accessible formations in the park. Known for its massive size and cinematic fame, it’s a must-visit for hikers, photographers, and geology enthusiasts.
Description: Double Arch consists of two large sandstone arches that share a common end creating a striking pair of arches joined at one side.
Geological significance: Double Arch exemplifies the complex erosion processes in Arches National Park where multiple arches can form from a single fin. Its robust structure suggests it’s younger and less fragile than thinner arches like Landscape Arch.
Why Remarkable: Double Arch is one of the few formations in the world where two natural arches share a common base creating a visually striking, almost architectural form.

Monument Valley at sunset *© Rex Vogel, all rights reserved*

6. Monument Valley, Arizona

The valley’s dramatic formations rise abruptly from the desert floor

Location: Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park
Overview: Monument Valley is located in the Navajo Nation (the largest American Indian reservation) in the Four Corners region of Arizona. Perhaps no location is more iconic of the American Southwest than Monument Valley.
Description: Iconic sandstone buttes rise dramatically from the desert floor some reaching 1,000 feet. Their vivid red hues and towering shapes are instantly recognizable from media like films and photography.
Geological significance: Formed by erosion of softer sedimentary rock layers leaving behind resistant sandstone. The buttes are remnants of a vast plateau eroded over millions of years.
Why Remarkable: Its cinematic fame (e.g., Forrest Gump, Stagecoach) and sacred status to the Navajo Nation make it a cultural and natural treasure.

7. Yosemite’s Half Dome, California

One of Yosemite’s most iconic landmarks

Location: Yosemite National Park
Overview: Yosemite’s Half Dome is a distinctive granite rock formation in Yosemite National Park recognized for its unique shape—one sheer face and three smooth, rounded sides—giving it the appearance of a dome cut in half.
Description: A massive granite dome rising 4,800 feet above Yosemite Valley with a sheer, smooth face on one side.
Geological significance: Formed by glacial erosion and exfoliation of granite exposing its iconic shape over millions of years.
Why remarkable: A challenging climb and a geological marvel, it draws adventurers and photographers for its awe-inspiring presence.

The hoodos of Bryce Canyon *© Rex Vogel, all rights reserved*

8. Hoodoos of Bryce Canyon, Utah

Bryce Canyon is home to a stunning array of 12 hoodoo-filled amphitheaters

Location: Bryce Canyon National Park
Overview: The hoodoos of Bryce Canyon are unique, tall, thin spires of rock formed primarily through a combination of geological and weathering processes.
Description: Thousands of colorful, spire-like rock formations some up to 150 feet tall in a natural amphitheater.
Geological significance: Formed by frost-wedging and erosion of sedimentary rock creating delicate, whimsical shapes.
Why remarkable: The largest collection of hoodoos in the world offering a surreal, almost alien landscape.

Cathedral Rock *© Rex Vogel, all rights reserved*

9. Cathedral Rock, Arizona

One of the most-photographed sights in Arizona

Location: Sedona
Overview: This iconic rock formation rises to a summit elevation of about 4,967 feet and is one of the most-photographed sights in Arizona. Popular viewpoints of Cathedral Rock include Crescent Moon Ranch where the formation reflects beautifully in the water of Oak Creek offering picturesque views that are also dog-friendly
Description: A majestic red sandstone butte, one of Sedona’s most photographed landmarks.
Geological significance: Eroded from Schnebly Hill Formation with vibrant colors from iron oxide deposits.
Why remarkable: A spiritual site with hiking trails and vortex energy claims drawing nature lovers and mystics.

El Morro Rock *© Rex Vogel, all rights reserved*

10. El Morro Rock, New Mexico

Crucial landmark for travelers due to a natural pool of water at its base

Location: El Morro National Monument
Overview: El Morro Rock is a sandstone promontory rising 200 feet above the valley floor known as “Inscription Rock” or “The Headland.” It’s a historical and geological treasure famous for over 2,000 inscriptions and petroglyphs carved by Ancestral Puebloans, Spanish explorers, and American settlers over centuries. A reliable water pool at its base made it a vital oasis along the ancient Zuni-Acoma Trail.
Description: El Morro Rock, also known as Inscription Rock, is a prominent sandstone mesa located in west-central New Mexico
Geological significance: The soft sandstone enabled carvings but its fragility means inscriptions are eroding. The cuesta’s structure, part of the Zuni Mountains’ southwestern flank reflects Laramide deformation (75-50 million years ago).
Why remarkable: The perennial water pool at the base fed by snowmelt and runoff made El Morro a critical stop on the Zuni-Acoma Trail drawing travelers for centuries.

La Ventana Arch *© Rex Vogel, all rights reserved*

11. La Ventana Arch, New Mexico

Large sandstone formation with a span of about 120 feet

Location: El Malpais National Monument
Overview: La Ventana Arch, often referred to as “The Window,” is a striking natural sandstone arch located in El Malpais National Monument, west-central New Mexico. As one of the largest natural arches in the state, it’s a geological gem set within the rugged volcanic landscape of El Malpais (“The Badlands”), known for its lava flows, cinder cones, and sandstone formations.
Description: La Ventana Arch is a large natural sandstone arch located in the El Malpais National Monument
Geological significance: The arch showcases the interplay of sedimentary and volcanic geology with the soft, cross-bedded Zuni Sandstone contrasting against the dark, jagged lava fields of El Malpais. Its formation highlights erosion processes in arid environments similar to those in Utah’s Arches National Park.
Why remarkable: The juxtaposition of Jurassic sandstone and recent volcanic features (some as young as 3,000 years) makes La Ventana a unique study in contrasting geological processes.

Owachomu Bridge *© Rex Vogel, all rights reserved*

12. Owachomu Bridge, Utah

Oldest natural bridge in the Monument

Location: Natural Bridges National Monument
Overview: Owachomo Bridge is one of three major natural bridges in Natural Bridges National Monument. It’s a stunning example of a natural bridge formed by water erosion and is considered the smallest, thinnest, and likely oldest of the park’s bridges (Sipapu and Kachina being the others).
Description: Owachomo Bridge spans about 180 feet wide and stands approximately 106 feet tall above the canyon floor.
Geological significance: Its thin span and advanced erosion stage highlight the dynamic process of bridge formation and decay, driven by flash floods and weathering. The Cedar Mesa Sandstone’s white color contrasts with the surrounding red desert, enhancing its visual impact.
Why remarkable: Its delicate structure and scenic setting make it a highlight of this remote park designated as the world’s first International Dark-Sky Park in 2007.

Worth Pondering…

Time, geologic time, looks out at us from the rocks as from no other objects in the landscape.

—John Burroughs.

Bryce Canyon National Park: A First Timer’s Guide

Bryce Canyon is full of bizarre rock formations, stunning sunrises, beautiful sandstone pillars, and incredible hiking trails. It has such a unique landscape that sets it apart from all the other parks in Utah.

The smallest of Utah’s Mighty 5 national parks, Bryce Canyon packs a big punch. The first time you clap eyes on its iconic hoodoos—those otherworldly rock spires striped with orange, pink, and red—is a moment you’ll never forget even if you’ve seen photos of them before. This incredible park is home to more hoodoos than anywhere else in the world.

Bryce Canyon’s high elevation averaging more than 8,000 feet but reaching almost 10,000 feet at its loftiest points gives this national park an edge. The seasonal cycle of freezing and thawing water repeatedly over millennia has transformed the soft sandstone and limestone into an utterly unique landscape. Despite its name, Bryce is not actually a canyon but rather a plateau (a canyon is formed by flowing water).

