Pass By: U.S. Highway 89, US-89, Ogden, UT, USA
Hiding behind the scenery here is a place that’s chock full of American history! That’s why they call Route 89 The Heritage Highway. Imagine being a pioneer when America was new, and seeing this landscape for the first time. No wonder explorers, traders, sinners, and saints have been drawn to this area for centuries!
Stop At: Bryce Amphitheater, Bryce Amphitheater, Utah 84764, USA
The most-visited part of the park is the Bryce Amphitheater. There are 5 viewpoints that make up the Bryce Amphitheater:
Sunrise
Sunset
Bryce
Inspiration Points and
Paria View
The largest concentration of hoodoos can be found here, and some of the most popular into-the-canyon hikes are located here.
Photography buffs, star-gazers, and hikers of all skill levels love everything that the Bryce Amphitheater has to offer!
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Bryce Canyon Scenic Drive, Highway 63, Utah
This is a wildly popular way to see everything that Bryce Canyon has to offer.
The scenic drive will take you 18 miles to Rainbow and Yovimpa Points; the southernmost but highest points of Bryce Canyon.
Along the way, you’ll have the opportunity to hear more stories of the people who discovered Bryce Canyon and championed it to become a National Park.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Fairyland Point, Rim Trail, Utah 84764
Here you’ll get a first look at the famous hoodoos of Bryce Canyon. You’ll learn how they’re formed, how they got their name, and the important role they play in the conservation efforts of the national park system.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Mossy Cave Trail, Utah
This is one of the most peaceful hikes at Bryce Canyon, but it’s technically outside of the park gates.
Mossy Cave Trail gives you the opportunity to walk on the canyon floor without the steep descent.
Duration: 1 hour
Pass By: Scenic Byway 12, UT-12, Escalante, UT 84726, USA
I’d like to welcome you, my friends, to Scenic Byway 12, AKA “a journey through time.” If you need to stretch your legs, there are a number of scenic turnouts just ahead on our right. Otherwise, we’ll be in Bryce Canyon City in about 15 minutes.
Stop At: Red Canyon Visitor Center, 5375 UT-12, Panguitch, UT 84759, USA
Red Canyon boasts a number of excellent hiking trails where you can see hoodoos, ponderosa pines, high plateaus, and more. You can also find mountain bike trails, paved bicycle paths, and miles of ATV trails.
Duration: 30 minutes
Pass By: Red Canyon Arch, UT-12, Panguitch, UT 84759, USA
People call these arches the “Gateway to Fairyland,” or the unofficial gateway to Bryce Canyon National Park. Be sure to slow down, or even stop at one of the pull-over spots on the right so you can admire this grand entrance up close.
Stop At: Bryce Canyon City, Bryce Canyon City, Utah
This is the main road into Bryce Canyon National Park, and there’s no lack of activities here!
Bryce Canyon City is home to Ruby’s Inn, which has been around since the early 1900s. Ruby’s isn’t just a hotel, though.
Ruby’s has several properties:
a general store
three restaurants
an “old town” mini-mall with gift shops
an ice cream parlor, and
a working gem mine!
They also offer many unique ways to see the park:
horseback riding tours
guided ATV tours
bike rentals, and
even helicopter rides
Duration: 30 minutes
