Bryce Canyon
A good example of the beautiful nature that Utah has can be found in Bryce Canyon National Park. Located in southern Utah, the park is known for its unique rock formations. Due to its location, the area is very dry but colorful, with mostly red mountain and rock formations. The pointed rocks are called hoodoos. This name may remind you of the word ‘voodoo’. And for good reason! The first scientists to come to Bryce thought the spiral rocks could enchant you…
The park’s amphitheater showcases Bryce’s history. The erosion shows how the colors of the rocks have changed and also shows traces of life that could be found millions of years ago in the region of Bryce. Because of the high location (about 650 meters!) and the good air quality in Bryce, the view is often breathtakingly beautiful. On clear days you can sometimes see hundreds of kilometers into the distance!
Fun fact: on clear nights you should really look up. The starry sky is dazzlingly beautiful with sometimes 7500 stars!!
What to do?
As in many National Parks you can also camp in Bryce. It is true that Bryce’s camping pitches are exceptionally well equipped! So you don’t necessarily have to go back to basics here. There are showers, toilets and you could even do some laundry. The park’s activities are also very interesting. For example, you can participate in the ‘ranger led programs’, which means no more than being accompanied by a park ranger.
There are so-called ‘full moon hikes’ where you can admire the beautiful rock formations in an approximately two-hour trip ‘by night’. This tour is one of the park’s biggest attractions, so plan carefully before coming to Bryce! Other programs such as the astronomy program are interesting and fun to do. The ‘normal’ tour through Bryce is also highly recommended. Have fun!
Zion National Park
Did you know that at the beginning of the last century hardly anyone was aware of the beautiful nature of Zion National Park? The park is located in southwestern Utah where it is always dry and warm. The average temperature is around 30 degrees and this has had an impact on nature. The park is known for its unparalleled rock formations, canyons and sandstone cliffs. Zion was Utah’s first National Park.
Zion’s showpiece is the Kolob Ark. This is a natural arch in a rock of the national park. It is the largest of its kind in the Western Hemisphere. You have to cover a lot of kilometers before you reach it, but then you see something.
Zion is home to a wide variety of beautiful flora and fauna. Bats, owls, hares, rabbits, foxes and bears can be found in Zion. Skunks, moose and certain reptiles also call this park their home. You can enjoy all this beauty in different ways. In the National Park you can go cycling or hiking. Horseback riding is a nice change if you visit Zion between March and October.
Capitol Reef
A fine example of Mother Nature’s work can be found in Capitol Reef National Park. A kind of curvature in the Earth’s crust of more than 150 kilometers ensures the enormous interest in Capitol Reef. The curvature in question is made of sandstone and consists of brilliant white domed rocks and deep cliffs. Capitol Reef gets its name from the resemblance it evokes to the Capitol in Washington, on Capitol Hill. The phenomenon runs from Thousand Lake Mountain to Lake Powell.
Of course there is more to see in the park than the beautiful rock formations. Despite the fairly dry environment, there are many animal species such as bears, weasels, bats, wolves, lynx and bison! Are you ready for an adventure, off the beaten path? Then you’ve come to the right place here in Capitol Reef National Park! If you like walking, then there are beautiful ‘tracks’ laid out here on which you can explore the area.
In the park it is again possible to rent a bicycle or enjoy a ride on one of the horses of the park. For the real dare devil it is of course a challenge to inspect the rocks of the National Park! Rock climbing is an option in the park, but be sure to inform yourself in advance about the equipment and safety.
