Amazed with the maze of multicolored sandstone spires that spread before us, we take the Navajo Loop Trail ever downward on orange sand into a narrow slit of bright orange canyon walls looking so weathered, and out we go to the other side of the slit to see among the pines an immense array of pinnacles rising above, like bishops. kings and queens, ever at play through the seasons in a silent game of giant chess under indigo blue skies and filled with the fragrance of pines.
Sincerely,
Bryce Canyon National Park
This popular park is most famous for its colorful hoodoos, and there are more of these artfully eroded spires here than anywhere else on Earth. The area is not actually a canyon, however, but a series of amphitheaters which feature remarkable rock formations and extensive forests dominated with conifers, including ancient bristlecone pines. Together with Zion and Grand Canyon National Parks, Bryce Canyon is part of a geologic wonder known as the Grand Staircase, an immense area of rock with layered sedimentary formations ranging from 600 million to 2,000 million years old.
State(s): Utah
Established: 1942
“You never can tell what insights our National Parks give to visitors once they have had a chance to explore.”
National parks represent the best of America. Why do you care about protecting and preserving them? Tell us why parks matter to you!
Success! Thanks for sharing your story with us.
You’ll be notified by email when your story is approved and added to the collection on the My Park Story homepage.
In the meantime, you can share your own story page with your family and friends — and help us spread the word about these priceless memories and priceless places!
Here’s your unique story page link:
{{ storyUrl }}-
Greetings from Bryce Canyon National Park
I've been a national park junkie for more than 30 years. This is the first trip west with my partner Keith (who hadn't been to many NPs) in 2007. We hadn't been dating long and unbeknownst to him, it was somewhat of a "test" for him. I'm happy to report…
Preserve Our Parks
Make a tax-deductible gift today to provide a brighter future for our national parks and the millions of Americans who enjoy them.
Donate Now