National Parks › Rocky Mountains › Bryce Canyon

Bryce Canyon National Park

Utah · Established February 25, 1928

Frost-carved hoodoos glowing on the high rim of the Paunsaugunt Plateau

Area: 35,835 acres
Established: February 25, 1928
Recreation visits: 1,967,367 / yr
State: Utah
Highest point: Rainbow Point, 9,105 ft (2,775 m)
Lowest point: Yellow Creek, about 6,620 ft (2,020 m)

Bryce Canyon Weather Forecast

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Seven-day outlook at the park's reference point (37.584, -112.183). Elevation changes everything in the mountains — expect colder, windier and wetter conditions on high ground.

Map of Bryce Canyon National Park

The Park

Bryce Canyon is not really a canyon at all. It is a series of great horseshoe-shaped amphitheaters bitten into the eastern edge of the Paunsaugunt Plateau in southern Utah, each one crowded with thousands of hoodoos: slender, banded pinnacles of orange, pink and cream rock that seem to glow at sunrise.

First protected as a national monument in 1923 and established as a national park on February 25, 1928, Bryce Canyon covers about 35,835 acres (145 sq km) and welcomes nearly two million visits a year. At more than 8,000 feet, it is far cooler and snowier than the deserts below, a place of ponderosa forests, bristlecone pines, brilliant night skies and a long winter of freeze and thaw that keeps sculpting the rim.

Geography

The park stretches roughly north to south along the Pink Cliffs, the top step of the Grand Staircase, a sequence of cliffs that descends through Zion toward the Grand Canyon. A single scenic road runs 18 miles along the plateau from the visitor center to Rainbow Point, with overlooks perched on the rim.

A chain of amphitheaters extends for more than 20 miles. The largest, Bryce Amphitheater, is framed by Sunrise, Sunset, Inspiration and Bryce points and holds the park's densest crowds of hoodoos, including Thor's Hammer and the Queen's Garden. Farther north lie Fairyland Canyon and Boat Mesa; to the south, the rim climbs past Natural Bridge and Farview Point to Rainbow and Yovimpa points.

Elevations run from about 6,620 feet where Yellow Creek leaves the park in the northeast to 9,105 feet at Rainbow Point. East of the rim the land drops steeply into the Paria River valley and the town of Tropic, and on clear days views stretch well over 100 miles.

Landmarks

Sunrise PointAreaA classic dawn overlook at the north end of Bryce Amphitheater and start of the Queen's Garden Trail.
Sunset PointAreaThe viewpoint above Thor's Hammer and the switchbacks of the Navajo Loop.
Inspiration PointAreaA three-tiered overlook with a sweeping view over the Silent City of Bryce Amphitheater.
Bryce PointAreaA prominent point at the south end of the amphitheater, trailhead for the Peekaboo Loop.
Thor's HammerAreaA famous hoodoo with a heavy capstone balanced on a slender column.
Queen VictoriaAreaA hoodoo said to resemble the monarch, reached by the Queen's Garden Trail.
Wall StreetCanyonA narrow slot along the Navajo Loop where tall Douglas-firs reach for light between hoodoo walls.
Fairyland PointAreaA quieter northern overlook above Fairyland Canyon's hoodoos.
Boat MesaPlateauA flat-topped remnant capped by the Boat Mesa Conglomerate, circled by the Fairyland Loop.
Mossy CaveCaveA shaded alcove where water seeps and icicles hang through spring, near a small waterfall in Water Canyon.
Paria ViewValleyAn overlook facing the Paria River valley and hoodoos glowing in evening light.
Natural BridgeArchA large arch of red Claron rock that, despite its name, was shaped mainly by weathering rather than a stream.
Farview PointAreaA high overlook with long views toward distant plateaus and mountains to the southeast.
Rainbow PointPeak · 9,105 ftThe highest point in the park, at the end of the scenic drive, with ancient bristlecone pines nearby.
Yovimpa PointAreaA southern overlook with views that reach into Arizona on clear days.
The Hat ShopAreaA cluster of hoodoos wearing hard gray caprocks, reached by the Under-the-Rim Trail.

Geology

The rocks of Bryce Canyon record a shift from sea to lakes. During the Cretaceous Period, a great inland seaway advanced across Utah and laid down the Dakota Sandstone and the dark, ammonite-rich Tropic Shale, now exposed in the valley just outside the park. As the sea withdrew, coastal swamps and rivers deposited the Straight Cliffs, Wahweap and Kaiparowits formations.

