Bryce Canyon National Park

Bryce Canyon, home of the hoodoos! We arrived at Bryce about an hour before sunset! Just enough time to take a few pictures, hike a loop trail, and enjoy the incredible ness of Bryce Canyon. We decided to start at Sunset Point and do the Navajo Loop trail which takes you down a series of switchbacks known as the Lombard Street of the National Parks, into the heart of the canyon down among the trees and the hoodoos, and then back up to Sunset Point.

As we started our descent the sun’s rays percolated down through the rock formations, casting shadows, highlighting the deep red color of the light, and providing a bit of warmth in spite of the chilly wind. As we looked down on the canyon (really it is not just 1 canyon, but a tangled maze of canyons, rock formations, and tree growth) we couldn’t help but be amazed. There are so many colors and shapes that play in and amongst each other that your eye can never take all of it in!

We started our descent (briskly as it was quite chilly with the wind slicing through the upper canyon areas) down into the heart of the canyon maze. One thing that surprised us was how many trees thrive in the canyon, both on the walls and floor of the narrow areas at the bottom. It added splashes of green to the deep reds and vibrant whites of the rock around. As the sun set we traversed along the bottom of the canyon, stopping around every corner to enjoy a new scene unfolding, before finally heading back up. Before leaving the park, we had a supper of beautifully warm soup, crackers, pita bread, hummus, carrots, and peppers. The stars were beginning their nightly dance as we drove out of the park and continued, once again feeling full and at peace.

Personnel:
There was a light on in the VC, so we feel like there must have been someone at some point inside working… but we were unable to verify this personally.

Climate/weather:
It was somewhat overcast as we arrived at this park (it cleared up after the sun went down a little.) The weather on top was not quite frigid. The wind slicing along the viewpoints brought with it rosy cheeks and stiff fingers. As we descended into the hoodoos the wind lessened and the hiking became quite pleasant. Once again this time of year layering is important.

Facilities/signage:
The restrooms at Sunset Point were clean and stocked with TP. They didn’t have soap, but they did have running water, hand dryers, and hand sanitizer. The entrance sign was large and unique in color and texture. A step above the average. The signs on the roads and leading to the trails were good. On the trails themselves there were times we wished for better signage, and times when the signs were excellent.

Hiking experience:
Hiking in Bryce felt like a hiking playground! There are little nooks and crannies everywhere to explore, and around every corner there is something new! The trail is also well maintained although there are areas where loose rocks have fallen on the trail occasionally (the switchbacks were definitely cared for and engineered with excellence). The combination of shapes, colors, and textures combine into endless new experiences.

  

Driving experiene:
We didn’t drive much in Bryce. There are plenty of trees that you travel through, but the canyon itself wasn’t visible from the portion of the park we drove through.

Camping options:
There are 2 campgrounds in the park that you can use as your base of exploration.

Hammockability:
We don’t know if it is allowed, but there are plenty of trees right on the trail down in the canyon so it seems like it would be an option, and that would be SUPER awesome! Up on the plateau there are also lots of trees.

Scenery:
Hoodoos everywhere! So amazing to see how erosion can form such a huge variety of shapes and colors. The trees mixed into the scenery add a counterpoint of green to the red of the rock. Once again trying to describe the scenery of this park requires a visit, words aren’t enough.

Nearby food:
We didn’t see any food options inside the park where we went, but there was a town just outside the park that had several hotels and food options (maybe 15 minutes away).

We want to come back here when there is snow and go on a moonlight walk through the hoodoos! And we want to come back when there is not snow, and go for a walk through the hoodoos! And we want to come back here! It is awesome, and there is so much opportunity to explore and find new beauty with every step you take! You should try it sometime! The last park of Utah was in no way a let down.

Next stop, Arizona and the Grand Canyon!