Bryce Canyon National Park

I’ve been to the Grand Canyon. I’ve been to one of the canyon trails in Zion National Park. Both majestic and spectacular in their own way. But, I can say I’ve never seen anything like Bryce Canyon.

On our recent trip to Vegas, we drove an hour and a half to the home of our friends’ daughter/SIL in Hurricane, Utah with the intent to see Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon. Zion is a short drive from Hurricane. Bryce, however, is more than a two hours away by car. But it’s worth every mile to see this beauty.

I have to admit, I didn’t know anything about Utah. As we drove through southern Utah to the park, I decided it’s a whole lot prettier than I thought it would be. This was one of Entrepreneur’s bucket list items and I really couldn’t figure out why…until we got there. After all, a canyon is a canyon is a canyon…..right? Wrong. Soooooo very wrong.

Bryce “Canyon” is not actually a canyon but a series of horseshoe-shaped amphitheaters carved from the eastern edge of the Paunsaugunt Plateau and sits at an elevation of 9,115 ft (2,778 meters) above sea level at its highest peak. It’s the top of the “Grand Staircase,” which I mentioned in my Zion National Park post HERE.  But, because of it’s remote location, it doesn’t get as many visitors as either Zion or the Grand Canyon. Score for us since there weren’t a lot of people there. It’s an easy walk around the rim.

Bryce is also home to the largest number of “hoodoos” in the world. “Hoodoo” is a term used to describe magical powers associated with natural features. Hoodoos conjure up images of strange events that are bewitched. In reality, a hoodoo is a tall, thin rock formation/pinnacle/spire that has been sculpted from years of erosion, ice, rain, freeze, thaw, wind and other elements of nature on the calcium carbonate in the rock. The result is beyond breathtaking. It’s definitely a magical site to see.

The weather was significantly cooler than Zion because of the higher elevation. It was a lovely day with temps in the low 80sF as we walked around the rim of the canyon looking down into the various amphitheaters. There was a threat of rain but we’d be able to see any storm coming for M.I.L.E.S! We did hear thunder while we were there.

It is possible to walk hike down into the canyon, but the steep trek back up would have been more than we could have handled. Can you see the horses? They look like ants.

Each amphitheater is unique and no two hoodoos are the same. Some of them look like soldiers lined up for battle. These remind me of chess pieces.

The entire park  is home to more than 400 different native plants that includes juniper, spruce and pine forests along with aspens and meadow areas. About 170 different species of birds visit the area each year. It’s also home to a variety of mammals and reptiles.

Bryce Canyon is one of the darkest places in North America at night. Stargazers can see 7,500 stars with the naked eye. In most places, less than 2,000 stars can be seen due to light pollution. I would have loved to have been there for a night tour.

I think these are called the white cliffs. It doesn’t appear there is any way to actually get to them on foot.

We finished our time here just in time to watch a storm roll in.

On the way back, we experienced a traffic delay…Utah style. Two large dogs walked out into the middle of the road, sat down and stared at the car in front of us…which immediately stopped. Within seconds, this is what crossed the road.

Hundreds of sheep streamed across the road both in front and behind our cars for a good five minutes bleating and baa-ing all the way. A separate border collie was in charge of chasing down rogue sheep who would break away from the rest.

Bringing up the rear over the hill were three “shepherds” on horseback.

Our trip to Bryce Canyon National Park was the highlight of our week. I would say it’s a “must see” if you are anywhere close to Utah. You can find out more about Bryce Canyon National Park HERE. It was a long drive back to Vegas at the end of the day, but completely worth it.