We spent a little over a week touring the Southwest.  See all stops on our road trip here: Zion National Park // Bryce Canyon National Park // Capitol Reef National Park // Arches National Park // Canyonlands National Park // Horseshoe Bend // Antelope Canyon

Bryce Canyon was our second stop on our tour of Utah’s National Park.  And it was one of our absolute favorites (even more so than Arches, gasp!).  Most people say that Bryce can be explored in a few hours, and while you can see a lot, it was the hike down to the hoodoos that really peaked my interest (explained in more detail in this post).  However, one day in Bryce Canyon will sure leave you speechless – I can promise you that!

The National Park’s main viewpoints are all easily drivable, and as mentioned above, can be done in a half day.  Don’t rush though – stare and take it in all, at least for a few moments!  Put that camera down (harder said than done, I know, the entire park is stunning), and witness this creation with your own eyes.  It’s like stepping foot on another planet!

I’ve been wanting to admire the hoodoos for quite some time (they’ve been on my never-ending bucket list for ever), and I can honestly say the park did not disappoint.  You’ll remember your first gaze out of the canyon rim, I promise.  I was floored.  My mouth literally dropped, and I’m not just saying that for the cliche of the phrase.  It really was that remarkable.

Before starting the drive, make sure to get a map of the area on your way in or at the visitor’s center.  If the viewpoints are all that you’re after, you don’t need to worry about planning anything, really, in advance.  Just check the weather and conditions of the road, as it snows heavily in some parts of the park (depending on elevation levels).

Here’s how we spent one day in bryce canyon:

Not-To-Miss Viewpoints

Inspiration Point

Bryce Point

Look at that elevation!

I could have stayed up there all day! So scenic!

Love adventuring with this guy!

Fairview Point

The first glimpse of clean white snow on the ground!

Natural Bridge

They falsely named this structure – it’s not really a bridge, but it’s an arch! It was windy and cold up here!

Look at all this snow on the way to the next view point!

Agua Canyon

So many gorgeous pine trees! They look so tiny from so high up!

Rainbow Point

The highest point at over 9,000 feet!

SNOW wonder we were shivering!  😛

Black Birch Canyon

Ponderosa Point

Those colors! So bright and vivid!

Sunrise Point // Sunset Point

Resting before the inevitable….

Hiking Down to the Hoodoo’s!

For the second part of our day, we hiked the Navajo Loop and Queen’s Garden Trail down to the hoodoo’s.  From this trail, you get completely different vantage points of the tall other-worldly formations.  If you thought these pictures were fantastic, be sure to check out the ones we took on our hike!

Oh Bryce, we’ll be back for ya. <3  Sooner or later.  One day in Bryce Canyon just wasn’t enough – although we did see a lot of you!

What’s your favorite National Park?!  The more I go to, the more I add to the list!