Bryce Canyon

We turned from the road 12 to the road 63 and we entered to Bryce Canyon National Park.
GPS-coordinates: 37°38'27.6"N, 112°10'08.0"W
*Bryce Canyon National Park*

Bryce Canyon is located in the National Park in the south-west of Utah.
The park was founded in 1928.
Despite the name, "Bryce" is not like a canyon, but rather, this is a giant natural amphitheater created by erosion.
*Bryce Canyon*

Bryce Canyon is notable for its unique geological structures, called hoodoos, which were created by erosion of river and lake sediments under the influence of wind, water and ice.
*Hoodoos*

Red, orange and white colors of the rocks are a spectacular sight, especially at sunrise or sunset.

Bryce Canyon is situated much higher than the nearby national parks Grand Canyon and Zion.
The height of the edge of the canyon ranges from 2400 to 2700 meters, while the southern edge of the Grand Canyon is situated at an altitude of 2100 meters above sea level.

So, the environment and climate of the park are very different from other parks.

This Wikipedia writes about Bryce Canyon and I fully agree.
But, I would say that the canyon is very similar to the foundation pit, on the bottom of which nature has built fortresses, castles, towers and spiers.

So, a form of the canyon determines the facilities for visitors.
Area of Bryce Canyon is smaller than area of South Rim of Grand Canyon, so the buses between the lookout points are not used.
You can walk along the roads beside the cliffs, or use your car.

Similar natural wonders we have seen on the HWY 12.
The place was called Mossy Cave.
There, the cliffs were above us, and here we look at them from above.

The sun paints the rock by different colors and your imagination and fantasy help to see the castles, palaces, churches and minarets.

The sun moves across the sky, you go over the edge of the cliff...

Down, to the bottom of the canyon, go trails.
You can go down and take a walk in the magical city.
(We did it only 4 years later).
*Bryce Canyon-Trail*

Some of the visitors took a tour on the horsebacks.

You look into the distance and see a very different landscape, other mountains and cliffs, other rocks and colors.
"Bryce" - it really is a miracle of the nature, a part of the unearthly landscape.

At the bottom, the pine trees grow among the cliffss, they fight with rocks for the right to life.
The huge pine trees appear small and fragile compared with cliffs.

The pine trees also grow on top, near the roads, where the visitors walk.

This place helps to get to know nature.
Nobody is in a hurry to leave the cliffs, the canyon attracts and fascinates.

Tourists look down from lookout points and there bottom - hoodoos.
Hoodoo - it's a tall thin spiky geological formation, composed of soft sedimentary rocks and of other hard rocks.

Soft, white, top sedimentary rocks gradually dissolves under the action of wind and moisture.
So, were formed the towers, peaks and spiers.

By the road near the cliff, we decided to walk down.

The towers and spiers were already quite close...

The surrounding landscape has changed.

We liked not only Hoodoos but also the walls of the canyon.
These are quite different cliffs, by a color and a structure.

The walls of the canyon from the other lookout point.

The rocks almost white and probably consist only of a limestone.

The canyon and the area around looks very nice from this site.

Yes, Bryce Canyon - a wonderful fairy-tale of nature.
But all fairy tales end, and we had to think about the rest.

Near Bryce Canyon all the motels are very expensive, so we wanted to spend the night at the campground, and the next morning to drive to Zion National Park.
We chose Bryce Canyon Pines Campground.
And as it turned out later, it was the right decision.

We said "Goodbye" Bryce Canyon, then got into the car and drove...

We left the park by the road 63, turned on the road 12 and were at the scene within 10 minutes.
The campground office is located directly at the gas station Chevron.
There are a small shop, a restroom and a shower with amenities.
GPS-coordinates: 37°42'40.8"N, 112°13'03.8"W
*Bryce Canyon Pines Campground*

"Are you looking for a site for a tent, you're sure?" - the lady asked us...
"Yes, of course" - I replied.
"OK" - the lady said and she was surprised.
I did not know the reason, but we understood it at night...

We were happy that all "OK" and we found our site and have set up a tent.
The camping is located in a pine forest, the place is very quiet.
The air smells of resin and the pines protects from the sun's rays.
Amenities - the places for a tent and a car, fireplace, table.

So, we sat the whole evening enjoying vacation, talked and shared our impressions.
And then, happy and tired, we fell asleep very quickly in a tent.