Adventure Awaits: Our Bryce Canyon Camping Trip
Ready for an adventure? Join us on our next stop as we enter the breathtaking beauty of Bryce Canyon National Park! From scenic bike rides to hoodoo hikes, our family had an unforgettable journey exploring this natural wonder.
The Scenic Drive from Zion to Bryce
Don’t miss our last post on Zion National Park!
Red Canyon Visitor Center and Trail Hike
Our adventure began with a stunning drive from Zion to Bryce Canyon, winding through beautiful mountainous terrain. We made a stop at Red Canyon to hike among the hoodoos and pink cliffs. This little detour was just a taste of the magnificent sights that awaited us at Bryce!
Camping at Bryce Canyon
We stayed in the North Campground, nestled along the mountainside and conveniently located just across the main road from the visitor center.
Biking at Bryce
Bryce Canyon boasts an extensive biking path system that connects the entire park. Bringing our bikes was a fantastic decision, as we could explore the entire Bryce Amphitheater area on two wheels. The paths also gave us easy access to showers, laundry, the lodge, and a general store.
Fairyland Canyon
From the North Campground, we rode our bikes several miles to the Fairyland Loop. This ride proved a bit too challenging for Lincoln, so we ended up walking all the uphill segments while Dad carried the bikes.
Hiking at Bryce
Inspiration Point and the Bryce Ampitheater
The very first and most impressive view of Bryce Canyon is the Bryce Ampitheatre. Set off from Sunset point, hiking about 1 mile up hill, “Thor’s Hammer” comes into view along with the impressive Hoodoo formations that make Bryce so famous.
Queen Victoria Hike and Navajo Loop
We set out from Sunrise Point, hiking through the canyon and emerging back up at Sunset Point. The entire trail covered the Queen Victoria and Navajo loop about 2.3 miles.
Hoodoos are rock formations created when ice weathers cracks in weaker rocks, which are then eroded away by water and wind to form unique shapes.
Hike the Hoodoos
Our first hike included a scavenger hunt to “hike the hoodoos.” The boys found markers like this one to prove they hiked the hoodoos for at least 3 miles and earned their sticker.
After our Hoodoo Hike, We took a ranger tour as we hiked along the Rim Trail, making our way from Sunset Point back to Sunrise Point, where our car was parked.
Mossy Cave
After a pizza stop in Tropic, we hit the Mossy Cave Trail. This trail follows a creekside up to a waterfall, where we learned that early Mormon settlers diverted water from the Sevier River to feed the nearby town of Tropic. Inside the cave, you can see moss forming along the water that seeps through the rocks. Large icicles form here in the winter, sometimes lasting until summer due to the cave’s protective nature.
Drive Along the Highway to the End of Bryce
We made several stops to hop out and take in the breathtaking views at points like Farview and the Natural Bridge. At Rainbow Point, we hiked the Bristlecone Pine Trail to glimpse the majestic view of the Grand Staircase-Escalante, which engulfs Bryce, Zion, Arches, Canyonlands, and the Grand Canyon!
Along the drive, we also saw a massive controlled burn covering over 500 acres happening in the area.
Stay tuned for our next post on Mesa Verde!
