We can’t imagine choosing just one place in Utah as the “most beautiful,” but that’s exactly what the folks at Conde Nast Traveler did. This article shows the most beautiful place in every state, and we have to agree that Bryce Canyon National Park (their Utah pick) is gorgeous. Learn more about why Bryce Canyon was singled out as the most beautiful national park to visit in Utah.
The smallest national park in Utah, Bryce Canyon National Park covers just 35,835 acres, but what it lacks in size, it makes up for in grandeur.
Brent Clark Photography/Moment Collection via Getty Images
Bryce includes several amphitheaters full of hoodoos. The hoodoos are made of limestone, sandstone, siltstone, mudstone, and dolostone, and they eroded into their unique shapes over thousands of years.
Don Smith/Photodisc via Getty Images
Hike the Navajo Loop/Queen’s garden trail to see the hoodoos up close. They were formed by frost wedging and slightly acidic rain, and stand as high as 200 feet.
littleting/Pradthana Jarusriboonchai/Moment Collection via Getty Images Frost wedging occurs when water trickles into the cracks of the sandstone and expands when it freezes. When that happens, the rock is slowly forced apart until it crumbles into the intricate shapes called hoodoos. Slightly acidic rain also does its part to create hoodoos. When it falls onto calcium carbonate (a mineral found in the rocks making up the hoodoos), it dissolves the mineral, which lets the hoodoos continue eroding into intricate shapes.
It’s worth it to wake up early during your visit to the park. Sunrise is absolutely majestic. This photo was taken at Bryce Point…
Gary Yeowell/DigitalVision via Getty Images
…but as you can imagine, it’s pretty jaw-dropping at Sunrise Point, as well! Really, the sun hitting the hoodoos creates a glow that’s hard to beat at any of the viewpoints.
James Marvin Phelps/flickr
Some of the hoodoos have captured the imaginations of guests over the years, including Thor’s Hammer. It’s often photographed at Sunset Point.
Tetra Images - Daniel Grill/Brand X Pictures via Getty Images
Of course, the hoodoos aren’t the only thing to see at Bryce. The park is located on a plateau as high as 9,000 feet - the rooftop of the Grand Staircase. The dark green of the vegetation sets off the colorful sandstone, and it’s all superimposed on a landscape of impressive cliffs and sheer rock walls.
Natalia Kochina/EyeEm via Getty Images
After the sun sets, look to the sky for a star show you might not often see if you live in a city.
Jon Hicks/Stone Collection via Getty Images The area around Bryce Canyon National Park is remote, so there’s little to no light pollution - the perfect conditions for viewing the Milky Way!
Learn more about Bryce Canyon National Park on its website, and follow the park’s Facebook page to see the latest photos and happenings.
Brent Clark Photography/Moment Collection via Getty Images
Don Smith/Photodisc via Getty Images
littleting/Pradthana Jarusriboonchai/Moment Collection via Getty Images
Frost wedging occurs when water trickles into the cracks of the sandstone and expands when it freezes. When that happens, the rock is slowly forced apart until it crumbles into the intricate shapes called hoodoos. Slightly acidic rain also does its part to create hoodoos. When it falls onto calcium carbonate (a mineral found in the rocks making up the hoodoos), it dissolves the mineral, which lets the hoodoos continue eroding into intricate shapes.
Gary Yeowell/DigitalVision via Getty Images
James Marvin Phelps/flickr
Tetra Images - Daniel Grill/Brand X Pictures via Getty Images
Natalia Kochina/EyeEm via Getty Images
Jon Hicks/Stone Collection via Getty Images
The area around Bryce Canyon National Park is remote, so there’s little to no light pollution - the perfect conditions for viewing the Milky Way!
Do you agree that Bryce Canyon National Park is the most beautiful national park to visit in Utah? Tell us your thoughts in the comments — we would love to hear from you! Looking for even more natural beauty in the Beehive State? Check out our Nature Lovers Definitive Guide To Utah’s Natural Beauty – Parks, Beaches, Hikes, And More! There’s truly something for everyone on the list.
