National Park Service The Hoodoo U.S. Department of the Interior Map, Shuttle & Hiking Guide Summer 2012 Questions? Bring this newspaper to the Visitor Center! Visitor Center Hours Summer 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. Fall/Spring 8 a.m.– 6 p.m. Hoodoos on the Queens Garden Trail (Photo: Kevin Doxstater) How to Make the Most of Your Time Auto Tour Where is the best overlook? though smaller, amphitheaters and/or long- There are 14 viewpoints along Bryce distance, panoramic views across the Grand Canyon’s 18-mile scenic drive (one-way Staircase-Escalante National Monument. distance) and everybody determines his or From many of the park's overlooks you can her favorite for a multitude of reasons. For see over 100 miles (160 km) on a clear day! every 15 minutes you extend your visit, you can see another overlook! If you stop at all the Since all the viewpoints are on the left side viewpoints, it could take as little as 3-4 hours. of the road as you drive south towards Rainbow Point, we recommend stopping at Our most famous views are found in the viewpoints as you drive north on your Bryce Amphitheater, including Sunrise, return trip. This way, each stop will be an Sunset, Inspiration and Bryce points. easier and safer right turn. The southern overlooks feature beautiful, Less Than 4 Hours More Than 4 Hours Visitor Center Visitor Center, Shuttle/Auto Tour, Short Walk What’s Inside Stop at the Visitor Center for information, and Day Hike EMERGENCY INFORMATION PAGE 2 Night Skies . 10 Bryce is best experienced from its trails. museum exhibits, and a 22-minute award- Accessibility . 2 Partners & Donors. .11 winning orientation film, shown daily 8:00 Select one of the combination loops from a.m. to closing, on the hour and half hour. the “Moderate” or “Strenuous” groups in the Backpacking . 3 Park Map . 6 hiking table on page 7. Tour of the Overlooks Climate Change . 9 Park Profile . .4 Between 8 am & 7 pm, ride the shuttle to Bryce, Ranger Program Geology . 4 Prescribed Fire . 8 Inspiration, Sunset and Sunrise Points first. Attend a free Ranger Program to learn more Hike the Hoodoos! . 3 Ranger Programs . 3 If you have more time, use your car to visit about the natural and cultural history of this overlooks in the southern portion of the park. region. Check at the Visitor Center for the Hiking Map . 7 Safety . 2 current program schedule. Information & Services . 2 Shuttle . .6 Short Walk Let’s Move!©. 11 Trail Guide . 7 Hike a short segment of the Rim Trail or select Horseback Ride one of the hikes from the “Easy to Moderate” Take a horse ride into Bryce Canyon. Lightning . .8 Volunteers . 11 group in the hiking table on page 7. Wranglers lead 2-hour and half-day rides Natural History Association . .11 Weather . 8 daily. Inquire at Bryce Canyon Lodge. Nearby Attractions . .12 Wildlife . 5 National Park Service Safety at Emergencies Call 911 or 435-676-2411 U.S. Department of the Interior Bryce Canyon 24–hours a day or contact a Park Ranger Park Headquarters Mailing Address Web How many people die at Bryce? 435 834-5322 PO Box 640201 Website: www.nps.gov/brca Fortunately, Bryce averages less than 1 Fax 435 834-4703 Bryce, Utah 84764-0201 Twitter: brycecanyonNPS fatality per year. In order of decreasing Lost & Found: 435 834-4736 Facebook: facebook.com/BryceCanyonnps abundance, fatalities are caused by: •Heart attacks •Falling off cliffs Travelers Information Stations: Tune radio to 1590 and 1610 AM for park and shuttle information •Lightning •Vehicle accidents Unfortunately, hundreds of serious injuries Information and Services have also needlessly occurred, some out of ignorance, but too many from ignoring Visitor Center Entrance Fees Lodging park safety warnings. In summer, open daily 8:00 am - $ Private Vehicle: $25 per vehicle, valid for The Lodge at Bryce Canyon: Open Top 10 Causes of Bryce Injuries 8:00 pm. Information, museum, 7 days in Bryce Canyon National Park. March 31 - November 11, has cabins, motel publications, an award-winning film, Individual: $12 per person (pedestrian, rooms and suites, a restaurant, and gift shop. #10 Unsafe Driving bicycle, motorcycle, and organized group), For lodging reservations, write to: The •Speeding (posted limits are 25 to 45 mph). backcountry permits, and lost-and-found valid for 7 days in Bryce Canyon National Park. Lodge at Bryce Canyon, P.O. Box 640041, •Failure to wear seat belts. services are available here. •Passing on a double yellow line. Bryce Canyon Annual Pass: $30, valid for Bryce Utah 84764, call 877-386-4383; or Emergencies •Auto vs. animal. Watch for Wildlife! one year from date of purchase at Bryce visit brycecanyonforever.com. Canyon National Park only. •Rear-ending. Stop in pullouts, never in road. 24-hour emergency response, call 911 or 435 Other Lodging: Available near the park •Not reducing speed on wet or icy roads. 