Only about an hour and a half away from Zion, is Bryce Canyon National Park so we decided to spend a day exploring. Over two million visitors visit Bryce Canyon every year. Bryce Canyon is not a single canyon, but a series of natural amphitheaters or bowls, carved into the edge of a high plateau. Bryce Canyon is filled with hoodoos which are irregularly eroded spires of rocks.
Upon arriving at Bryce Canyon, we stopped in the Visitor’s Center to get a game plan for the day. They had park rangers there with maps and to answer any questions. We wanted to hike the Queens Garden/Navajo Loop which is a 2.9 mile trail that takes between 2-3 hours. It’s a moderate difficulty trail and it’s best to start the trail in a clockwise direction.
Queens Garden/Navajo Loop
Start at Sunrise Point and take the Queen’s Garden Trail. Along the way, you’ll see cool hoodoos as you descend. The trail does have multiple directions depending on the hike, but it is well marked to stay on the trail. At one point, you will come to a part of the hike where you’ll see a sign marked Navajo Loop going left, and Queens Garden Trail going right and you’ll want to go left. To end the trail, you’ll have to go up Wall Street, which is difficult and we did have to stop a couple of times, but there are always photo opportunities while you catch your breath. The Queens Garden Trail on it’s own it suitable for almost everyone. It’s relatively easy. However, adding on Wall Street does make it a bit harder since you’re ascending pretty quickly.
Because of the dry heat, make sure to drink plenty of water along the way to prevent dehydration. September was a great time to visit Bryce Canyon National Park, but remember to bring sunscreen and reapply!
Bryce Canyon Scenic Drive
Bryce Canyon’s scenic drive is 18 miles with viewpoints along the way to get to the park’s highest elevations at Rainbow and Yovimpa Points. We walked along the Bristlecone Trail which is a one mile trail and we ended checking out Rainbow Point overlook and talking with a park ranger. I learned more about back burns (you see burnt trees along the Bristlecone Trail) and how wildfires are essential to helping keep forests healthy.
On our way back, we stopped along multiple viewpoints and it was beautiful! To check out more information on Bryce Canyon National Park, click here. Due to COVID-19, they also started virtual experiences for National Parks, check that out by clicking here.
Overall, Bryce Canyon National Park was cool! The hoodoos were unlike anything we’ve seen, but for those who are beginner/moderate hikers, you only need a day at Bryce Canyon.
