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Since we knew we had limited time to explore Bryce, we had booked in advance the two hour AM horse-back ride into the canyon.
None of us were experienced riders and were feeling some trepidation…how do I get up in the saddle, how do I steer, what if I drive my horse off the cliff?? We needn’t have worried. The horses (and some mules) know the route and the staff helped us the whole way. My horse was Peanut and he was sweet and surefooted.
It was a little scary when we first came over the ridge and looked down into the canyon. But the scenery was so beautiful and the horses so calm, that our fears quickly evaporated.
The guide kept us entertained with information about the canyon and cheesy cowboy humor.
You can’t bring a backpack or anything except a small camera (which I recommend you hang around your neck ) but they have a small shed for people to leave their belongings.
We had lunch in the lodge dining room after taking the morning trail ride into the canyon. The place is pretty laid back and casual…no one seemed to mind that we were dusty from riding horses..but with the classic elegance of a historic park lodge.
I had the elk chili (just the right amount of heat, very tasty) and we also had the chicken noodle soup (fresh, nice big pieces of chicken) and the bison burger.
Waitress was cheerful, service was efficient and we were on our way to our next adventure in good time.
Sunset Point
The view from the point is stunning, but my husband didn’t get to see it because he let us out to go see it and then circled the lot for a long time, hoping in vain for a parking spot to open up.
My daughter and I walked along the rim trail and took some photos. There is a trail down into the canyon there too. You’d need to get there early in the morning to beat the crowds, I guess. We were there too early in the season for the shuttle bus…it wasn’t running yet. That would be a much less stressful way to get around the park.
A short hike out onto an observation platform and you can pretty much see 360 degree views of the whole park.
It’s difficult to find parking in the small lot at the trailhead and rangers were ticketing improperly parked vehicles, so we did have to wait a bit before a spot opened up. But it wasn’t as bad as the lot at Sunset Point, and we did eventually get a spot so we could all enjoy the awesome scenery.
Location: Bryce Canyon National Park, UT-63, Bryce, UT 84764
Designation: National Park
Date NPS designation declared: 2/25/1928
Date of my visit: 4/12/2017
Beautiful photos and detailed post. I love everything about your travel blog. I also love traveling and visiting landmarks and national parks. Cheers, my friend!
Thanks so much! I’ve been enjoying your travels off the beaten path as well!
Likewise, my friend. I look forward to seeing your upcoming travels. I’m looking into traveling to more national parks this year myself.
Great post! Envious about the trail ride! Something that I would love to do someday!!
Thanks Bruce! We chickened out of the trail ride at the Grand Canyon a few years ago, so we were determined to do it this time
One of my favorite national parks. And lucky you going horseback riding through there! 🙂 Beautiful photos
Thanks so much!
Wow, you did great for 4 hours! Great pics too!
We did the 4 hour ride into the Canyon and it was wonderful! Then on another day, we did the hikes and overlooks. I guess it was so crowded when you went because of spring break maybe? We were there in mid-May and didn’t experience the parking issues, but that could be because the shuttles were running. What a lovely park…worth many more visits. 😀
Thanks! Yes, it could have been spring break, but it wasn’t really spring break time for most schools. Our school usually gives off a week that is neither passover nor American Easter week for some reason.
I think depending on the region, it could be through March or April.
So glad we saw this in January with little or no crowds and plenty of parking. It is a beautiful place. Your poor husband circling the parking lot. I have done this many times, as well, which just kills me as I am the photographer.
Yes, worrying about him getting frustrated and missing out diminished our enjoyment of Sunset Point. It was unfortunate that the shuttles weren’t yet running.
That horseback ride must have been quite an experience!
Yes, it was awesome, though we were sore afterwards
Great article and I am jealous you got to ride horses.❤️
Thanks! We chickened out of the trail ride at the Grand Canyon a few years ago, so we HAD to do it here
Funny! It is unsettling to ride on top of a horse and the horse heading down a trail of that magnitude.
One of my favorite national parks! I spent almost a week in Bryce Canyon National Park, camping in the nearby national forest, and hiking among the hoodoos by day. Breath taking, other-worldly, and a must travel visit for any traveler. I caught some excellent photos of my own, feel free to check them out. Most of them were taken on my Rim-to-Rim hike.
Thanks Travis! I love the mission statement on your home page and have followed you as well! How wonderful that you spent so much time in Bryce. I wish we’d had longer, but we’ll just have to go back someday.
I want to go…horse Peanut sounds awesome!
I visited Bryce Canyon in 2015 and liked it very much. I made a round tour but on foot. The ride on horses looks incredible!
Thanks for commenting! My daughter and I liked the horses, but we had ridden before. My husband would have preferred to walk 🙂
that is one place that I would love to visit, but its a long way from Ireland
Yes, you’d need at least 2 weeks to really see the area and make it worth going that distance, maybe stop in NY for a couple of nights so you didn’t have all the flying at once.
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