Zion often gets the spotlight when it comes to national parks in Utah. But if your visit to this stunning state doesn’t include some time in Bryce Canyon, you are seriously missing out. Bryce Canyon National Park and the surrounding area will leave you looking out over the landscape saying, “How is this even real?”
But very real are all of those red rock spire behemoths growing up to the sky, a.k.a hoodoos. These, along with many of the other incredible things to explore in Bryce Canyon, are the result of Mother Nature working for millions of years to carve out.
And we specifically have water to thank for creating the rugged landscape that Bryce Canyon lays before you. The combination of erosion and rainwater has resulted in the mudstone that blasts your eyes with its rich color being transformed into slot canyons, hoodoos, and countless otherworldly-arranged rocks, thus creating some of the most stunning hikes and views you’ve ever seen.
Rancher Ebenezer Bryce was certainly correct in saying that about this area: “It’s a hell of a place to lose a cow.”
Bryce Canyon Country accounts for far more than Bryce Canyon National Park – it also includes Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument and Capitol Reef National Park, too.
The physical mazes, winding trails, and adventures aplenty in the Bryce Canyon area take you through some of the greatest wonders on our planet to get an up-close-and-personal experience that will leave you appreciating nature on a whole new level.
Best Things to Do in Bryce Canyon
Canyoneering in Escalante
To go beyond just looking at the marvels of Bryce Canyon to where you can fully immerse yourself in them, don’t miss a canyoneering experience with Excursions of Escalante. This company’s permit allows them to take guests to the top off-trail canyoneering in the area.
Owner and guide Rick Green knows these canyons like the back of his hand, and he and his fellow guides provide you with a once-in-a-lifetime experience that goes beyond just the views and into an adventure that will have your heart racing and your inner adrenaline junkie asking for more.
These tours can be modified to suit all ages, and no experience is necessary. All equipment is provided – all you need to bring is an open mind, a sense of adventure, and a good pair of hiking boots you won’t mind getting wet and dirty.
Horseback Riding in Bryce Canyon National Park
It’s one thing to see the sights of Bryce Canyon National Park on foot, and it’s another to see them from atop a horse. While we don’t think anyone should skip out on exploring via hikes, seeing this area by horse is unparalleled.
Canyon Trail Rides takes visitors on a two or three-hour journey through the extreme altitudes of Bryce Canyon and all that they have to offer – from the iconic towering hoodoos to the alpine meadows and coniferous forests.
A tour with these guys is like taking a trip back in time to see how these rock formations came to be and, in doing so, also gives you a taste of how some of this area was explored – via horseback.
With photo ops at every turn, this adventure is not to be missed. Plus, it’s a trail that you otherwise wouldn’t be able to experience, as it is limited to seeing on horseback.
ATVing in Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument: Speed things up a bit by exploring the area of Grand Staircase from inside an ATV. This unique mode of transportation allows you to gain access to places that are off the beaten path so that you can appreciate this stunning landscape away from the crowds.
A tour with Grand Staircase ATV gives you the chance to sit back, relax, and enjoy the views as a guide drives you to some of the best views the eye can see. You’ll also enjoy learning some history along the way, as the past of this place is rich with stories of trials, tribulations, and triumphs.
This tour is family-friendly and safe for all ages.
Hiking the Navajo Loop Trail: It would be a sin to go to Bryce Canyon without embarking on at least one hike. And if one hike is all that your schedule allows for, you should make it the Navajo Loop Trail.
This one takes you from the canyon rim down to the valley floor in a short 1.3 miles but be warned that this is considered a moderately difficult hike. (Mostly because you get to hike down first, and then you have to turn around and hike your way back up.)
Account for around 2 hours to do the hike and stop to take picture after picture along the way as you feel as if every view you come upon is more beautiful than the previous. One view you’re sure to love is Bryce Canyon National Park’s most famous hoodoo – Thor’s Hammer.
Best Places to Eat
You don’t go to Bryce Canyon for a luxury dining experience – you go here for great local grub that feeds your heart and fuels your adventures.
For dinner and a show that will have you belting your favorite country classics, don’t miss Ebenezer’s Bar and Grill. Local band The Bryce Canyon Wranglers teams up with traveling entertainers from around the world to bring you quite the show, with a tasty BBQ dinner to boot.
Continuing the BBQ tour of Bryce Canyon, add to your list of stops i.d.k. Barbeque for convenient, casual, and classic BBQ eats. You can even get tasty meat by the pound to take along with you on a hike for some delicious sandwiches on the go.
If you’re in the mood for a drink and a solid burger, don’t miss Highway 12’s only bar, 4th West Pub. From loaded fries topped with sirloin steak to a pastrami burger and every burger in between, this eatery also offers fun events like trivia night, art night, and live music.
Best Places to Stay
For a glamping experience that sets the glamping bar unfathomably high, book a stay at Under Canvas Bryce Canyon.
You’ll forget that you’re camping when you step into your Deluxe Tent featuring a plush king-sized bed and luxury linens, a private bathroom with a shower (yes, it has hot water!), organic bath products, a sink, a flushing toilet, a wood-burning stove (don’t worry – the staff is on-call to help you start it), and a private deck with lounge chairs.
And that’s not it. Under Canvas Bryce Canyon’s lobby and common area have amenities to enhance the experience even further. The nightly fires and complimentary s’mores are a highlight, especially when accompanied by a clear night sky where the minimal light pollution means you can see stars for miles and miles.
Be sure to also take advantage of the live music and yoga classes on-site (these views while in upward-facing dog? Sign us up!), as well as the kid’s activities if you’ve got young ones in tow.
The on-site dining definitely deserves praise, too, as it is delicious. Full breakfast and dinner are available here and feature seasonal and thoughtfully sourced produce that comes together to create dishes that will have your taste buds dancing with joy.
And what better place to enjoy these tasty eats than the property’s beautiful outdoor area that allows you to connect with nature as you soak up the high-alpine and juniper forest views?
In short, your Bryce Canyon experience isn’t complete without a stay at the area’s Under Canvas.
For a more casual stay that features a great complimentary breakfast, turn to Canyon Country Lodge. Tucked between Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef national parks, enjoy a comfy bed and a quiet night’s sleep. Enjoy the amenities here that include a swimming pool, a hot tub, a fitness center, and laundry after those dusty days of adventuring in Bryce Canyon.
How to Get There
Getting to Bryce Canyon National Park from out of state can be a bit of a trek, but well worth it. The closest major international airport is Salt Lake City International Airport, and from there, it’s a 4-5 hour drive to Bryce Canyon.
If you’re up for that journey but feel the drive is a bit daunting, we highly recommend hiring Southwest Adventure Tours for transportation. That way, you can relax and enjoy the views without the stress of traffic and unfamiliar roads.
Southwest Adventure Tours does far more than get you from SLC to Bryce Canyon – they offer a variety of tours led by fabulous local guides that will get you into the fan favorites as well as the hidden gems of Bryce Canyon Country.
Let someone else deal with the hassle of getting from place to place so that you can conserve your energy for soaking up all of the incredible beauty and endless adventures that Bryce Canyon Country offers.