Epic hiking trails skirt the plateau rim before diving 1,000 feet down into the forest of alien pinnacles, fragrant juniper trees, and centuries-old bristlecone pines.

Here is everything you need to know about planning a visit to Bryce Canyon National Park.

Bryce Canyon National Park *© Rex Vogel, all rights reserved*

When should I go to Bryce Canyon National Park?

More than half of the visitors to Bryce Canyon National Park go between June and the end of September and for many, summer is the best time to visit. Bryce Canyon’s higher elevation means that the average high temperature in July is a blissful 79°F, a far cry cooler than the average of 100°F in Arches and Canyonlands or nearly 90°F in nearby Zion National Park.

In 2023, Bryce Canyon National Park’s busiest month was September with 367,425 visitors while January saw just 29,457 adventurers make the trip. The winter months can bring a powdered-sugar dusting of snow atop Bryce Canyon’s fairy chimneys providing an even more magical setting though some trails and accommodations are closed.

Winter (December to February)

Winter transforms Bryce Canyon into a magical wonderland. Snow blankets the hoodoos creating a breathtaking landscape that is perfect for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. Take a guided ranger snowshoe tour to explore the diverse and hidden areas of the canyon. The park’s snowshoe trails offer varying levels of difficulty, from easy to challenging. Enjoy the peace and tranquility of the park during the off-season, with fewer crowds and shorter wait times.

Spring (March to May)

As the snow melts and the temperatures rise, Bryce Canyon awakens in the spring. Wildflowers bloom in vibrant hues painting the canyon with a splash of color. Wildlife becomes more active during this time and you’ll have a better chance of spotting deer, bighorn sheep, and birds. Enjoy hiking the iconic Navajo Loop and Queen’s Garden trails which showcase the park’s stunning hoodoos and amphitheaters. Springtime also offers opportunities for canyoneering and rock climbing.

Early Summer (June to July)

Early summer in Bryce Canyon is a time of beauty and adventure. The weather is generally mild with warm days and cool nights. The park’s many hiking trails are accessible and you’ll have the opportunity to admire the hoodoos from different perspectives. Participate in evening ranger programs to learn about the park’s geology, ecology, and human history. Explore the nearby Red Canyon, a hidden gem that offers scenic hiking trails and a chance to escape the crowds.

Late Summer (August and September)

Late summer is a great time to beat the heat and enjoy Bryce Canyon. The temperatures are typically cooler making hiking and other outdoor activities more enjoyable. The park’s seasonal waterfalls such as Paria Falls and Mossy Cave Falls are at their peak flow during this time. Take scenic drives along the Bryce Canyon Scenic Byway and the Ponderosa Forest Scenic Byway to experience the park’s diverse landscapes.

Fall (October and November)

Fall in Bryce Canyon is a breathtaking spectacle. The leaves of the aspen and maple trees turn vibrant shades of yellow, orange, and red creating a stunning contrast with the red rock formations. The park’s hiking trails are less crowded during this time offering a more serene hiking experience. Horseback riding is a leisurely way to explore the canyon’s backcountry and enjoy the fall foliage.

How much time should I spend at Bryce Canyon National Park?

Some travelers visit Bryce Canyon as a day trip from Zion National Park (about 80 miles, a 1.5-hour drive from Zion’s east entrance) but it’s worth staying at Bryce Canyon for a full day or two. (How do you choose between Utah’s top two national parks? Don’t! See them both.)

Bryce shows off its true colors at sunrise and sunset when the amphitheater of hoodoos looks like it’s been set alight with a golden-red glow. After the sun has departed, Bryce Canyon’s clean, dry air promises excellent nighttime visibility for stargazing reaching all the way to the Andromeda Galaxy 2.5 million light-years away.

Is it easy to get to and around Bryce Canyon National Park?

Yes, Bryce Canyon is easy to visit if you have a car—it’s just a few hours’ drive from major cities.

During the busier months of April through October, shuttle buses are available to get visitors around the park. The shuttle bus is free to ride with park admission and reservations are not required. There are 15 stops, nine of which are in the park; it also stops at some hotels in Bryce Canyon City outside the park entrance where you can leave your car. Unlike at Zion National Park, the shuttle bus at Bryce Canyon is not mandatory and visitors are allowed to drive their own vehicles into the park.

Cycling is also a great way to get around and you can ride a bike to every major trailhead. The paved multi-use path that runs through the park goes to the Inspiration Point overlook and beyond the park it connects with the Red Canyon Bicycle Trail which takes you past even more hoodoos and awesome rock formations outside Bryce’s boundaries.

Top things to do at Bryce Canyon National Park

Bryce Canyon’s hoodoos are the stars of the park and you’ll want to spend as much time as you can gawking at them from every angle and letting your imagination and your feet roam. Many hoodoos here have evocative names such as Thor’s Hammer, Tower Bridge, and Silent City and the Native Paiute believe that the formations are ancient Legend People who were turned to stone as punishment for wrongdoing.

The Rim Trail, one of Bryce Canyon’s easiest hikes traces the upper edge of the plateau overlooking the bowl of hoodoos below and linking up several viewpoints. While crowds cluster at these viewpoints because they are also accessible by car you can walk a short distance along the Rim Trail to admire the scene in solitude.

But you can’t leave Bryce without walking among these iconic formations instead of just seeing them from above. A handful of hiking trails leave the rim and descend thousands of feet into the maze of stunningly sculpted high-mountain desert threading their way through the hoodoos.

The most popular hike in Bryce Canyon National Park is the Queen’s Garden–Navajo Loop Combination Trail. It hits Bryce’s signature features in a relatively short amount of time and starts (or ends) with an iconic series of switchbacks between high ocher-colored canyon walls.

A quieter and more challenging hiking option is the Fairyland Loop, an eight-mile day hike that gives a good workout thanks to the 1,900 feet of elevation gain. The trail meanders around hoodoos, down into washes, up and over saddles, and past ancient bristlecone pines that cling to the rocky cliffsides for dear life.

My bucket list activity at Bryce Canyon National Park

There are some seriously epic viewpoints where you can spy on the hoodoos to your heart’s content but I don’t think any spot is as cool as surveying the scene from a horse saddle. Sign up for a three-hour horse-riding adventure with Canyon Trail Rides, the park’s official concessioner which takes riders out on Peekaboo Loop from April through October.

Unless you have your own horse, booking with Canyon Trail Rides is the only way to see this national park from a saddleback perspective. Since trail rides book up quickly, reserve as far in advance as you can. Even if you’re on foot instead of on a horse, the Peekaboo Loop is one of the best hikes in Utah.

How much money do I need for Bryce Canyon National Park?

The standard entrance fee for Bryce Canyon National Park costs $35 per vehicle or $20 per person if you’re visiting on foot or bicycle and it’s valid for seven days. If you’re visiting more national parks on a road trip through Utah and beyond, it’s worth buying the America the Beautiful pass for $80. It’s valid for a year at all national parks and federal recreation land across the country for one vehicle or four per-person entry fees and arguably one of the best travel deals available.

There’s a lodge and two campgrounds inside the park. Bryce Canyon Lodge costs from $200 to $330 per night depending on the season and size of the room. Campgrounds cost $30 a night for both tents and RVs. At certain times of the year campsites are first-come, first-served but in the busiest season (mid-May to mid-October) you must book at recreation.gov in advance.

What is the closest city to Bryce Canyon National Park?

