Bryce Canyon is unique that it is not a "real canyon" carved by flowing water, but rather a giant natural amphitheater created by erosion along the eastern side of the Paunsaugunt Plateau. Bryce Amphitheater, which is 12 miles long, 3 miles wide and 800 feet deep, is the largest of all the amphitheaters in the park. Water is the active ingredient here, but in the form of "frost-wedging" and chemical weathering.
For two hundred days a year the temperature goes above and below freezing every day. During the day, melt water seeps into fractures only to freeze at night, expanding by nine percent. Now as ice, it exerts a tremendous force (2,000-20,000 pounds per square inch). Over time this "frost-wedging" shatters and pries rock apart. In addition, rain water, which is naturally acidic, slowly dissolves the limestone, rounding off edges and washing away debris.
The erosion exposed delicate and colorful pinnacles called hoodoos that are up to 200 feet high.The geological hoodoos formed from wind, water and ice erosion of the river and lakebed sedimentary rocks. The red, orange and white colors of the rocks provide spectacular views to visitors. It is the uniqueness of the rocks that caused Bryce Canyon to be designated as a national park.
Visitors to the park enjoy the fantastic views just as they did in the early 1900's, when The Lodge at Bryce Canyon was first constructed, by the Union Pacific Railroad. Built in 1924-1927, the architectural style was used by railroads for lodges across the American west with the encouragement of the National Park Service.
Today, there are 114 comfortable guest rooms at The Lodge at Bryce Canyon, the only lodging inside the national park.
From North Rim of the Grand Canyon:
Take Highway 67 to Highway 89A at Jacob Lake. Turn left on Highway 89A to Highway 89 at Kanab. Take Highway 89 to Highway 12. Turn right (east) on Highway 12 to Highway 63. Turn right (south) on Highway 63 to Bryce Canyon Lodge. Approximately 3 hours / 155 miles. From Lake Powell:
Take Highway 89 from Highway 12. Turn right (east) on Highway 12 to Highway 63. Turn right (south) on Highway 63 to Bryce Canyon Lodge. Approximately 3 hours / 150 miles.
From Salt Lake City:
Take I-15 south to I-70. Take I-70 east to Highway 89. Go south on Highway 89 to Highway 12. Turn left (east) on Highway 12 to Highway 63. Turn right (south) on Highway 63 to Bryce Canyon Lodge. Approximately 5 hours / 260 miles.
From Las Vegas:
Travel North on I-15 from Las Vegas. Take first exit into Cedar City, Utah. Follow the signs and turn right on Hwy 14. Take scenic Hwy 14 to the junction of Hwy 89. Turn left on Hwy 89 to Hwy 12. Turn right on Hwy 12 to Hwy 63 which goes into Bryce Canyon National Park. Approximately 5 hours / 270 miles.
From Zion:
Go east on Highway 9 to Highway 89. Take Highway 89 north. Take Highway 12 to Bryce Canyon Lodge. Approximately 2 hours / 84 miles.
From Grand Canyon South Rim:
Go east on Highway 64 to the junction with Highway 89. Go north on Highway 89 to Mt. Carmel junction. Continue north on 89 to Bryce Canyon Lodge. Approximately 5 hrs. 45 mins. / 292 miles.
From North or South on U.S. 89
Turn east on Utah 12 (seven miles south of Panguitch, Utah) and travel to the junction of Utah 12 and 63. Turn south (right) on Utah 63 and travel three miles to reach the park entrance. (Utah 12 continues east through the northern portion of the park).
From the East:
Travel west on Utah 12 to the intersection of Utah 63. Turn south (left) to reach the park entrance.
