Bryce Canyon National Park

Bryce Canyon National Park does not contain one main canyon, but rather a dozen smaller ravines eroded into the east side of a ridge running approximately north-south at the edge of the Paunsaugunt Plateau in south west Utah. This erosion has resulted in thousands of bizarre and fragile rock formations in many subtle shades of pink, white, yellow and red. The Park is named after Ebenezer Bryce, a mormon farmer who was the first modern-day settler in the region.

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Call 1-800-338-4719 or Email us at Info@LasVegasBus.com.

Access: Bryce Canyon is reached by the scenic highway UT 12 which crosses the northeast corner of the park; the entrance road branches southwards, follows the ridge for 18 miles, and has 14 viewpoints of which Bryce Point is the most famous and gives the best perspective of the extent and variety of the rock formations. The first overlook is Fairyland Point, a pretty side valley like a small-scale version of the main canyon. This is reached before the park entrance station, and so can be appreciated without payment. From all the viewpoints it is often possible to see 100 miles south and east towards Lake Powell and the Grand Canyon.

To book a tour and see this location or any other locations in the Southwest of your choice

Call 1-800-338-4719 or Email us at Info@LasVegasBus.com.

Trails: The increase in visitation over the last few years has required a major renovation of the latter stages of the park road, and has led to the introduction of access restrictions during the summer; vehicles over 25 feet long are not allowed beyond Bryce Point, about one third of the way along the road. A shuttle bus service is provided instead. However, as with most National Parks, the best way to appreciate Bryce Canyon is to explore away from the main roads. There are various trails both along the rim and down through the formations, but probably the best is the Fairyland Loop Trail, an 8 mile, little-used route which descends 900 feet from the ridge road and winds through many of the fins and spires giving a more intimate and personal view of the park.

To book a tour and see this location or any other locations in the Southwest of your choice

Call 1-800-338-4719 or Email us at Info@LasVegasBus.com.

Light: Many of the formations have received official names, like Tower Bridge, reached via a short side-track, which resembles one of the Thames bridges in London. The park is especially beautiful at sunrise, when the rapidly changing light and shadows make the landscape even more magical. Sunsets are not so good, as the main ridge shields the park from the west.

Weather: Temperatures in Bryce are always less than other parks in Utah due to the high elevation (7,900 feet at the visitor centre, rising to 9,100 feet at Rainbow Point, at the south end of the park road), hence even summer hiking is usually comfortable. However, the altitude does mean that the air is thin, so there is less oxygen. Apart from admiring the formations, it is worth walking the short Bristlecone Loop Trail, at the south end of the park, to see 4,000 year old bristlecone pines; these are the longest lived species of trees in the world. Snow may be present for six months during the winter, although the park remains open all year.

To book a tour and see this location or any other locations in the Southwest of your choice

Call 1-800-338-4719 or Email us at Info@LasVegasBus.com.