676-2411. Garfield Hospital, 435 676-8811, Commercial Tours: Ask for rates. entrance in Bryce Canyon City and in Tropic, and Clinic, 435 676-8842 are in Panguitch. Interagency Annual Pass: $80, valid for one Cannonville, Bryce Junction, and Panguitch. #9 Climbing / Sliding down cliffs year from date of purchase in all federal fee The rock at Bryce forms crumbly cliffs and Accessibility areas. Food Services steep gravely slopes. Hand and toe holds Restrooms: the Visitor Center, Interagency Senior Pass: $10 lifetime pass The Lodge at Bryce Canyon: Open support nothing heavier than chipmunks. Sunset Point, Bryce Canyon Lodge, and for U.S. residents 62 or older. March 31 - November 11. Dining room Climbing the rocks and sliding on the slopes General Store are fully accessible. Sunset is illegal and dangerous. Interagency Access Pass: Free lifetime serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Valhalla Campground has two sites reserved for pass for U.S. citizens who are permanently Pizzeria is open late May to mid-October. #8 Feeding Animals people with mobility impairments. The disabled. The General Store, open April 1 to November Fed animals become aggressive. Even small ½-mile section of Rim Trail between Sunset 11, has groceries, quick meals, and camper animals can inflict bites requiring stitches and Sunrise points is paved and mostly level. Camping supplies. and worse yet transmit disease. Watch Inquire at the Visitor Center for information North Campground: Open all Other Food Services: Restaurants are wildlife from a distance and discourage on accessible ranger-led programs, and to year, 101 campsites (only one loop open in available near the park entrance and in animals that approach you. obtain an Access Guide. Winter). Available first-come, first-served Oct 1 – May 6. RV sites may be reserved Tropic, Bryce Junction, and Panguitch. #7 Ignoring Extreme Weather Restrooms May 4 – Sept 23 by calling 877 444-6777 or At Bryce it is possible for the difference Post Office / ATM / Internet Available year-round at the Visitor visit www.recreation.gov. Reservations can between the daily high and low to be as Ruby’s Inn has a post office open Center, North Campground and Sunset, be made up to 240 days in advance. much as 50° F / 27° C! Lightning is a year- Mon-Sat (Bryce, UT 84764), an ATM, and Farview, and Rainbow points. Restrooms Sunset Campground: Open late spring round danger -- especially during summer internet services. Personal mail addressed are also available April – October at Bryce to early fall, 102 campsites. 20 tent sites are storms! Seek the shelter of a building or to park visitors will not be accepted at Bryce your vehicle whenever the “flash-bang Canyon Lodge, General Store, Sunset available for reservation up to 6 months in Canyon National Park. interval” (time between lightning and Campground, Inspiration Point and advance, all others first-come, first served. thunder) is less than 30 seconds. Peekaboo Loop. Fees: Camping is $15 a night per campsite (half price for Interagency Senior and Wireless Internet (WiFi) #6 Dehyrdration Phones Access pass holders). Free wireless Internet access is available Drink 1 quart / liter every 1-2 hours. A well Available year-round at the Visitor Group Campsite: One site available by year-round at the Visitor Center or seasonally hydrated body is better able to regulate Center. Phones are also available April - reservation only. Group size is limited to at the Bryce Canyon Lodge lobby (password body temperature and is more resistant October at Bryce Canyon Lodge, General 7-30 people and 8 vehicles. Cost is $55- required) and General Store front porch. to heat exhaustion. Sunburns also lead to Store, and Sunset Campground. $100 per night, dependent upon group size. dehydration. Wear a hat, sunscreen, and Campsite may be reserved by calling 877 Showers & Laundry sunglasses to protect from the sun overhead Pets 444-6777 or online at www.recreation.gov. Coin-operated shower and laundry and reflected UV light. Pets must be leashed; you are required Dump Station: No hookups are in the facilities are available at the General Store, #5 Leaving the Trail to clean up after your pet. Pets are permitted park, but a fee-for-use dump station open April 1 - October 31, and outside the Stay on designated trails and away from cliff at park viewpoints, campgrounds, and is available in Summer near North park at some nearby establishments. edges where footing can be tricky. Even on on paved surfaces or paved trails. Pets are Campground. seemingly gentle slopes, it can be impossible not permitted in buildings or on unpaved Other Campgrounds: For camping Bicycles to keep your footing. Bring the maps on surfaces. reservations in nearby National Parks, call Bicycles are restricted to paved page 6 and 7 to avoid getting lost.