Bryce Canyon City sits at the entrance to Bryce Canyon National Park. Calling it a city is generous but it has a handful of hotels and restaurants. The towns of Tropic and Cannonville east of Bryce Canyon National Park have a few more options for both accommodations and eating.

Where’s the best place to stay near Bryce Canyon National Park?

Bryce Canyon National Park has two in-park campgrounds as well as the historic Bryce Canyon Lodge which opened in 1925 and is perfectly set between the Sunrise Point and Sunset Point scenic overlooks offering trailheads on your doorstep. Try to book a cabin if one is available—these spots are more charming than the motel-style rooms which feel a little dated (but not in a cute way).

South of Cannonville, Bryce Glamp & Camp has gorgeous geodesic domes that feel like a home away from home with kitchenettes, full bathrooms, and plush mattresses. Wind down in the evening at your own outdoor gas firepit watching the fading sunset light play on the quiet red-rock landscape.

Want to know more about Bryce Canyon National Park? Check out these guides:

Keep planning your trip to Utah

Make the most of your America the Beautiful Pass and visit Utah’s other national parks.

Headed off to one of Utah’s National Parks? Maybe you have the whole The Mighty Five in your sights? Here’s some expert advice on how to prepare for your Utah National Parks adventure.

Have wheels and want to see more of Utah? Check out these top road trips:

Zion: The Complete Guide to Zion National Park
Arches: The Complete Guide to Arches National Park
Capitol Reef: Getting Closer to Nature at Capitol Reef
Canyonlands: The Complete Guide to Canyonlands National Park
Bryce Canyon: The Complete Guide to Bryce National Park
Natural Bridges: Sculpted By Water: Natural Bridges National Monument
Cedar Breaks: Paradise on the Mountain: Cedar Breaks National Monument
Grand Staircase-Escalante: The Complete Guide to Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument

Worth Pondering…

When lighted by the morning sun the gorgeous chasm is an immense bowl of lace and filigree work in stone, colored with the white of frost and the pinks of glowing embers. To those who have not forgotten the story books of childhood it suggests a playground for fairies. In another aspect it seems a smoldering inferno where goblins and demons might dwell among flames and embers.

—The Union Pacific System, 1929

Bryce Canyon National Park: A Guide for RVers

Bryce Canyon National Park…a fantasyland of hoodoos, bizarre rock formations, and sandstone pillars. This is a crazy beautiful place and its unique landscape sets it apart from other national parks.

Pillars of red, white, and orange cut through bluest skies. Erosion and rain constantly evolve nature’s amphitheater at Bryce. Wind your way through the canyons, peaceful, stunning, and immense.

On June 28 1923, Bryce Canyon officially became a national park of 35,835 acres. The National Park Service ranks Bryce Canyon fifteenth of the most visited parks with 2.46 million visitors in 2023. The park hosts 300,000+ visitors monthly from May through September. Spectacular views from the top step of the immemorial Grand Staircase and its tribe of hoodoos seemingly standing watch earn Bryce Canyon National Park a place on your bucket list.

Getting there

From Springdale, Utah, at Zion National Park there are two routes one can take. The longer of the two takes you back to Interstate15 north to Exit 95 (UT-20) about 90 miles. At Utah Route 20 head back east to Bryce Canyon National Park about 60 miles. You will encounter a couple of hairpin curves over the two-and-a-half-hour drive. The upside is that you will pass by the Kolob Canyons Visitor Center at Zion’s western entrance.

The shorter and more scenic drive is just under two hours. This takes you east on State Route 9 through Zion National Park to Mt. Carmel Junction, then north on U.S. Highway 89. At the intersection of State Route 12 (a scenic byway) turn east. This will take you to U.S. Highway 63 and the Bryce Canyon National Park park entrance, about 70 miles. You will find a Sinclair gas station in Hatch, Utah. Should you need a meal break, try the Hatch Station Cafe.

Note: Starting in mid-2026, Zion National Park will no longer allow large RVs and other oversized vehicles to travel the Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway.

Bryce Canyon camping

Two campgrounds within the park offer RV sites: North Campground (Loops A and B) and Sunset Campground (Loop A only). Sewer, water, and electrical hookups are unavailable at either location. Both campgrounds can accommodate units over 20 feet and permit generators from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. All sites must be booked through recreation.gov well in advance.

For Bryce Canyon camping with full hookups, you will want to stay outside of the park. Ruby’s Inn sits just outside the park. In addition to a wide range of amenities, the Bryce Canyon National Park shuttle stop is nearby. Just down Utah Route 12 in either direction are more RV parks from which to choose. Check the reviews for good ratings.

The Stone Hearth Grille just down the road in Tropic offers great steaks locally sourced.

You are there. Now what?

Bryce Canyon Visitor Center

The Bryce Canyon Visitor Center is located just inside the park entrance. A parking lot suitable for RVs is just past the visitor center on the left. The visitor center must be your first stop. All the info you need is available here including maps, the park newspaper, and info on Ranger programs. The store carries a wide range of souvenirs, maps, books, and clothing.

Catch the Park Shuttle as it is the best way to see the most popular sites.

Hiking trails

Bryce Canyon National Park offers 50 miles of hiking trails. However, if you want a geologic immersion of the hoodoos, I suggest the Queen’s/Navajo Combination Loop. This popular hike begins at Sunset Point for an easy, paved half-mile to Sunrise Point. From there head down the Queens Garden Trail to the floor of Bryce Amphitheater connecting to the Navajo Loop back to Sunset Point. This is a moderate 3-mile hike with an elevation loss/gain of 625 feet. The loop brings you through the hoodoos of Queens Garden, past Queen Victoria and her court, Two Bridges, and Thor’s Hammer.

Remember, you are at 8,000 feet above sea level, about 4,000 feet higher than Zion. High-altitude hiking calls for a slower pace and hydration. Rangers tell you that “Going down is optional, but coming back up is mandatory!”

Flora and fauna

The colorful spires and stacked hoodoos are definitely in your face. Slow down for a look around to spot some birds, animals, and plants. You will see plenty of Utah prairie dogs, mule deer, and perhaps a pronghorn. If you’re doing any Bryce Canyon camping, you may get lucky and see these critters right from your campsite.

Bryce Canyon National Park supports over 170 species of birds either as residents or migrators. White-throated Swifts, Cliff Swallows, and Violet-green Swallows abound in Bryce Amphitheater. Also, be on the lookout for Ravens, Steller’s Jays, and Western Tanagers. Three species of hummingbirds make Bryce Canyon National Park home: Broad-tailed, Black-chinned, and Rufous.

Even though the soil consists of red rock, Bryce Canyon National Park hosts over 400 plant species. Notable are the Rocky Mountain Juniper and the Great Basin bristlecone pine, some over 1,300 years old.

You should definitely plan a night hike. In 2019, Bryce Canyon National Park obtained official International Dark Sky status. As a high desert plateau with thin, dry air and in a remote location, it stands as a near-perfect place for night sky activities. Sign up for the Ranger-led Full Moon Hike or plan your visit during the Bryce Canyon Astronomy Festival (early June).

Wait. What?!

Bryce Canyon is not actually a canyon. Rather, it is a high desert plateau continuously undergoing erosion around its edges.

Bryce Canyon National Park is a truly unique and special place. With its stunning hoodoos, diverse wildlife, and rich cultural history, the park offers something for everyone. Whether you’re looking for a challenging hike, a scenic drive, or a relaxing getaway, Bryce Canyon National Park is the perfect destination.

