Bryce Canyon National Park

Utah, United States

Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah is a geological fantasyland, famed for its otherworldly rock formations known as hoodoos—tall, thin spires of rock that rise like natural sculptures from the canyon floor. Despite its name, Bryce isn’t a true canyon but a series of massive natural amphitheaters carved into the edge of the Paunsaugunt Plateau by frost and water erosion over millions of years.

The park’s high elevation—ranging from 8,000 to 9,000 feet—offers not only cooler temperatures but also some of the darkest night skies in the U.S., making it a haven for stargazers. The most iconic area, Bryce Amphitheater, is home to famous viewpoints like Sunrise Point, Sunset Point, Inspiration Point, and Bryce Point, each offering jaw-dropping vistas of the crimson-hued landscape.

Visitors can hike among the hoodoos on trails like the Navajo Loop and Queen’s Garden, or explore the park’s rim by car or shuttle. In winter, snow adds a magical contrast to the red rock, and cross-country skiing becomes a popular way to explore.