In 2016 I had the incredible opportunity to take a road trip from Tennessee to California. Along this drive I decided to stop at as many National Parks as I could. I visited Petrified Forest, Grand Canyon, Zion, and Bryce all during this 6-day drive. I fully expected Zion to be my favorite park of the trip and I knew Grand Canyon would be amazing. However, I never expected to fall in love with Bryce Canyon the way that I did. Being in this park felt like I had stepped into another world. The views were breathtaking and hiking in this environment a completely new experience for me. If you have the chance to visit Bryce Canyon please take it. This park really showed me how incredible the American West is and how essential it is to protect and preserve these natural lands.

I only had one day to spend in Bryce Canyon but I hope to return soon. However, I think this was enough time to get a feel for this fascinating park. With many accessible viewpoints and miles of trails, I felt that a day trip did give me the chance to see a large portion of this Utah wonderland.

As of April 2018, a vehicle entrance fee for Bryce Canyon costs $30. This pass allows entrance for one-car and all its passengers for 7 consecutive days. At the beginning of my road trip I decided to purchase the America the Beautiful Annual Pass. For $80 this pass gives you and the other passengers in your car entrance to any National Park for 12-consecutive months. If you are planning to visit multiple parks during the year, this pass is a great value. I have had an annual pass for 2 years now and I love it. I try to visit National Parks as often as possible and this pass has saved me a lot of money on entrance fees.

Sunrise Point

Since I only had one day in the park I wanted to maximize my time. I woke up early and arrived around 7:30 am. I really enjoy early mornings at the parks because they are significantly less crowded at this time. This makes it much easier to find a parking spot and it allows for a relaxing and quite morning among nature. My first stop of the day was at Sunrise Point. This was my first view into the Bryce Amphitheater and I was completely blown away. Here you can enjoy an unmatched view of the hoodoos and the many shades of orange offered in this canyon. There is a parking lot nearby so this view can be easily reached without a hike.

Navajo, Peekaboo, and Queen’s Garden Trails

There are many different trails to explore in Bryce Canyon. I decided to tackle the Figure 8 Loop which includes the Navajo, Peekaboo, and Queen’s Garden Trails. This is a strenuous 6.5 mile loop that includes many of the most picturesque sites in the park. Bring plenty of water, wear the proper hiking gear, and be prepared to be in the hot Utah sun for the entire hike.

The figure 8 connects Sunrise and Sunset Points. I began at Sunrise Point and worked my way to Sunset Point. This took the majority of my day but it was incredible and I am so glad I spent my time on these trails. While it was great to see the hoodoos from the viewpoints, there was something so magical about walking through these inspiring natural structures. Along the hike I passed the beautiful Wall of Windows and impressive Thor’s Hammer. While this would not be the hike for everyone, if you are willing to spend hours hiking in the heat you will be rewarded with some of the world’s most impressive views.

Picnic Lunch

I decided to pack a picnic lunch for my day in Bryce. There are a few designated picnic areas, including the North Campground and Yovimpa Point. Additionally the Lodge at Bryce Canyon Restaurant offers a rotating menu of local dishes and drinks. If you are looking for a more casual option, the Valhalla Pizzeria and Coffee Shop across the street from the Lodge has a more relaxed menu of pizza and drinks. Additionally, a general store in the lodge offers packaged and grab-and-go snacks. These restaurants are all operated seasonally, so keep this in mind if you will be visiting during the off-season.

Drive and View Points

After a late lunch I decided to drive along the main park road and stop at a few viewpoints. There are dozens of places to stop and each site is usually only a few minutes walk from the parking area. It is important to plan your drive according to the traffic flow- the overlooks all lie east of the road. So it makes sense to start at the southern end of the park and stop at the overlooks as you exit the park on a northbound trip. (By the way- I got this important tip from this book. I cannot recommend it enough. I take it with me on every NP trip). A few of my favorite viewpoints were Sunset Point, Natural Bridge, and Agua Canyon.

It did not take long for me to fall in love with Bryce Canyon National Park. This is still my absolute favorite park and I hope to return soon. Before visiting this park I learned that the scenery was the inspiration behind the design for Disney’s Thunder Mountain Railroad attraction (picture below). I absolutely see the resemblance!

Bryce can easily be combined with a trip to Zion National Park. Southern Utah is stunning and should not be missed. On my next trip I would love to also visit Capitol Reef and Canyonlands National Parks.