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Bryce Canyon Vacation

Tour: Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 | Day 6 | Day 7

Navigating - Red Canyon & Bryce Canyon
The day begins with a drive along Scenic Byway 89 to Red Canyon, a 47 mile drive from Mount Carmel Junction (located near the East Zion entrance and 60 miles from Bryce Canyon). Red Canyon is 9 miles before Bryce Canyon. map

Red Canyon Recreation Area - Dixie National Forest
Southern Utah's Red Canyon is located along Scenic Byway 12, on the way to Bryce Canyon. When passing under Red Canyon's rock bridge, many think they are already in Bryce Canyon. The red rock hoodoos of both areas are similar, causing the understandable confusion. Red Canyon is protected by the National Forest Service rather than the National Park Service, so it is more user friendly. Red Canyon's bike trail, horse trails and OHV trails are wonderful options to have so close to a national park. There are also many fun hikes offered at Red Canyon.

Next Stop: Bryce Canyon National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park can be experienced only from above the rim, looking down onto the crowded hoodoos of the amphitheaters, but it can also be seen from the hiking trails. Bryce Canyon is not a hiking mecca like Zion, but it's spectacular in what it does offer. Bryce Canyon's stark difference from most places on the planet is an overwhelming first impression and it is the sculpted and eroded hoodoos of the park that do that.
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Suggested Bryce Canyon Trails
The Mossy Cave Trail is a great hike for the entire family, but if your family is looking for a tougher hike then opt for the Fairyland Loop Trail. This is a favorite hike of many, as is the Queens Garden and Navajo Loop combo. The loop is a moderate hike that is enjoyable for most people who visit Bryce Canyon National Park.

Directions to Bryce Canyon From Salt Lake City: Travel south on Interstate 15 past Beaver to UT 20. Exit on UT 20. Turn south on UT 89 and travel past Panguitch. Follow UT 89 to UT 12. Travel along UT 12 through Red Canyon to Bryce Canyon. Turn south on UT 63 to enter the park. From Las Vegas: Travel Interstate 15 past St. George to Exit 16. Drive through Hurricane, Utah. Follow Utah Highway 9 through Hurricane and to the only stop light in LaVerkin. Turn right at the stop light. Continue on Highway 9 to the south entrance of Zion National Park. Drive through Zion to the junction of UT 9 and US 89 at Mt. Carmel Jct. Turn north on UT 89, then exit on UT 12. Follow UT 12 through Red Canyon, turning south on UT 63 to enter Bryce Canyon. Bryce Canyon Road Map - Bryce Canyon Trail Map			An unaware black crow sits on a rock and wood fence at one of the many varied scenic view points in Bryce Canyon National Park. Each view point has its own magic. Visitors are able to drive their own vehicles to each and everyone of the view points in Bryce Canyon National Park.
	Lodging and services are available on the gorgeous east side of Zion National Park, where guests are close to Zion National Park (12 miles), Bryce Canyon National Park (60 miles), Cedar Breaks National Monument (45 miles), Coral Pink Sand Dunes (12 miles), and the North Rim of the Grand Canyon (85 miles). It's where city traffic is absent and the skies are bright and clean.

Mossy Cave - Mossy Cave is a unique trail offering a different perspective of Bryce Canyon than the other hikes in the park. This hike is an easy one, with little elevation change, that leads to a desert waterfall and a little alcove (cave) carved in a red rock cliff. The trailhead is located in a non-fee area of Bryce Canyon. Drive past the entrance to the park, then keep going north toward Tropic. There is a small trailhead sign on the right, just off the highway.

Queens Garden Trail & Navajo Loop Trail - The Queens Garden Trail is 1.6 miles/2.6km round trip. This short trail is considered to be the least difficult trail going under the rim. Begin at Sunrise Point and follow the trail down below the rim. Take the option to combine with the Navajo Loop Trail. The Navajo Loop Trail is a 1.3/2km mile round trip. Wall Street, experienced along the trail, is fun as its narrow walls close in. The large hoodoo, Thor's Hammer, is an interesting site along the path. Towering Douglas Firs reach through the narrow walls for sunlight. This hike is considered to be a moderately difficult loop due to the steep return at the very end.

Scenic View Points

The 11 mile Rim Trail connects many of the parks scenic view points. This is a great way to see the amphitheaters from all different angles. Begin at Fairyland Point and follow the path, walking towards Bryce Point which is the end of the trail.

There are a few more scenic view points in the park that should not be missed. These are located along the parks scenic drive. When entering the park, the Bryce Canyon Visitor Center is seen immediately. Follow the road past the visitor center, for 18 miles to Yovimpa and Rainbow Points. The next view points are Black Birch Canyon Overlook, Ponderosa Canyon Overlook, Agua Canyon Overlook, Natural Bridge and Farview Point. When at Farview Point look for a dirt path. This path leads north to Piracy Point, Swamp Canyon.

Follow the spur road here to 3 more viewpoints: Paria View, Bryce Point and the Bryce Amphitheater. Return back to the main road and stop at Inspiration Point, which is perhaps the nicest view in Bryce Canyon. If Sunrise and Sunset Points were missed when hiking, then be sure to stop at them on the scenic drive.

The free shuttle is voluntary in Bryce Canyon and riding the shuttle can make it a breeze to jump from point to point.

Best Bets for the Adventurous Traveler:

Under the Rim Trail: 23 mile round trip. This is a moderately strenuous and remote backpack. Begin the hike at the Bryce Point Overlook.
A permit is needed for overnight hikes in Bryce Canyon.

Fairyland Loop Trail: 8.5 mile round trip. Begin this strenuous hike at Fairyland Point or north of Sunrise Point. The Fairyland Loop Trail descends more than 900' joining the Rim Trail to make a loop. This is a great hike to take for viewing a variety of hoodoo formations.

Getting ready for Day 3 - Spend the night in Mount Carmel Junction, a 60 mile drive from Bryce Canyon and 47 miles from Red Canyon. In the morning prepare for a trip to Cedar Mountain to visit the Cedar Breaks National Monument and Dixie National Forest.

Day 4

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Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah