This post was written in October of 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic. I flew to San Diego to visit my boyfriend so that we could take a road trip together, deciding that hiking the National Parks would be a safer way to get some traveling in. This is the fourth part of the series about the National Parks road trip- specifically spending a day at Bryce Canyon National Park.
Bryce Canyon National Park
Our drive to Bryce Canyon National Park started in Kanab, Utah. This is where we had spent the last three days- it was our “basecamp” while we visited Zion National Park and Grand Escalante National Monument. We woke up early on Wednesday, checked out of our Airbnb, and made the hour and a half drive to Bryce Canyon NP.
Bryce Canyon National Park is unreal, the geology here is unlike anything I have ever seen. The highlight at Bryce Canyon are the hoodoos, which are tall column of rock, eroded from limestone. The stone seems to glow in shades of orange and red and is really ethereal. The contrast of those colors with the blue skies and green fir trees made for some amazing pictures.
The cost for entering is $35 per vehicle- unless you get an annual park pass like we did. The annual pass is $80, but was very useful because of all the parks we visited during our trip. Be sure to check out their website before you visit to get information about what is going on at the park, and advisories of closures. I recommend spending a day in Bryce Canyon National Park. We actually spent half a day there, and were able to hit up some other nearby spots that same day. There is lots of great hiking, but there is a good scenic drive you can take and see lots of great things that way too!
Book Recommendation!
If you’ve read my previous blogs, you already know how much I have bragged about this book. I would have been lost without this book- or at least I wouldn’t have experienced half of what I did during the trip. The Moon USA National Parks, complete guide to all 59 parks, was a life-safer and really helped make our trip absolutely incredible. With maps to the parks, advice about the best hikes, where to camp or visit nearby…it was so helpful. I also loved that it had a place to get stamps from the National Parks and the pictures are beautiful. Click here for my affiliate link to purchase the book.
Sunset Point
One mile south of the visitors center you come across Sunrise Point, which is connected to Sunset Point by a half mile paved section of the Rim Trail. We headed to the Sunset Point to use the bathroom facilities because the Visitor Center was not yet open. We parked the car and headed to the rim, and this is where I saw my first glimpse of the hoodoos that make up Bryce Canyon National Park.
Isn’t it just breathtaking? The hoodoos just seem to stretch out for so far, but they seem to be a hidden treasure that you can only see in this one area. I’ve never seen anything like it.
Navajo Loop Trail
Starting at Sunset Point you can start the Navajo Loop Trail. This 1.3 mile trail descends from the rim 520 feet. The trail winds back and forth as the canyon becomes increasingly narrow.
As you descend the hoodoos are towering above you, and the view is just magnificent. At one point you have to duck through a hole carved out in the stone before continuing on your path.
Wall Street
The switchbacks lead to Wall Street, where the two walls are within arms reach. This is also in which two Douglas firs have been growing for more than 750 years.
We had arrived at Bryce Canyon early, so there weren’t many people on the trail while we were there- but it is the most popular hike in the park, so I advice you to get there early too (plus that will help to beat the heat!). During winter this part of the trail is closed, but you don’t want to miss it! If felt as if we were in a slot canyon, though it’s relatively short- only about 15 feet before you exit.
In Wall Street I took the opportunity to do a little scrambling up a wall to explore one of the many crevasses that are within the area.
Continuing on Navajo Loop Trail
After Wall Street the trail continues and loops around. From this trail you can also catch the Peekaboo Loop Trail, which is 5.5 miles. We opted not to do this because Brandon’s feet were a bit hurt from our hiking the Narrows two days before at Zion National Park. But we did really enjoy the trail, everywhere you look you see the amazing hoodoos, and the trail is dotted with beautiful fir trees.
One of the coolest sights to see on the trail is Thor’s Hammer. Isn’t it amazing- the balance of this big stone at the top?
Another special sight on the trail before ascending back to the rim trail is Twin Bridges.
What goes down, must go back up, right? The hike back up the rim was really exhausting. We arrived early in the morning and it was chilly when we started, but I definitely got my sweat on as we made our way back to the top. The trail is again made up of switchbacks, and luckily the views were still just amazing.
“I Hiked the Hoodos”
If you’re into scavenger hunts, Bryce Canyon National Park has a special program for you! Scattered around the park there are 9 benchmarks. When you find them, take a selfie or do a pencil rub, and after you find three you get a special reward. I was able to find only two of them, so I missed out on the prize. I did read anyone can win the prize, though the scavenger is geared towards “junior rangers”.
Inspiration Point
Our next destination-Inspiration Point- was just a short drive up the road. It’s a short, but very steep walk up to Inspiration Point, which is where you get inspiring views of all the hoodoos in the canyon. Hoodoos are the result of erosion in the cliffs, but they appear to rise out of the ground like trees. They are really spectacular.
After reaching the point and posing for a picture, I decided I wanted to continue on the rim trail. Brandon was resting his feet in the car, and agreed to pick me up at the end of the trail- a mile and a half down the road.
Rim Trail
The entire Rim Trail stretches 5.6 miles, but you can start it at a number of different spots. During the entirety of the section where I hiked I only passed two people, and the views were spectacular. I was enthralled with everything I saw and took a million pictures.
The trail hugged the edges of the mountaintop, and allowed unobstructed views of the canyon.
One part of the trail there was a perilous-looking path that stretched out into the canyon, and I couldn’t resist taking a selfie here. I felt pretty brave (or was I just being stupid?).
On another part of the trail I got to see this beautiful hoodoo, which was like a window to see the hoodoos beyond.
Other sites in Bryce Canyon NP
In Bryce Canyon, the 18 mile park road allows for a scenic drive with several stops of different viewpoints. Our first stop was Farview Point, which gives a sweeping panaroma of several plateaus.
Another 1.7 miles down the road you will come to Natural Bridge. It’s not an actual bridge of course! The arch was formed because of rain and freezing water that expanded and created the hole. The arch spans 54 feet and is 95 feet high.
Further along the road there are stops at Agua Canyon, Ponderosa Canyon and Black Birch Canyon. We jumped out of the car to snap pics of all of them!
And finally, the last stop on the drive is Rainbow Point. Here you have sweeping views of the entirety of the park.
I hope you enjoyed by blog post about a day in Bryce Canyon National Park. Please let me know what you think in the comments section, and be sure to subscribe so that you can be informed of my next blog post.
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