With its total area of 56 square miles (145 km²), Bryce Canyon National Park is one of the smaller national parks in America. Over countless centuries, it has chiseled the park’s iconic rock formations through chemical weathering and a physical event called “frost-wedging”. However, water still is the sculptor in the park. The flowing water that creates the deep canyons elsewhere in the region isn’t present in Bryce Canyon. Instead of canyons, the park’s landscapes consist of several natural amphitheaters, filled with rock formations, situated on the edge of a desert plateau. national parks, all squeezed together within easy driving distance from one another.Īlthough its name has the word “canyon” in it, this isn’t actually a canyon at all! This, in other words, is a region of absolute natural magnificence.

Going down, you’ll pass successively through Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Zion National Park and Grand Canyon National Park, which is the lowest step of the Grand Staircase. When looking at a down-scaled cross-section of the Colorado Plateau, you can see the different “steps” of this giant natural staircase of rock.īryce Canyon is the highest level, its elevation between 8,000 and 9,000 feet (2,400 and 2,700 meters). The name “Grand Staircase” is totally appropriate, too. This vast part of the Colorado Plateau is sculpted by water and characterized by canyons, river systems, rock formations and valleys. The highest of all Utah national parks, Bryce Canyon forms the upper step of what’s known as the Grand Staircase. Strenuous Day Hikes in Bryce Canyon National Parkįirst, though, a quick introduction to this spectacular national park….

Queen’s Garden / Navajo Combination Loop.Moderate Bryce Canyon National Park Hikes.Easy Hikes in Bryce Canyon National Park.

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, CO.Great Smoky Mountains National Park, NC/TN.

Bryce canyon