Hoodoos in Bryce Canyon, Utah, make up the world’s largest concentration of these mesmerizing geological formations. Spend three days squeezing through slot canyons, exploring dazzling national and state parks, and hiking and mountain biking through a maze of hoodoos in Bryce Canyon Country.
This article was written in partnership with Bryce Canyon Country, Utah.
Food & Lodging in Bryce Canyon
Southern Utah may feel isolated, but the lodging and dining options are limitless. From camping to luxury lodges and funky yurts, there are standards to suit every style of traveler. For the foodies out there, enjoy creative dishes prepared by James Beard award finalists, craft coffee and cocktail bars, and farm-to-table specialties.
Day 1: Hoodoos in Bryce Canyon, Red Canyon & Kodachrome Basin
Kodachrome Basin
Kodachrome Basin State Park is known as a photographer’s paradise, packed with colorful landscapes. Towering sand pipes bloom throughout the park and contrast beautifully against the blue sky on a clear day. There are a variety of trails through the park, and it can easily be visited in all seasons given the mild weather in the area.
Red Canyon
Similar to Bryce Canyon, Red Canyon is also chock full of glowing hoodoo rock formations. Stretch your legs with a hike, bike ride, or venture out on horseback. The park is also dog-friendly, making it a nice alternative to Bryce Canyon National Park—that is—if you have the whole family aboard.
Bryce Canyon
Spend the last third of your day in one of Utah’s most famous national parks, Bryce Canyon. For more adventurous hikers, consider the Fairyland Loop trail. This hike is more strenuous than some of the other jaunts in the park, but you’ll find it much quieter and less crowded as well. For sunset, make your way to “Sunrise Point” or “Sunset Point”. Both overlooks offer stunning views over the landscape! When you’ve wrapped up the day’s adventures, grab a meal at the Lodge at Bryce Canyon for one of the coziest dining experiences in the area.
Day 2: Slot Canyons in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument
The ideal day in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument involves exploring iconic slot canyons and hoodoos of Bryce Canyon Country. A couple of the slot canyons, Spooky and Peek-a-boo, can be explored on your own terms, but a guide can lead you into hidden locations that you’d be darned to find on your own. For even deeper exploration, guides are available for more technical slot canyons. Push your limits and surprise yourself exploring the maze of canyons in Grand Staircase-Escalante.
At some point in your day, make the drive along the Cottonwood Canyon Road Scenic Backway. Along the route pull off to view the Grosvenor Arch—a striking sandstone double archway.
Day 3: Burr Trail & Capitol Reef National Park
Continue on to Capitol Reef National Park. Grab a meal in Boulder, Utah, then descend into a red rock canyon on the Burr Trail Scenic Backway. The paved road winds through the landscape with jaw-dropping scenery the whole way. En route, stop off at Singing Canyon and take a short walk into one of the best natural acoustic environments in the state. Once inside, the walls tower 80 feet into the sky for quite the experience!