BRYCE CANYON NATIONAL PARK

Only a two-hour drive from Zion, Bryce Canyon National Park is a side trip that is DEFINITELY worth taking! When I first started planning our road trip, we were debating if we should check it out because our focus was initially the Grand Canyon, but Bryce ended up being the jewel of our entire trip. DO NOT SKIP BRYCE when you are so close. Sunset over the amphitheater of unique red rock hoodoos is something everyone should see!

OUR PLAN – DAY ONE

ZION CANYON to BRYCE CANYON – 77°

Even with a few stops after leaving Zion around 10am, we arrived in Bryce Canyon right around 12:30. As always, our first stop with the BRYCE CANYON VISITOR CENTER. We picked up some brochures about the park, our son’s Junior Ranger booklet and learned a little more about the unique geography we were about to see! I had heard all about the “hoodoos” but had no idea what anyone was talking about!

Boy standing in front of Bryce Canyon National Park Visitor Center

Once we had our park info, we headed into the park to drop our bags with the lodge and check out our options for lunch. Check-in was not until 4pm, but our son has medication that is temperature-sensitive so we always drop bags (versus leaving them in a hot car) when we know we will be out for a while. As soon as we pulled into the BRYCE CANYON LODGE, we were so excited to have a night with it as our home base. The lodge is located right along the RIM TRAIL, with the incredible BRYCE CANYON AMPHITHEATER a 7-minute walk away. You cannot beat the location. The lodge has a very rustic feel as it is a National Historic Landmark that was built in the 1920s. It is actually the only Union Pacific Railroad original lodge that is still standing!

THE LODGE AT BRYCE CANYON RESTAURANT

We decided to have a more formal lunch in the dining room of the LODGE AT BRYCE CANYON RESTAURANT so we could sit down, relax and plan out our afternoon. The VALHALLA PIZZERIA & COFEE SHOP next door would have been a great option for something faster. The dining room had a great selection of sandwiches, salads and burgers in addition to craft Utah beers!

SUNSET POINT at THE BRYCE CANYON AMPHITHEATER

During lunch, we decided to attend the 2pm Ranger Program “Hoodoo Geology,” that was happening at the beautiful SUNSET POINT at THE BRYCE CANYON AMPHITHEATER just a short walk from the Lodge. We headed over and we in absolute awe as we approached the RIM TRAIL. Our first views of the AMPHITHEATER were unreal. It looked like another world and it is stunning. It is amazing to stand on the edge of such a gigantic canyon that was once under ocean water. We enjoyed learning about the “hoodoos” and how they are formed over time. Our son was even able to stand as an example of a “hoodoo” for some of the program. He loved it! It was a great intro to the geology of the park.

SCENIC DRIVE

After taking in jaw-dropping views, we knew we would come back later in the afternoon to hike into the canyon. At 2:30pm, it was peak heat and very sunny. We decided to hop back in the car and drive the remainder of the 18-mile park road, known as THE SCENIC DRIVE, to the end and the highest point in the park, RAINBOW POINT.

There are 13 viewpoints along the Scenic Drive, and they all are on the left side of the road when you are driving in. The park recommends allowing 3 hours for the drive, but we were not planning to stop at all 13 points. There is a shuttle that runs from the Visitor Center April – October that you can take on the Scenic Drive, or you are welcome to drive it yourself. We figured drive to the end, explore a bit there and then all the points will be pullouts on the right side of the road heading back down.

BRISTLECONE LOOP at RAINBOW POINT

It took us a little under 30 minutes to get from the Lodge to RAINBOW POINT. From there, we planned to hike the easy, 1-mile BRISTLECONE LOOP to explore the spruce forest and bristlecone pine trees at the higher elevation (9,115 feet). At the start of the loop, we had incredible views of the canyon and hoodoos. Our son has a digital camera for trips like this and he loved stopping to document some of the wonders below. This is an easy way to stretch your legs at the end of the Scenic Drive. In hindsight, I wish we would have used this time to hike the .8 mile MOSSY CAVE trail. However, we would have missed the SCENIC DRIVE as Mossy Cave is on the opposite end of the park (so you will see that on my “next time” list).

“I HIKED THE HOODOOS” CHALLENGE

We also chose this trail because we wanted to find our first “I HIKED THE HOODOOS” benchmark. I read about this challenge and knew it was something we would all be into! Throughout the park, there are nine special “I Hiked the Hoodoos” benchmarks on trails. In order to qualify for your reward (a special sticker), you have to take a selfie with or pencil rubbing of three of the benchmarks. In order to get to them, you will have to hike a minimum of 3 miles. I wanted to make sure our hiking plan would cover three benchmarks in order to meet this challenge. It was fun to keep our eye out for the signs as we hiked.

NATURAL BRIDGE

After our short hike, we started down the Scenic Drive towards the Lodge. We only stopped a few times as we were excited to get back to hike into the amphitheater. We did make a point to pull over at the NATURAL BRIDGE, to see the large arch formed by ice, rain and gravity.

BRYCE CANYON LODGE ACCOMMODATIONS

We got back to the BRYCE CANYON LODGE about 4:15 and checked into our Western Cabin. As we walked out to our cabin, we could not believe how close we were getting to the RIM TRAIL and the unreal AMPHITHEATER views. Our cabin was perfect, very similar to the one in Zion. We had two queen beds, a small table for two, a gas fireplace, a porch and a private bathroom. Now that the sun had moved and temperatures were going down, we unloaded our bags and headed out to explore the canyon trails.

