Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah
June 5-8, 2010
Byrce Canyon National Park was another outstanding experience! The main attraction of the park is Bryce Canyon itself which despite its name, it not a canyon but a collection of giant natural amphitheaters (hoodoos). The erosional force of frost-wedging and the dissolving power of rainwater have shaped the colorful limestone rock into bizarre shapes including slot canyons, windows, fins, and spires called "hoodoos." Tinted with colors too numerous and subtle to name, these whimsically arranged rocks create a wondrous landscape of mazes, offering some of the most exciting and memorable walks and hikes imaginable.
Our Accommodations - The North Campground
There are several campgrounds outside the park entrance and there are two campgrounds within the park. We stayed at
The North Campground within Bryce National Park. It was a really nice campground and was centrally located to the visitor centre and all the major look-out points and hiking trails.
Mossy Cave Trail
A great first introduction to the park was a short hike to Mossy Cave and Waterfall.
Bryce Canyon Point
The park provides a free shuttle to all the look-out points within the area. The best stop was at Bryce Point which looked down into the entire canyon with an amazing view of all the massive hoodoo formations. They were like soldiers all lined up together and so many amazing colors!
Bryce Canyon South End
We did a really great bus tour of the southern end of Bryce Canyon and best of all, it was provided free! We were so glad we registered to go because our bus driver provided all kinds of interesting information and stories about Bryce Canyon and about Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid who apparently have alot of history in the area.
Navajo and Queens Garden Combination Trail
Advertised as "the best 3 mile hike in the world", the Navajo and Queens Garden Trail was definately one of the most unique. The hike starts from the top rim of Bryce Canyon and descends down into the bottom of the canyon where you get to be "up close and personal" with all the massive hoodoo formations. This was really a great perspective of Bryce Canyon which provided a very different view and appreciation for the formations and colors.