Bryce Canyon National Park

Bryce Canyon National Park preserves 35,835 acres of colorful cliffs, canyons, and spire-shaped rock formations called hoodoos on the eastern edge of the Paunsaugunt Plateau in southern Utah. Despite its name, Bryce Canyon is not a single canyon but a series of natural amphitheaters carved into the Pink Cliffs, the highest step of the Grand Staircase. The park's hoodoos, created by frost weathering and stream erosion, form the largest concentration of these formations found anywhere on Earth. The park's high elevation, ranging from 6,600 to 9,100 feet, creates a cooler climate supporting ponderosa pine forests, meadows, and over 400 plant species. Wildlife includes Utah prairie dogs, endangered southwestern willow flycatchers, and over 200 bird species. The park's location far from light pollution sources provides exceptional night sky viewing, with 7,500 stars visible on moonless nights compared to fewer than 2,000 in most urban areas. Bryce Canyon implements sustainability practices including shuttle services, dark sky preservation, and prairie dog habitat protection. Managing 2.6 million annual visitors, the park uses rim trail improvements and viewpoint management to minimize erosion while maintaining spectacular vistas. Research programs focus on Utah prairie dog recovery, night sky quality monitoring, and erosion processes while restoration efforts target native plant communities and damaged trail areas.

Water Features

Seasonal streams, Springs

Ecosystem

This destination features a temperate forest ecosystem.