Conclusion

Visiting Bryce Canyon National Park promises an unforgettable experience. The park’s breathtaking hoodoos, diverse landscapes, and rich cultural heritage make it a must-visit destination. Whether you’re seeking a winter wonderland, a vibrant spring, or a serene fall, Bryce Canyon offers the perfect time to explore its natural wonders.

Want more travel ideas for this area?

Worth Pondering…

—The Union Pacific System, 1929

The Complete Guide to Bryce Canyon National Park

Find otherworldly hoodoos, red cliffs, and magical sunrises and sunsets in Utah

Some national parks sprawl for millions of acres and encompass wildly diverse terrains; others, such as southern Utah‘s compact Bryce Canyon National Park do one thing really well. At 56 square miles, Bryce Canyon ranks 51st out of 63 national parks by size.

But what it lacks in acreage, it makes up for with the world’s highest concentration of hoodoos or totem-pole-like rock columns. (Note that, despite its name, this isn’t technically a canyon but instead a series of more than a dozen natural amphitheaters carved into a plateau’s edge.)

Geologists will tell you that erosion caused the hoodoos. But for a more colorful creation story, we turn to the Indigenous Paiute people who have lived here since about 1200 BC. According to lore this area was home to the To-when-an-ung-wa or Legend People, a prehuman race who mistreated the land and misused its resources. For their misdeeds, the trickster god Coyote punished them by transforming them into stone.

Now these spires have funky names that refer to their odd shapes—Thor’s Hammer and the Poodle, for example—and they form the basis of nearly every experience within the park: Visitors check off viewpoints that overlook them, hikers weave among them, and photographers jockey for position to shoot them in every type of light from the warm glow of sunrise to the milky shine of a full moon.

Mormon pioneers first settled the area in the 1850s and the eventual park’s namesake, Scottish immigrant Ebenezer Bryce reportedly called the mazelike terrain “a hell of a place to lose a cow.”

The plan to set this land aside as a national park began in 1915 when U.S. Forest Service Supervisor J.W. Humphrey transferred to the region and immediately became transfixed with the “indescribable beauty that greeted (him).” He sent word back to Washington, D.C. and worked to improve road access and tourists began visiting from Salt Lake City before the end of the decade.

President Warren G. Harding named the area a national monument in 1923, Congress passed a bill the next year to establish a national park, and it officially earned that designation in 1928. Today, this otherworldly landscape is a must-visit stop on southern Utah’s circuit of five national parks with some 2.4 million people making the trip in 2022.

Best of all, despite the park’s dramatic terrain you don’t need to be particularly adventurous to enjoy its greatest spoils. Bryce Canyon’s most popular views are also the most accessible. Thirteen of its 14 viewpoints have good to very good access for those using wheelchairs or other mobility devices and the distance from the parking lot to the view is typically less than 500 feet.

Plan your trip

Bryce Canyon National Park is a trek from the nearest major city but the drive through the desert gives you a chance to slow down and get on the same wavelength as this almost mystical landscape. Las Vegas is about 267 miles southwest of the park while Salt Lake City is 273 miles north and Cedar City is about 90 miles west of the park entrance.

The park is laid out along an 18-mile north-south road with one entrance at the northern end just outside Bryce Canyon City. Your first stop should be the Visitor Center, next to the entrance; inside, pick up maps, stroll through museum exhibits about the park’s geology and fauna, shop in the bookstore, and get hiking tips from rangers.

Bryce Canyon National Park’s popularity means it can get crowded during the tourist season May through September. To reduce congestion and long lines at parking areas the park runs a shuttle bus that can make your visit much more pleasant. Simply park your car at one of five stops in Bryce Canyon City, hop on the shuttle, and let the driver do all the work. The buses typically arrive every 15 minutes but you can check for real-time updates on brycecanyonshuttle.com.

Many visitors expect southern Utah to be scorching but due to Bryce Canyon’s high elevation—between 6,620 and 9,105 feet above sea level—its weather remains surprisingly moderate. Even in the hottest summer months temperatures usually top out in the high 70s. In July and August, the rainy season, you might experience an intense afternoon thunderstorm or two. And from December to February, there could be snow—though snow can fall as early as October and as late as May.

Defining the peak season versus shoulder season is more of an art than a science. March to October would be considered by many to be the park’s peak season right now. But despite high visitation numbers during that period it’s not difficult to find a bit of solitude. By setting off on a hike or, say, a bike ride on the shared-use path you’ll find the crowds quickly thin.

For smaller crowds, visit in February to see the reddish hoodoos dusted with snow when a hush falls over the park and all you can hear is the crunch of distant boots on powder. When the snowpack surpasses a foot deep rangers lead snowshoe hikes even providing the snowshoes and poles—just dress warmly. With the Fairyland and Paria View roads closed to vehicular traffic, they also make for great cross-country skiing paths.

Where to stay and eat

Wake up with the sun and catch the hoodoos in all their morning glory at the Lodge at Bryce Canyon, the park’s only hotel with 114 rooms set across the main building adjacent motel accommodations and cabins. Opened in 1925, the rustic lodge structure calls to mind Lincoln Logs complete with a steeply pitched green roof.

Inside the cabins, you’ll find gas-log fireplaces and lodgepole pine walls while the lodge and motel rooms are simply furnished with Arts and Crafts–style pieces and custom wool blankets based on colors and patterns used by the Southern Paiute tribe. You can make a reservation 13 months before your visit and the property is open seasonally.

If you prefer camping (and, why wouldn’t you!) the first-come, first-served North Campground just beyond the Visitor Center is open from spring through fall with 99 campsites set in a lovely pine grove with gently rolling hills. Sunset Campground about 1.5 miles south of the Visitor Center features 100 sites west of Sunset Point. Thanks to the popularity of its trailside location, peak-season reservations are recommended each year from May 20 through October 15 and can be booked at recreation.gov. Neither campground has showers; both cost $20 nightly for tents or $30 for RVs.

The Visitor Center also issues $5-per-person permits for backcountry camping with seven campsites located along the 22.9-mile Under-the-Rim Trail and three on the 8.8-mile Riggs Spring Loop Trail. Keep in mind that the elevation change on these trails ranges from 6,800 to 9,115 feet, so plan—and dress—accordingly, based on the season.

Dozens of lodging options in nearby towns can accommodate most traveling styles: cabins (Cottonwood Meadow Lodge in Panguitch), RV parks (Riverside Ranch in Hatch), inns (Bryce Trails Bed and Breakfast in Tropic), dude ranches (Rockin’ R Ranch in Antimony), and even covered-wagon glamping resorts (Whispering Pines Glamping in Alton).

For pure convenience you can’t beat the recently renovated 105-year-old Ruby’s Inn now a Best Western Plus property just outside the park entrance in Bryce Canyon City. Rent one of the hotel’s bikes and go exploring in nearby Dave’s Hollow or along the park’s paved trails and then refuel on hearty comfort fare at the hotel’s family-style Western buffet and steakhouse.

For a proper meal within the park limits you currently have one option: the restaurant at the lodge with the seasonal Valhalla Pizzeria & Coffee Shop. The restaurant doesn’t disappoint with its cozy stone fireplace and menu of locally inspired favorites such as almond-crusted rainbow trout, elk, and white bean chili and open-faced bison meat-loaf sandwiches.

For a more casual option, the General Store near Sunrise Point and the North Campground sells grab-and-go salads, pizza, and sandwiches; you can also stock up on camping supplies including canned goods, split wood, and cooking fuel in case you want to prepare a meal back at your campsite.

