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.
Bryce Canyon National Park
Southwestern Utah
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
1.64 MILES
If you stop nowhere else along the scenic drive, be sure to catch the stunning views from Bryce Point. You can walk the rim above Bryce Amphitheater for…
0.42 MILES
Marking the north end of Bryce Amphitheater, the southeast-facing Sunrise Point offers great views of hoodoos, the Aquarius Plateau and the Sinking Ship,…
8.75 MILES
Natural Bridge is an extremely popular stop, and with good reason: a stunning span of eroded, red-hued limestone juts from the edge of the overlook…
11.64 MILES
Accessed by a paved path from the same parking lot as Rainbow Point, Yovimpa Point is one of the park’s windiest spots. The southwest-facing view reveals…
11.54 MILES
On a clear day you can see more than 100 miles from this overlook at the southernmost end of Bryce Canyon Scenic Dr. The viewpoint provides jaw-dropping…
12.26 MILES
This national forest covers over 2 million acres with amazing hiking, biking, camping and exploring opportunities in the red rock country just outside…
0.73 MILES
With ramparts, goblins and a drawbridge, this remarkable feature is found on a little spur off the Fairyland Loop Trail. It's an excellent picnic spot…
4.19 MILES
The overlook at Swamp Canyon sits in a forested dip between two ridge lines that extend into the canyon as fins, dropping to hoodoo formations. From the…
Nearby Southwestern Utah attractions
0.4 MILES
While many of the hoodoos look like various chess pieces, the Queen Victoria feature at the bottom of the Queen's Garden Trail is one of the more…
0.42 MILES
Marking the north end of Bryce Amphitheater, the southeast-facing Sunrise Point offers great views of hoodoos, the Aquarius Plateau and the Sinking Ship,…
0.64 MILES
This tower looks like the hammer of the mighty Thor. It's best viewed from the upper switchbacks on the Navajo Loop Trail.
0.67 MILES
This is the nexus of the park, with easy access to the lodge, trails and other services. Aside from great views of the Silent City, this point is known…
0.73 MILES
With ramparts, goblins and a drawbridge, this remarkable feature is found on a little spur off the Fairyland Loop Trail. It's an excellent picnic spot…
1.2 MILES
A short path from the parking lot, off Scenic Drive, leads to jaw-dropping views of the Bryce Amphitheater and Silent City. This is also a top spot for…
1.53 MILES
Off Bryce Canyon Scenic Dr, Fairyland offers views north toward the Aquarius Plateau and hoodoos at all stages of evolution, from fin to crumbling tower…
1.64 MILES
If you stop nowhere else along the scenic drive, be sure to catch the stunning views from Bryce Point. You can walk the rim above Bryce Amphitheater for…