Bryce Canyon is not a canyon at all but a series of natural, horseshoe-shaped amphitheaters full of colorful rock spires, called hoodoos. Millions of years of erosive forces carved the park’s formations, which are a variety of colors and sizes. Visitors can view the park’s amphitheaters by strolling along the rim or by hiking into the inner canyon on one of the park’s many trails. Bryce Canyon’s 18-mile scenic drive provides 14 different viewpoints along the way. Sitting atop the Paunsaugunt Plateau at elevation ranging from 8,000 to 9,000 feet, Bryce Canyon National Park boasts noticeable ecological diversity, from fir and spruce forests at its higher elevations to pinion pine and juniper forests at its lower climes. The park is home to more than 1,000 plant species, over 100 species of birds, and dozens of mammals. Due to its higher altitude, the park is a wonderful respite for those seeking to escape hot temperatures. Summer temperatures in the park typically hover in the 80s. Pristine air quality and amazing visibility (more than 100 miles), and an extremely clear night sky are three of Bryce Canyon’s finer qualities.

Itinerary: Bryce Canyon is 125 miles from St. George. From Temple View RV Resort, get on northbound I-15 from the Bluff Street interchange. Travel 52 miles to Cedar City (exit 57). Follow Cedar City’s Main Street north until Center Street, then turn left onto UT 14. Drive on UT 14 through the mountains for 40 miles until you reach Long Valley Junction, where you will make a right (north) on U.S. 89. Follow U.S. 89 north for 20.6 miles until you reach the turnoff to UT 12. Drive east on UT 12 for 13.6 miles until UT 63. Turn right on UT 63 and drive nine miles to the park entrance. Your first stop should be the visitor center to view exhibits about the park, to ask the ranger at the information desk any questions you may have, and to find out about ranger-led activities such as guided hikes and campfire programs. The easiest way to view the canyon is by walking along the rim or stopping at one of the scenic road’s many viewpoints. To get a feel for Bryce Canyon, however, you must venture into the inner canyon on the park’s 50 miles of trails.

One of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, the Grand Canyon is an impressive display of erosion that stretches for 277 miles, the Grand Canyon ranges in elevation from 2,400 feet to over 9,000 feet above sea level. The North Rim, the portion of the canyon closest to our RV Park, is more remote and offers a better respite for those seeking to avoid the crowds. Visitor services at the North Rim are only open from mid-May to mid-October. Due to its higher elevation (8,000 feet), North Rim summer temperatures are cooler than the South Rim, ranging from the 40s to the 70s. The North Rim tends to receive heavy snowfall during the winter months. The road into the North Rim closes after the first heavy snow in November and does not open until mid-May.

Visitors reach two of the major viewpoints on the North Rim, Point Imperial and Cape Royal, on a winding scenic drive, with short walks to each and several pullouts along the way. Point Imperial, the highest point on the North Rim at 8,803 feet overlooks the Painted Desert and the narrower walls of Marble Canyon on the eastern end of the park. Cape Royal provides a vast panorama of the canyon where Angels Window, a natural arch, frames part of the view. From this point, visitors can see the Desert View Watchtower across the canyon at the South Rim. At the southern end of the main entrance road lies Bright Angel Point and Grand Canyon Lodge. A short paved trail leads from the lodge to the point and offers superb views of Roaring Springs and Bright Angel Canyons. The North Rim is home to six hiking trails and two scenic drives. The trails range from an easy half-mile trail to a two or three-day trip to the canyon bottom.

Itinerary: From Temple View RV Resort, get on northbound I-15 from the Bluff Street interchange Travel 9 miles to the Hurricane exit (exit 16) and travel on UT 9 to Hurricane. Turn right on Main Street, then make a left on 100 South, which turns into UT 59. Continue on Highway 59, which becomes AZ 389, to Fredonia, Arizona. A fun stop along this stretch is Pipe Spring National Monument, a former Mormon outpost. From Fredonia, take ALT U.S. 89 to Jacob Lake. At Jacob Lake turn right (south) onto AZ 67, which leads to the North Rim. The total distance from St. George to the North Rim is 160 miles. The most popular activity at the Grand Canyon is sightseeing along the rim, but adventurous souls can enjoy mule rides, backcountry hikes, and river trips.

Known as a miniature Bryce Canyon, Cedar Breaks National Monument preserves a three-mile long natural amphitheater of colorful rock spires, pinnacles, arches and columns. Local Indians called this natural masterpiece the “Circle of Painted Cliffs.” The park sits at an elevation of 10,000 feet. It lies only a half-hour east of Cedar City. Cedar Breaks displays ponderosa pine, quaking aspen, and bristlecone pine, one of the world’s oldest trees. Its meadows are a showcase of colorful wildflower displays during the summer.

Itinerary: From Temple View RV Resort, get on northbound I-15 from the Bluff Street interchange. Travel 52 miles to Cedar City (exit 57). Follow Cedar City’s Main Street north until Center Street, then turn left onto UT 14. Drive on UT 14 for 18 miles until you reach UT 148. Turn left (south) onto UT 148 and follow it for 5.6 miles until you reach the fee station/visitor center parking lot. Popular recreational activities at Cedar Breaks include sightseeing, photography, picnicking, camping, and hiking its two two-mile trails, the Alpine Pond Trail and Spectra Point Trail. Cedar Breaks and the road into it close during the winter.