The National Park Service offers free ranger talks and walks. The current program is posted at the Bryce Canyon Visitors Center weekly.
Rim walk with a Ranger
This is a one mile, 1 1/2 hour walk and talk about the diversity of Bryce Canyon.
Canyon Hike with a Ranger
This is a 3 mile walk that takes about 3 hours. The Bryce Canyon hoodoo's are the focus of the talk.
Geology Talk with a Ranger
For 30 minutes, listen to a Ranger tell the incredible story of how Bryce Canyon was formed.
Campfire Program
Watch the slide show and learn about the Bryce Canyon environment.
Moonlight Ranger Hike
This is a 1 1/2 mile walk and talk among the hoodoo's of Bryce Canyon. It is only offered two nights each month during the summer. To participate you must register during the daylight hours at the Bryce Canyon Visitors Center.
Astronomy Programs
An astronomer will help you discover the clear clean skies of Bryce Canyon. A wonderful astronomy interpretive display can be found inside the Bryce Canyon Visitors Center. Call Bryce Canyon for the dates the program is offered. 1-435-834-5322
Self Guided Tour - Scenic Drive
There is a 35 mile round trip road that travels from the visitors center to view points of Bryce Canyon. These include: Paria view, Bryce points, Fairyland view, Sunrise, Sunset and Inspiration point.
Edward Abbey
"At times I step to the brink of the mesa and peer down through that awful, dizzying vacancy to the broken slabs piled along the foot of the wall, so far--so terribly far--below. It is not impossible that our man might have stumbled off the edge in the dark, or even --spellbound by that fulfillment of nothingness--eased himself over, deliberately, in broad daylight, drawn into the void by the beauty and power of his own terror ..? Gaze not too long into the abyss, lest the abyss gaze into thee."
Directions to Bryce Canyon
From Salt Lake City: Travel south on Interstate 15 past Beaver to UT 20. Exit on UT 20. Turn south on UT 89 and travel past Panguitch. Follow UT 89 to UT 12. Travel along UT 12 through Red Canyon to Bryce Canyon. Turn south on UT 63 to enter the park. From Las Vegas: Travel Interstate 15 past St. George to Exit 16. Drive through Hurricane, Utah. Follow Utah Highway 9 through Hurricane and to the only stop light in LaVerkin. Turn right at the stop light. Continue on Highway 9 to the south entrance of Zion National Park. Drive through Zion to the junction of UT 9 and US 89 at Mt. Carmel Jct. Turn north on UT 89, then exit on UT 12. Follow UT 12 through Red Canyon, turning south on UT 63 to enter Bryce Canyon.
Bryce Canyon is a spectacular showcase of geological erosion. Soft limestone gives way the the torrents of natures caring delicate rock formations as is seen in this fin which contains a window. It can be found along the Mossy Cave Trail.
Lodging and services are available on the gorgeous east side of Zion National Park, where guests are close to Zion National Park (12 miles), Bryce Canyon National Park (60 miles), Cedar Breaks National Monument (45 miles), Coral Pink Sand Dunes (12 miles), and the North Rim of the Grand Canyon (85 miles). It's where city traffic is absent and the skies are bright and clean.
Mileage from
Mt. Carmel Jct.
Zion National Park 12
Bryce Canyon 60
Grand Canyon 85
Cedar Breaks 45
Grand Staircase 9
Dixie Forest 22
Sand Dunes 11
Coyote Butte 57
Red Canyon 47
Tuweep 90
Stay in the heart of the parks, Mount Carmel Junction, and visit the treasures of the Southwest and Utah.
This is my new favorite quote:
"I don't know who Mary Cisneros is, but I mean zionnational-park.com
It's a better site than the NPS's anyway."
Written by the authors of the book: Favorite Hikes in and around Zion National Park
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