Bryce Amphitheater
Bryce Canyon National Park, UT
Bryce Amphitheater is the main part of Bryce Canyon National Park and the section that sees the most visitors. It's here that you'll find the world's largest concentration of hoodoos. It’s also a great place for hiking, though many people stick to taking in the scenery from a viewpoint instead.
The basics
Bryce Amphitheater is visible from four main viewpoints: Bryce Point, Inspiration Point, Sunset Point, and Sunrise Point. All four lead down to the Rim Trail, which stretches from Bryce Point in the south to Fairyland Point in the north, beyond the Amphitheater section of the park.
To see Bryce Amphitheater for yourself, join a day tour from Las Vegas to Bryce Canyon National Park or opt for a 2-park tour that also visits Zion National Park. If you have more time, consider a multi-day tour that allows you to visit all five of Utah’s National Parks. For an independent adventure, download an app-based driving tour to help keep you on track, even when you’re offline.
Things to know before you go
To most fully admire the Bryce Amphitheater, make sure to visit multiple viewpoints.
All four viewpoints overlooking the Amphitheater are wheelchair accessible, as is the section of the Rim Trail between Sunset Point and Sunrise Point.
Drink plenty of water during your visit, as the high altitude and dry conditions can dehydrate you.
How to get there
The Bryce Amphitheater spans much of the park and can be accessed from various points, including its four viewpoints. While there's plenty of parking available, demand typically outstrips supply, especially during the busy summer season, so consider parking your car in Bryce Canyon City or at the visitor center and taking the park’s free shuttle. If you visit as part of a tour, you won't have to think about transportation.
When to get there
If you plan to do any hiking, visit the Bryce Amphitheater first thing in the morning, when temperatures tend to be cooler and the sunlight is usually less brutal. For views or to take photos, sunrise and sunset are the best times. April and October are particularly pleasant months for hiking. Note that parts of the Amphitheater, including roads and trails, are closed during the snowy winter months.
Where to hike in the Bryce Amphitheatre
Amphitheater-area hikes range from easy to challenging. The easiest option is the Sunset Point to Sunrise Point hike, which connects the two points via the Rim Trail, while more moderate jaunts include the Queen's Garden Trail, which gets you right into the canyon and back in an hour or two. If you’re an expert hiker and want something more challenging, consider the Peekaboo Loop, which takes most people around three or four hours.
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