How To Do Bryce Canyon National Park in One Day!

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Bryce Canyon; this was the first stop on my two week trip. I had every intention of hiking the narrows before heading up here, but the narrows had harmful bacteria growing at levels I was uncomfortable with subjecting my body to. So I drove through. After arriving, I could feel that bounce in my step. Bryce canyon is one of the most sought after parks in Utah. I was here, this was it.

There is something about seeing towering stacks of rocks, that just makes you realize the slight insignificance your life has in the grand scheme of things. The hoodoos, are everywhere. Towering and beautiful in color. As a geologist, it’s hard to look at them without being star struck.

It was about 3:30 pm by the time I got to the park and was ready for my adventure. I only had today to be in the park, so I wanted to make the most of it. When I’m alone, hiking is less of a priority. I get nervous and uneasy about the possibility of something happening on trail while I’m alone. I felt confident that without a hike, I would be able to accomplish my goals in the park today. There are several hiking options available for you within the park, the park service lists 15 of them on their website.

I started at sunset point. There is a hike here that allows you to walk down into the hoodoos. This area gives one of the best views for hoodoos, and always for amazing photographs. The landscape goes on for miles. You can walk to sunrise point from here as well, and the trail is paved. Great for accessibility. I’ve been to cedar breaks national monument before, so I had seen plenty of these hoodoos previously. I absolutely love the native Paiute story of their formation. Gluttonous people sitting down to a dinner being turned to rock by a coyote god.

Hoodoos, actually form in sandstone. Through a process known as frost wedging. When rain or snow melts it will find its way into small cracks in the rocks. As the sun goes down, and the temperature drops, the chance for a freeze is always possible. When it does freeze, ice expands, causing for these cracks and pits to widen. Over thousands of years, this happens every night throughout the winters, causing small bits of rock to crack off, and leave behind these gorgeous formations. This process can also be seen in the northeast winters. Potholes in streets and those giant cracks also form this way.

From Sunset Point, I drove all the way to the back of the park, to Yovimpa Point. This is as far south as you can go into the park. Here, you’ll find bristlecone pines, some of the oldest trees in the world, as well as a far off view of the Grand Staircase. If you have binoculars, this is the place to bring them to.

Turning back north, there are several stops along the way back to the park’s entrance. I do recommend stopping at all of them if you have the time.

In total, I was able to be in the park for about 4 hours before heading off to Capitol Reef. This drive, was absolutely incredible, so if you can, allow extra time for it. If hiking interests you, then I would enter this park early in the morning. I’m not sure if it being mid-week had much to do with it, but the park wasn’t super busy. Sunrise point felt super busy, perhaps due to the hike that winds into the canyon here. but somehow I timed the rest of the park right, I was one of a handful at each overlook. I wouldn’t recommend counting on this though. Bryce canyon is said to be beautiful in the winter with snow on the ground. Perhaps, one day I’ll get to this in the winter. But I am an a desert child now, and if its below 50 I’m freezing. This park is definitely or those who are in awe of nature’s grandeur. You’ll find beautiful views and amazing scenery.

There is camping in the park that you can book through Recreation.gov I was able to get a site in here with a weeks-notice, but I ended up not using the site due to my Zion plan change. These spots fill up fast, so as soon as you know when you want to go, I would book my site.

Fun tidbit: The Bubonic Plaque is still alive and well in this part of the world! Prairie dogs, and other rodents in the Southwestern United States, can carry the bacteria that causes this disease. Be sure to stay away from wildlife, but also share this fact with friends! Not many are aware that this bacteria, Yersinia pestis, still thrives in prairie dogs as well as many parts of the world. Thousands of cases are reported annually to the World Health Organization.

Timeline:

3 pm enter the park
3:05 pm enter the visor center
3:45 pm Sunset and Sunrise Point
5:01 pm Yovimpa Point
5:45 pm Natural Bridge overlook
6:30 pm left the park

Things To Know:

Car: basic 2 wheel drive

Shuttle: The shuttle runs April to September and is free! It starts at 8 am and runs to 6 pm. The shuttle does not stop everywhere, but is great for the more congested areas of the park.

Time to Visit: There is snow on the roads in the winter, summer will be warm but not overwhelmingly hot, spring and fall are also great. I was here on a Friday, and the park was decently busy.

Admission Cost: $35 for a car

Cool Extras: The park hosts annual Geology and Astronomy festivals. They were canceled for 2020, but i’m hopeful of their return in 2021!

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