Viewpoints

Bryce Canyon is situated along the eastern edge of the Paunsagunt plateau, with one main 18-mile north-to-south road and only one entrance/exit. As you enter the park, all viewpoints and hikes are on the left.

The iconic Bryce Amphitheater area is located along the first 3 miles of the main road. Most of the park's day hikes can be found here. The main road continues for another 15 miles along the Southern Scenic Drive until it ends at the park's highest elevations at Rainbow and Yovimpa Points. We recommend visiting these viewpoints on your return trip north as all stops will be on your right side.
 

Bryce Amphitheater Area

  • A limber pine with exposed roots grows on the edge above red rocks.
    Sunrise Point

    The northernmost viewpoint in the amphitheater, this view is equally spectacular at daybreak and day's end.

  • An amphitheater filled with red rock formations.
    Sunset Point

    Sunset Point offers vistas of some of the most famous and breathtaking of Bryce Canyon's hoodoos.

  • An overhead photo of the amphitheater filled with red rock formations.
    Inspiration Point

    Inspiration Point provides a birds-eye view of the world's largest collection of "hoodoos" found within the Bryce Amphitheater.

  • An aerial view of the amphitheater filled with red rock formations.
    Bryce Point

    Perhaps the most iconic of all the Bryce Amphitheater's four major viewpoints, Bryce Point provides a soaring view of the hoodoos.

 

Southern Scenic Drive

  • Red rock formations in the foreground with green forested areas in the background.
    Rainbow and Yovimpa Points

    At 9,115 ft (2,778 m) Rainbow and Yovimpa Points are the highest viewpoints in the park.

  • An overhead view of red rock formations with a lower area of green trees in the center.
    Black Birch Canyon

    The park has its share of misnomers (Mossy Cave isn't a cave, the canyon isn't really a canyon...) and Black Birch Canyon would be another.

  • Red rock formations with a background of green trees and stormy skies.
    Ponderosa Canyon

    Ponderosa Canyon is so named because of the huge Ponderosa pines on the canyon floor.

  • Red rock formations glowing orange in the sun.
    Agua Canyon

    At Agua Canyon two prominent hoodoos command attention. On the left, is "The Hunter" and to the right is the "Rabbit".

  • An arch sculpted from the surrounding red rocks.
    Natural Bridge

    The impressive feature seen here is not a bridge, it's a natural arch, or window, formed by the expansion of ice in cracks deep within.

  • A photo showing the red rocks of Bryce in the foreground and far views in the background.
    Farview & Piracy Points

    Navajo Mountain, 90 miles away on the border of Utah and Arizona, can be seen from Farview Point on most days.

  • A view of red rocks interspersed with green trees.
    Swamp Canyon

    Swamp Canyon completes the transition from the hoodoo-filled Bryce Amphitheater to the steep cliffs and buttes of the scenic drive.

 

Viewpoints in Other Areas

  • An overhead photo of a waterfall cascading into a creek surrounded by red rocks.
    Mossy Cave

    Mossy Cave is the northernmost hike in the park, located just off of SR 12 as it winds its way through the park boundary.

  • Red rock formations in the foreground and in the background other formations glow in the sun.
    Fairyland Point

    Fairyland Point is the northernmost viewpoint along the rim of the Paunsagunt Plateau within the park.

  • Red rock formations on the left side and trees on the right.
    Paria View

    A viewpoint for those who want to experience the quieter side of the park, Paria View overlooks a more than 500 ft (152m) deep amphitheater.

  • A flat trail weaves between the trees leading to red rock formations in the background.
    Tropic Trail

    One of the least-traveled front-country trails in the park, the Tropic Trail provides a unique point of entry into the Bryce Amphitheater.

Last updated: April 9, 2024

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Contact Info

Mailing Address:

P.O Box 640201
Bryce, UT 84764

Phone:

435 834-5322
Phones are answered and messages returned as soon as possible as staffing allows.

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