Experience the best of Bryce Canyon National Park

Bryce Canyon is not a single canyon but a series of natural amphitheatres cut into the eastern edge of the Paunsaugunt Plateau in southern Utah, at an altitude of 2,400 to 2,800 metres. Frost and snowmelt have eaten the pink, orange and cream limestone into thousands of hoodoos, slender spires and fins, which glow at sunrise and sunset. The Bryce Amphitheater, seen from Sunrise, Sunset, Inspiration and Bryce Points, is the heart of the park.

The Navajo Loop and Queen's Garden trails descend among the hoodoos, and the Rim Trail follows the edge. Rainbow Point, at the end of the park road, is the highest viewpoint, and the clear, dry air makes the park an International Dark Sky Park for stargazing. Red Canyon, to the west, has road tunnels through red rock, Scenic Byway 12 leads east to Kodachrome Basin, and Zion National Park lies to the south-west.

Gateway towns serve steaks, trout, buffalo burgers and hearty breakfasts, and Utah's fried scones with honey butter. At this altitude summer days are mild and nights cool, the aspens turn gold in autumn, and winter snow covers the hoodoos in white.