Bryce Canyon National Park

Bryce Canyon National Park

Location:

* Bryce Canyon National Park is located in Utah.

How it Formed:

* Bryce Canyon contains many small ravines, which eroded into the east side of a ridge.

* Thousands of strange and delicate rock formations, large and small. These formations are in the shades of pink, white, yellow, and red.

These rock formations are in shades of pink and red

Establishment:

* In 1928, the park was first named Utah National Park. That same year Utah National Park was changed to Bryce Canyon National Park.

History:

* Bryce Canyon National Park got its name from Ebenezer Bryce. This man was a Mormon farmer who was the first modern-day settler in the region.

Size and Visitation:

*Bryce Canyon is 37,000 acres of desert and colorful rock formations.

*More than 1.5 million people visit the park each year. The majority of the park visitors come during June through September. From December to February the park is less crowded.

Aerial view of Bryce Canyon

Plants and Wildlife:

* Located in Bryce Canyon there are currently 400 species of plants in the park. The difference in soil and moisture conditions help the park's plants flourish.

* Elevations range from 6,000 to 9,000 feet.

* More than 160 species of birds visit the park yearly, and enjoy the many wildflowers within the park. For example, gentian, bellflower, yarrow, gillia, sego lily, and manzanita.

* Many wildflowers that bloom in the spring may bloom late in the summer here.

Bellflower

Activities:

* Park rangers offer mule and horse rides into Bryce Canyon. There are also opportunities to snowshoe and cross country skiing on the top of the plateau during the winter.

* There are trails for hiking and also Full Moon hikes, which are available only twice a month. Both trails range from 1-2 miles.

* Ranger Programs are available, you can learn about the parks history, wildlife, and information about the canyons.

* Have you ever wanted to look up at the sky with a telescope? Well now you can with the astronomy program now offered.

* Bryce Canyon provides two camp grounds, north and south. Both camps only cost 15 dollars per night.

* Biking is only allowed on paved roads. However, you can ride on nearby trails, forest roads, and on pioneer trails.


Snowshoeing on Bryce Canyon