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5 Things You Have to Do When Visiting Bryce Canyon

Photo by Stéphane Paul on Unsplash

Bryce Canyon National Park is a beautiful natural park in the state of Utah. It attracts people from all over the world and is well known for its unique hoodoo rock formations. However, that’s not the only thing you can do in the park. Here are five things you have to do when visiting Bryce Canyon. We’ll include something for everyone, regardless of ability or interest.

Hiking

Bryce Canyon offers a number of hikes. You can take trails ranging from short walks to long, winding mountain hikes through the veritable sculpture gardens. Bryce Point has sunrises so stunning that people get up before dawn to be there when the rising sun sets the hoodoos on fire.

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The more adventurous can take a full moon hike and enjoy the glorious night sky. The average person only sees around 200 stars out of their window due to light pollution. You can see more than 7,000 stars at night from Bryce Canyon.

Go on a Horseback Ride

Horseback riding is an excellent way for everyone to be able to enjoy the mountains, regardless of their physical condition. You can book Bryce Canyon horseback rides that will take you all the way down to points like the Supai Tunnel or the bottom of the Bryce Canyon. You could also go on a mule as well. Mules have an advantage over horses on the steep trails as they’re more sure-footed and may be a better option for little ones. Bryce Canyon horseback and muleback trips can take anywhere from two to four hours.

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A Scenic Drive

Another thing you can do while at the park if go for a scenic drive. The first step is driving your car to one of the parking lots outside of the park. Then hop on the shuttle. The park offers a free shuttle through the park during the summer. The shuttles stop at the most popular viewpoints, trails, and facilities. You can hop on and off the shuttle as often as you want. Inspiration Point is a good stop for those with mobility issues. If you simply stay on the shuttle, the 38-mile round trip has 13 viewpoints along the route, and it makes stops at picnic areas and ranger programs you could take advantage of.

Get a History Lesson

The Bryce Canyon National Park visitor center is a must-see. There are a number of exhibits on the Bryce Canyon area and you can learn more about its history. There are interactive consoles and a prairie dog maze for the more inquisitive to explore. If you are planning on going on a hike, we recommend you stop by since the ranger program board shows the current locations and times of tours and hikes that day.

Wildlife Spotting

Bryce Canyon spans three climate zones. It has far more than the ubiquitous conifer trees. About sixty species of animals are found in the area, two of which are endangered. One is the Utah prairie dog. The other is the southwest willow flycatcher.

There are many wildflower species in the area. The Bryce Paintbrush is only found in Bryce Canyon. You will see yucca and cacti at lower elevations.

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Conclusion

Bryce Canyon is full of breath-taking beauty and is a must-see for any nature lover. If you were thinking of going there with an organized group or your family, the Canyon has something to offer everyone.