QUEEN’S GARDEN TRAIL

We headed out to the RIM TRAIL from our cabin shortly before 5pm. We planned to hike the QUEEN’S GARDEN TRAIL into the canyon, starting at SUNRISE POINT, and connect to the NAVAJO LOOP, in order to exit the canyon at SUNSET POINT for 2.9 miles total. For optimal sun and heat conditions, a ranger had told us to start our hike at SUNRISE POINT so we would be climbing out of the canyon on the NAVAJO LOOP later in the evening in the shade. QUEEN’S GARDEN is also known as the least difficult trail to take into the canyon. You can always reverse the order of the hike as you are basically making a giant “U” through the cabin.

The Rim Trail at Bryce Canyon National Park

The ranger had also told us to plan about 3 hours for our hike, so as we walked about .5 miles to SUNRISE POINT (which interestingly enough is where you should watch the sunset!) we knew we needed to stay aware of time. We headed into the canyon on the 1.8-mile QUEEN’S GARDEN TRAIL. The trail is named for the “Queen Victoria” hoodoo at the end of the trail. As we headed down, many hikers were coming up, very out of breath and hot and they climbed out of the canyon in the blazing sun. We were grateful our son had the hiking stick we had purchased in Zion to help stabilize him as we descended into the canyon. It felt like walking through a different world as the red rock hoodoos and walls started to tower above us.

NAVAJO LOOP TRAIL & WALL STREET

A little under a mile into our hike as we walked through the canyon, we hooked onto the NAVAJO LOOP TRAIL. Sadly, we did not realize we had to walk a short distance forward to the “Queen Victoria” hoodoo before we joined the Navajo Loop to see the QUEEN’S GARDEN “I HIKED THE HOODOOS” benchmark. We did not realize we missed it until we were approaching the NAVAJO LOOP benchmark. This leg of the hike was our Bryce highlight! It was stunning. To wander through the base of the canyon with the trees and hoodoos surrounding you is a beautiful sight. I would love to come back with more time to explore connecting hikes (like the PEEK-A-BOO LOOP) more. I don’t know if the pictures can do this trail justice.

WALL STREET

As we started to climb out of the canyon, the red rocks began to narrow and we approached the famous WALL STREET. These switchbacks took some time to climb but offered some of the coolest hiking we have ever done. We were grateful to be doing them in the shade of the canyon, versus the morning sun. This is not to be missed at Bryce. Some people walk down a bit from SUNSET POINT to see WALL STREET without doing a big hike. I highly recommend the entire hike if you are able. Over a year later, our son still talks about this incredible place. WALL STREET is only open in summer, so you are not able to loop during other seasons due to weather.

As we reached the top, the sun was beginning to set. The RIM TRAIL was crowded with people enjoying the spectacular views across the canyon. We enjoyed taking a few minutes to look down on WALL STREET and take in what we had just climbed! Our son did so well. We had hiked over 4 miles and he was still smiling. Not to mention all we had done the day prior in Zion. We also saw the famous hoodoo, Thor’s Hammer, standing tall in the canyon. It really is just incredible. If you have read this far, please make sure to hike at least the NAVAJO LOOP with WALL STREET. You won’t be disappointed.

SUNSET ON THE RIM TRAIL

The feeling during SUNSET on the RIM TRAIL as the sun was going down was one we could not walk away from. It was spectacular. We had just hiked up so hard, and the peaceful vibe was something we wanted to enjoy longer. We found a bench along the RIM TRAIL and sat down to take it all in. Our son started working on his Junior Ranger book and my husband actually went back to our cabin to bring us a glass of wine to enjoy with our view. We all agreed Bryce has a special place in our hearts.

The sun went down about 8:30, so we stopped by the cabin to drop a few things off and headed over to THE LODGE at BRYCE CANYON for dinner. Our lunch was great, so we were excited to be back for dinner. We treated ourselves to filet mignon and red wine that was all spectacular. We had earned our dinner in steps that day. Our son took this sweet “family selfie” during dinner on his camera. One thing I love about him having an old digital camera for trips is that we get to see the trip through his lens. I love finding treasures like this photo. I feel like his happiness radiates and it really just represents how we all felt at dinner that night!

OUR PLAN – DAY TWO

BRYCE CANYON TO PAGE, ARIZONA – 96°

The light through the windows of our cabin was a beautiful way to wake up. My husband headed over to the Valhalla Pizzeria & Coffee Shop at the Lodge to grab a coffee and we headed out for one more view of the amphitheater before check-out. We were still in awe at the view.

We loaded up the car and headed to the visitor center on the way out of the park so our son could take his Junior Ranger oath! Our son was thrilled when the ranger he had met at the Ranger Program was there and could swear him in! The Bryce Rangers really were some of the best we have met. So kind and engaging with our son! He also gave all three of us our “I Hike the Hoodoos” stickers. We assured him we would be back and we knew an adventure was calling as we hit the road to Page, Arizona.

I always keep a “NEXT TIME” list when we travel. I feel like it is important to include because this blog is subjective and I want my readers to know about the myriad opportunities that I am still hoping to experience. Whenever I read, hear, research something outside of my experience, I will include it here. My hope in to eventually fully experience these destinations when I visit again (and I can’t wait to do so).

NEXT TIME…

BIKE RIDE as a family through the bike paths around the lodge
MOSSY CAVE – .8 miles, 1 hour, 200 feet elevation gain, during the summer – a streamside walk up to a grotto of hanging mosses (left of fork) or small waterfall (right of fork)
FARVIEW POINT on the SCENIC DRIVE
PARIA VIEW on the SCENIC DRIVE – a stunning sunset photo opportunity
BRYCE POINT on the SCENIC DRIVE – beautiful at sunrise, the hoodoos catch the light and it is also the start of the PEEK-A-BOO-LOOP TRAIL
NAVAJO/PEEK-A-BOO COMBO LOOP – 4.9 miles, 3-4 hours