Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ACTIVEPURSUITS
The main activities in both parks are enjoying the delightful and
awe-inspiring scenery—from the convenience of designated viewpoints and the
scenic drives—and hiking. There is plenty to see from the roads and short walks,
and the more adventurous will savor challenging hiking trails and backcountry
routes. You can also experience a bit of the Old West while seeing the parks'
scenery by horseback—guided rides are offered at both parks.
Bryce Canyon is a bit more user-friendly than Zion, while Zion offers a greater
variety of features to explore, from river canyons with colorful gardens to rocky
windswept ridges. Bryce also has several fairly easy trails that lead right into the
middle of some of its best scenery. This isn't to say that Zion is hard to get into,
but because of the greater variety of terrain it takes a bit more time and effort to
achieve that same feeling that you
know
the park.
FLORA&FAUNA
While best known for its massive rock formations, Zion National
Park also has an abundance of wildlife. Watch for
muledeer
and
desertBighorn
sheep,
and also for the
chuckwalla,
a lizard that can grow to 20 inches long. Zion
has over 900 species of plants. Watch for spring lines and their lush hanging gar-
dens, clinging to the sides of cliffs. Summer visitors are bound to see the
sacred
datura,
with large, funnel-shaped white flowers.
Bryce Canyon National Park's wildlife ranges from
muledeer
—which seem to
be everywhere—to the
golden-mantled ground squirrel
and
Uinta chipmunk.
Watch for
white-throatedswifts
as they perform exotic acrobatics along cliff faces.
In the high mountains of Bryce Canyon is a forest of fir and spruce, with stands of
quaking
aspen
that turn a magnificent bright yellow each fall. Along the exposed,
rocky slopes here you will also find
bristleconepine,
the oldest single organism
known.
TOURS
In addition to the tours by horse offered at both parks by
Canyon Trail
Rides,
there are excellent free ranger programs.
At Zion National Park,
ranger programs
include a 2-hour
Ride with a Ranger
shuttle-bus trip, which offers an opportunity to see Zion Canyon from a park
ranger's unique perspective (reservations required). The
ZionCanyonFieldInsti-
tute
offers outdoor workshops and classes, including
photoworkshops
led by in-
stitute director Michael Plyler, a skilled professional photographer.
Ranger programs
at Bryce Canyon National Park include various walks and
hikes, such as a wheelchair-accessible, 1.5-hour
canyonrimwalk
and a
moonlight
hike.
Especially popular are the park's
Astronomy Programs,
usually offered 3
nights a week through the summer. Telescopes are provided. Sign up in advance
at the visitor center.
