Bryce Canyon National Park is named for one of a series of horseshoe-shaped amphitheaters carved from the eastern edge of the Paunsagunt Plateau in southern Utah. Erosion has shaped colorful Claron limestones, sandstones and mudstones into thousands of spires, fins, pinnacles and mazes. The park is characterized by an enormous array of oddly shaped "hoodoos," unique erosional formations whimsically arranged and tinted with a variety of subtle colors.

Top

General Information

Rates & Fees

Entrance

	Passenger cars: $20 per 7-day visit,
	Noncommercial tours (e.g., scouts, church groups, school groups on recreational outings) as well as foot, bicycle and motorcycle travelers are charged $5 per person age 17 and older.
	Commercial tours are charged according to seating capacity as follows: $25 plus $5 per passenger for 1-6 seats; $50 for 7-15 seats; $60 for 16-25 seats; and $150 for 26 or more seats.
	National Park Passes ($50 annual fee) are good for one full year and will waive only entrance fees to all National Park Service Sites. This annual pass is only good for National Park Service areas, not to be confused with the Golden Eagle Passport.
	Golden Eagle Hologram ($15 annual fee) upgrades National Park Pass to Golden Eagle Passport. Golden Eagle Passports and Golden Age Passports ($10 one time fee for U.S. citizens 62 years of age and older) are available at the park Entrance Station and are honored for occupants of noncommercial vehicles. Golden Access Passports (U.S. citizens with permanent disabilities) are issued at the park visitor center. These passports will waive only entrance fees to all National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Forest Service, and various other federal agency recreation areas.

Campsites: $10 per site per night. (Golden Age or Golden Access Passport holders receive a 50% discount.)

Backcountry Permits: $5 per permit.

Shuttle System: The shuttle will pick visitors up from a parking area outside of the park near the junction of Highways 12 and 63. From this parking area, entrance fees will only be $15 and you will entitled to ride the shuttle for 7 days into the park and around to the view points. The standard entrance fee is $20, so visitors will receive a discount to ride the shuttle and to leave personal vehicles in this parking area.

Things to See

Seasons / Hours

The park is open 24 hours a day all year. There may be temporary road closures during and shortly after winter snow storms until plowing is completed and conditions are safe for visitor traffic. Road maintenance may require brief closures of individual areas at other times.

Visitor Center

The park visitor center is open year round except Thanksgiving Day, December 25, and New Years Day. The visitor center is open the following hours:

	8 AM to 4:30 PM (MST) Winter hours October until April
	8 AM to 6:00 PM (MDT) Spring & Fall hours, April & October
	8 AM to 8:00 PM (MDT) Summer hours beginning end of May

Facilities/Features

Stores/Museums
Amfac Parks and Resorts, Inc. operates a general store at Sunrise Point which includes souveniuers and gift shop.

Programs & Events
A slide show, exhibits, restrooms, information, publications sales, and backcountry permits are available at the visitor center. Check for a current schedule upon arrival. Also check with Garfield Travel Council for Utah Centennial events.

Ranger Nature Tours
Park rangers and volunteers conduct interpretive activities, including hikes, walks, geology talks and evening slide programs, throughout summer months. Star talks are conducted during the new moon and moonlight walks when the moon is full. Check at the park visitor center or Bryce Canyon Lodge for daily schedules.

Food/Supplies
Amfac Parks and Resorts, Inc. operates a general store at Sunrise Point. Groceries, souvenirs, camping supplies, quick meals, restrooms, coin-operated shower and laundry facilities are available from April through October. Amfac Parks and Resorts, Inc. also operates a gift shop and dining room in the lodge and a snack bar at the General Store.

Private stores in the immediate area just 3 miles north of the Park Entrance are open year-round for food, supplies and other services.

Accessibility
Most park facilities were constructed between 1930 and 1960. Some have been upgraded for accessibility, while others could be used with assistance.