Mountain-building that began around 70 million years ago folded and lifted these layers, and erosion stripped much of them away. Then, roughly 60 to 40 million years ago, a broad system of streams and shallow lakes spread over the region. Iron-stained silts, muds and limy oozes accumulated as the Claron Formation. Its lower Pink Member, colored by iron oxides, is the rock of the hoodoos; its upper White Member, a limestone of lakebed origin, forms pale cliffs only at the highest parts of the plateau.

Over the last 10 to 20 million years, forces that raised the Colorado Plateau broke the land into huge blocks along faults, lifting the Paunsaugunt Plateau and cracking its rocks with vertical joints. Streams draining to the Paria River cut back into the plateau's eastern edge, forming amphitheaters.

The hoodoos themselves are made by ice and rain. At Bryce's elevation, temperatures swing above and below freezing on a great many days each year. Water seeps into joints, freezes, expands and pries the rock apart, turning walls into fins and fins into spires. Rain, slightly acidic, dissolves the limestone and rounds the columns, while harder, magnesium-rich layers act as protective caps. The rim is still retreating, and the hoodoos standing today will be replaced by new ones carved from the plateau behind them.

Deep time

Late CretaceousAn inland seaway deposits the Dakota Sandstone and Tropic Shale in the region.
Late CretaceousAs the sea retreats, coastal plains and rivers lay down the Straight Cliffs, Wahweap and Kaiparowits formations.
Beginning about 70 million years agoLaramide uplift folds the rock layers, and erosion removes much of the Cretaceous cover.
About 60 to 40 million years agoStreams and lakes deposit the Pink and White members of the Claron Formation.
About 34 to 20 million years agoThe nearby Marysvale volcanic field erupts, and later collapse and faulting deform the Claron rocks in the area.
About 10 to 20 million years agoUplift and faulting raise the Paunsaugunt Plateau and fracture its rocks with vertical joints.
OngoingFrost wedging and rain erode the plateau edge into amphitheaters crowded with hoodoos.

The rocks

Dakota SandstoneLate Cretaceous
Beach, lagoon and swamp deposits marking the arrival of the seaway, exposed in the Paria Valley.
Tropic ShaleLate Cretaceous
Dark gray marine shale rich in ammonites that forms barren badlands near Tropic.
Straight Cliffs FormationLate Cretaceous
Whitish to yellow-gray sandstones with coal-bearing shales from a retreating shoreline.
Wahweap FormationLate Cretaceous
River-laid shales and sandstones forming part of the Grey Cliffs of the Grand Staircase.
Kaiparowits FormationLate Cretaceous
Gray sandstones and mudstones, thin in the Bryce area.
Claron Formation, Pink MemberPaleocene to Eocene
Iron-rich siltstones, mudstones and limestones that erode into the park's colorful hoodoos.
Claron Formation, White MemberEocene
Lakebed limestone that forms pale cliffs and monoliths at the plateau's highest elevations.
Boat Mesa ConglomerateOligocene or Miocene
Stream-laid conglomerate capping Boat Mesa and parts of the northern rim.
Sevier River FormationPliocene to early Pleistocene
Younger valley-fill sediments found in the northern part of the park.

Trees, Plants & Ecosystems

557vascular plant species recorded

Pinyon-juniper woodlandLowest elevations, below the rim
Colorado pinyon and Utah juniper cover the warmer, drier slopes that descend toward the Paria Valley.
Ponderosa pine forestMid elevations, around 8,000 ft
Open stands of ponderosa pine with greenleaf manzanita and Rocky Mountain juniper cover much of the northern plateau.
Fir-spruce-aspen forestHighest southern plateau, up to 9,105 ft
Douglas-fir, white fir, blue spruce and quaking aspen form cool, dense forests near Rainbow Point.
Hoodoo breaks and limestone ridgesPink Cliffs along the rim
Exposed, nearly unforested slopes where bristlecone and limber pines and rare cushion plants cling to eroding limestone.
Meadows, seeps and springsPlateau top and canyon heads
Grassy meadows and sagebrush flats host Utah prairie dogs and pronghorn, while springs support lush, deciduous plant life.

