Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah Winter, spring, summer or fall — Bryce Canyon is one of the most stunningly gorgeous of all American national parks. But if you haven’t seen its iconic cinnamon-colored limestone spires and hoodoos dusted with snow then you owe it to yourself to plan a visit this winter. For the benefit of less active/mobile visitors, Bryce can be easily and comfortably toured by car. That includes the famously iconic Bryce Amphitheater, home to the park’s greatest concentration of irregular rock spires (called “hoodoos”) found anywhere on earth. Perfectly positioned viewpoints can be found all along the first three miles of the park’s main access road. After passing the Amphitheater, the next 15 miles to the road’s end are known as the Southern Scenic Drive. There are nine scenic overlooks and vehicle pullouts along the route that offer plenty of opportunities to study the geology and other natural features of Bryce Canyon. Join a ranger-guided full moon snowshoe hike, where your snowshoes are provided (November through March, snowpack permitting) or time your visit during a new moon phase for world-
class stargazing beneath some of the Southwest’s darkest skies. In fact, Bryce Canyon’s night skies are so dark that in 2019 it was designated as a Gold Tier International Dark Sky Park. Depending on weather conditions, you can hike, ski or snowshoe along the edge of the Amphitheater using the Rim Trail. Continue along the Peekaboo Loop for more strenuous adventures among the hoodoos below. See the “Hiking Trails” section of the park’s website for more trail details. A gala Winter Festival is staged in the park each February (usually over President’s Day weekend), featuring snowshoe tours, dancing, yoga and ski clinics, food tastings and activities for the kids. Unfortunately, historic Bryce Canyon Lodge is open only from April 1 to November 1 – so overnighting winter visitors must choose among several motels and resorts (including a Best Western) in nearby Bryce Canyon City.
For more information: www.nps.gov/brca 435-834-5322
Snow-covered hoodoos in Bryce Canyon National Park.
NATIONAL PARKS TO VISIT IN WINTER
COAST TO COAST MAGAZINE FALL 2023 | 15
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