Bryce Canyon National Park is an enchanted wonderland. It may not look like it at first, but it's a truly special place, filled with magical trees that smell good enough to eat, charming fairy chimneys, sweeping vistas, Norse mythology, and intergalactic stargazing. Bet you never guessed that this little National Park had all that (and more)! Here's our guide to the enchanting hidden gems of Bryce Canyon.
Some call them tent rocks, others call them earth pyramids, and still others refer to them as fairy chimneys, but most people just call them hoodoos-- they're the sandstone pillars that make up most of Bryce Canyon. They're formed by frost wedging combined with wind and water erosion, and are found in various parts of the world-- although few are as magnificent as Bryce Canyon, which has the largest collection of formations in the world. The stone forests of Bryce Canyon stretch nearly as far as the eye can see-- and in the park, that can be a long distance; the clean, clear air and relatively dry weather provide visibility that can stretch up to 200 miles, all the way into Arizona.
Yeah, Bryce Canyon is in a desert, but it's still home to plenty of plants that aren't cacti; take, for example, the Ponderosa Pine. Not only are they magnificently tall (I'm talking 150 feet tall, although from above the canyon they certainly don't seem that big), and great at providing shade after a sweaty hike into the massive Bryce Canyon amphitheater, but they have a distinctive aroma... some say it smells reminiscent of vanilla and butterscotch. Yes, really! Sniff them for yourself on your visit to the park-- you'll find tons along the trail in Ponderosa Canyon.
One of the most famous hoodoos in all of Bryce Canyon has to be Thor's Hammer-- probably since it's so easy to pick out from the other hoodoos as it stands alone, a ways away from most of the other stone pillars. Also... come on. It's named for one of the most badass comic book heroes (slash Norse gods) ever. How can you not love that?
So now that you know what a hoodoo is, it's time to find the best place to check 'em out. There's Sunrise Point (which is stunning in the morning, duh) and Sunset Point (amazing views at night... obviously), but I personally love Inspiration Point, and not just because it reminds me of Happy Days-- its view of the Canyon's Silent City group of hoodoos is, simply put, incredible.
If Marvel movies aren't your thing, you can also be your own Wolf of Wall Street at Bryce Canyon's Wall Street or curtsey to Queen Victoria (it's freaky how much this rock formation looks like a stately queen sitting on a throne).
Definitely consider camping out at Bryce Canyon Pines or the North Campground during your trip. There's no better park for camping, since Bryce Canyon boasts one of the darkest skies in the country-- perfect for stargazing. In the park, you can see 7,500 stars with the naked eye... which is insane considering in most other places, your eyes alone can only spot around 2,000. Another wild space statistic: since the air in the park is so clear, you can see 2.2 million lightyears into the Andromeda Galaxy.
Of course, you don't have to camp to appreciate the starry skies in Bryce Canyon. Their signature lodge is (the creatively named) Bryce Canyon Lodge. It's got the classic, 1920's rustic vibe that is so distinctive to National Parks lodges, and it's in an awesome location near many of the best hikes and scenic points at the park.
The best time to visit Bryce Canyon National Park: It's important to note that Bryce Canyon can reach elevations over 9,000 feet, so the weather can be a bit on the wild side. For instance, it's common for there to be seasonal road closures because of snow, and if you camp in June you should be sure to pack warm blankets. Also, it's good to remember that the air around the canyon rim is cooler than lower altitudes in the park. However, summer time is the most popular time to visit the park, and traffic can be pretty heavy with RVs and tour buses. The absolute best time of year to visit Bryce Canyon is between October and March when there aren't that many crowds, the temperature is a bit cooler, but you'll have the place pretty much to yourself.
