This 20-mile-long Utah National Park Has the World's Largest Hoodoo Collection-and It's Part of the Mighty Five

"Bryce Canyon may be grouped into what's known as Utah's "Mighty Five," but the 20-mile-long national park is impressive in its own right. Home to the greatest collection of hoodoos-spire-shaped sedimentary rock formations-anywhere in the world, the park is made up of natural amphitheaters (or bowls) carved into the Paunsaugunt Plateau. It's also a hiker's paradise and an International Dark Sky Park; visitors come from around the world to witness the pristine night skies."

""Bryce is the smallest of the five national parks in Utah, but because of that, people do not allow enough time to really experience the whole park," says local tour guide April LeFevre. She warns against underestimating how much time you need to explore, suggesting travelers plan for at least a day and a half or two days, as that amount of time will be enough to "enjoy the sunrise, possibly hike into the canyon, and more.""

"Considered one of Utah's best parks, Bryce Canyon National Park is located in southern Utah-about 84 miles from neighboring Zion National Park. Cedar City Regional Airport (CDC), which offers connections to Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC), is the closest airport to the park, but it's still a 90-minute drive away. Some travelers, especially those coming from international destinations, choose to fly into either SLC or Las Vegas' Harry Reid International Airport (LAS); from there, you'll either need to rent a car"

Bryce Canyon National Park spans roughly 20 miles across nearly 36,000 acres on the Paunsaugunt Plateau. The park contains the largest collection of hoodoos—spire-shaped sedimentary formations—organized into natural amphitheaters such as the Bryce Amphitheater. The park offers extensive hiking opportunities and is designated an International Dark Sky Park, attracting stargazers worldwide. Visitors should allow at least a day and a half, preferably two days, to experience sunrise viewpoints and canyon hikes. The park lies about 84 miles from Zion National Park, and nearby airports include Cedar City, Salt Lake City, and Las Vegas.

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