Educational Offerings

Ranger Programs

Campfire and Auditorium Programs. Bryce Canyon's natural diversity comes alive in the park's North Campground amphitheater, the Visitor Center Theater, or in the Bryce Canyon Lodge Auditorium. Ranger talks, multimedia programs, and guided walks introduce you to geology, astronomy, wildlife, history, and many other topics related to Bryce Canyon and the West. www.nps.gov/brca/planyourvisit/ranger-programs.htm.

Geology Talks. Rangers host free 20 minute discussions twice a day about the long geological history of Bryce Canyon. These interesting talks are held at Sunset Point and no reservations are needed. www.nps.gov/brca/planyourvisit/ranger-programs.htm.

Junior Ranger Program. Kids can sign up to be Junior Rangers at the Bryce Canyon Visitor Center. They have to complete several activities in their free Junior Ranger booklet and attend a ranger program, visit the park museum, or watch the park movie. Allow three to six hours total to earn the park's Junior Ranger badge. Ask a ranger about each day's schedule of events and topics, or look for postings at the visitor center, Bryce Canyon Lodge, and campground bulletin boards. www.nps.gov/brca/learn/kidsyouth/beajuniorranger.htm.

Telescopes Program. City folk are lucky to see 2,500 stars in their artificially illuminated skies, but out here among the hoodoos you see three times as many. The 90-minute program at the visitor center includes low-key ranger talks on astronomy, followed by telescope viewing (weather permitting). The program is typically offered on Thursday–Saturday nights at 10 pm from Memorial Day through Labor Day weekends and some Saturdays during the rest of the year. Check the visitor center for details. www.nps.gov/brca/planyourvisit/ranger-programs.htm.

Ranger-Led Hikes

Full Moon Hike. Rangers lead guided hikes on the nights around each full moon (two per month). You must wear heavy-traction shoes and reserve a spot on the day of the hike. In peak season the tickets are distributed through a lottery system. Schedules are posted at the visitor center and on the park's website. No flashlights or head lamps are allowed, and children must be at least 8 years old. In winter, when there's at least 16 inches of snow, the hike is by snowshoe. Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah. 435/834–5322; www.nps.gov/brca/planyourvisit/fullmoonhikes.htm.

Rim Walk. Join a park ranger for a ½-mile, 75-minute-long stroll along the gorgeous rim of Bryce Canyon starting at the Sunset Point overlook. Reservations are not required for the walk, which is offered twice daily from Memorial Day through Labor Day weekends, then usually daily the rest of the year. In winter, when snow levels allow, this becomes a snowshoe hike (for ages 8 and up only). Check with the visitor center or the park website for details. Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah. www.nps.gov/brca/planyourvisit/ranger-programs.htm.