Top 5 Bryce Canyon Day Trips: Explore Beyond the Hoodoos

So, you’re planning a visit to Bryce Canyon, is that right? Pretty amazing choice! While Bryce Canyon itself is quite a sight to behold – seriously, those hoodoos are something else – the surrounding area, actually, it’s jam-packed with opportunities for extra explorations. This guide offers some pretty amazing options for day trips from Bryce Canyon, so, like your next adventure can go above and beyond just the canyon. Now let’s see where the road takes you!

1. Zion National Park: A Canyon of a Completely Different Color

Zion is a park that just feels, in a way, like a completely different world compared to Bryce Canyon. We know Bryce shows off with its orange hoodoos, you see, but Zion shows you the giant sandstone cliffs of red, pink, and cream shooting up into the sky. It’s almost like experiencing art. The contrast it gives, is actually a cool change of pace, just perfect if you are in search of like your landscape variety. What’s cool in Zion?

What Makes It Great: Okay, for starters, the famous Angels Landing hike, you know, that’s if you are really feeling daring and secure a permit. Then there’s The Narrows, which involves actually hiking in the Virgin River – talk about a distinctive adventure! So, too, is the scenic drive along the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway a must. Is that right? Be sure to catch the light through the windows in the tunnel, or at least try.

Driving Details: So it’s about a 1.5 to 2-hour drive, you see, depending on which part of Zion is on your destination list. Really, you can make it a super simple day trip; start super early to beat the crowds!

2. Cedar Breaks National Monument: Bryce’s High-Altitude Cousin

Speaking of Bryce’s slightly less famous, slightly cooler cousin, that, in some respects, would have to be Cedar Breaks National Monument. Located up above 10,000 feet, or so I am told. Cedar Breaks gives you an amphitheater view, too it’s almost of its own natural beauty. It also lets you soak up some amazing sights minus those Bryce throngs, it would appear! How about escaping those Bryce crowds?

What Makes It Great: Cedar Breaks tends to offer super awesome stargazing because the air gets crisp, and its altitude offers such clear views! Also, its hiking trails they really are accessible, is that correct? You’ll find wildflowers galore during the summertime bloom.

Driving Details: It is, as a matter of fact, about an hour’s drive. That being said, is that, being a little closer, you see, it is absolutely fantastic as like a half-day trip; you could mix this with one other mini-adventure!

3. Scenic Byway 12: A Road Trip That Is, Itself, a Destination

Okay, so, you are into driving adventures? Basically, Scenic Byway 12 runs through a ton of Southern Utah’s totally unforgettable countryside! This one has national parks, it crosses canyon country, too it’s almost travels through small cool towns. Tell me more!

What Makes It Great: Well, it’s flexible. You might be able to explore portions of the highway as an exceptional drive. You know, the “Hogsback” section offers those super dramatic ridge-top views; there is also Anasazi State Park, for a dash of past life. What to see? You tell me.

Driving Details: Since this route, as a matter of fact, cuts right near Bryce Canyon, is that right? You determine, like, just how long of a drive you’d prefer, too, and head either east or west along Utah 12 to view your attractions. The beauty it holds, seriously.

4. Kodachrome Basin State Park: A Painter’s Palette of Color

Kodachrome Basin, well that sounds sort of old-school, in that case! The basin really gets the name because of the beautiful way color looks here. That said, it’s, arguably, because the light hits its unique geologic formations so, too. If you happen to have any interest, you see, there are sixty-seven sandstone spire-like formations scattered everywhere, creating a striking scene and experience. I mean. It seems like the colors you can get are the most exceptional ones there are. Sounds interesting?

What Makes It Great: Kodachrome is, more or less, known to offer trails which really suit folks of all fitness types. Very! You know, these allow close encounters with those remarkable rock formations. Then there is the Panorama Trail, so it is definitely worth it, especially that end loop.

Driving Details: In fact, the Park is situated around an hour from Bryce Canyon; one is likely to have an uncomplicated day exploring.

5. Capitol Reef National Park: Utah’s Hidden Gem

Okay, you are just wanting to get a park vibe, like, Capitol Reef sometimes doesn’t pull in the type of attention from tourists as Bryce Canyon and Zion get, that, you know, does not at all mean there isn’t a certain degree of magic! What is great, you see, Capitol Reef it basically shows the Waterpocket Fold, so it definitely shows the 100-mile-long warp throughout the earth’s crust. Is that right? The variety on display for viewing would seem so neat; there’s hiking to be done, is that it’s practically a trip to the past that would simply give one memories for all years and years to come, very! What exactly to do there?

What Makes It Great: Check out the Gifford Homestead. Basically, you might, seemingly, have the chance to secure historic snacks such as pies as well as ice creams. Hiking to Hickman Bridge or, for instance, the Capitol Dome, very stunning, of course! The park offers an outdoor playground!

Driving Details: It is, actually, approximately a 2.5 to 3-hour drive from Bryce, so a start that happens a little early helps create adequate viewing hours! Prepare, too, so you are to have great and spectacular viewing hours.