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Address: Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
national park to visit in Utah January 13, 2022 Beth C. What are the top natural wonders to see in Utah? Utah is positively brimming with natural wonders to discover. In fact, many folks would agree that the Beehive State is an outdoor enthusiast’s dream come true. If you’re planning to spend some time in Utah, you’re likely excited to get outside and explore the great outdoors. Wondering which are the best natural wonders to check off your list? We’ve got you covered! In fact, we even designed an entire road trip around some of the state’s most impressive natural sites. The itinerary starts at Dead Horse State Park, one of the most impressive natural spaces in the state. This lovely park is so grand that photos of it tend to resemble the Grand Canyon! From the park, you’ll enjoy expansive canyon views as far as the eye can see. Next up on the list is the famous Delicate Arch of Arches National Park. If it looks familiar, it’s because it’s perhaps the most famous landmark in the state. In fact, it’s even featured on the state’s license plate! Measuring 65 feet in height, this beautiful site must be seen to be believed. The other destinations on this natural wonders road trip include Goblin Valley in Goblin Valley State Park, Watepocket Fold in Capitol Reef National Park, Pando in Fishlake National Forest, Bryce Canyon Amphitheater at Bryce Canyon National Park, Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park, Zion Canyon in Zion National Park, and Buckskin Gulch. Curious to see the full itinerary? Check out our previous article: This Natural Wonders Road Trip Will Show You Utah Like You’ve Never Seen It Before. What are the best state parks in Utah?
The OIYS Visitor Center
national park to visit in Utah
January 13, 2022
Beth C.
What are the top natural wonders to see in Utah? Utah is positively brimming with natural wonders to discover. In fact, many folks would agree that the Beehive State is an outdoor enthusiast’s dream come true. If you’re planning to spend some time in Utah, you’re likely excited to get outside and explore the great outdoors. Wondering which are the best natural wonders to check off your list? We’ve got you covered! In fact, we even designed an entire road trip around some of the state’s most impressive natural sites. The itinerary starts at Dead Horse State Park, one of the most impressive natural spaces in the state. This lovely park is so grand that photos of it tend to resemble the Grand Canyon! From the park, you’ll enjoy expansive canyon views as far as the eye can see. Next up on the list is the famous Delicate Arch of Arches National Park. If it looks familiar, it’s because it’s perhaps the most famous landmark in the state. In fact, it’s even featured on the state’s license plate! Measuring 65 feet in height, this beautiful site must be seen to be believed. The other destinations on this natural wonders road trip include Goblin Valley in Goblin Valley State Park, Watepocket Fold in Capitol Reef National Park, Pando in Fishlake National Forest, Bryce Canyon Amphitheater at Bryce Canyon National Park, Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park, Zion Canyon in Zion National Park, and Buckskin Gulch. Curious to see the full itinerary? Check out our previous article: This Natural Wonders Road Trip Will Show You Utah Like You’ve Never Seen It Before. What are the best state parks in Utah?
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Utah is positively brimming with natural wonders to discover. In fact, many folks would agree that the Beehive State is an outdoor enthusiast’s dream come true. If you’re planning to spend some time in Utah, you’re likely excited to get outside and explore the great outdoors. Wondering which are the best natural wonders to check off your list? We’ve got you covered! In fact, we even designed an entire road trip around some of the state’s most impressive natural sites. The itinerary starts at Dead Horse State Park, one of the most impressive natural spaces in the state. This lovely park is so grand that photos of it tend to resemble the Grand Canyon! From the park, you’ll enjoy expansive canyon views as far as the eye can see. Next up on the list is the famous Delicate Arch of Arches National Park. If it looks familiar, it’s because it’s perhaps the most famous landmark in the state. In fact, it’s even featured on the state’s license plate! Measuring 65 feet in height, this beautiful site must be seen to be believed. The other destinations on this natural wonders road trip include Goblin Valley in Goblin Valley State Park, Watepocket Fold in Capitol Reef National Park, Pando in Fishlake National Forest, Bryce Canyon Amphitheater at Bryce Canyon National Park, Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park, Zion Canyon in Zion National Park, and Buckskin Gulch. Curious to see the full itinerary? Check out our previous article: This Natural Wonders Road Trip Will Show You Utah Like You’ve Never Seen It Before.
What are the best state parks in Utah?
