The most distinguishing feature of Bryce Canyon National Park are its hoodoos. From the rim of the canyon, the many hoodoos below look like an amphitheater. You can drive right to each lookout point. Of course, it is the most popular way to see the park. When it is busy at the park and you do not get there early enough or are not lucky, there is a shuttle around the park you can take to each spot. The first point shortly after the entrance of the park is Sunrise Point. In terms of driving, the lookout points are close together. After Sunrise Point, you will pass Sunset Point, Inspiration Point, and finally Bryce Point. Sunrise and Sunset Points are very close to each other. Accordingly, you can park at either lot to walk to and see both spots. If you wanted to walk or run the full trail to each point and back, it would be 11 miles round trip. However, time and effort is better spent hiking into the Canyon. Nevertheless, it is definitely worth stopping by each lookout point to view the Amphitheater from different elevations and angles at the rim. Naturally, there is not a bad lookout point.
Bryce Point is the highest of the four at an elevation of 8,296 feet. Nevertheless, most people will attest that Inspiration Point is the best lookout point. I agree with that opinion. You are directly over the bulk of the hoodoos as they are immediately below you. It truly is an inspiring point in the park that allows one to soak in the beauty. It absolutely earns its name.
f you can wake up in the morning, sunrise is the more majestic experience. The sun will ascend above the mountains in the distance then light up the Amphitheater as if a light switch was turned on for a show. Not surprisingly, most visitors were at Sunrise Point when I went to see it. That spot has a more direct line of sight to the sun as it rises above the mountains. A few people and I positioned ourselves at Inspiration Point. I walked a little bit left of it to place myself directly above a lot of the hoodoos. I preferred that spot. At Sunrise Point, you are actually in front of all the hoodoos. You are viewing the still beautiful but less scenic area east of the canyon with the hoodoos behind you. At Inspiration Point, you get a view of the hoodoos and the sun rising all in one sight line.
If you are visiting and planning a trip to Bryce Canyon and looking for recommendations, feel free to message me for my itinerary. You can also find the electronic copy through the link my profile. read more