It probably goes without saying that most people visit Bryce Canyon because they’re trying to check off all the national parks in Utah. Or they’ve heard of hoodoos and want to see them. But actually, there’s more to Bryce than just another national park experience. Here are seven things we consider must-do’s at Bryce Canyon National Park.
1. Visit Bryce Canyon Lodge
You might as well begin here in this historic structure of Arts and Crafts design. Built between 1924 and 1925, the oversized log construction welcomes you to “sit a spell” on its long front porch, snuggle up to the massive fireplace, dine in the restaurant, or head out the back door path to stand in front of the canyon itself.

Now managed by Forever Resorts, the Lodge at Bryce Canyon has no cell phone service and pretty much all the quiet you come for. Closed this year from November 6, reopening on March 23, 2018, the lodge requires that you check for availability of rooms and cabins early through their website.

2. Go early but stay the day!
Mornings begin way before sunrise, and you want to position yourself at Sunrise Point for a breathtaking view, for sure. You may even get lucky and see fog lifting, revealing one hoodoo at time until the vista opens up wide before you.

But don’t think morning is the only time of the day to see Bryce. What we’ve learned about canyons and red rocks out West is this: they stay always the same. It’s light that makes the difference. As the day breaks and Ol’ Sol puts his spotlight on first one formation and then another, the reveal can be something to behold.

Stand in one place for a while, and you’ll get several changing views.

Or drive one way along the paved highway and then stop to take a look. But drive the reverse direction for a different sight, based entirely on light and weather. Any time of day is “all good” at Bryce.

3. Enjoy the drive and the stops along the way!
Not all of us have a vintage Edsel to tool around in at Bryce. But what fun we had talking to a visitor who had just bought this primo vehicle to see the USA in style!

At each turnout, we took pictures of signage around the viewing areas. (Makes it easy when you’re curating that slide show for the family and you want to show what you saw and where.) And kudos to the park service for premier paving, clean restrooms, and railings that blend in naturally. Bryce is first class in appearance and accommodation.


4. Look at nature — all of it!
At first glimpse, you’ll notice what’s closest — an arch, a statue-like formation, a shape you see in the rocks.

But if you look beyond the pinkish, white-topped formations, you’ll realize there’s more nature that you could have missed, if you hadn’t paid attention. Sometimes you don’t see the forest for the . . . rocks.



5. Follow a trail — and your heart!
Now here’s an example of doing what we tell you to do, not what we did. How we missed this is beyond both of us, but we never knew that we, minimal hikers at best, could have enjoyed the trails down and around the passageways at Bryce.

When we looked down into the center parts of the formations, we realized that there were people walking casually along smooth trails with little more than a walking stick for support. And we could have done that!

As sure as we hope there’s a next time to visit Bryce, we can guarantee we’ll grab a map, talk to a ranger about the best places for casual hikers to go, and take a hike. There’s something about being in the bowels of a canyon that can’t be duplicated when you stand at street level and look down. Or at least that’s what we think. We’ll tell you after our next trip!
6. Take pictures. Lots of them.
For most of our readers, there’s no reason for us to post this mandate. You already have gear galore whether it’s a pocket-sized phone with a camera or a two-foot long lens on a fancy apparatus.

Shutterbugs use all sorts of equipment to best advantage. Some walk to the edge and snap away.

Others set up their tripods before dawn to capture first light.

But it bears repeating: charge your batteries and get a spare memory card. Bryce is worth remembering.
7. Look beyond the hoodoos.
It’s easy to earmark Bryce as the hoodoo capital. But there’s so much more. That sense of being a small part of a very large planet is what you get at Bryce, especially if you look beyond the amphitheaters and nearby formations.

From layers of colored stone . . .

to “statues” and towers formed by wind and rain. There’s beauty of all types, colors, and kinds here.

Finally, it’s hard not to sound trite when describing something as vast and magical as Bryce Canyon National Park. And each visitor takes away something different from the experience.

If you’ve been to Bryce, let us know what you liked best. And if you haven’t been, here’s hoping you get there. It’s nature at its finest.

Travel Utah,
Rusha & Bert
For more information:
Bryce Canyon National Park website: https://www.nps.gov/brca
Bryce Canyon social media: https://www.nps.gov/brca/learn/photosmultimedia/social-media.htm
To read all our posts on the national parks in Utah, go to Travel Series: We Saw Utah here.
nationalparkswitht
Nice photos! We didn’t have enough time in Bryce, but we did manage to get a trail ride in, which was awesome!
Oh, the Places We See
We didn’t have enough time in Bryce either. In fact, I was unaware that we could have meandered paths down into the canyon. But when I saw others doing just that, I looked at Bert and said, “Next time.” I’d love to return and explore more fully. Alas, I may be too old to attempt a trail ride . . . but you never know! Rusha
anotherday2paradise
What a wonderful adventure you’re both having! Thanks so much for sharing your fantastic photos. Love the old Edsel station wagon. Epic! š
Oh, the Places We See
Thanks so much for taking a look. And that Edsel? What I wouldn’t have given for a ride just to say I’d done it!
restlessjo
Fabulous shots! Especially the misty ones. š š
Oh, the Places We See
Thanks so much. I can’t, however, take credit for the fog! Just luck of the draw, I guess! š
restlessjo
š š
Amy
Stunning photos, Rusha! I really like the fog over the rock. Beautifully captured. š
Oh, the Places We See
Thanks, Amy. I’m beginning to think that “fog is your friend.” I love looking out into my backyard in the morning and seeing fog. It’s something you can’t plan for very well, but a welcome surprise! Here’s hoping your fall is lovely!
hilarycustancegreen
Love the tree with the exposed roots.
Oh, the Places We See
We did, too. Had no idea it could grow on what appears to be barren land. But a very striking image!
tappjeanne
I’m totally enchanted by the hoo doos but the Edsel is running a close second – what fun!
Oh, the Places We See
I would have paid to ride in that Edsel. But the owner whom we talked to for a while didn’t offer! But wouldn’t that have been fun!