Bryce Canyon Utah Fun Things To See & Do

National Monument National Park Red Canyon, Utah Tropic Reservoir

Explore the dazzling natural wonders of Utah and fun things to do from the Bryce Canyon Resort. The Bryce, Utah area offers a rare concentration of national parks, national monuments and state parks that make it possible to see many parks without driving long distances. Spend your time at the park, not driving to get there. Bryce Canyon National Park, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Kodachrome Basin State Park and Capitol Reef National Park are within less than 12 miles of Bryce Utah.

Take advantage of the rugged Utah terrain with its dramatic canyons, flowing rivers and towering cliffs to experience exciting recreational activity. Hiking, horseback riding, ATV off-roading, fishing and hunting are just some of the fun things to do and see in Utah. The beauty of Utah must be seen to be believed. There’s no other place like it! Keep reading to learn more about great things to see and do in Utah.

Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument.

Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument combines two of America’s most splendid natural landmarks into one destination. The “Grand Staircase” in the title refers to the cliffs and terraces that stretch across Utah. The “Escalante” part of the title represents the Escalante River Canyons. Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument covers a whopping 1.9 million acres. To learn more about one of the best things to do Utah, visit www.ut.blm.gov/monument.

Utah’s Grand Circle.

Utah’s Grand Circle refers to the loop that includes Utah's five national parks: Capitol Reef National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Bryce Canyon, Zion National Park and Arches National Park. In addition, Monument Valley, Mesa Verde and the Grand Canyon are all accessible from Utah. Taking the entire loop around the Grand Circle in Utah to visit each of these national parks and monuments generally takes at least a week. For more details on things to do and see on Utah’s Grand Circle tour, visit www.utah.com/nationalparks/grandcircle.htm.  [Top]

Capitol Reef National Park.

Capitol Reef National Park enjoys a colorful history that includes being known as "Wayne Wonderland" in the 1920s. Extending from Thousand Lake Mountain to Lake Powell in the south, “Capitol Reef” takes its name from a particularly spectacular series of domes and cliffs comprised of Navajo Sandstone. Strangely enough, the white color of the domes have caused them to be likened to the United States Capitol Building and resulted in the name. To learn more about one of Utah’s best attractions and one of the most fun things to do with kids, visit www.nps.gov/care.

Bryce Canyon National Park.

Bryce Canyon National Park was settled by Mormons in the 1850s and today represents one of America’s most spectacular natural wonders with its array of stunning geological features. You’ll see brightly colored red and orange rocks and distinctive “hoodoos,” which are tall spires that resemble totem poles and have been formed from the erosive effects of wind and water. Enjoy fabulous recreational activities in Bryce Canyon National Park including hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding and free snowshoe rentals at the park visitor center. For more information on free things to do in southern Utah’s Bryce Canyon National Park, visit www.nps.gov/brca.  [Top]

Red Canyon, Utah.

Red Canyon, Utah is located near Bryce Canyon National Park and takes its name from brightly colored vistas of vibrant orange and red rock formations. Bordering the spectacular Ponderosa pines of Dixie National Forest, Red Canyon sits along Paunsaugunt Plateau’s west side. Red Rock Canyon offers lovely drives, scenic hiking in the summer, cross-country skiing in the winter and a U.S. Forest Service campground. Stop by the visitor center location near the entrance to Red Canyon on Highway 12. To learn more about fun things to do and see at Utah’s Red Canyon, visit www.zionnational-park.com/red-canyon-utah.htm.

Kodachrome Basin State Park.

Kodachrome Basin State Park takes its name from the sprawling Kodachrome Basin and features spectacular rock formations. Some of the most famous rock outcroppings include Chimney Rock, Shakespeare Arch, Ballerina Geyser and Grosvenor Arch, which displays a unique double-arch formation. Nearby Bryce Canyon National Park, Kodachrome Basin State Park is located just 9 miles south of Highway 12 in the region of Cannonville, Utah. Kodachrome Basin State Park features campgrounds, horse rentals and picnic tables. For more details on things to at Utah’s Kodachrome Basin State Park, visit stateparks.utah.gov/stateparks/parks/kodachrome.  [Top]

Tropic Reservoir.

Tropic Reservoir is located just a few miles west of Bryce Canyon National Park and offers some of southern Utah’s top trails for ATVs (all-terrain vehicles) and great visitor facilities. Tropic Reservoir features a campground, drinking water and bathroom facilities. Great for fishing, cutthroat trout and rainbow trout are among the top catches at Utah’s Tropic Reservoir. For more information about things to do at Tropic Reservoir in southern Utah, visit www.utahatvtrails.com/ATVtropic.html.

Fishlake National Forest.

Fishlake National Forest stretches for an astounding 1.4 million acres in south central Utah and is home to Utah’s largest natural mountain lake. A top Utah destination for trophy fishers, hunters and bird watchers, Fishlake National Forest draws many visitors seeking exciting outdoor recreation in Utah. For more details on seeing Fishlake National Forest and things to do, visit www.fs.fed.us/r4/fishlake.

Otter Creek State Park & Reservoir.

Otter Creek State Park & Reservoir covers 3,120 acres and is home to fun fishing and boating. The Otter Creek State Park & Reservoir is located on State Route 22, just four miles northwest of Antimony, Utah. Otter Creek State Park & Reservoir features superb facilities, including campgrounds, biking trails, picnicking units, fish cleaning stations, modern rest rooms with hot showers, boat launching ramp and courtesy docks. For more details about things to see & do at Otter Creek State Park in Utah, visit www.utah.com/stateparks/otter_creek.htm.  [Top]