Bryce Canyon
Located in the Dixie National Forest, Bryce Canyon National Park is one of the most unique and breathtaking locations in the United States. Bryce Canyon National Park is comprised of a series of eroded rock amphitheaters on the eastern side of the Paunsaugunt Plateau. The horseshoe-shaped amphitheaters are filled with distinctly shaped pinnacles known as hoodoos that were formed by millions of years of water, ice and wind erosion. These vibrant orange and red hoodoos rise from the canyon floor, adding splendor and mystery to the rugged landscape. The ancient Paiute Indians were so in awe of these massive rock formations that they believed they were evil Legend People turned to stone by the powerful Coyote spirit. Today, two million visitors from around the world visit Bryce Canyon National Park to gape at these twisted spires and pinnacles.

Visiting Bryce Canyon National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park offers a variety of sightseeing and hiking options. An 18-mile scenic drive runs north-south through the park, taking visitors to overlooks with sweeping vistas and ending at Rainbow Point, the highest point at 9,115 feet. More than 50 miles of hiking trails range in difficulty from the easy, paved Rim Trail to the overnight Under the Rim Trail through Bryce Canyon National Park's backcountry. ATV riding, aerial tours, cross-country skiing, photography, bird watching and wildlife viewing are also popular activities. Bryce Canyon National Park is just 70 miles from Cave Lakes Canyon. It can be reached via a scenic drive along Highway 89 to Scenic Byway 12, Utah's first All-American Road. Turn south onto SR-63 to the park entrance.

Geology
Bryce Canyon National Park rests on the Colorado Plateau, on thesoutheastern edge of the Paunsaugunt Plateau.Bryce Canyon's distinct hoodoos have been shaped by the forces of erosion, and they will continue to
change as water freezes and ex pands in the fragile limestone formations. With a rim elevation ranging from 8,000 to just over 9,000 feet, Bryce Canyon is ata higher elevation than the north rim of the Grand Canyon or Zion National Park. From this high-elevation viewpoint at the southern end of the park, views of the AquariusPlateau, HenryMountains, Grand Staircase and other geologic wonders may be seen. Bryce Canyon National Park boasts some of the cleanest air in the nation, and on a clear day visibility can be up to 100 miles from Rainbow and Yovimpa Points.

History
Bryce Canyon's anthropologic history dates back nearly 10,000 years. Anasazi artifacts from the Basketmaker period several thousand years old have been found south of the park. Traces of the Fremont People have also been discovered. Paiute Indians also inhabited the region, calling the hoodoos "Anka-ku-was-a-wits," meaning "red painted faces." The Bryce Canyon region remained fairly isolated until the late 1700s when Sylvestre Escalante led a group of Spanish explorers through the area. In the 1850s Mormon pioneers came in search of farmland, followed by Major John Wesley Powell and his team of surveyors in 1872. Ebenezer Bryce was amongst the early settlers of the area, and discovered Bryce Canyon when he went in search of lost cattle. Calling the amphitheaters "a helluva place to lose a cow" the area became commonly known as "Bryce's Canyon." Visitors to the area were sparse until Ruby Syrett set up touring and lodging services in the early 1900s. As Union Pacific expressed interest into expanding rail service to the area, conservationists began a movement to protect the area. In 1923, President Harding established Bryce Canyon National Monument and five years later it was upgraded to national park status. In 1931 and 1942 the park boundaries were extended. Today Bryce Canyon National Park covers more than 35,000 acres.