Trees

Great Basin bristlecone pinePinus longaevaAmong the oldest living things on Earth, these twisted pines grow on exposed limestone near Rainbow and Yovimpa points.
Limber pinePinus flexilisA wind-tolerant pine with bendable branches, often growing alongside bristlecones on exposed ridges.
Ponderosa pinePinus ponderosaThe dominant tree of the park's mid-elevation forests, with vanilla-scented bark.
Douglas-firPseudotsuga menziesiiTall firs reaching for light in narrow places like Wall Street.
White firAbies concolorA soft-needled fir of the cooler high plateau forests.
Blue sprucePicea pungensA silvery-blue spruce of moist, high-elevation sites.
Quaking aspenPopulus tremuloidesGroves on the southern plateau turn brilliant gold in early autumn.
Rocky Mountain juniperJuniperus scopulorumA shaggy juniper found within the ponderosa pine zone.
Utah juniperJuniperus osteospermaA drought-tolerant juniper of the lower, drier slopes.
Two-needle pinyonPinus edulisA nut pine of the warm slopes below the rim.
Rocky Mountain mapleAcer glabrumA shrubby maple of moist canyons that adds red to autumn.
Gambel oakQuercus gambeliiForms thickets on lower slopes and canyon floors.

Wildflowers, shrubs & other plants

Greenleaf manzanitaArctostaphylos patulaA glossy-leaved, red-barked shrub carpeting the ponderosa forest floor.
Basin big sagebrushArtemisia tridentataThe fragrant gray shrub of the park's high, dry meadows.
Rubber rabbitbrushChrysothamnus nauseosusA shrub that blankets meadows with yellow blooms in late summer.
Antelope bitterbrushPurshia tridentataAn important winter browse for mule deer and pronghorn.
Curl-leaf mountain mahoganyCercocarpus ledifoliusAn evergreen shrub of rocky ridges with feathery seed plumes.
Oregon-grapeMahonia repensA low evergreen ground cover with yellow flowers and blue berries.
Wyoming paintbrushCastilleja linariifoliaBright scarlet spikes in sagebrush meadows.
Red Canyon penstemonPenstemon bracteatusA rare penstemon with narrow, regional range, named for nearby Red Canyon.
Bryce Canyon townsendiaTownsendia montanaA low, daisy-like cushion plant of exposed limestone slopes.
Panguitch wild buckwheatEriogonum panguicenseA small buckwheat of the Claron limestone barrens.
Peterson's campionSilene petersoniiA rare, low-growing pink campion of the high plateau's limestone slopes.
Colorado columbineAquilegia coeruleaA blue-and-white columbine of moist, shaded forest openings.
Scarlet giliaIpomopsis aggregataRed trumpet flowers visited by hummingbirds in summer.
Rocky Mountain irisIris missouriensisPale blue irises dotting wet meadows in early summer.

Wildlife

56mammals
165birds
8reptiles
3amphibians
1fish

Mammals

Utah prairie dogCynomys parvidensA threatened prairie dog found only in Utah, living in colonies in the park's meadows.
PronghornAntilocapra americanaGrazes the open meadows along the plateau top.
Mule deerOdocoileus hemionusThe most commonly seen large mammal, especially at dawn and dusk.
Mountain lionPuma concolorThe park's top predator, following mule deer through the forests.
American black bearUrsus americanusOccasionally wanders the forested plateau.
CoyoteCanis latransCommon in meadows and forest edges.
Gray foxUrocyon cinereoargenteusA tree-climbing fox of the pinyon-juniper and rocky slopes.
Uinta chipmunkNeotamias umbrinusA busy chipmunk of conifer forests.
Cliff chipmunkNeotamias dorsalisScampers among rocks and hoodoos.
Golden-mantled ground squirrelSpermophilus lateralisOften mistaken for a chipmunk, common around rim viewpoints.
Red squirrelTamiasciurus hudsonicusChatters from fir and spruce trees on the high plateau.
Yellow-bellied marmotMarmota flaviventrisSuns on rocks in meadows during summer.
Northern flying squirrelGlaucomys sabrinusA nocturnal glider of the high conifer forests.
White-tailed jackrabbitLepus townsendiiA large hare of high meadows that turns pale in winter.

Birds

California condorGymnogyps californianusWide-ranging condors from recovery programs in the region are occasionally seen soaring over the park.
Clark's nutcrackerNucifraga columbianaCaches thousands of pine seeds and helps plant new limber and bristlecone pines.
Steller's jayCyanocitta stelleriA crested, dark blue jay of the conifer forests.
Pinyon jayGymnorhinus cyanocephalusFlocks roam the pinyon-juniper slopes below the rim.
Common ravenCorvus coraxRides updrafts along the rim.
White-throated swiftAeronautes saxatalisRaces around hoodoos and cliffs in summer.
Violet-green swallowTachycineta thalassinaNests in crevices in the hoodoos.
Peregrine falconFalco peregrinusHunts over the amphitheaters and nests on cliffs.
Mountain bluebirdSialia currucoidesBrilliant blue birds of meadows and open forest.
Broad-tailed hummingbirdSelasphorus platycercusIts trilling wings are a summer sound on the plateau.
Pygmy nuthatchSitta pygmaeaTravels in chattering groups through ponderosa pines.
Mountain chickadeePoecile gambeliA white-browed chickadee of the conifers.
American three-toed woodpeckerPicoides dorsalisA quiet woodpecker of high spruce and fir forests.
Townsend's solitaireMyadestes townsendiA gray thrush that defends juniper berries in winter.