Things to do

Drive to viewpoints

Marvel at the unparalleled vistas from Bryce Canyon National Park’s 14 official viewpoints which deliver that perfect photograph for your slideshow or Instagram grid. The park’s shuttle bus stops at four of them: Bryce Point, Inspiration Point, Sunrise Point, and Sunset Point.

Sunset Point accessed just after mile marker 2 ranks as the most popular thanks to its proximity to Thor’s Hammer, the best-known and most recognizable hoodoo while Bryce Point (accessed via a road between mile markers 2 and 3) is best viewed early in the morning when magical sunrises appear to set the hoodoos on fire.

The other viewpoints can all be reached by foot or car. Just past mile marker 12, don’t miss Natural Bridge which dazzles with a scene that’s pretty enough to be a painting: Think verdant ponderosa pines peeking through a reddish natural arch.

Take a hike

Go for a hike—you’ll find one for every skill level. On the easier end of the spectrum take in excellent views of the Bryce Amphitheater on the Sunset to Sunrise Trail, a paved one-mile segment of the Rim Trail. Due to the park’s terrain only a half-mile stretch of this portion of the Rim Trail is officially wheelchair-accessible. Alternatively, the hard-surface Bristlecone Loop at the park’s southern end can accommodate some wheelchair users with assistance.

Another easy and especially popular (read: crowded) walk, the 0.8-mile Mossy Cave Trail ends at a grotto with icicles in winter and its namesake moss in summer. For a more moderate challenge, opt for the 1.8-mile Queen’s Garden Trail which takes you down into the canyon for a glimpse of a hoodoo that looks remarkably like Queen Victoria.

If you’re a hiking pro set aside about five hours for the 8-mile Fairyland Loop; you’ll cut through a ponderosa pine forest and past the ridged China Wall which stretches along the horizon like its namesake and the Tower Bridge which features a precariously freestanding span. Be warned that you’ll be navigating a calf-burning elevation change of 1,716 feet (almost exactly as tall as Chicago’s Willis Tower).

To maximize the number of hoodoos you can see on one hike, take advantage of the shuttle bus system to find great one-way routes that start at one bus stop and end at another. For one of my favorite hikes, get off the bus at Bryce Point and then hike down into the amphitheater along the Peek-a-Boo Loop Trail following the path clockwise. After you view Cathedral Wall, pick up the Queen’s Garden Trail to ascend back up to Sunrise Point and the shuttle bus.

See the sights on horseback

Channel your inner cowboy or cowgirl on a guided horseback or mule tour with concessionaire Canyon Trail Rides. From April through October, book two-hour or three-hour rides online at canyonrides.com then meet your guide at the corral between the park’s lodge and Sunrise Point.

Both routes take you down to the canyon floor; the longer option then traces Peek-a-Boo Loop Trail whisking you past the famed Wall of Windows which looks a bit like a fortress dotted with holes from which medieval knights might have fired their arrows and cannons.

To appreciate Bryce Canyon a visitor really needs to get below the rim by foot or on horseback and the horse rides offer a way for someone who physically can’t walk up and down the canyon trails to be up close and personal with the rock formations.

Spot wildlife

A variety of animal species roam these acres including mule deer, pronghorn, smaller critters such as feisty golden-mantled ground squirrels (they’re so prevalent at picnic areas and overlooks that the NPS website calls them trip-over common), and the reintroduced Utah prairie dogs which reside in the roadside meadows near the park entrance. Because of the higher altitude and cold winters, reptiles and amphibians are not as common as you might expect but keep your eyes peeled for the masters of camouflage, short-horned lizards (or horned toads).

And, depending on the season you can view 175 bird species including various hummingbirds that flit around thistles and other flowers from May through July.

Enjoy the park after dark

Named an International Dark Sky Park in 2019, Bryce Canyon National Park delivers a coveted trifecta for stargazers: high elevations, pristine air quality, and a remote location far from the nearest sources of light pollution.

If you visit during a full moon, enter the park’s lottery for one of the few slots on a two- to three-hour guided nighttime hike. Submit your name between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. at the Visitor Center and check whether you’ve been selected between 4 and 4:15 p.m. The moon’s glow bounces off the oddly shaped hoodoos creating an eerie interplay of light and shadows. The park usually offers one of two hikes depending on ranger staffing: an easier one along the rim and a harder one that descends into the canyon.

Gateway towns

Just north of the park entrance, Bryce Canyon City is little more than a cluster of hotels, restaurants, and the kitschy Western-themed shops of Old Bryce Town. But it makes for a comfortable hub if you’re not staying in the park.

About a 10-minute drive north of the entrance the road meets up with Utah State Route 12, a National Scenic Byway and All-American Road dotted with towns worth checking out or using as your hub.

About 20 miles to the northwest along Route 12 sits Panguitch with its National Register of Historic Places–designated historic district and abundant opportunities for angling; the town didn’t take its name from the South Paiute word for big fish for nothing.

If you instead turn southeast on 12 and go about 8 miles you’ll reach Tropic which has welcoming coffee shops and restaurants while an additional 40 miles will drop you into Escalante where picturesque slot canyons surround the town.

If you’re combining your visit to Bryce Canyon National Park with Zion National Park consider a stay in Kanab about 75 miles south of Bryce Canyon near the Arizona border and a half-hour drive from Zion.

Surrounded by sagebrush, sandstone cliffs, and abandoned western-genre movie sets, the self-styled Little Hollywood is home to several unique lodging options. Best Friends Roadhouse and Mercantile arguably ranks as America’s pet-friendliest hotel with its pet park, dog-walking services, in-room cubbies and snuggling areas, and a shop stocked with treats.

En route

From Las Vegas, the four-hour drive along Interstate 15 takes you through the adventure gateway of St. George, Utah. Adrenaline-pumping thrills include ATVing in Sand Hollow State Park or mountain biking on Gooseberry Mesa and the area even boasts a burgeoning wine region with roots dating back to the early Mormon settlers—before they banned sacramental wine. And you should certainly take a detour to Zion about an hour’s drive northeast of St. George to see its gorgeous namesake canyon.

From Salt Lake City cross off another of the state’s Big 5 national parks: Capitol Reef, nicknamed the Land of the Sleeping Rainbow by the Navajo because of the riotous colors of its canyon walls sits about two hours northeast of Bryce Canyon National Park near Torrey. Along the four-hour drive south from the capital don’t miss several natural landmarks including Timpanogos Cave National Monument and Fishlake National Forest a hot spot for splake and trout fishing.

Bryce Canyon National Park offers a unique and unforgettable experience. I hope this guide helps you plan your adventure and that you’ll soon discover the magic of this park.

Here are a few more articles to help you do just that:

Fact box

Location: Southern Utah about 270 miles south of Salt Lake City
Size: 35,835 acres
Highest point: Rainbow Point, 9,115 feet
Lowest point: Yellow Creek, 6,620 feet
Miles of trails: 60
Main attraction: Viewpoints overlooking the hoodoos
Entry fee: $35 per vehicle, valid for 7 days; $20 per year or $80 for a lifetime America the Beautiful Pass for people age 62-plus
Best way to see it: By car or free shuttle bus
When to go to avoid crowds: November (if you want lower visitation and a low chance of snow) or February (if you prefer a snowier experience)

Worth Pondering…

—The Union Pacific System, 1929

Bryce Canyon National Park Turns 100

Celebrating a century of natural wonders, preservation, and exploration

Six weeks after we settled at the ranch, Claude Sudweeks, a rancher from Tropic, stopped by for a neighborly chat. He asked us if we had seen Bryce. I said ‘No, what is it?’ Claude replied, “oh, just a hole in the ground, but you should see it.’ ….What a surprise the hole turned out to be! We thought everyone should see it, so from that time on we took our friends there and we told everyone we met about Bryce.

