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Trip Idea

# A Typical Summer Visit in 1-3 Hours

Multiple Parks

| Duration   | Half Day                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
|------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Topic(s)   | Scenic Views, Animals, Geology, Native American Heritage, Natural Sounds,Night Sky, Ancient Seas, Archeology, Canyons and Canyonlands, Plateaus and Mesas, Fossils and Paleontology, Rock Landscapes and Features, Farming and  Agriculture, Freshwater Springs, Astronomy, Trails, Schools and Education, Photography*more »*  |
| Activities | Scenic Driving, Museum Exhibits, Guided Tours, Front-Country Hiking, Picnicking,Park Film*more »*                                                                                                                                                                                                                               |
| Type       | Active, Relaxed, Indoors, Outdoors, Group Friendly                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              |
| Parks      | Bryce Canyon National Park                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      |

Bryce Canyon National Park

## ** Tags

                -  bryce canyon national park 
                -  1-3 hour visit highlight 

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NPS Photo

Bryce AmphitheaterVisitor CenterBryce PointInspiration PointSunset PointRim Trail****Sunrise Pointranger programday hikesNavajo LoopQueen's GardenQueen's Garden/Navajo Combination Loop

              -  Bryce Canyon National ParkSee the Bryce Amphitheater  - Activity Fee:  Yes
- Reservations:  No
- Activity:  Scenic Driving
- Pets:  Yes with Restrictions
- Duration:  1–3 Hours
- Season:  Winter,  Spring,  Summer,  Fall
- Time of Day: Any Time

By far the most iconic section of the park, the Bryce Amphitheater is home to the greatest concentration of irregular rock spires (called "hoodoos") found anywhere on Earth. Viewpoints along the first 3 miles (4.8 km) of the main road provide access to views overlooking this area.
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              -  Bryce Canyon National ParkHoodoo Geology Talk  - Activity Fee:  No (Entrance fees may apply)
- Reservations:  No
- Activity:  Guided Tours
- Pets:  Yes
- Location:  Sunset Point
- Duration:  20–30 Minutes
- Time of Day: Day

Typically offered year-round at Sunset Point at 11 a.m. Geologists have spent years studying the unique geologic story of Bryce Canyon and its amphitheaters of hoodoos. Join the Ranger along the rim at Sunset Point to explore the evolution of the hoodoos and the groups of people who have passed through this magical terrain. 
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              -  Bryce Canyon National ParkDrive the Southern Scenic Drive  - Activity Fee:  Yes
- Reservations:  No
- Activity:  Scenic Driving
- Pets:  Yes
- Duration:  2–12 Hours
- Season:  Winter,  Spring,  Summer,  Fall
- Time of Day: Any Time

The main park road is 18 miles (29 km) from the park entrance in the north to the end of the road at Rainbow at Yovimpa Points. While the Bryce Amphitheater area is found along its first 3 miles (4.8 km), the next 15 miles (24 km) to the road's end are known as the Southern Scenic Drive. Along this section of the main road are 9 scenic overlooks and vehicle pullouts that offer opportunities to see the lesser-seen geology and wildlife of Bryce Canyon.
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              -  Bryce Canyon National ParkExplore the Visitor Center Museum  - Activity Fee:  Yes
- Reservations:  No
- Activity:  Museum Exhibits
- Pets:  No
- Location:  Visitor Center
- Duration:  15–60 Minutes
- Season:  Winter,  Spring,  Summer,  Fall
- Time of Day: Day

The park museum is found within the Visitor Center and contains exhibits focused on scales of time: Geological, Ecological, Human, and with special exhibits on the Night Sky and Air Quality.
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              -  Bryce Canyon National ParkSee the Park Film  - Activity Fee:  Yes
- Reservations:  No
- Activity:  Park Film
- Pets:  No
- Location:  Visitor Center
- Duration:  24–30 Minutes
- Season:  Winter,  Spring,  Summer,  Fall
- Time of Day: Day

