Bryce From the Smallfry Viewpoint
Description:
Bryce offers a lot of great family activities, such as horseback riding, moonlight hikes, astronomy programs, and of course hiking. The Junior Ranger program is an excellent place to get your young defenders of the wilds started on appreciating their national parks. Plus, it gives you a bit of breathing space as they occupy themselves with filling out their activity booklets! (And if you happen to sprechen sie deutsch or parlez-vous francais, Bryce has those languages covered as well.) This is wonderful Park to explore with kids, because of the fascinating shapes of the rocks that lead to many questions and have equally fascinating answers—if, of course, they're answered in kid-friendly language, which the rangers do very well. Round up your little dogies and git 'em out to Bryce. You won't be disappointed in your adventure! *Note: The Park's free shuttle system is a great way to avoid parking headaches, save the environment, and allow everyone to enjoy the views. It usually runs from late May through early September.
Author: Julie Trevelyan
Day 1 - Bryce Canyon National Park
First stop of the day: the Bryce Canyon Visitor Center. Explore the stuffed animals in the museum, representing the creatures found in and around Bryce. Then, if you've ever wondered what a “hoodoo” is, pick up the Junior Ranger activity sheet and find out! Talk to friendly rangers to ask any more questions you have, and you're off. Oh, and find out about attending the near-daily Family Programs in the North Campground Picnic Area. Check out the Mossy Cave hike, which is short and easy but covers a lot of classic Bryce features. It's also a good choice on a hot day, as any hiking done near water just feels cooler. Then truly delve deep into the Park with a horseback ride from Canyon Trail Rides. They offer short trips, but try the ½ day if you have time and everyone is comfortable—it's only 3½ hours long. They take kids as young as seven for the two-hour ride and as young as ten for the ½-day trip. Eat dinner (and lunch, unless you brown bag it) and sleep at the in-park Bryce Canyon Lodge, unless you choose to stay in the North Campground and cook out under the stars.
1
Mossy Cave
Location:
view in google mapsBryce Canyon National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park, UT 84764
2
Navajo Loop
Location:
view in google mapsBryce Canyon National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park, UT 84764
2
Astronomy Program: Solar Viewing
Location:
view in google mapsBryce Canyon National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park, UT 84764
Phone:
(435) 834-53222
Geology Talks
Location:
view in google mapsBryce Canyon National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park, UT 84764
Phone:
(435) 834-53222
North Campground
Location:
view in google mapsHighway 63
Bryce Canyon National Park, UT 84764
Phone:
(866) 866-66163
Canyon Trail Rides
Location:
view in google mapsBryce Canyon National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park, UT 84764
Phone:
(435) 679-86654
The Lodge at Bryce Canyon
Location:
view in google mapsBetween Sunrise and Sunset Points
Bryce Canyon National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park, UT
Phone:
(877) 386-43835
The Lodge at Bryce Canyon
Location:
view in google mapsBryce Canyon National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park, UT 84717
Phone:
(435) 834-8760Day 2 - Bryce Canyon National Park
First off, if you've planned your trip around one of Bryce's super popular Full Moon Hikes, you need to go to the visitor center as soon as it opens and get on the list. They only take 30 people a day, and they only let you sign up the day of the hike. After you've secured your spot for the night hike, head out with a ranger-led Rim Walk (1 mile, 1½ hour) or, if you're more adventurous and more keen on rock history, a ranger-led Geology Hike (two miles, two hours). After lunch either at the Bryce Canyon Lodge or packed out and spent gazing over an endless, hoodoo-filled vista, head to the easy Queens Garden Trail—and play Can you see the queen? (Look for a hoodoo resembling Queen Victoria proudly gazing out over her hoodoo garden below.) That evening, it's time for the Full Moon Hike, which is a perennial favorite of many. This is a great one for kids, as it's easy, safe, and really neat to be able to go hiking at night. And it's an even better idea during summer, when it's quite warm during the day, even at 9,000 feet. *Note: Unscheduled activities include alternate hikes and ranger-led programs to choose from.
1
Geology Hike
Location:
view in google mapsBryce Canyon National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park, UT 84764
2
Queen's Garden
Location:
view in google mapsBryce Canyon National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park, UT 84764
3
Astronomy Program: Night Sky Programs
Location:
view in google mapsBryce Canyon National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park, UT 84764
Phone:
(435) 834-53224
Full Moon Hikes
Location:
view in google mapsBryce Canyon National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park, UT 84764
Phone:
(435) 834-5322