Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
you'll find in the park. Look almost straight down to see the
Hunter,
a hoodoo with
a hat of evergreens.
Continue on to
NaturalBridge,
actually an arch carved by rain and wind, which
spans 85 feet. From here, continue to
Farview Point,
where there's a panoramic
view to the distant horizon and the Kaibab Plateau, at the Grand Canyon's north
rim. From Farview Point, a dirt path leads several hundred feet north to
Piracy
Point,
which offers good views to the north. After passing the
Swamp Canyon
overlook, continue until you see a right turn off the main road, where you'll find
three viewpoints.
The first of these is
PariaView,
with views to the south of the White Cliffs, which
have been carved in the light-colored sandstone by the Paria River.
The Best Time to Make the Scenic Drive
The scenic drive is practically deserted in early mornings—any time before 9am. This is the best
time to see deer, and the light on the hoodoos is the richest at this time.
To the north of Paria View, you'll find
BrycePoint
★, a splendid stop for viewing
the awesome
Bryce Amphitheater,
the largest natural amphitheater in the park.
This is also a terrific point to take in distant views of the Black Mountains, to the
northeast, and Navajo Mountain, to the south.
From here, it's just a short drive back toward the main road and
Inspiration
Point,
a must-see stop offering views similar to those at Bryce Point, plus the best
view in the park of the
SilentCity,
a collection of hoodoos that looks like a sleep-
ing city cast in stone.
Now return to the main road and head north to
SunsetPoint,
where you can see
practically all of Bryce Amphitheater, including the aptly named
Thor'sHammer
and the 200-foot-tall cliffs of
Wall Street.
Continue north to a turnoff for your final stop, at
Sunrise Point
★★, where
there's an inspiring view into Bryce Amphitheater. This is the beginning of the
Queen'sGardenTrail,
an excellent choice for a quick walk below the canyon's rim.
Seeing the Park by Shuttle
To alleviate traffic congestion during the busy summer season, a voluntary
shuttle
service
runs from early May through early October, daily from 8am until 7:40pm
(until 5:40pm the last few weeks of the shuttle season). Visitors can park their cars