Because of the park's natural terrain, only a half-mile section of Rim Trail between Sunset and Sunrise Points is wheelchair accessible. The one-mile Bristlecone Loop trail at Rainbow Point has a hard surface and could be used with assistance, but several grades do not meet standards.

Parking is marked at all overlooks and public facilities. Accessible campsites are available in Sunset Campground.

Top

It is the visitor's responsibility to know and obey park rules. Regulations are designed for visitors' protection and to protect natural resources.

General Regulations

	Wildlife feeding, disturbing wildlife in any way, collecting of any historical or natural objects (including gathering dead wood or picking wildflowers) are prohibited.
	Camp only in designated campgrounds; build fires only in grills, picnic only at designated picnic areas.
	Firearms, hunting, trapping\and feeding wildlife are illegal.
	Pets must be on a leash and physically restrained at all times. They are not allowed on trails or or unleashed.

Vehicles

	Marked bus parking spaces are available at all sites where parking lots can accommodate buses. Bus engines should be turned off while parked. Motor homes and trailers are not permitted in spaces designated for buses.
	Due to steep grades and limited parking, trailers are not allowed beyond Sunset Campground. Campers should leave trailers at their campsite. Day visitors should leave trailers at their overnight campground, at Ruby's Inn free shuttle parking area just outside the park, at the park visitor center or at the trailer turn-around south of Sunset Campground.
	No vehicles over 25 feet in length are allowed at Paria View where the parking area is too small for large vehicles to turn around.
	Unless otherwise posted, the Park speed limit is 35 mph on all roads.

Each year at Bryce Canyon, volunteers (VIPs) donate more than 10,000 hours of service, more than 10% of the park's workforce. VIPs help staff information desks, serve as campground hosts, patrol trails, build fences, work with computers, conduct wildlife surveys, take photographs and more.

To learn more about volunteer opportunities at Bryce Canyon, ask for an information packet at the visitor center or write to:

Superintendent,
Bryce Canyon National Park
P.O. Box 170001
Bryce Canyon, UT 84717-0001.
435-834-5322 (v) | 435-834-4102 (f)

Cultural History

Native Peoples
Early Native Americans left little to tell of their activities on the Paunsagunt Plateau. Although ancient cultures are known to have occupied the Colorado Plateau for at least 12,000 years, they have left little trace of lithics (worked stone) near the Bryce Canyon National Park. Artifactual traces of both Anasazi and Fremont cultures are found beyond the park boundaries, but not nearly to the extent that other areas of the Colorado Plateau exhibit.

Paiutes were living throughout the area when the first Euro-Americans arrived in southern Utah. Paiutes explained the numerous and colorful hoodoos as "legend people" who were turned to stone by the mythical Coyote. When Captain Clarence E. Dutton arrived with John Wesley Powell in the 1870s, he named many of the current features according to the Paiute names, including, Paunsagunt (home of the beavers), Paria (muddy water), Panguitch (fish) and Yovimpa (point of pines).

Exploration & Settlement
The Paiutes were "displaced" by emissaries of the Church of Latter Day Saints (Mormons) who established the many small communities throughout Utah.

Ebenezer Bryce helped settle southwestern Utah and northern Arizona. He arrived on the Paunsagunt Plateau and Paria Valley in 1875 to harvest timber. The canyon behind his home came to be known as Bryce's Canyon; today it remains the name of both a specific canyon and the national park. After 1900, visitors began to arrive to view the colorful geologic features, and initial accommodations were constructed along the plateau rim above Bryce's Canyon. By the 1920s, efforts were being made to set aside these scenic wonder of the Paunsagunt Plateau.

Park History
On June 8, 1923, President Warren G. Harding proclaimed part of the area as Bryce Canyon National Monument. In 1924, legislation was passed to establish the area as Utah National Park, but it wasn't until 1928 that the necessary provisions for the act of congress were met. The area was officially established as Bryce Canyon National Park February 25, 1928.
Top

Natural History

Plants & Animals
More than 400 species of plants grow in Bryce Canyon National Park at elevations ranging from 6,000 to 9,000 feet. Forests on the rim vary from Ponderosa Pine to Spruce, Fir and Aspen. Because of the relatively high elevations, many spring wildflowers don't actually bloom at Bryce until late summer. They include Gentian, Bellflower, Yarrow, Sego Lilly and Manzanita.

