Bryce Canyon National Park

Enjoy the spectacular views during the short 11-mile drive from the Bryce Valley Inn to the entrance of Bryce Canyon National Park. The drive will begin along a winding canyon, speckled with the green of juniper trees and the cream and orange colored canyon walls. While traveling past one of the many vast meadows, visitors may spy one of the large antelope herds that live in the area.

It is truly amazing to see more than 100 antelope racing away from a passing vehicle or to pull to the side of the road and watch them feed on the abundant grasses found in the meadow. This is a scene most people only see on television nature shows. However, visitors to the Bryce Canyon area have an opportunity to enjoy this incredible experience, in person, everyday.

Upon entering Bryce Canyon, visitors can enjoy a drive though the park with stops at each of the 13-viewpoints. This journey is a must do for everyone visiting the park and should take approximately 3-hours to complete. Hiking into the hoodoos is an exciting activity for the more adventurous. The park offers 11 daylong hiking trails as well as many back country trails that will take more than one-day. Information on all the hiking trails and other activities available at the park can be obtained at the visitor's center.

There are many trails within the park. They will take from 1/2 hour to multiple days. Check with the Visitor's Center for more information. The adventurous hiker can hike the Tropic Trail from the East side of the park to the Visitor's Center. This trail starts a short 3.3 miles from Bryce Valley Inn, where you park your vehicle and hike a moderate trail that leads to the Visitor's Center inside Bryce Canyon National Park. This trail is enjoyed by the locals -- especially the school kids.

Other family programs offered by the National Park Service at Bryce Canyon include:

• Summer Guided Hikes (Memorial Day through Labor Day)	• Bird Watching
• Astronomy programs (April through September)	• Full-moon hikes
• Horseback Riding & Mule Rides from the Visitors Center	• Nature Walks
• Geology Lectures	• Wildlife Viewing
• Run Walk in the afternoons	• and much more

 

The Junior Ranger program: Children can become a Jr. Park Ranger by attending this program, which is offered by the National Park Service at many National Park locations including Bryce Canyon. Parents should plan to allocate 3-6 hours of their Bryce Canyon visit toward the completion of this program.

• Runs year round

• 3 step program for kids age 5 & up

• Kids get a booklet that has activities for each age group

• Kids receive the Junior Ranger Program pledge, badge, and a certificate

Discovering the beauty and wonder of Bryce Canyon National Park is more than a one-day adventure. Visitors are encouraged to plan to stay two or more days to fully experience this natural wonder.