Bryce Canyon National Park
| Bryce Canyon National Park | |
|---|---|
| |
| Location | Utah, United States |
| Coordinates | 37.5930°N, 112.1871°W |
| Area | 56 sq mi (145 km²) |
| Established | February 25, 1928 |
| Visitors (latest) | 2.4 million (2023) |
| Governing body | National Park Service |
| Website | Official website |
Bryce Canyon National Park is located in southern Utah and is famous for its unique landscape of vibrant red and orange hoodoos — tall, thin rock spires formed by erosion. Despite its name, Bryce is not actually a canyon but a series of natural amphitheaters carved into the edge of a high plateau.
It became a national park on February 25, 1928.
Geology
- The park features thousands of hoodoos created by frost-wedging and rain erosion
- The amphitheaters offer dramatic scenery at every turn, especially at sunrise and sunset
- Notable formations include:
- Thor’s Hammer - Wall of Windows - Bryce Amphitheater
Elevation and Climate
- Ranges from 8,000 to over 9,000 feet above sea level
- Cooler temperatures than other nearby desert parks
- Snow is common in winter, giving the red rocks a beautiful contrast
Hiking and Activities
Popular trails include:
- Navajo Loop Trail
- Queens Garden Trail
- Peekaboo Loop Trail
- Rim Trail – offers panoramic views from above the amphitheaters
Other activities:
- Stargazing – designated as a Dark Sky Park
- Horseback riding
- Ranger-led geology and astronomy programs
Flora and Fauna
The high elevation supports:
- Pine, fir, and aspen forests
- Wildlife like mule deer, prairie dogs, ravens, and mountain lions
History
- Named after Ebenezer Bryce, a Mormon settler in the late 1800s
- The area was long inhabited by Puebloan, Fremont, and Southern Paiute peoples
- Became a national monument in 1923 and a national park in 1928
Nearby Locations
- Located near the town of Tropic, Utah
- Often visited along with Zion National Park and Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument
Fun Facts
- Bryce Canyon has some of the clearest night skies in the U.S.
- Hoodoos are rare globally — Bryce has the largest concentration on Earth
- Winter visits offer fewer crowds and stunning snowy landscapes