Bryce Canyon National Park: Hoodoos and Night Skies
“An otherworldly amphitheater of colorful hoodoos, carved by frost and time on the Paunsaugunt Plateau.”
Park Overview
Bryce Canyon National Park, located in southern Utah, protects a unique landscape of natural amphitheaters filled with thousands of colorful hoodoos—tall, thin spires formed by frost and erosion. Covering about 35,835 acres, the park sits at high elevation (6,620–9,115 ft) on the eastern edge of the Paunsaugunt Plateau and offers panoramic views, dramatic rock formations, and expansive night skies.
Fast Facts
| Location | Garfield & Kane Counties, Utah |
| Established | Feb 25, 1928 |
| Area | 35,835 acres |
| Elevation Range | 6,620–9,115 ft |
| Annual Visitors (2023) | 2,461,269 |
| Main Features | Hoodoos, amphitheaters, dark-night skies |
What to See & Do
- Scenic Drive & Overlooks – Visit 13 overlooks along the 18 mi Rim Road, including Sunrise, Sunset, Inspiration, Bryce, and Rainbow Points.
- Day Hikes: Easy to classic routes like Rim Trail, Mossy Cave, Navajo Loop, Queen’s Garden, Tower Bridge; strenuous routes include Peekaboo & Fairyland Loops.
- Under‑the‑Rim Trail – A 23 mi backcountry trail stretching below the rim, originally built in the 1930s by the CCC.
- Winter Experiences – Snowshoe through snowy hoodoos and quiet forest trails.
- Stargazing & Astronomy Festival – One of North America’s darkest skies; park hosts annual nighttime events.
Geology & Landscape
Bryce Canyon isn’t a true canyon but a series of amphitheaters carved into the Claron Formation by frost wedging and erosion over millions of years. Its vibrant colors—from pink to orange—come from iron oxide in the rock layers. The combination of uplift and freeze‑thaw cycles sculpted the hoodoos that make Bryce so distinctive. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
Wildlife & Ecosystems
The park supports over 400 native plant species across elevation zones, from pinyon‑juniper woodlands to Engelmann spruce and bristlecone pine forests. Wildlife includes mule deer, elk, foxes, porcupines, black bears, mountain lions, and around 170 bird species. Wintering elk and Utah prairie dogs add seasonal interest. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}
Human History & Culture
Bryce Canyon has been inhabited since Paleo‑Indian and Ancestral Puebloan times. Named after pioneer Ebenezer Bryce in the 1870s, it became a national monument in 1923 and was re-designated a national park in 1928. The iconic Rim Road and lodge were built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}