Spring 2025 Utah, 4.16.25 - 5.14.25, Part 2, More Bryce Canyon National Park & Kodachrome Basin State Park
Since we didn’t really see much of Bryce Canyon National Park the first time we visited, the day after we hiked the Fairyland Loop our plan was to shoot sunrise and then basically drive through the park just to see what there was to see. We got up early and made it to Inspiration Point before the sun rose. It was still cold but not nearly as cold as the previous day. There were very few people up there as I secured my spot on the rim between the middle and upper overlooks. I set up my tripod and we waited for the sun which broke the horizon at 6:49AM. It lit up the southern and western portions of the amphitheater but it took awhile for the sun to reach the northern part. Seeing the orange hoodoos at sunrise is just spectacular. It looks so much better than later in the day when the sun is high. If I had to choose, I think that for photography, Sunrise Point was better than Inspiration Point but the views are quite different so I’m so glad I have had the chance to shoot from both spots.
Bryce Amphitheater from Inspiration Point
Hoodoos in Bryce Amphitheater
Morning glow in Bryce Amphitheater
Bryce Amphitheater
After about a half hour of shooting sunrise at Inspiration Point, the best light was done. We drove a short way up to Bryce Point. This time there was only two other cars in the parking lot. A short walk took us out to the overlook at Bryce Point. This is the highest overlook in the main area and also being the furthest south it gives you a broad view of the entire main amphitheater as you look north. It was quite a view but I was glad I chose Inspiration Point for sunrise. From Bryce Point we could also see portions of another loop trail called the Peekaboo Loop. This is a 5.2 mile loop and we would love to get back and do that one of these days. All the trails that drop down into the hoodoos give you different perspectives and I am sure they are all great hikes.
View from Bryce Point
After Bryce Point we drove an offshoot road to Paria View. Again, not one other person there. In general I think Bryce was much less crowded than I expected. Paria View was nice but not as spectacular as the main amphitheater. I think it would be a good spot for late afternoon photos.
Next we drove south to the end of the park road at Rainbow Point, which is an eighteen mile drive from the visitor center. Rainbow Point was fascinating. Although separated by national park status, Bryce Canyon is part of what is known as the Grand Staircase. This is a geologic wonder covering 1.9 million acres. The staircase is a series of six gigantic steps in the earth’s crust that gradually descend in elevation. The highest step in the staircase are the Pink Cliffs which are what Bryce Canyon is comprised of. In descending order, the Grey Cliffs are next, then the White Cliffs (where Zion is), the Vermillion Cliffs (maybe my favorite national monument where The Wave, White Pocket and South Coyote Buttes are found), The Chocolate Cliffs and finally the Kaibab Plateau which is where the north rim of the Grand Canyon is. From Rainbow Point, the Pink Cliffs stretch northward towards the main amphitheater.
The uppermost step of the Grand Staircase, the Pink Cliffs, as seen from Rainbow Point
We spent the rest of the morning just working our way back north, stopping at every pullout. Though most people never venture beyond the main amphitheater, there is plenty to see in this southern part of the park. The north facing hillsides still had lots of snow and Natural Bridge was one of the highlights of this area.
Hoodoos in snow
Natural Bridge
This was Easter Sunday but instead of rabbits we had turkeys!
Our resume at Bryce Canyon National Park now included the Queen’s Garden/Navajo Loop, the Fairyland Loop, sunrise photography from both Sunrise Point and Inspiration Point and a nice drive to see the southern part of the park. While there is more to see and do, we felt like we have seen a good bit of what Bryce Canyon has to offer. We left satisfied.
Later that evening after we had dinner, we drove just a few short miles up to Mike and Greg’s campsite on Skutumpah Road. We all piled into the Jeep and drove a very short way to Kodachrome Basin State Park. For Bridgit and I, this was our third visit but Mike had never been. We took them on the Angel’s Palace Trail which is only a 1.5 mile loop with barely any elevation gain. It’s a beautiful hike any time but during the golden hour before sunset it is stunning.
The view from our campsite in Cannonville
Kodachrome Basin State Park
Bridgit, Mike, Greg, Brinley
From the Angel’s Palace Trail/Kodachrome Basin State Park
From the Angel’s Palace Trail/Kodachrome Basin State Park
From the Angel’s Palace Trail/Kodachrome Basin State Park
From the Angel’s Palace Trail/Kodachrome Basin State Park
It was a fine way to wrap up the first phase of our month long trip through Utah. The next morning we would head out to our next adventure!