Laura S.
Yelp
I LOVE most everything about this national park. My husband and I visited Bryce on May 7th, 2024, nine years to the day of our last visit on May 7, 2015 (as confirmed by cancellation stamps in our National Parks Passport). What a coincidence!
The park is relatively small - and therefore manageable -- for a tourist to take in many of the sights. The park is just under 56 square miles, and is easily seen by a one-way drive, of 18 miles, which takes you to the highest elevation in the park -- at just over 9100'. There, you can enjoy an easy 1.0 mile loop hike, the Bristlecone Loop, which is a high-elevation hike through the bristlecone pines and with expansive vistas.
Our favorite views and hikes, however, were those of the fins, arches, spires, and hoodoos -- highly colored and fantastically eroded geological features. Our favorite view was at Bryce Point, while we most enjoyed the hike amongst the hoodoos from Sunrise to Sunset points. (Rated moderate. 2.4 miles, elevation change about 500').
Rangers were friendly. There are ranger, night sky viewing, astronomy and special programs for kids. There's horseback snd bike riding. There's even a lodge and two campgrounds, shower facilities, and even laundry facilities (which we didn't use).
Bryce Canyon also has a highly efficient shuttle bus system. We were dropped off at Sunrise Point, and picked up later at Sunset Point, which sure beats having to hike back to the starting point! The shuttle also runs to some hotels and campgrounds just outside of the park.
Being at high altitude, the park DOES get cold, so make sure to pay attention to weather predictions!