Bryce Canyon National Park

utah · geology · hoodoos · nature

Not actually a canyon. Despite its name, Bryce Canyon is really a collection of giant natural amphitheaters, not a true canyon. These bowl-shaped formations sit along the edge of the Paunsaugunt Plateau in southwestern Utah.

Hoodoos everywhere. The park is famous for hoodoos, which are tall, thin rock towers that look like they belong on an alien planet. These strange shapes formed over millions of years as frost, water, and erosion carved away at layers of reddish and orange rock.

Rainbow rock colors. The rocks at Bryce Canyon are painted in brilliant reds, oranges, and whites that make the landscape look almost magical. The different colors come from different minerals in the rock layers.

Way up high. Bryce Canyon sits much higher than the nearby Zion National Park, with its rim ranging from 8,000 to 9,000 feet above sea level. That's so high that the air is thinner and the views stretch for miles.