We visited Bryce Canyon National Park as part of our southwest road trip. Click here to read our experiences from the previous day. Today we started from Torrey, UT after visiting Capitol Reef National Park, and took Scenic Byway 12. It was one of the most scenic roads and had several lookout points to stop, take pictures, and enjoy the views.
Larb Hollow Overlook
Another lookout
Head of the Rocks Overlook
As we were approaching Bryce Canyon, we stopped at Mossy Cave just off Route 12 between Tropic and Bryce.
Mossy Cave had a short and easy .8-mile hike to get to the waterfall and a small cave.
We walked along the river to get to the waterfall. There were breathtaking views of the river.
Mossy Cave
Waterfall
We can also view the hoodoos from there.
We continued our drive to Bryce Canyon National Park. The entrance fee was $35 per vehicle, but we had the Annual National Pass, so it was covered. Here is the official website to get more information about the park.
The top thing to do in the park is to drive Bryce Canyon Road to view the popular overlooks. You can also take the park shuttle, which stops at all the viewpoints.
We drove to the last viewpoint and started our drive in the reverse order.
Rainbow point is the highest viewpoint in the park.
Black birch canyon
Agua Canyon Overlook
Bryce Natural Bridge
Farview Point
Swamp Canyon Overlook
Lower inspiration point
Sunset Point
We walked on the Rim Trail from Sunset Point to Sunrise Point. The views were breathtaking along the trail.
Sunrise Point
Queens Garden trail starts from Sunrise Point, and a moderate 1.8 miles hike descends into the canyon and can see the hoodoos up close.
If you use your imagination, you can see Queen Victoria in this rock formation; that’s why the trail is called the Queen Garden trail.
You can combine Queens Garden trail with Navajo Loop Trail to have a full circle but Navajo trail was closed when we visited so we climb back up the same way. The way up was so much harder with all those switch backs.
There is only one hotel inside the park, the Bryce Canyon Lodge, although many hotels and dining options are just a few minutes from the visitor center. We stayed at Best Western for one night. It is easier to visit Bryce Canyon in a single day, taking in the scenic drive, viewing overlooks, and one or two hikes. Our next stop is Zion National Park.