Day Trips from Bryce Canyon

This is a long but immensely popular day, swapping Bryce's high-altitude amphitheaters for Zion's sheer sandstone cliffs and the lush Virgin River canyon. The contrast is striking. Focus on the main canyon, where a free shuttle bus takes you to trailheads for walks like the Riverside Walk or, for the ambitious, the early stages of the Angels Landing hike. It's a full day of driving and sightseeing. It gives you a memorable taste of two well-known Utah parks in one trip.

This vast, rugged monument has a more remote and adventurous counterpoint to Bryce Canyon. The drive along Highway 12 east from Bryce is spectacular, crossing the Hogsback ridge with dizzying drops. Your destination is the Dry Fork area near the town of Escalante, which provides access to several famous slot canyons. A day here involves a bumpy dirt road drive and some non-technical but sometimes tight canyon scrambling. It has a completely different physical experience from rim-side viewpoints.

Often called a 'mini-Bryce' at a higher elevation, Cedar Breaks has an impressive, deep amphitheater of hoodoos and cliffs in shades of red and orange. The cooler, forested environment feels worlds away. The scenic drive up from Bryce passes through Dixie National Forest, and the monument itself has a short rim drive with several overlooks and a few easy trails. It's a less crowded, more relaxed alternative. You get similar geology without the crowds of Bryce Canyon.

Just a half-hour south of Bryce, this state park feels like a secret, smaller-scale geological wonderland. It's known for its 67 sandstone chimneys, some towering nearly 200 feet high, and its colorful, layered cliffs. The hiking is excellent and generally less strenuous than Bryce's steeper trails. It's a perfect place to spend a morning or afternoon hiking. Combine it with a visit to nearby Grosvenor Arch or a slow drive through the surrounding red rock for a full, leisurely day.

You drive right through this area on your way to Bryce from the west, but it's worth a dedicated stop. The bright red hoodoos and arches right along Highway 12 feel like a preview of the national park. There are paved trails that go under and through the rock formations, a network of mountain biking trails, and a fantastic visitor center. It's an easy, low-commitment excursion. It packs a lot of scenery into a short visit.

This trip is more about the journey and a change of scene than a single destination. Driving the loop via Panguitch Lake on Highway 143 takes you up into the high country of the Markagunt Plateau. You'll pass through dense aspen and pine forests, open meadows, and by a large, popular fishing lake. The town of Panguitch itself has a quaint, historic main street with old brick buildings. It's a good option for a relaxing drive, some fishing or lakeside picnicking, and a bit of pioneer history.