How long should we stay at Bryce Canyon?
 

How much time should we stay at Bryce Canyon? <BR>Thanks

Two days should be plenty. When we went, we got there in the late afternoon, and had time to watch a sunset over the canyon. The next morning we got up early and took a hike down into the canyon before it got very warm (and the rainstorms moved in, being monsoon season). You really must hike into the canyon to appreciate it fully, the trail wasn't too strenuous. We really enjoyed our hike. We had lunch at the park lodge, and spent the afternoon driving to Rianbow Point at the end of the canyon, stopping at many of the viewpoints along the way. Then back to the motel for a swim, and then we went to Bryce Point for the sunset (not to be missed!). The next morning I got up early and went back to Bryce Point for the sunrise while the rest of my family slept in, I was very glad I did. After breakfast we took one last tour around some of our favorite viewpoints, and left for our next destination because we had a long drive ahead of us. Although Bryce is stunningly beautiful, we felt that we had spent enough time there - but I definitely look forward to going back someday. If we'd stayed longer we could have taken a horseback ride into the canyon, I think those tours only last a couple of hours or so. We also didn't see the rodeo at Ruby's or go to the chuckwagon dinner, you might be interested in those.

I think two full days is enough, unless you want to explore the canyon extensively. I was there for two nights, which equated to a day and a half before I had to make an unplanned <BR>and very hasty departure. I felt sort of cheated in that I had planned the trip for 9 months. Originally I was going to stay 3 nights, which would have given us 2 full days. Had I been there 3 nights and 2 full days, I would have been satisfied I had gotten 90% of the pleasure. <BR> <BR>Given the size of your group, one full day might be enough, with perhaps a visit at sunset one day. Sun rise is beautiful too, if you can manage it. <BR> <BR>Check the ranger talk board. If the young man gives a talk on forest fires, I suggest you go. He is very dramatic. He brings in survival gear, chain saws, and other equipment and tries to involve the audience as much as he can. I am a veteran of those types of programs and still found it interesting.