Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks Self-Driving Bundle Tour

Named after the Mormon Pioneer Ebenezer Bryce, Bryce Canyon became a National Park in 1924. Bryce is famous for its unique geology, which consists of a series of horseshoe-shaped amphitheaters carved from the eastern edge of the Paunsaugunt Plateau in southern Utah. Named after the Mormon Pioneer Ebenezer Bryce, Bryce Canyon became a National Park in 1924. Bryce is famous for its unique geology, which consists of a series of horseshoe-shaped amphitheaters carved from the eastern edge of the Paunsaugunt Plateau in southern Utah. The erosional force has shaped the colorful limestone rock of the Claron Formation into bizarre shapes, including slot canyons, windows, fins, and spires called hoodoos. Tinted with colors too numerous and subtle to name, these whimsically arranged rocks create a wondrous landscape of mazes, offering some of the most exciting and memorable walks and hikes imaginable.

Embark on this epic adventure through Bryce Canyon National Park just before the Visitor Center. As we begin the drive, we'll learn about how the canyon got its namesake and about the original Paitue people who called this land home.

Our first detour is at the breathtaking Fairyland Point. This overlook offers a great sneak peek at everything Bryce Canyon contains: sweeping vistas, sheer cliffs, and, of course, the world-famous hoodoos!

Our next stop is one of the most famous in the entire park: Sunrise Point. From this vantage point, we'll see unique, picturesque rock formations spread out in front of us and a plethora of natural trails leading into the vast, alient landscape.

Our self-guided driving tour continues around the famous Bryce Amphitheatre! The canyon curves around in the shape of a giant semicircle and dips far below our feet.

Our drive brings us to another striking vista point overlooking the Bryce Amphitheatre: Sunset Point. Here, as we gaze out over the implausible shapes below us, we'll learn about the science behind their formations and understand what, exactly, makes a hoodoo. We'll explore the impact of geology and erosion over a monumental time scale, hoping to understand how such a incredible landscape came into existence.

We continue our self-guided tour deeper into Bryce Canyon, towards Inspiration Point. As we drive, we learn about the Paiute people and their mythologies. They had their own explanation for the uniqueness of this landscape and the origins of Bryce's famous hoodoos.

This brings us to Bryce Point, which offers one of the most scenic vistas of the full amphitheater. Bryce Point is also famous for its extraordinary sunrises. From here you can watch the tops of hoodoos set alight as if by fire from the first rays of the rising sun. Like fire, the orange light quickly spreads driving shadows from all but the deepest recesses of the amphitheater. As we drive here, we'll learn about the Mormon settlers who followed the Paitue and tried to eke out a living in this unforgiving climate.

Our self-guided tour continues to Paria View, where we see the effects of a centuries-old glacier. As the earth warmed about 12,000 years ago, the last ice age came to an end. As the enormous glaciers which covered the American continent melted, all that new water had to go somewhere. Answer: down the canyon!

Now our drive takes us into the lesser-trafficked part of the park. As we drive to Swamp Canyon Overlook, we'll learn about a famous local: Butch Cassidy! We'll learn all about Butch, Sundance, and the difference between fact and fiction as we continue the self-guided tour.

Our next stop is at Farview Point. It’s not just the elevation that allows for such incredible views here -- the land here also offers something becoming increasingly rare in today’s world. Can you guess what it is? Clean air! That's helped along by the abundance of bristlecone pines here, which are the Earth's oldest trees.

The self-guided tour passes by Natural Bridge next, which features unusual arches and formations -- in case we weren't already amazed by the hoodoos of the amphitheatre!

This brings us to Ponderosa Point, from which you can see the park’s iconic junipers sprawling out into the distance. We're now driving into the deepest recesses of Bryce Canyon National Park.

Our self-guided drive continues towards Black Birch Canyon Overlook. As we drive, we'll learn all about the night sky and opportunities for amateaur astronomy while you're here. The stargazing at Bryce is unparalleled.

Finally, we reach the farthest overlooks inside Bryce Canyon: Rainbow and Yovimpa. From here, you can see nearly everything in Bryce Canyon -- the quintessential hoodoos, the verdant basin, the sheer cliffs. You can even see that you're on the top step of the incredibly massive "Grand Staircase" -- a geologic structure "stepping down" all the way to the Grand Canyon in Arizona.

That arch up ahead and its twin a little ways down the road are the Red Canyon Arches. These might look a little like natural arches, but they’re actually made by people. Workers tunneled through solid rock here in 1914 to make room for the road. Since then, these have become a sort of gateway to the beautiful expanse of Bryce Canyon.

