Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Bryce Canyon at first seems easy to understand—it's the hoodoos, of
course—but look a bit closer and you'll soon realize that in addition to its delight-
ful rock formations, Bryce Canyon has serene woodlands of pine, where deer graze
in open meadows, and dense forests of spruce and fir, where you'll find the world's
oldest living organisms—bristlecone pines. Of course, there are also the lowlands,
below the rim. This is definitely a desert, yet anything but drab, with its colorful
and whimsical hoodoos.
Zion has a more complicated environment. There are stupendous rock form-
ations—even a few hoodoos—but Zion also has the unique Narrows, a canyon
carved by the Virgin River, which is home to fascinating microclimates and habit-
ats that support plants and animals not seen elsewhere in the park. These include
the rare Zion snail, found nowhere else in the world. In some ways, Zion has even
more diverse geographic features than Bryce Canyon—everything from delight-
ful little pools surrounded by delicate ferns and wildflowers to rocky, windswept
ridges, where only the most determined and rugged plants and animals can sur-
vive.
The best way to explore these parks and get to know them intimately is to get
away from the viewpoints and hit the trails, leaving behind the throngs, who seem
to be glued to the officially designated scenic lookouts. Remember, though, that
southern Utah is hot in the summer, and these parks—particularly lower-eleva-
tion Zion and some of the trails below the rim at Bryce Canyon—can be scorching
desert, so be prepared with plenty of drinking water and sun block.
On the other hand, it is also possible to get a close-up view of nature without ex-
erting a lot of effort. Plants and rocks are everywhere, and a variety of animals can
be seen throughout both parks. To see wildlife, simply go to a quiet place—even a
park campground early in the morning—and wait. Sit at the edge of a meadow or
take a slow walk down almost any park path or trail—the key here is to get away
from people, and especially the noise they make, and to take the time to watch,
wait, and listen. Nature surrounds you at both Bryce Canyon and Zion national
parks, but it doesn't necessarily advertise itself; with just a bit of patience, it can be
coaxed out of hiding.
The Landscape
There are many reasons to visit Zion and Bryce Canyon national parks, but what
you'll find in almost all sections of both parks—and probably what you came to
experience—are their intricately sculpted and often beautifully colored rocks, from
