Bryce Canyon National Park is located in Utah and encompasses 79 square miles of some of the most and awe inspiring terrain you will see in the country. Years of erosion have left formations called Hoodoos, towering freestanding red sandstone pillars ascending from a bowl shaped amphitheatre.
One of the best ways to get up close and personal with the Hoodoos is to take a hike deep into the amphitheatre from the rim. There are miles of trails here, but beware that some elevations reach more than 9,000 feet above sea level. Elevations of that height can cause sickness and weakness if you are not used to it. The best thing is just to know your limits. Many of the hikes can be completed in a day, but there are some more extensive options for the more experienced hikers.
If you are lucky you might catch a unique event at Bryce Canyon National Park as part of your custom tour. One of them is the Annual Utah Prairie Dog Day. It is a day of education and fun all geared around the prairie dog. You can even watch them in their natural habitat that day to see what they are like in the wild.
Another great event that takes place here is the Annual Astronomy Festival. It takes place at the end of June and there will be dozens of telescopes set up for you to use to check out the great nighttime sky views. The festival also includes plenty of workshops, presentations and activities throughout the day to boost your astronomy knowledge.
Winter is a good time to visit Bryce Canyon National Park as well. There are plenty of activities available that will give you a very different view of the natural setting, including snowshoe hikes, cross-country skiing, sledding and winter backpacking.
Throughout the year there are many ranger programs to add to your private tour of the park. From geology talks to kids programs, there is something for everyone. There are even full moon hikes, where you can take in the amazing beauty of the terrain under the unique light of a full moon.
Our favorite walk:
Queens Garden Trail
Why we love it:
You get more intimate views of the beauty of the park. The rocks form fins and hoodoos on either side of you as you descend into the amphitheatre on this moderate 3 mile walk.
Tip:
Link this trail to the Navajo trail to create a loop. For longer walks link it to the Peek-a-boo trail which finishes at Bryce Point and take the bus back to trailhead.