—Ruby Syrett

Bryce Canyon is a small national park with a huge wow factor. The moment you step up to the rim and gaze across the hundreds of hoodoos, spires, and rock formations, it will take your breath away.

Bryce Canyon National Park is a fantasyland of hoodoos, sandstone pillars, and bizarre looking rock formations. It is an extraordinary place to visit and its unique landscape sets it apart from other national parks.

Bryce Canyon is small and easy to visit. Take in the views from the rim, hike a trail or two, or fill your camera’s memory card with beautiful photos.

The thousands of hoodoos in Bryce are what attract so many visitors every year. Hoodoo can be defined as a tall, thin spire of rock that protrudes from the bottom of an arid drainage basin. Geologically, hoodoos are found all around the world but they occur in the most abundance in Bryce Canyon. Here, hoodoos are the main ingredient of this unique landscape.

June 8, 2023 marks the centennial celebration of Bryce Canyon National Park. Over the past 100 years things have definitely changed and the number of visitors to this park is one of those things. Visitors numbering in the thousands visited Bryce Canyon in 1923; that number surpassed two million visitors by 2022.

A lot has happened here in the last 100 years: the rim of the Bryce Amphitheater has retreated an average of 22 inches, 18,000 freeze and thaw cycles have shaped and toppled countless hoodoos, the sun has risen 36,889 times over Thor’s Hammer (not to mention innumerable stars every night), a beloved national park was created, and perhaps you got to see it for the very first time. Rangers like to call a person’s first view their Bryce Moment when the forested plateau rim suddenly gives way to a vast, sublime, and chromatic expanse. Some have described it as a cave without a ceiling, others a forest of stone or red painted faces. What do you see in this landscape? What words could ever do it justice?

With descriptive phrases such as a cave without a ceiling, red rocks standing like men, and nature’s most delicate jewel, the Bryce Canyon National Park in southern Utah is definitely one of wonder. The park is filled with ponderosa forests and limestone hoodoos. And nightly pitch-black dark skies have been viewed by citizens around the world.

A brief history

Bryce Canyon National Monument was originally established by President Harding on June 8, 1923 and administered by the U.S. Forest Service to preserve the “unusual scenic beauty, scientific interest, and importance.” On June 7, 1924, Congress would establish Utah National Park with the stipulation that all state and private land within its boundaries must first belong to the United States. On February 25, 1928 “Utah National Park” was changed to “Bryce Canyon National Park”. Conditions of the 1924 congressional bill were met later that year and Bryce Canyon National Park was officially established on September 15, 1928.

“Bryce Canyon’s centennial year is an opportunity to celebrate not only the rich past but also the present and future of this national park,” said Superintendent Jim Ireland. “2023 will be a year of celebration and yet we also want it to be a year of connection between the park and its local communities, affiliated tribes, partners, visitors, and staff.”

A variety of virtual and in-person activities and events will occur in Bryce Canyon National Park throughout 2023. Browse the list of events below, follow on social media, and use #BRYCE100 to share your centennial experiences. Events and details will be added and updated throughout the year, so check back often!

Events planned for the centennial year include:

Historic Photo Exhibit: April 1- October 30 at Bryce Lodge
Utah Prairie Dog Day: May 11
Centennial Ceremony and Concert featuring The Piano Guys: June 8
Astronomy Festival: June 14-17
Bryce Canyon Butterfly Count: July 8
Geology Festival: July 14-15
All Employee Reunion: August 24-26
Plein Air “Paint Out” in participation with with Escalante Canyons Art Festival: September 18
Bryce Canyon Heritage Days Festival: September 28-30
Annular Eclipse: October 14
Christmas Bird Count: December 16

Ways to explore Bryce Canyon National Park

Explore the wonder and beauty of this national park any day of the week and explore all the components. Take a scenic drive to see the Bryce Amphitheater. The first three miles of the drive provide unobstructed views of the largest group of hoodoos on Earth. This is the main park road and it stretches for 18 miles. Throughout this section, there are nine scenic overlooks that display more beauty of the Bryce Canyon.

Bike paths, day hiking trails, horseback riding, and the visitor center museum are all possibilities for enjoying the national park.

Humble beginnings of Bryce Canyon National Park

The Syrett family was not only advocates for the location but they actually become hosts. In 1919, Ruby and his family obtained the state’s permission to build a lodge near the brink of the canyon; Tourist Rest was open for travelers to stay on the property for four years.

By 1923, the canyon became a national monument causing Ruby to move the Tourist Rest to his ranch. With a new location came a new name, Ruby’s Inn. As more visitors flocked to Bryce Canyon, the national monument was upgraded to national park status. Ruby’s Inn upgraded as well growing into a successful business.

Over the past 100 years, Ruby’s Inn has transformed from tent houses and a place for meals to today’s modern facilities that provide everything a traveling family will need. Ruby’s hospitality has been passed down through generations to his son Carl. He has furthered the tradition by passing it on to his children and grandchildren. They continue to offer the same quality service and hospitality as Ruby did keeping the legacy alive for four generations.

Ruby’s Inn RV Park and Campground

Many RVers camp at Ruby’s Inn RV Park and campground and have provided some high-praising reviews of the location. According to RV Life Campgrounds, the campground has a solid 4/5 star review based on over 450 reviews. Good Sam has rated it 9/9*/9.5.

Today’s guests staying at the pet-friendly Ruby’s Inn are appreciative of the oversized campsites. They can also take advantage of the shuttle to the park and the country music dinner show. Other amenities include a pool, restrooms with showers, and pull-through sites. Campers have direct access to off-roading trails and nearby destinations such as Red Canyon, Escalante, Utah Scenic Byway 12, Cedar Breaks National Monument, and Zion National Park. And the sunrises that give a pleasant glow to the rock formations are a great start to every day.

Plan your visit

Worth Pondering…

—The Union Pacific System, 1929

Bryce Canyon National Park: “A Hell of a Place to Lose a Cow”

At Bryce Canyon, hoodoos range in size from that of a human to heights exceeding a 10-story building

The Bryce Canyon landscape is unique—entirely different than nearby Zion as well as other Utah national parks—partly attributed to its high elevation location ranging from 8,000-9,000 feet. The air is thinner up here, the environment colder, and the wind much, much stronger—elements that come together to create an otherworld on the edge of the Paunsaugunt Plateau.

Stepping onto any lookout, you are challenged to connect with a most amazing example of the forces of nature affecting this planet and at the same time, you will almost certainly feel as though you are stepping foot onto the edge of another world.

For this article, I want to highlight a few different ideas that will deliver a diverse experience in Bryce—where to drive, stay, hug some trees, and go for the big adventure—with the caveat that at this one-of-a-kind national park, there is nothing more spectacular than the red rock nation that sprawls across Utah’s high desert on the Colorado Plateau.

Where to Drive

Hitting the scenic auto-trails in the national parks is often the best place to start gaining an understanding of the lay of the land. Many of the park roads were developed and built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the early days of the park service to provide access to the most interesting and marketable features nearby.

A scenic tour along the 38-mile (round trip) Bryce Canyon National Park Rim Road provides access to 13 viewpoints that peer over the amphitheaters. It is a perfect first outing to get acquainted with the park.