Bryce Canyon's forests and meadows support diverse animal life from small mammals and birds to foxes, mountain lions and black bears. Mule Deer are the most common large mammal. They are best seen at dawn and dusk in meadows near roadsides.

Elk and Pronghorn Antelope which have been reintroduced into the area and are sometimes seen within the park. In winter, most of these animals migrate to lower elevations, although squirrels and marmots stay and hibernate. Utah Prairie Dogs live only in southern Utah. This endangered species is abundant here in Bryce National Park.

More than 160 species of birds visit Bryce Canyon National Park, but most species migrate to warmer climates, except for the jays, nut hatches, ravens, eagles and owls. In summers, many swifts and swallows can be seen along cliff faces while feeding on insects in flight.

Geology
Sixty million years ago, sedimentary deposits in a large prehistoric lake created the Claron formation, a combination of limestone, siltstone, shale, sandstone and occasional conglomerate as well. Subsequent uplift and faulting created the massive blocks we now call the Paunsagunt and Aquarius Plateaus. Erosion caused the exposure of the Claron formation atop of these plateaus,which continues to this day.
The uplifts and faulting formed blocks that streams carved into the plateaus. The joint systems and cracks produced by the uplifting determine the location of walls, arches, windows and natural bridges. The pinnacles (hoodoos) are the result of differential weathering along vertical fractures on these Claron beds, containing layers with varying degrees of hardness. Most arches in the park are carved from the sandstone beds of the Claron formation in much the same manner.

Some of the interesting geological formations in Bryce Canyon National Park include:

Sinking Ship: Visible from Fairyland Point.

Thor's Hammer: Visible from Sunset Point.

Wall Street: Visible from Sunrise Point.

Silent City: Visible from Inspiration Point.

White Cliffs: Navajo Sandstone formation visible from Paria View.

Natural Bridge: Really an arch, visible from Natural Bridge turnout.

The Hunter: Hoodoo, with small trees on top visible from Aqua Canyon.

The Poodle: Hoodoo visible from Rainbow Point.

Top

Bryce Canyon National Park is about 80 miles northeast of Zion National Park but is starkly different in climate, topography, geology and scenery. Bryce sits atop the Paunsagunt Plateau of southwestern Utah between the Markagunt Plateau to the west and Aquarius Plateau to the east. At its widest point, it is about 5 miles east to west and runs 20 miles north to south. Instead of looking up at sandstone formations as at Zion, one is looking down along the Paunsagunt Fault onto much different geological features, primarily hoodoos, formed from the erosional action on shales and sandstone of the Claron formation.

At 8,000 feet where the visitor center is located, it is 1,000 feet higher than Zion, with a cooler, moister climate. Much of the area's precipitation comes as afternoon thundershowers during mid to late summer. Spring and fall weather is variable. Cold winter days are offset by high altitude sun and dry climate. Winter nights are sub-freezing. During some winters, Alaskan cold fronts descend on the Colorado Plateau bringing temperatures as low as 30 degrees below zero. The area can have significant snow October through March; annual snowfall averages 100 inches.

The high altitude sun can burn in any season. Hats, long sleeves and sunscreen are recommended all year.

 Top

Things to Do

Plan to spend from one to several days depending on your personal interests. Because of the wide variety of recreational opportunities on nearby private, state and other Federal lands, you can easily plan an extended vacation in this area.Sight-seeing, hiking, camping, backpacking, photography, horseback riding, bird watching and other wildlife observation, star gazing, contemplation, relaxation.

Most visitors tour the main amphitheater between Sunrise and Paria Viewpoints. Congestion in these areas creates problems with off-trail use and destruction of vegetation. Use only designated trails and exercise patience and care in all heavily congested areas to protect park resources.

