Scenic Drive
#4 in Best Things To Do in Bryce Canyon National Park
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The park's 38-mile (round-trip) scenic drive features 13 viewpoints along the route. The northern overlooks have the most hoodoos, but the southern overlooks offer the most expansive views. If you've got time, you'll find plenty of hiking trails, ranger programs and picnic areas to take advantage of along the way.
Previous visitors used words like "awesome" and "fantastic" to describe the route, recommending future travelers set aside several hours for the drive to allow for frequent stops. Keep in mind: Park rangers estimate that the drive takes a minimum of three hours.
The park encourages visitors to start their driving tour of Bryce Canyon National Park by driving straight to Rainbow Point at the very southern end of the park. From there, the whole park stretches out before you as you travel north. Access to the drive is included in park admission. Highway 12, or Utah's All-American Road, cuts across the northern part of the park, providing access to the Bryce Canyon area. Highway 63 runs south of Highway 12, running through the central part of the park past the visitor center, the campgrounds and all of the scenic overlooks.
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2 of 7#1 Inspiration Point
For diverse perspectives of the main amphitheater, head to Inspiration Point, which is home to three levels of viewpoints. From here, visitors can look toward the Silent City (near Sunset Point) with rows of hoodoos set against the backdrop of Boat Mesa. Recent visitors called the view breathtaking and noted that this is a great way for people with mobility issues to see "one of the most incredible views in the USA."
There are no trails that lead into the canyon, and the park says that the cliffs of Inspiration Point are quite dangerous, with crumbly rock, slippery slopes and sheer drop-offs. Visitors should remain behind the railing at all times. However, you can walk to Sunset Point from here along an easy path that extends for less than a mile. Inspiration Point is the No. 4 stop on the park's free shuttle. Check out the NPS website to find out more about Inspiration Point's geology.
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