More on Bryce Canyon National Park: Bryce Canyon National Park: 5 Things to Know Before Visiting

Where to Stay

There are three options located inside of the park: the North Campground (open year-round), Sunset Campground (high season), and the recently renovated 114-room Bryce Canyon Lodge which was built from local timber and stone in 1924-25. Any non-park-related activity—sleeping, eating, shopping, fueling up, or learning about the local history—will almost surely bring you to Ruby’s legendary roadhouse.

Iconic Site in the Park

There is no view in this park more classic than a sunset view from Sunset Point. It is located just one mile beyond the National Park Visitor Center and access to the overlook is just footsteps from the parking lot. If you look just below and to the left, you will find another iconic landmark: Thor’s Hammer—famed for its unique balanced rock and isolationist position among the larger network of hoodoos that surround it. This area is also stellar for birdwatching (shout out to our bird-ninja friends)! Swallows, Clark’s Nutcrackers, Stellar Jays, hawks, and Ravens all soar in the skies catching air from the thermal cliff sides.

Where to Hug Some Trees

The forested areas surrounding the national park cross three “life zones” that change with variant elevation gains. In the lower regions, you will find dwarf forests (juniper, pinyon pine, manzanita, aspen, willow, and birch) growing along streams. In the mid-elevations, Ponderosa pine, spruce, and Douglas fir forests thrive. On the high plateau, spruce, aspen, Douglas and white fir continue. At Rainbow Point located at the end of the scenic drive, you can spot the toughest tree on Earth: the ancient Great Basin bristlecone pine, a species categorized among the oldest living organisms on the planet.

Accessible Adventure

Wandering the Rim Trail from Sunrise Point to Sunset Point travels across one 1-mile of flat trail hugging the amphitheater where gorgeous, sprawling views abound! With a large parking lot, restroom facilities, and a paved pathway leading to and fro, this is a great spot for people of all ages and with all levels of overall health to enjoy the storied views of Bryce Canyon. The Rim Trail extends 5.5-miles from Bryce Point to Fairyland with occasional steep elevation changes.

More on Bryce Canyon National Park: Make Bryce Canyon National Park Your Next RV Trip

Big Adventure

Hiking through the hoodoos along the Navajo Loop Trail to the Queens Garden Trail allows hikers to choose their adventure along intersecting networks that weave throughout more challenging sections of the inner canyons but with easy access to trailheads at both Sunset and Inspiration Points. This is a moderate outing at just under 3 miles.

For those looking to go longer, the Peekaboo Trail (5.5 miles) and Under-The-Rim Trail near Rainbow Point (22 miles) lead trekkers farther into the backcountry. As always, get backcountry guidance at the National Park Visitor Center.

More on Bryce Canyon National Park: The Ultimate Guide to Bryce Canyon National Park

Before you go, check Bryce Canyon’s official website for park alerts. As always, be safe, have fun, and enjoy!

Worth Pondering…

It’s a hell of a place to lose a cow.

—Ebenezer Bryce, early homesteader at Bryce Canyon

Make Bryce Canyon National Park Your Next RV Trip

Bryce Canyon is a must-see national park and I’ve highlighted the best viewpoints, hikes, and places to camp

Like many of America’s national parks, Utah’s Bryce Canyon National Park has many cool pockets to explore. Nothing compares, though, to the feeling you get when standing before the hoodoos that make up the Bryce Amphitheater.

Bryce Canyon is home to the largest collection of hoodoos on Earth. It is not a canyon at all, actually, but a 6-square-mile field of intricately carved statues that were crafted over the course of millions of years by the forces of erosion. Facing east and south, vast mazes of high promontories, deep canyons, jagged spires of balancing rocks, and other mysterious formations are adorned by bold colors of red, coral, pink, and white.

The landscape at Bryce Canyon is totally unique—entirely different than nearby Zion as well as other Utah national parks—partly attributed to its high elevation location ranging from 8,000-9,000 feet. The air is thinner, the environment colder, and the wind much stronger. These elements come together to create an otherworld on the edge of the Paunsaugunt Plateau. Stepping onto any lookout you will almost certainly feel as though you are stepping foot onto the edge of another world.

Bryce Canyon National Park is a world-famous park with hundreds of sights to see. Hiking trails, swimming holes, hidden caves, rocky crags, and a plethora of natural wonders dot the landscape and invite visitors to explore and discover the natural beauty of Utah. The park encompasses thousands of acres meaning every time you visit there’s a chance to see new things and find new vistas to lay your eyes on.

Scenic Tour

Hitting the scenic auto trails in the national parks is often the best place to start to gain an understanding of the lay of the land. Many of the park roads were developed and built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the early days of the park service in an effort to provide access to the most interesting features. A scenic tour along the 38-mile (round trip) Bryce Canyon National Park Rim Road provides access to 13 viewpoints that peer over the amphitheaters. It is a perfect first outing to get acquainted with the park.

Hiking Trails

A 1-mile walk between Sunset Point and Sunrise Point offers panoramic views of the amphitheater and is suitable for anyone. Each overlook is situated at a trailhead where you can descend into the hoodoos to explore deeper.

Sunset Point is usually the first stop on everyone’s list and is a top spot to capture shots of a golden forest of stone. There is no shortage of onlookers capturing selfies and panoramic shots of the amphitheater but you’ll likely find yourself distracted only by the geologic wonder. This area is called the Claron Formation and is made up of deposits from the Claron lakebed comprised of 50-million-year-old limestone that shows rich and vibrant color created by its iron oxide mineral compounds. Whether you are intrigued by geologic processes or just want to marvel at the area’s undeniable beauty, all visitors stop in their tracks at this famed overlook particularly when the sun falls onto the canyon spires.

The Rim Trail

There are multiple trails to try for your first time visiting this iconic national park with the most well-known and well-traveled being the Rim Trail. The Rim Trail allows visitors to gaze into the park’s natural amphitheater and shouldn’t prove too difficult for the less-exercised members of your hiking party. It’s rated easy and while long, there aren’t too many elevation changes. The most famous piece of imagery in the park, Thor’s Hammer” is viewable in its most iconic state from this trail.

This trail is about 10.7 miles long and features opportunities to view wildlife in its natural state. Utah wildlife you might encounter includes rocky mountain elk, pronghorns, migratory hummingbirds, and even nesting peregrine falcon (the world’s fastest bird).

The Rim Trail is located closest to the Sunset Campground in Bryce Canyon National Park which has hundreds of sites suitable for an RV. The Sunset Campground doesn’t have as many amenities as the North Campground but it is much more conveniently located to all of the most popular hiking trails.

Navajo Loop Trail

Standing inside of the amphitheater allows you to become a part of the landscape. The Navajo Loop trail is the park’s most popular hiking trail because of its accessibility and amazing beauty. Descending first into the Wall Street section you are thrust upon an iconic scene in the park, a 700-year-old Douglas fir tree that arises in the midst of a slot canyon searching for sunlight in the sky (see photo below). Hiking farther, you will find a vast network of trails leading into the hoodoos where you can chart your own course.

Peekaboo Loop Trail

Despite its child-friendly name, this trail may not be as fun for younger members of your party. With a medium rating, this 5.2-mile trail has elevation changes and rough terrain alike and might not be the best option for a fun family hike. However, that doesn’t mean there still isn’t plenty going for it. Utah’s natural rock formations and wildlife are able to be seen in all their glory easily.

Horseback riding is an option on this trail for party members who might have some experience riding on rocky and uneven terrain. Trotting over the red rock and gravelly paths makes for a unique experience. With a river running aside this trail which can flood in the spring and fall wildlife naturally gathers along this trail and virtually pose for photo ops.