Picnicking

Picnic tables are provided at the Whiteman Connecting Trailhead and at Rainbow Point at the far southern extremity of the Park. Others are located at Sunset Point near the Lodge, at Sunrise Point and near the visitor center. Picnic only in designated areas.

Auto Touring

The 37-mile round-trip on the main park road winds along the edge of the plateau, terminating at the south end of the park. Return to the entrance via the same road. Spur roads and pullouts offer opportunities for viewing and trailhead parking. Park speed limits range from 25 to 35 mph and are strictly enforced.

In summer, parking at most viewpoints is extremely congested. Your best chance of finding a parking space at Sunrise, Sunset, Inspiration, BRACE and Paria Viewpoints is before 10:00 AM. and after 5:00 PM.

Because all of BRACE Canyon's viewpoints are east of the main park road, it is recommended that you drive the 18 mile distance to the southern end of the park, start with Rainbow Point, then stop at the remaining viewpoints on your way back northward toward the park entrance. This will help you to avoid making left turns in front of on-coming traffic.

Fairyland Point
Far northern area a mile east of the main road offers startling view of Sinking Ship with the Aquarius Plateau and Navajo Mountain in the distance.

Sunset, Sunrise, Paria Points
These 3 points ring Bryce Amphitheater, the largest amphitheater in the park.

Paria View
Looks across hoodoos and an amphitheater carved by Yellow Creek. The Aquarius Plateau and Paria River Valley are in the background.

Farview Point
Offers a panoramic view of nearby plateaus and mountains. The Kaibab Plateau of the Grand Canyon North Rim is also visible far to the southeast.

Natural Bridge
Is misnamed. It is really an arch.

Ponderosa Canyon
Displays multi-colored hoods with the Aquarius Plateau to the north.

Aqua Canyon
Offers a view of small trees growing atop the hoodoo known as The Hunter.

Yovimpa Point
Provides a grand view of southern Utah and south into Arizona.

Rainbow Point
The park road ends here. On clear days one can see 90 miles south to Arizona revealing the Kaibab Plateau of Grand Canyon's North Rim and Navajo Mountain.

Biking

Biking is allowed only on paved roads in the park. Biking on any trails or into the canyon is prohibited.

Hiking/Backpacking

The park has over 50 miles of hiking trails.

Day Hikes

	Rim Trail between Sunrise and Sunset Points, 1/2-mile (one way), is the easiest section of the trail. Other sections of the Rim Trail (which extends 5.5 miles between Fairyland and BRACE Points) have moderate terrain.
	Fairyland Loop (8 miles round trip)
	Peekaboo Loop (4.8 miles round trip)
	Queen's Garden (1.5 miles round trip)
	Navajo Loop (1.5 miles round trip) trails drop into the canyons on steep grades.
	Peekaboo Loop Trail also serves as a horse trail.

Backcountry

	Under-the-Rim Trail extends 22 miles from BRACE Point to Rainbow Point and has 8 backcountry campsites.
	Riggs Spring Loop Trail runs (8.8 miles round trip) from Rainbow Point and has 4 backcountry sites. A $5 permit is required for overnight backcountry camping.

Top

Horseback Riding

In spring, summer and fall, wranglers lead horseback rides into BRACE Amphitheater along a dedicated horse trail as well as on the Peekaboo Loop Trail. Contact one of the horse rental providers listed below for details:

Getting There

By Auto

Bryce Canyon National Park is 24 miles southeast of Panguitch, Utah.

From north or south on U.S. 89, turn east on Utah 12 (seven miles south of Panguitch, Utah) and travel to the junction of Utah 12 and 63. Turn south (right) on Utah 63 and travel three miles to reach the park entrance. (Utah 12 continues east through the northern portion of the park.)

From the east, travel west on Utah 12 to the intersection of Utah 63. Turn south (left) to reach the park entrance.