Things to do in Bryce Canyon National Park
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Bryce Amphitheater
Bryce 'Canyon' is actually a horseshoe-shaped amphitheater eroded from the cliffs, where hoodoos stand like platoons of soldiers or melting sandcastles, all painted endless shades of coral and magenta, ochre and white, and set against a deep-green pine forest. A shaft of sunlight suddenly breaking through clouds can transform the scene from grand to breathtaking. For the best views, head to Sunrise, Sunset, Inspiration or Bryce Points.
You can walk the rim above Bryce Amphitheater for awesome views, but the best way to experience the canyons and weirdly eroding hoodoos is to hike below the rim. Descents and ascents can be long and sometimes steep, and the altitude makes t…
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Bryce Canyon National Park
The Grand Staircase – a series of steplike uplifted rock layers stretching north from the Grand Canyon – dramatically culminates in the Pink Cliffs formation at Bryce Canyon National Park. These cliffs were deposited as sediment in a huge prehistoric lake some 50 to 60 million years ago, slowly lifted above sea level, then eroded into wondrous ranks of pinnacles and points, steeples and spires, cliffs and crevices, and oddly-shaped hoodoos.
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Rim Road Scenic Drive
The park's 29km-long (18mi) main road roughly parallels the canyon rim. It takes 30min to drive the road's length. Because scenic overlooks (15 of 'em!) lie on the east side (the left, as you head south), drive all the way to Rainbow Point, then turn around and work your way back, stopping at the pullouts as you come to them on your right. Traffic is heaviest at the overlooks into Bryce Amphitheater. If you stop nowhere else, see the stunning Bryce Point.
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Canyon Trail Rides
The park’s only licensed outfitter is Canyon Trail Rides, which operates out of the park lodge. You can take a short, two-hour trip to the canyon floor ($40) or giddy-up for 3½ hours through the dramatic hoodoos on Peekaboo Trail. Trips into Bryce Amphitheater on horses and mules. Minimum-age (seven years) and weight-limit (220lb) requirements apply.
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Paunsagaunt Wildlife Museum
Live deer roam the yard at this barnlike museum, with more than 400 taxidermied animals and a butterfly and bug room. Ask at the museum about scheduling a visit to see the live bull elk and buffalo at the associated 80-acre Bryce Canyon Elk Preserve, a mile north of Hwy 12 on Airport Rd.
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Sundown Ranch Chuckwagon Dinner Show
Yee-haw! Cowboy up for some pure kitschy fun. Ride in a covered wagon to the ranch for Western song and verse to go with your fire-cooked chicken and beans.
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Cowboy’s Buffet & Steak Room
Yeah, it’s national park priced, but the ribs-and-beef dinner buffet ain’t bad. Even with the cavernous dining room, expect a wait.
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Foster’s Family Steakhouse
Skip the thin-cut steaks and iceberg-lettuce salads and stick to the diner-like menu items. Two miles west of the Hwy 12/63 junction.
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Red Canyon Rides
Check in at super-slick Ruby’s Inn for its frequent, well-organized Red Canyon Rides.
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Bryce Canyon General Store & Snack Bar
Sells basic supplies, hot dogs, drinks, sandwiches, chile, soup and pizza. Showers ($4) and laundry too.
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The Pizza Place
Outdoor seating and good pizza make this Tropic’s top spot for simple dining.
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Clarke’s Grocery
Tropic’s grocery store has a deli sandwich counter and homemade baked goods.
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Red Canyon Trail Rides
Head 4 miles west of the Hwy 12/63 junction to the Bryce Canyon Pines motel. This mom-and-pop outfit runs the personal Red Canyon Trail Rides.
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