This trail is located close to the Sunset Campground which has multiple campsites which can house RVs. That means the walk from your campsite to the beginning of the trail won’t make you tired before you even start out exploring.

Fairyland Loop

Fairyland Loop is a trail that sees fewer hikers due to its sheer difficulty. With 8.2 miles of trail running over steep and difficult terrain, the Fairyland Loop is no joke. Be prepared for limestone hoodoos in all their glory as well as nesting falcons and other sites of natural beauty to absorb. This trail is definitely difficult but that means more open air for you. Plus, it is pet-friendly so suit up Fido and bring him along.

The Fairyland Loop connects with other trails in the park meaning you can branch out and explore instead of taking the same route that others have done before at one point or another. The Fairyland leads to a lesser-known overlook of the park’s canyon and “Thor’s Hammer” in all their majestic beauty.

Since the Fairyland Loop is located closer to Sunset campground I recommend camping there if you’re planning on doing the entire Fairyland Loop in one day—it’s a tough trail and you’re going to need all the energy you can muster.

Where to Camp in Your RV

Bryce Canyon has two campgrounds: North Campground and Sunset Campground. Both campgrounds contain hundreds of sites with different amenities and rules and permissions. The fee varies from site to site but typically it doesn’t go higher than $25-$35.

Amenities that are included at the campsites include laundry, power hookups, swimming pools, showering facilities, electricity, Wi-Fi, animal care, freshwater, and even food! If you’re looking for a comprehensive hiking experience but still want to get everything you like at a moment’s notice, both campgrounds should do it for you.

While the North Campground is further away from hiking trails, it’s also the campground with more modern amenities. If this is of note to you, then you’ll do well to remember it. The Sunset Campground is more stripped-down but it offers prime access to hiking trails around the park as it’s much closer to trailheads. It’s basically up to you: do you want more amenities or do you prefer to be closer to the trailheads?

Fact Box

Size: 35,835 acres

Date Established: September 15, 1928 (dedicated a National Monument in 1923)

Location: Southwestern Utah

Recreational visits in 2020: 1,464,655

How the park got its name: The national park was named after Ebenezer Bryce, a Scottish immigrant who homesteaded there in 1874. He was sent by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the Mormon Church) who first scouted the area during the 1850s to determine its viability for settlement and development. Ebenezer Bryce considered to be the first true pioneer of the region lived at the foot of a canyon and herded cows; after a herding mishap he once famously declared that the area is “a hell of a place to lose a cow.”

Did you know?

The Bryce Amphitheater is 12 miles long, 3 miles in width, and 800 feet deep.

As always, be safe, have fun, and enjoy!

Worth Pondering…

It’s a hell of a place to lose a cow.

—Ebenezer Bryce, early homesteader at Bryce Canyon

6 Unique Rock Formations

These amazing rock formations remind us that nature is still the best artist of the universe

Geology may sound boring on the surface but when you gaze your eyes on these incredible rock formations, you will find them anything but dull. Passionate rock lovers from around the world plan vacations to see some of the country’s strangest landscapes.

Many of the most spectacular formations are in the West where the mountains and canyons are younger and haven’t been softened by erosion and age. These craggy profiles and volcanic monoliths have intrigued humans for millennia.

Rock on with these six unusual rock formations below from Arches National Park to the Texas Hill Country.

Monument Valley *© Rex Vogel, all rights reserved*

Monument Valley in Arizona and Utah

Providing a dramatic craggy backdrop for many a cinematic Western movie, Monument Valley runs along the border of Utah and Arizona within the 26,000-square miles of the Navajo Tribal Park. U.S. Highway 163 scenic byway barrels through red rock buttes and spires.

The names of the formations offer lots of Wild West flavor: Grey Whiskers, the Totem Pole, the Sentinel, and the matching Left and Right Mitten Buttes which the Navajo believe represent the hands of the Creator. Director John Ford shot seven westerns here most starring John Wayne including The Searchers (1956) with the landscape playing a featured role. There’s even has a spot in the valley named after him: John Ford’s Point.

Sedona *© Rex Vogel, all rights reserved*

Red Rocks of Sedona

You’ll find spectacular red rock buttes like those surrounding Sedona scattered throughout the Southwest but these particular rocks have something that sets them apart: mystical vortexes. Even if you’re not an adherent of the New Age movement, plan on visiting at least one of Sedona’s famous vortexes. They’re at some of the most gorgeous spots around town.

Vortexes are thought to be swirling centers of energy that are conducive to spiritual healing, meditation, and self-exploration. Believers identify four primary vortexes: Boynton Canyon, Bell Rock, Cathedral Rock, and Airport Mesa.

El Morro *© Rex Vogel, all rights reserved*

El Morro in New Mexico

Rising 200 feet above the valley floor, this massive sandstone bluff was a welcome landmark for weary travelers. A reliable year-round source of drinking water at its base made El Morro a popular campsite in this otherwise rather arid and desolate country.

At the base of the bluff—often called Inscription Rock—on sheltered smooth slabs of stone are seven centuries of inscriptions covering human interaction with this spot. This massive mesa point forms a striking landmark. In fact, El Morro means “the headland.”

Enchanted Rock *© Rex Vogel, all rights reserved*

Enchanted Rock in Texas

Round as a giant Easter egg, Enchanted Rock sits half-buried in the hills north of Fredericksburg. It’s a half-mile hike to the top but an unforgettable experience. The massive pink granite dome rises 425 feet above the base elevation of the park. Its high point is 1,825 feet above sea level and the entire dome covers 640 acres. Climbing the Rock is like climbing the stairs of a 30- to 40-story building.

One billion years ago, this granite was part of a large pool of magma or hot liquid rock, perhaps seven miles below the earth’s surface. It pushed up into the rock above in places, then cooled and hardened very slowly turning into granite. Over time, the surface rock and soil wore away. Those pushed-up areas are the domes you see in the park. The domes are a small and visible part of a huge underground area of granite, called a batholith. The Enchanted Rock Batholith stretches 62 square miles; most of it is underground.

Bryce Canyon *© Rex Vogel, all rights reserved*

The Hoodoos of Bryce Canyon, Utah

These knobby, colorful columns of red rock are just as weird as their name: hoodoos. The word hoodoo means to bewitch which is what Bryce Canyon’s rock formations surely do.

The hoodoos we are talking about are tall skinny shafts of rock that protrude from the bottom of arid basins. Hoodoos are most commonly found in the High Plateaus region of the Colorado Plateau and in the Badlands regions of the Northern Great Plains. While hoodoos are scattered throughout these areas, nowhere in the world are they as abundant as in the northern section of Bryce Canyon National Park. At Bryce Canyon, hoodoos range in size from that of a human, to heights exceeding a 10-story building.

Landscape Arch of Arches National Park

The largest arch on the planet, Landscape is rightfully famous. It is amazingly thin, delicate-looking, and photogenic. Landscape is an awesome sight; the amazing width of the stone arch, held in place by such a delicate, slender center. Only a few years ago, a short spur trail passed directly underneath the arch. Because of recent rock falls from the underside of the arch, visitors are no longer allowed to travel underneath the fragile-looking rock span.

Landscape Arch is located near the end of the Devils Garden Trail. There is more to see within the Devils Garden then just the impressive Landscape Arch. Private Arch, Partition Arch, Navajo Arch, Wall Arch, Double O Arch, and the Dark Angel pinnacle are all within this rocky playground.

Worth Pondering…

Mystery creates wonder and wonder is the basis of man’s desire to understand.

—Neil Armstrong