The first time I went to visit Bryce Canyon National Park was during winter when the snow was heavy, but the beautiful bright orange rocks were still beautiful to look at amidst the snow buildup. I remember wanting to visit because I watched a youtube video online explaining that the specialty of Bryce Canyon was because of how special the rocks were. These rocks were formed during the Claron Formation, which allowed the rocks to be formed in layers. Since we were road-tripping from California, we ended up getting to the park during the afternoon, which wasn’t the most ideal time. Still, my family and I continued to walk down the trail, but after a while, we realized that the snow was getting heavier, and we might not be able to make it out if we continue(we’re just a family who enjoys the outdoors, definitely not close to experienced hikers at all). We immediately start walking back, but because of the heavy snowfall and uphill walk, we underestimated the time it would take for us to walk back. Thankfully, we met another family also walking back due to the snow, and we started to strike up a conversation with them. We learned that they were much more experienced than us, which made our worries die down, and even took us through a shortcut to get to the parking lot faster. That’s when I realized how important it was to continue spending time outside instead of being cooped up at home because this small interaction that I had with another family allowed me to feel a different kind of joy and continue to fuel my desire to explore the outdoors.
Sincerely,
Bryce Canyon National Park
This popular park is most famous for its colorful hoodoos, and there are more of these artfully eroded spires here than anywhere else on Earth. The area is not actually a canyon, however, but a series of amphitheaters which feature remarkable rock formations and extensive forests dominated with conifers, including ancient bristlecone pines. Together with Zion and Grand Canyon National Parks, Bryce Canyon is part of a geologic wonder known as the Grand Staircase, an immense area of rock with layered sedimentary formations ranging from 600 million to 2,000 million years old.
State(s): Utah
Established: 1942
“National parks are a way for individuals to experience beautiful landscapes, wildlife, and forests. Every park has its own wide range of views and adventures making it impossible to get sick of the natural heritage. The Parks allow me to deepen my appreciation for nature more and more every time I visit which is why national parks are one of my favorite places to be.”
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