Visit one of the most beautiful national parks for the jaw-dropping rock formations known as hoodoos.
Bryce Canyon National Parkhas the high assiduousness of voodoo on the integral planet . What ’s a juju , you ask ? Well , the definition is n’t so easy to nail down . These rock formations can be grandiloquent towers , curt nub , or orbitual with " window " to peek through . They ’re form by gazillion of years of erosion , with hard rock protecting build - shift diffuse rock music . But enough about the geology object lesson . Bryce Canyon Countyis one of the most rewarding outside destinations in the United States , and while it is worth visiting year - daily round , it is peculiarly entice as the weather warms up this spring and summertime .
Drive Time:
4 hr from Las Vegas
If you don’t do anything else: Tour Bryce Canyon National Park
That ’s why you ’re here in the first place , good ? Bryce Canyon spans nearly 36,000 acres , take a leak it comparatively modest by national park standard . But it ’s also fabulously effective and prosperous to pilot , with everything pretty much all in one topographic point .
The scenic movement through the park does n’t coil — and all the slipover points of interest are on the east side of the road facing the canon . Here ’s how to do it flop . Drive the entire duration of the 18 - mile route to the very end , which tops out at an ALT of more than 9,000 feet . Get out and enjoy the highest view at Rainbow and Yovimpa Points , then drive back in the direction you came , getting off at your choice of overlook without having to cross traffic .
Take your prison term with the drive and appreciate the surround . It ’s a two - lane road , and if someone onward of you is driving too tardily , it credibly means you ’re drive too tight . A gratis coach shuttle operate between spring and surrender . It is extremely recommended for the popular Bryce Canyon Amphitheater , which has the most striking rock formation and dominates the first three nautical mile of the park . Scoring parking spots at overlook points becomes highly competitive , even during irksome menstruum . And you do n’t want to miss out on Bryce Point , which stretch out over the canyon for a circumvent , bird’s-eye experience , and Inspiration Point , which is like a hulk rod .
Scenic Byway 12 Red Canyon Tunnel|Photo courtesy of Bryce Canyon Country
Stretch your leg with a hike . Once you reach the pinnacle of Rainbow Point , Bristlecone Trail is an gentle one - mile loop to soak in the environment . The Rim Trail carry between major lookout points ( with the Under - the - Rim Trail continue to higher pinnacle ) . The sweet situation is between Sunrise and Sunset Points , with the trail amply paved and relatively flat . The Queen ’s Garden Trail is exorbitant at time , but it is the least challenging hike that deign into the amphitheatre .
Fill your days:
Outdoor activities in and around Bryce Canyon
Bryce Canyon National Park is n’t an island unto itself . It ’s just one part of a region that ’s ultimately a serial of scenic drives . The Mossy Cave rise , for model , is technically part of the car park but outside the principal gates , so it ’s destitute to visit . Just pull out over while drive between Bryce Canyon City and Tropic on State Route 12 to revel the pinkish - red rock candy mountain trail alongside a stream with a waterfall in the summer and icicle in the wintertime .
Red Canyonis along the same road in the opposite focal point ( west of Bryce Canyon ) with even brighter red rock formations that put up out against the pine oftheDixie National Forest , which has a heavy front in the area .
Bryce Canyon is the top of the " Grand Staircase , " a region - sweep serial publication of cliffs , incline , and canyons . Think of the Grand Canyon as the " bottom step . " Much of it is paler in color but deserving visiting if you travel east to explore theGrand Staircase - Escalante National Monument . It does n’t have official entrances , but a series of visitors centers around the perimeters . For just a taste , visitKodachrome Basin State Park , a scant driving force from Bryce Canyon , with turning point like theGrosvenor Arch .
Cedar Breaks National Monumentis to the west and has its own gorgeous raw amphitheater . As bully as it is , it will probably pale in comparison to Bryce Canyon . However , it does add to the experience of aski misstep in nearbyBrian Head . Zion National Parkhogs most of the attending in Southeast Utah and deserve a dedicatedvisit of its own . Yet it ’s just two hours from Bryce Canyon , and ambitious route warriors could do the scenic movement in both on the same 24-hour interval .
Entertainment, culture, and shopping in Bryce Canyon City
Nightlife is n’t really a thing in Bryce Canyon City . There are no sports bars or cocktail lounges . This is Mormon nation , after all . However , you could still regulate booze at eating house and pick up a few feeding bottle atRuby ’s Inn , which has shop class for arts , gifts , groceries , and supplies , and an alcoholic beverage sales counter next to the eatery . Being out at night , however , is a great alternative . Bryce Canyon City is outside the main gates of the internal park and jolly quiet ( and nothing like the in use , pricer Springdale by Zion ’s main gate ) . That ’s by excogitation , minimise activity and light defilement , allowing Bryce Canyon to haveInternational Dark Skystatus for next - level stargazing .
topical anaesthetic and visitor alike enjoy the entertainment of theEbaneezer ’s Barn & Grillcountry music dinner show , Bryce Canyon Country Rodeo , orCanyon Trail Ridesfor ahorseback ride when in season . It ’s also common to design a stumble around annual events like theAstronomy Festival , Geology Festival , Fly - In & Car Show , orWinter Festival . coordinate a summer vacation with a misstep toPanguitch Lakeisn’t a bad idea either .
Eat, drink, and sleep:
Restaurants and bars in Bryce Canyon City
Cowboy ’s Buffet & Steak Roomis the busiest eating house in Bryce Canyon City , featuring a value - drive snack bar for both luncheon and dinner . Do n’t ignore the baked bean mix , old - school meatloaf , and cornbread muffins with a squirt of vanilla extract glaze on standby . cocktail are canonical but just $ 10 . Overall , your best bet for dinner isThe Restaurant at Bryce Canyon Pines , just a unforesightful drive out of town on SR-12 . The beef is locally sourced and perfectly charbroiled with light flavouring . The restaurant recently changed owners and no longer make its semi - renowned Proto-Indo European in - house . Almost everything else is wampum - made , however . There are no booze , but there ’s a gracious batting order of Utah beer available .
you may also take a scant drive toThe Pizza Place , a family - owned dearie in Tropic since 1990 . The Chicken Bacon Ranch pizza pie is a best - seller , and the restaurant is the one shoes in the area most likely to have sports on television receiver . The same proprietor runBryce Canyon Coffee Co. , which serves some irresistible banana bread . Or you may stop atI.D.K. Barbecuein Tropic . It features brisket and other gist smoke on site over a wood blending for six hours and cooked in the kitchen for another twelve . You get a selection of sweet , spicy , or smoky barbecue sauce ( simmer for at least four hours ) with a " not - so - secret menu " of daily special written on a blackboard . Just salve room for the house - made peach cobbler .
Where to stay in Bryce Canyon City
The Bryce Canyon area is exceedingly welcoming for campers and RV travelers . TheBryce Canyon Grand Hotelis the newest and nicest hotel in Bryce Canyon City , with a lodge atmosphere , swimming pocket billiards , and free breakfast buffet . Across the street , Ruby ’s Innis a little more low-cost and family - oriented , with a legacy in the field that dates back more than 100 years . TheBryce Canyon Innin Tropic has clean , present-day cabins that allow you to delight a distant ambiance without give comfort . Yet no matter where you quell , you ’ll almost for sure be spending most of your clock time alfresco .
Bryce Canyon National Park|Photo by Rob Kachelriess for Thrillist
Bryce Canyon City|Photo by Rob Kachelriess for Thrillist
Bryce Canyon Grand Hotel|Photo courtesy of Bryce Canyon Country
