Best of Bryce Canyon National Park

Sunrise and Sunset Points [1]: At their appointed hours, these overlooks are irresistible, especially if you have a camera in hand. Unless you are utterly jaded, don’t pass these off as mere clichés.

Inspiration Point [1]: From Sunset Point, walk south along the Rim Trail to see a fantastic maze of hoodoos in the “Silent City.” Vertical joints in the rocks have weathered to form many rows of narrow gullies, some more than 200 feet deep.

Yovimpa and Rainbow Points [1]: Really, all of Bryce’s viewpoints are pretty spectacular, but this 9,115-foot-high spot at the end of the scenic road is particularly dramatic. From this spot you can start a day hike, a backpacking trip, or a stroll along a nature trail.

Queen’s Garden Trail [2]: This, the easiest hike below the rim, can still leave flatlanders huffing and puffing. The trail drops from Sunrise Point through impressive features in the middle of Bryce Amphitheater to a hoodoo resembling a portly Queen Victoria.

Navajo Loop Trail [2]: From Sunset Point, hike down through a narrow canyon. At the bottom, the loop leads into deep, dark Wall Street—an even narrower canyon—then returns to the rim. From the bottom you can hook up with other trails, including one leading to the town of Tropic.

Red Canyon Bike Trails [3]: As lovely as Bryce Canyon is, sometimes the crowds, the tour buses, and all the synchronized oohing and aahing can begin to close in on you. In that case, put rubber to the road on the wonderful paved bike trail that parallels Highway 12 through Red Canyon. If the paved path is too tame, take a mountain bike up Red Canyon’s trails.