Based on the outskirts of the Paunsaugunt Plateau, Bryce Canyon National Park is, unquestionably, thee most beautiful of National Parks to be found anywhere in North America. It’s Long-standing ancient rock formations and amphitheaters have taken their shape, form and color by millions of years of erosion by water, ice and rain. For those visitors searching for something different to do when they’re in town, Bryce Canyon Tours from Las Vegas can be the perfect outdoor adventure they are looking for.Bryce Canyon National Park is about 36,000, making it the smallest of Utah’s National Parks. The more well-known and much larger neighboring Grand Canyon and Zion National Parks often eclipse it. If Bryce Canyon is overshadowed and underrated, then its clearly misunderstood. Those privileged to travel to Bryce Canyon immediately find that it is in fact a rare diamond of a park. It’s smaller size, impressive views, and convenient trails make it possible for people to walk.
Bryce Amphitheater is the park’s most famous point of interest. Tourists come from everywhere only to witness the spectacular natural amphitheater and the colorful limestone formations that ascend from the canyon floor like huge titans from another time. The Paiute Indians that inhabited the area long before the arrival of the European settlers, believed the ‘hoodoos’ were remains of the Legend people who lived there long before the Paiute Indians. According to the legend, being turned to stone was punishment for their bad deeds. Whether you choose to believe the legend or not, you will be encouraged to take a walk on the paths that run along the amphitheater’s face in order to get a closer look, to make your own opinion.
Running for about 5.5 miles along the cliff above the Bryce Amphitheater, is the Rim Trail. This amazing trail presents some excellent perspectives, while connecting the five biggest viewing points along the rim. Between the Sunrise and Sunset viewing points, it’s flat enough for wheelchair accessibility.
The Queen’s Garden Trail is just one of many wonderful trails in the park, beginning and ending at Fairyland Point. It is a descending trail for a distance of 1.7 miles below the Rim, no doubt making it definitely the least complicated path. From here is the ideal spot to view the Queen Victoria and Queens Castle rock formations.
The Navajo Loop Trail is another reasonably short trail that is approximately 1/3 miles descending below Bryce Rim, beginning and ending at Sunset Point. At one point along the path, you’ll pass “Wall Street” derivative of the narrow opening between two sheer cliff walls that are the gateway to view the Thor’s Hammer, Silent City, and Temple of Osiris formations.Because of its 8-mile distance, and varying steep spikes in the trail, the Fairyland Loop Trail is considered the most demanding trail of all. It runs down from Fairyland Point to Fairyland Canyon, and connects you to Tower Bridge Junction at about the half way point. From Tower Bridge Junction, you can take a short 1-mile hike to see the Tower Bridge formation. After the Junction, the trail will then continue upwards to the China Wall, thereby returning you to the starting point by route of the Rim Trail.
If you are looking for a less traveled trail, then you’ll appreciate Fairyland Point because it doesn’t get as many visitors as the other scenic points, probably because its off the beaten track.. However, not taking the time to see it would be to deprive yourself of the best view that the park has to offer. On this path is two of the highest hoodoos in the park, The Boat Mesa and the impressive Sinking Ship formations.
The park has plenty of other attractions too. The Bryce Amphitheater may be the most visited site in the park, but you’ll find there are so many other areas to see; you just may not be able to see them in one day. However, you may discover after you get back from your vacation that there are other Bryce Canyon Tours from Las Vegas that you should go on during your next visit.