Bryce Canyon

The Paiutes say Coyote created this area's red rock pillars when he turned the "Legend People" to stone for their misbehavior. Geologists use technical terms to describe them, talking about silt and calcium carbonate, uneven pressures and differential erosion. Visitors call them "hoodoos," a name derived from "voodoo" Whatever their origins, they do tricks with light, taking in the sun and radiating it, glowing from within like Chinese lanterns, creating my favorite Utah red rock park.

Bryce Canyon Orientation

Most Bryce Canyon visitors combine the southern Utah and northern Arizona national park locations in a loop trip reminiscent of the Union Pacific Railroad's early twentieth century Grand Circle Tour, often visiting Zion , Bryce Canyon, Cedar Breaks and the Grand Canyon North Rim in the same trip.

Allow one full day to see Bryce Canyon, taking half a day for a hike below the rim and half a day to drive the park road and enjoy the Bryce Canyon vista points. Stay for sunset and to enjoy night skies if you can.

Getting to Bryce Canyon

Bryce Canyon is in southeast Utah on the Colorado Plateau. The nearest major airports to Bryce Canyon are in Salt Lake City and Las Vegas, and the most convenient way to get there from either airport is to rent a car and drive. Unless you have a reason to visit northern Utah, Las Vegas is closer to Bryce Canyon than Salt Lake City is.

You can visit in any order, but I think it's best to visit Bryce Canyon last because its exuberant scenery tends to make the others seem plain in comparison.

Many thanks to The World Outdoors for their assistance in preparing this article about Bryce Canyon National Park