Bryce Canyon is filled with incredible red rock formations. From brilliant red sandstone hoodoos and mazes to open amphitheaters and lush green forests, Bryce Canyon National Park inspires awe and appreciation for one of Mother Nature’s greatest miracles. The wonder of Bryce can be experienced by horseback ride, guided tour or a solitary hike. Red Canyon, located along Highway 12 just west of the park, also offers Bryce-like red-rock scenery. Highway 12 ranks as one of the most scenic byways in America and offers incredible vistas along its entire length.Two developed campgrounds are located inside Bryce Canyon National Park. Thousands of delicately carved spires rise in brilliant color from the amphitheaters of Bryce Canyon National Park. Millions of years of wind, water and geologic mayhem have shaped and etched the pink cliffs at Bryce, which isn't actually a canyon but the eastern slope of the Paunsaguant Plateau.Your first view of Bryce Canyon is dramatic, as rows of pine trees veil the color and grandeur of the canyon until you reach the rim. Here the brilliant hues come alive - especially with the rising and setting of the sun.Visitors may take a 37-mile round-trip drive to Bryce Canyon's most famous viewpoints, dizzying in scope, including Sunrise, Sunset, Rainbow, Yovimpa, and Inspiration Points.

Bryce Canyon National Park is named after Ebenezer Bryce, an early rancher who described it as "a helluva place to lose a cow." It was designated a national park in 1928. An interesting Indian legend describes why the rocks at Bryce have such amazing shapes.

Whether you stay at a nearby Bryce Canyon resort, in Bryce Canyon Lodge, or other local Bryce Canyon accommodations, you're sure to find something that will make your trip to Bryce National Park unforgettable.

Activities at Bryce Canyon

Various walking and hiking trails probe the park along the rim or to the bottom of the canyon. A walk along one of the many trails into the "furnace" of red and yellow spires shooting up into the sky gives the feeling of being on another planet. There are over 50 miles of hiking trails, ranging in difficulty from beginner-level through advanced backpacking trails.

Special activities unique to Bryce Canyon include "star talks" during the new moon and moonlight walks when the moon is full. Horseback rides are also popular during the warm months, while cross-country skiing brings visitors to the park for a unique winter experience. Snowshoes are available at the visitors' center free of charge for both children and adults on a first-come, first-served basis. Other activities include:

• Bryce Canyon area information (Things to see & do)
• Photographing Bryce Canyon's Scenic Vistas
• Mountain Biking
• Hiking
• Off-Road/ATV (outside the park)
• Horseback Riding
• Guided activites (list of Bryce Canyon tours and outfitters)

Location of Bryce Canyon

Bryce Canyon National Park is 24 miles southeast of Panguitch on Utah 63, east of the junction of Utah 12 and US 89. The drive is scenic, or you may choose to fly into the Bryce Canyon airport.

Visitor Center/Fees for Bryce Canyon

The visitor center is open year-round and provides general park information, a slide program, a museum and publications for purchase. Visitors are encouraged to stop by and learn how to visit the park with minimal impact to the fragile desert environment. The Bryce Canyon Lodge, a National Historic Landmark, is open April through November.

• Park entrance fee is $20 per vehicle or $15 for shuttle riders. A $30 annual Bryce Canyon National Park pass is available.
• Motel accommodations are available within 1 mile of the park entrance.
• The Sunrise Nature Center is open during the summer months for additional exhibits and information.
• Educational programs are also available. Contact the park for more information.
• Shuttle buses run daily throughout the park during the months of May - September.

Camping in Bryce Canyon

Two developed campgrounds are located inside the park. You can book North and Sunset campgrounds online.

Climate at Bryce Canyon

Bryce Canyon weather is generally mild in the summer. The rim of the canyon stands at 8,000 feet, making summer temperatures moderate at 80 degrees Fahrenheit (26.6 degrees Celsius). The high altitude provides snow and cold temperatures during the winter.