Reptiles & amphibians

Common sagebrush lizardSceloporus graciosusThe most common lizard on sunny trails and rocks.
Plateau lizardSceloporus tristichusA spiny lizard of lower, warmer slopes.
Greater short-horned lizardPhrynosoma hernandesiA cold-tolerant horned lizard that gives birth to live young.
Tree lizardUrosaurus ornatusA small lizard of rock faces and trunks.
Western rattlesnakeCrotalus oreganusOccasionally encountered below the rim; watch your step.
GophersnakePituophis cateniferA large, harmless snake that preys on rodents.
Tiger salamanderAmbystoma tigrinumBreeds in ponds and stock tanks on the plateau.
Great Basin spadefootSpea intermontanaEmerges from underground after rains to breed.

Fish

Brook troutSalvelinus fontinalisThe only fish on the park checklist, a non-native trout of cold streams.

Species totals are the park's certified NPSpecies checklist (occurrence: present).

Climate & When to Visit

Bryce Canyon's high elevation, from about 6,600 to more than 9,100 feet, gives it a climate more like the mountains than the red-rock deserts nearby. Annual precipitation averages about 15 inches, and roughly 100 inches of snow falls in a typical year at park headquarters.

From October through May temperatures drop below freezing almost every night, and these countless cycles of freeze and thaw are what carve the hoodoos. The coldest and snowiest period runs from December through February, but March and April storms can still bring heavy snow. Summers are pleasant, with highs typically in the 70s and 80s F, cool nights and frequent afternoon thunderstorms in July and August. Clean, dry air and remoteness make the night skies exceptionally dark.

Spring
Variable, with warm spells, freezing nights and late snowstorms into April; trails can be icy and muddy.
Summer
Comfortable highs in the 70s and 80s F, chilly mornings and afternoon thunderstorms in July and August.
Autumn
Crisp, clear days and golden aspens, with freezing nights returning by October and early snow possible.
Winter
Cold and snowy, with hoodoos frosted white; roads are plowed, and snowshoeing and cross-country skiing are popular.

Weather hazards

Lightning: Summer storms make the exposed rim and viewpoints dangerous; leave overlooks and rim trails when thunder is heard.
Ice and snow on trails: Steep trails into the amphitheaters become icy for much of the year; use traction devices and trekking poles.
High elevation: At 8,000 to 9,000 feet, visitors may feel altitude effects; pace yourself on the steep climbs back to the rim.
Cold nights: Temperatures can plunge below freezing even after warm days in spring and fall; pack warm layers.
Loose rock and edges: Crumbling rim edges and unstable hoodoo slopes can give way; stay behind railings and on trails.

Bryce Canyon Questions

When is the best time to visit Bryce Canyon?

May through October offers the easiest access and mild temperatures, with September and early October bringing clear skies and fewer thunderstorms. Winter is quiet and spectacular, with snow on the hoodoos, but expect cold and icy trails.

What is the weather like at Bryce Canyon?

Because the rim is above 8,000 feet, summers are pleasant with highs in the 70s and 80s F, while nights are cool. From October to May temperatures fall below freezing nearly every night, and about 100 inches of snow falls in a typical year.

How were the hoodoos at Bryce Canyon formed?

Hoodoos are carved from the Claron Formation, a layer of iron-stained lake and stream sediments. Water freezes and expands in cracks on many nights each year, prying the rock apart, and rain dissolves and rounds the pinnacles into their distinctive shapes.

Is Bryce Canyon actually a canyon?

No. It is a series of natural amphitheaters eroded into the eastern edge of the Paunsaugunt Plateau, rather than a canyon carved by a single river.

What wildlife can I see at Bryce Canyon?

Mule deer and pronghorn graze the meadows, and the threatened Utah prairie dog lives in several park colonies. Ground squirrels, chipmunks, Steller's jays and ravens are common near overlooks, and California condors are occasionally seen overhead.

Is Bryce Canyon good for stargazing?

Yes. Bryce Canyon's high elevation, dry air and distance from cities create exceptionally dark skies, and the park hosts popular astronomy programs.

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Sources: www.nps.gov · www.nps.gov · www.nps.gov · irmaservices.nps.gov · en.wikipedia.org · en.wikipedia.org · en.wikipedia.org · Official NPS site