Last Updated: May 24, 2026
We were looking forward to returning to Bryce Canyon National Park for its collection of natural amphitheaters filled with orange, red, and white hoodoos. We had come less than an hour’s drive from Escalante, and nearby was Kodachrome Basin State Park.
Kodachrome Basin State Park
In 1948, a National Geographic Society expedition explored this area and named it Kodachrome — after the famous color film long beloved by outdoor photographers. Kodachrome film was prized for 74 years for its vivid, lifelike color before it was discontinued in 2009.
Kodachrome Basin contains 67 sandstone spires, or columns, known as sand pipes — unusual formations found in few other places on earth.
Kodachrome Basin State Park lies about 20 miles from Bryce Canyon National Park, at an elevation of 5,800 feet.
We hiked the Angels Palace and Nature Trails. Neither was strenuous, and there were views at every turn. Kodachrome was a worthwhile stop — if we are in the area again, we would happily stay at its campground.
Bryce Canyon National Park
Despite its name, Bryce Canyon is not really a canyon — it was not carved by a river. Instead, its amphitheaters were shaped by frost-wedging and the erosion of soft sedimentary rock by rain and runoff.
The rim at Bryce Canyon sits around 8,000 feet, and the park climbs to over 9,000 feet at its southern end. Hiking at 8,500 feet was a little more demanding than we are used to, but well worth it.
Mormon pioneers settled this region of southern Utah in the 1800s. The canyon takes its name from Ebenezer Bryce, who homesteaded here in the 1870s and ran cattle before eventually moving on to better pastures.
Bryce Canyon was first protected as a national monument in 1923 and became a national park in 1928. It is definitely one of our favorite parks.
Bryce Canyon’s hoodoos rise as high as 200 feet. A hoodoo is a tall, weathered spire of rock, and Bryce holds the largest concentration of them found anywhere on earth. Hoodoos occur across the Colorado Plateau and in badlands country, but nowhere in such numbers.
We walked the Rim Trail, one of the park’s few dog-friendly trails, and the views were stunning the entire way. Judging by the many languages we heard, Bryce is a hugely popular international destination.
It was hard to look anywhere without spotting a natural arch or window.
We spotted mule deer and pronghorn antelope, along with plenty of chipmunks and ground squirrels for Jake to get excited about.
Queen’s Garden Trail
We enjoyed a hike down among the hoodoos on the Queen’s Garden Trail — the gentlest way to descend below the rim. At this altitude the sky was an incredible deep blue. Afterward we had lunch at the historic Bryce Canyon Lodge, where the bison stew was delicious.
The Queen’s Garden Trail was the perfect end to our visit — and a reminder of why Bryce remains one of our favorite national parks. We were glad to return again on a later trip.
Practical Tips for Visiting Bryce Canyon and Kodachrome Basin
When to visit. Bryce Canyon is a high-elevation park, and that shapes the seasons. Late spring through early fall, May through September, brings the most comfortable weather, though afternoons stay cool and summer thunderstorms are common. Winter is magical here — snow on the orange hoodoos is unforgettable — but cold, with some facilities limited. Whenever you visit, bring layers.
Fees. Bryce Canyon charges a $35 per-vehicle entrance fee, valid for seven days, and the America the Beautiful pass is accepted. As of 2026, non-U.S. residents age 16 and older pay an additional $100 fee unless they hold the non-resident annual pass. Kodachrome Basin State Park has its own separate, smaller day-use fee.
Getting around and altitude. From mid-April through mid-October, a free shuttle runs from Bryce Canyon City to the main viewpoints — a convenient way to skip the parking crowds, though you may still drive your own vehicle. Remember that the rim sits near 8,000 feet: take the trails slowly until you adjust, drink plenty of water, and do not underestimate the climb back up from below the rim.
Hiking. The Rim Trail offers easy, level walking with classic amphitheater views, and it is one of the few trails where leashed dogs are allowed. To get down among the hoodoos, the Queen’s Garden Trail is the gentlest descent, and it can be combined with the Navajo Loop for a longer outing. Sunrise and sunset light the hoodoos most dramatically.
Where to stay. The historic Bryce Canyon Lodge sits inside the park, and Bryce Canyon City just outside has hotels and services. Kodachrome Basin State Park, about 20 miles away, has a quiet campground. Bryce pairs naturally with the rest of southern Utah — it is an easy drive from Capitol Reef, Cedar Breaks, and Zion National Park.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Bryce Canyon National Park?
Bryce Canyon is in southern Utah, along State Route 63 off Scenic Byway 12. It sits at high elevation on the edge of the Paunsaugunt Plateau, about an hour from Escalante and roughly 80 miles northeast of Zion National Park.
Is Bryce Canyon actually a canyon?
No. Despite the name, Bryce Canyon was not carved by a river. Its dramatic amphitheaters were created by frost-wedging and the erosion of soft sedimentary rock, which sculpted the stone into thousands of hoodoos.
How much does it cost to enter Bryce Canyon?
The entrance fee is $35 per vehicle, valid for seven days, and the America the Beautiful pass is accepted. As of 2026, non-U.S. residents age 16 and older pay an additional $100 fee unless they hold the non-resident annual pass.
Do you need to use the Bryce Canyon shuttle?
No. The free park shuttle runs from mid-April through mid-October and is a convenient way to avoid full parking lots, but it is optional — you may still drive your own vehicle to the viewpoints.
What is the best hike in Bryce Canyon?
For an easy walk, the Rim Trail follows the amphitheater edge and is dog-friendly. To descend among the hoodoos, the Queen’s Garden Trail is the gentlest route, and combining it with the Navajo Loop is a park classic. Remember that you are hiking near 8,000 feet.
Are dogs allowed in Bryce Canyon?
Leashed dogs are allowed on the paved Rim Trail between Sunset and Sunrise Points, in campgrounds, and on paved roads, but not on the trails that descend below the rim. Our dog Jake enjoyed the Rim Trail with us.
What is Kodachrome Basin State Park?
Kodachrome Basin is a Utah state park about 20 miles from Bryce Canyon, named by a 1948 National Geographic Society expedition. It is known for its 67 unusual sandstone spires, called sand pipes, and has easy trails and a quiet campground.
When is the best time to visit Bryce Canyon?
Late spring through early fall offers the most comfortable weather, while winter brings the unforgettable sight of snow on the orange hoodoos. Because of the high elevation, Bryce stays cooler than Utah’s lower-desert parks year-round, so pack layers.
