Bryce Canyon National Park

We drove 2 hours on Sunday , June 7, from Zion to Bryce Canyon and the landscape became increasingly impressive with large rock formations and different types of rock layers. We stayed at Ruby’s Inn RV Park and Campground; a mini town owned by one family. It’s an interesting story starting in 1916 when Ruby and Minnie Syrett purchased land on the Paunsaugunt Plateau. In 1919 they pitched a tent at the rim of the canyon to show visitors the beauty. Then they built an Inn and the rest follows with restaurants, entertainment and activities for families. It’s still owned by the family run by their grandchildren and great grandchildren.
On Monday we rode our bikes 10 miles on a paved bike path into Dixie National Forest (away from Bryce) toward rock hoodoos in Red Canyon and tunnels we drove through on the way to Bryce.
Tuesday we took the Bryce Shuttle into the park and hiked the Navajo loop to Peek-a-boo loop. It was incredible with very unique rock formations ranging in colors of red, gray and white. We started by hiking down “Wall Street”; a steep descent into the canyon surrounded by massive red rock walls. We then hiked up and down the mountain, between walls and through tunnels cut in the rock. Peek-a-boo is named such because there is a surprise around every turn and there was!
On Wednesday we drove to Grand Staircase - Escalante National Monument and hiked Lower Calf Creek Falls trail. It was a fairly level hike but sandy which made it more difficult. The path was narrow between tall shrubs and trees and there were several spots where we climbed over rocks, but overall not too bad. The waterfall at the end, wildflowers and flowering cactus along the path was well worth the sandy hike. On the way back to camp we stopped at Petrified Forest State Park but were too tired to hike up to the petrified trees; we were hoping we could drive through it.
On our last day we biked 5 miles into Bryce Canyon from camp to Inspiration Point and back. Then we drove to Mossy Cave to view a grotto and a man made waterfall that was created when pioneers were digging Tropical Ditch to bring water down from the Sevier River. Mossy is a few minutes from the RV park and outside the main gate of Bryce, though it’s part of the park. From there we drove the Southern Scenic Drive on the far side of Bryce Canyon and stopped at the overlooks to take in the views.Read more