Bryce Canyon--tell me everything you know.
 

Hi,

Looks like we're headed to Bryce for one day/one night and I'd love to hear your fave spots for reasonably priced accommodation + the best way to spend that one day in the park. We're pretty hearty hikers, which is not to say we do strenuous hikes--we prefer longer hikes that are moderate (or even easy) with lots of beautiful scenery of course!

Thank you in advance.

If I had one day in Bryce I'd start with sunrise at Bryce Point.

Then grab a bite for breakfast and do the classic Navajo Loop down and Queens Garden back up. That's a couple of hours. If you want to add a few more hours and go to the oppostie side of the canyon, squeeze Peek-a-Boo trail between Navajo Loop and Queens Garden. You can join Peek-a-Boo at the bottom of the canyon between the other two. You'll see some of the viewpoints from the other side.

Then I'd go to Natural Bridge which is the only viewpoint that's really different. You want to swee this in the afternoon so the sun isn't in your eyes.

If you skip the Peek-a-Boo part, I'd drive over to Cannonville (just east of Bryce on Rte 12) and get instructions at the visitors on how to get to Willis Creek. It's a real slot canyon that's a very easy hike. It's a 9.5 mile drive south of Cannonville on a dirt road.

Forgot to add. The place to stay in Bryce is either inpark or at Rubys just outside of the park.

What Myer said. :-)

We stayed at the Bryce View Lodge, which is owned by Ruby's and is across the street from there. It's less expensive, and you can use all Ruby's facilities (pool, etc.).

Lee Ann

Another accommodation question: Is it worth the extra $50 to stay at Ruby's for one night when I could get a room cheaper at America's Best Value Inn just down the road? It looks pretty decent and has gotten good reviews. We're longtime backpackers, so pinching pennies just comes naturally. That's not to say we wouldn't want to splurge if it's worth it.

I definitely wouldn't be staying inpark or at Rubys for the luxury (inpark is a bit sparse but both are ok). It's for the convenience.

If you want to see the sunrise at Bryce Point and don't mind waking up another half hour earlier, then save the money and drive further.

I figure that a month later I won't know that I spent a few more dollars on the trip for convenience.

I wouldn't call Americas Best Value Inn "just down the road" although in that part of the country that term is relative - it is in Tropic, UT which is 7-10 miles from Park entrance while Ruby's is virtually at the entrance. Ruby's is your basic, but huge, roadside motel-type accomodations - with the advantage of location and having everything you could possibly need for next leg of a trip - photo film, general store, laundry facilities - that type of thing. For me it was almost a must-do stop in the silly way "South of the Border" in SC is - you have to see it to believe it and it is such a contrast to the natural beauty of the area.

You can also catch shuttle bus into Bryce from the front door of Ruby's.

No idea if it is still there (it was about 5-6 years ago) but Tropic Cafe in Tropic, UT has far better food than Ruby's - and we had a genuine singing cowboy (although somewhat intoxicated) as the nite-time entertainment when we were there.

I think there are tents set up at rubys that are inexpensive.

I'm not finding Tropic Cafe anywhere--any other food recs for Bryce?

It would appear from reading info on area that the location is now called Clarke's Restaurant - but no idea if it is any good. There is no decent food really around the area. Food at Ruby's was average/tolerable is you stick to ordering plain grilled things - like a steak, burger, etc. We ate lunch in Park at lodge and had similar basic American food which was of about same quality. Just tell yourself you are not going for the food.

We just returned from Bryce and stayed in the park, but ate dinner one night and lunch at Ruby's one day. I ordered filet mignon and my husband ordered a t-bone and both were very good. For lunch, we ordered a hamburger and a club sandwich and both were good. I was pleasantly surprised.