"A Song of Seasons" plays in the Visitor Center theater every half hour when the Visitor Center is open.
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              -  Bryce Canyon National ParkPlan a Picnic  - Activity Fee:  No (Entrance fees may apply)
- Reservations:  No
- Activity:  Picnicking
- Pets:  Yes
- Location:  CCC Picnic Area

Looking for a good place to enjoy a picnic? Here is a list of Bryce Canyon picnic areas.
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              -  Bryce Canyon National ParkSunset Point to Sunrise Point Hike  - Activity Fee:  No (Entrance fees may apply)
- Reservations:  No
- Activity:  Front-Country Hiking
- Pets:  Yes
- Location:  Sunset Point
- Duration:  20–60 Minutes

The Rim Trail hike meanders along the rim of the iconic Bryce Canyon Amphitheater, giving you views of the hoodoos below. This portion of the Rim Trail, from Sunset Point to Sunrise Point, is the only paved section of this trail and is the easiest walk in the park. Pets are allowed on this trail but must remain on paved surfaces.
View Details 
              -  Bryce Canyon National ParkQueen's Garden Trail  - Activity Fee:  No (Entrance fees may apply)
- Reservations:  No
- Activity:  Front-Country Hiking
- Pets:  No
- Location:  Queen's Garden Trail
- Duration:  1–2 Hours

The Queen's Garden Trail is the least difficult of the trails descending from the rim into the Bryce Canyon Amphitheater. Hike this out-and-back trail to the Queen Victoria hoodoo at the end of a short spur trail and experience the splendor of hiking amongst the hoodoos. This trail is commonly combined with the Navajo Loop to create a 2.9 mile round trip trail where you can descend at Sunrise Point and ascend at Sunset Point.
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              -  Bryce Canyon National ParkNavajo Loop Trail  - Activity Fee:  No (Entrance fees may apply)
- Reservations:  No
- Activity:  Front-Country Hiking
- Pets:  No
- Location:  Navajo Loop Trailhead
- Duration:  1–2 Hours

The iconic Navajo Loop Trail begins and ends at Sunset Point. Its switchbacks wind between narrow walls of colorful limestone with views of towering Douglas-fir trees and the park's most famous hoodoo: Thor's hammer. The loop has two sides: Two Bridges and Wall Street. The Two Bridges side is open year-round, however, the Wall Street side is closed during the winter months. During this time Two-Bridges can be hiked as an out-and-back trail or combined with other trails.
View Details 
              -  Bryce Canyon National ParkQueen's/Navajo Combination Loop  - Activity Fee:  No (Entrance fees may apply)
- Reservations:  No
- Activity:  Front-Country Hiking
- Pets:  No
- Location:  Queen's Garden Trailhead
- Duration:  2–3 Hours

Our most popular hike in the park and the one we most recommend to first-time visitors. The Queen's/Navajo Combination Loop combines the open views and unique hoodoos of the Queen's Garden Trail with the iconic switchbacks and towering canyon walls of the Navajo Loop Trail. Descend Queen's Garden at Sunrise Point, ascend the Navajo Loop to Sunset Point, and then complete the loop back to Sunrise Point via the Rim Trail, enjoying views into the Bryce Canyon Amphitheater below.
View Details 
              -  Bryce Canyon National ParkMossy Cave Trail  - Activity Fee:  No (Entrance fees may apply)
- Reservations:  No
- Activity:  Front-Country Hiking
- Pets:  No
- Location:  Mossy Cave
- Duration:  30–60 Minutes
- Season:  Winter,  Spring,  Summer,  Fall

Mossy Cave trail is one of the lowest elevation hikes in the park as well as one of the only hikes that begins with a climb and ends with a descent. This trail provides access to Water Canyon in one direction and to a sheltered overhang known as Mossy Cave in the other. This area is filled with mosses in the summer and icicles in the winter. Please stay on the main trail and respect all posted signs. Pets are not permitted on this trail.
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