Zion National Park is a southwest Utah nature preserve distinguished by Zion Canyon’s steep red cliffs. Zion Canyon Scenic Drive cuts through its main section, leading to forest trails along the Virgin River. The river flows to the Emerald Pools, which have waterfalls and a hanging garden. Also along the river, partly through deep chasms, is Zion Narrows wading hike.

Welcome to Zion National Park! This raw landscape has it all: staggering mountain peaks, stunning natural pools, and gorgeous vistas. We’ll explore it all today.

Continue straight. Just before the bridge, you’ll see a path on the left. That’s the start of the Pa’rus Trail. And just after the bridge is another path -- the Watchman Trail. Both are popular hikes with great views at the end.

While we don’t know too much about those Ice Age hunters, newer residents left their stories behind. Around 300 BCE, people started settling down here and farming. They grew squash and corn, and gradually learned how to better cultivate the land and survive the unforgiving climate. One group, the Fremont, cultivated a drought- and cold-resistant species of corn which could thrive even at high altitudes.

We’re almost at Canyon Junction Bridge. There’s a lot going on there: First, it’s a great sunset spot. Be sure to come back here later. Second, there are great views of the Watchman and other mountains. If you find parking, take it and listen to the Learn More stories about the peaks. Third, this is where the road splits: Turn left if you want to drive along the Scenic Road and visit the Narrows, Angel’s Landing, or the Emerald Pools.

Whew, what a view! Those three mountains are the iconic Court of the Patriarchs. And who are these patriarchs? Well, a local Christian minister named them after three figures from the Bible: Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, from left to right.

The park service works hard to keep this place as natural and untouched as possible… while simultaneously handling over 4 million visitors each year. But that wasn’t the case in the early 1900s. No one knew about this place and that meant no revenue... and that meant… development.

First, bring lots of water! You may think you’ve got enough… but you probably don’t. This might seem obvious, but Utah’s heat is unforgiving, and heat-stroke or sun-stroke can easily ruin a fun vacation. Second, make sure you don’t overtax yourself! Hiking around here is going to be more difficult than you might be used to, thanks to the elevation. Be sure you don’t embark on journeys you’re not certain you’ll be able to finish.

This park has a ton of great trails, but Angel’s Landing stands in a league of its own. Those who complete the hike describe it as a breathtaking experience like no other, offering impossible views and a major adrenaline rush.

his spot offers picnic tables, restrooms, and fire grates. But the surrounding trails are the main attraction!

A continuous stream of water trickles down its face from a stream far above

As we round the Big Bend of the Virgin River, we’ll approach the last viewpoint on this drive. Stop there for magnificent views of the Great White Throne and the towering peak of Angel’s Landing.

To see the Narrows, you’ll want to follow the paved Riverwalk all the way to the end. It’s a flat, easy walk, full of beautiful greenery and towering natural skyscrapers. But before you set off, let’s talk about the Temple of Sinawava.

That towering summit ahead is the East Temple, standing at 1,700 feet. Notice how the cliff isn’t all one color? You’ve probably seen this on the other rock faces as well. That’s because these cliffs are actually made of rock from a bunch of different eras in the earth’s history.

At the next hairpin turn, you’ll see a pull off. If there’s room, stop there for some incredible views. While stopped, click on Learn More to hear why the Mormons called this place Zion.

Make sure to turn on those headlights -- because the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel is just ahead! Once inside, you might be tempted to stop and take photos, but you’ll have to resist the urge: stopping is strictly prohibited.

The Canyon Overlook Trail is one of East Zion’s finest -- even though it’s short and easy. Why? Simple -- the spectacular views from the top.

If you look closely at the Altar of Sacrifice, you’ll notice that it’s got streaks of rusty red running down the sides. Early Mormon pioneers saw this and thought it looked like blood spilling from a sacrificial altar. Of course, there’s a much less gruesome explanation.

Look at that mesa rising into the sky. Notice anything peculiar? As you get closer, you should be able to make out a strange grid of criss-crossed lines all over it. It looks a bit like a checkerboard, which is how it gets the name Checkerboard Mesa!

We’re at the East Ranger Station, which means we’ve reached the end of our tour. I hope you’ve enjoyed learning about the formation of this majestic place and all the people who’ve lived here over the millennia. If you’re planning to visit other parks in the southwest, such as Bryce, Arches, or Monument Valley, be sure to check out my other tours.