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Encyclopedia > Bryce Canyon National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park
IUCN Category II (National Park)
Location Utah, USA
Nearest city Tropic
Coordinates 37°34′0″N 112°11′0″W / 37.56667, -112.18333
Area 35,835 acres (145 km²)
Established September 15, 1928
Total visitation 890,676 (in 2006)
Governing body National Park Service
Bryce Canyon National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park

Bryce Canyon National Park is a national park located in southwestern Utah in the United States. Contained within the park is Bryce Canyon. Despite its name, this is not actually a canyon, but rather a giant natural amphitheater created by erosion along the eastern side of the Paunsaugunt Plateau. Bryce is distinctive due to its geological structures, called hoodoos, formed from wind, water, and ice erosion of the river and lakebed sedimentary rocks. The red, orange and white colors of the rocks provide spectacular views. Image File history File links LinkFA-star. ... The World Conservation Union or International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) is an international organization dedicated to natural resource conservation. ... Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada A national park is a reserve of land, usually, but not always (see National Parks of England and Wales), declared and owned by a national government, protected from most human development and pollution. ... Image File history File links Red_pog. ... Image File history File links US_Locator_Blank. ... This article is about the U.S. state. ... Tropic is a town located in Garfield County, Utah, along Utah Scenic Byway 12. ... is the 258th day of the year (259th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1928 (MCMXXVIII) was a leap year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... The National Park Service (NPS) is the United States federal agency that manages all National Parks, many National Monuments, and other conservation and historical properties with various title designations. ... Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (1231x821, 258 KB) Summary Licensing File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): National park Bryce Canyon National Park User:Moondigger ... Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (1231x821, 258 KB) Summary Licensing File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): National park Bryce Canyon National Park User:Moondigger ... Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada A national park is a reserve of land, usually, but not always (see National Parks of England and Wales), declared and owned by a national government, protected from most human development and pollution. ... This article is about the U.S. state. ... Grand Canyon, Arizona Noravank Monastery complex and canyon in Armenia. ... The Colosseum in Rome, Italy. ... Severe soil erosion in a wheat field near Washington State University, USA. For erosion as an operation of Mathematical morphology, see Erosion (morphology) Erosion is displacement of solids (soil, mud, rock and other particles) by the agents of ocean currents, wind, water, or ice by downward or down-slope movement... The Paunsaugunt Plateau (pronounced PAWN-suh-gant) is dissected plateau, rising to an elevation of 7000 ft-9300 ft (2100 m-2800 m), in southwestern Utah in the United States. ... This article includes a list of works cited but its sources remain unclear because it lacks in-text citations. ... Hoodoos East of Drumheller, Alberta Hoodoos are tall thin spires of rock that protrude from the bottom of arid basins and badlands. ... Bold text For other uses, see Wind (disambiguation). ... Two types of sedimentary rock: limey shale overlaid by limestone. ... For other uses, see Rock (disambiguation). ...


Bryce is at a much higher elevation than nearby Zion National Park and the Grand Canyon. The rim at Bryce varies from 8,000 to 9,000 feet (2400 to 2700 m), whereas the south rim of the Grand Canyon sits at 7,000 feet (2100 m) above sea level. The area therefore has a very different ecology and climate, and thus offers a contrast for visitors to the region (who often visit all three parks in a single vacation). Zion Canyon as seen from the top of Angels Landing at sunset Zion National Park is a United States National Park located in the Southwestern United States, near Springdale, Utah. ... This article is about the canyon in the southwestern United States. ... For considerations of sea level change, in particular rise associated with possible global warming, see sea level rise. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ...


The canyon area was settled by Mormon pioneers in the 1850s and was named after Ebenezer Bryce, who homesteaded in the area in 1875. The area around Bryce Canyon became a U.S. National Monument in 1924 and was designated as a national park in 1928. The park covers 56 mi² (145 km²). The park receives relatively few visitors compared to Zion Canyon and the Grand Canyon, largely due to its remote location. The town of Kanab, Utah is situated at a central point between these three parks. A statue commemorating the Mormon pioneers The Mormon pioneers were members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, also known as Latter-day Saints, who migrated across the United States from the midwest to the Salt Lake Valley in what is today the U.S. state of... Broadly defined, homesteading is a lifestyle of simple, agrarian self-sufficiency. ... Navajo National Monument Devils Tower National Monument Statue of Liberty National Monument Fort Matanzas National Monument A National Monument is a protected area of the United States that is similar to a national park (specifically a U.S. National Park) except that the President of the United States can quickly... The National Park Service (NPS) is the United States federal agency that manages all National Parks, many National Monuments, and other conservation and historical properties with various title designations. ... Kanab is a city in Kane County, Utah, United States. ...

Contents

Geography

Bryce Canyon, seen here from Bryce Point, is a giant natural amphitheater. Ebenezer Bryce, the "discoverer" of the canyon, is said to have described it as "a helluva place to lose a cow."
Bryce Canyon, seen here from Bryce Point, is a giant natural amphitheater. Ebenezer Bryce, the "discoverer" of the canyon, is said to have described it as "a helluva place to lose a cow."
Bryce Canyon follows a meandering course, oriented roughly north-south.
Bryce Canyon follows a meandering course, oriented roughly north-south.

Bryce Canyon National Park is located in southern Utah about 50 miles (80 km) northeast and 1000 feet (300 m) higher than Zion National Park. The weather in Bryce Canyon is therefore cooler, and the park receives more precipitation. A nearby example, very similar to Bryce Canyon but at a higher elevation, is in Cedar Breaks National Monument. Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 800 × 328 pixelsFull resolution (3827 × 1570 pixel, file size: 5. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 800 × 328 pixelsFull resolution (3827 × 1570 pixel, file size: 5. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1493x3900, 1201 KB) A road map of Bryce Canyon National Park, labelled in English. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1493x3900, 1201 KB) A road map of Bryce Canyon National Park, labelled in English. ... This article is about the U.S. state. ... Zion Canyon as seen from the top of Angels Landing at sunset Zion National Park is a United States National Park located in the Southwestern United States, near Springdale, Utah. ... For the geological process, see Weathering or Erosion. ... Cedar Breaks National Monument is located Near Cedar City Utah, United States. ...


The national park lies within the Colorado Plateau geographic province of North America and straddles the southeastern edge of the Paunsagunt Plateau west of the Paunsagunt Fault (Paunsagunt is Paiute for "home of the beaver"). Park visitors arrive from the plateau part of the park and look over the plateau's edge toward a valley containing the fault and the Paria River just beyond it (Paria is Paiute for "muddy or elk water"). The edge of the Kaiparowits Plateau bounds the opposite side of the valley. The Colorado Plateau, also called the Colorado Plateaus Province, is a physiographic region of the Intermontane Plateaus, roughly centered on the Four Corners region of the southwestern United States. ... Continental U.S physiographic regions Legend for map There are eight distinct U. S. physiographic regions within the continental United States. ... North America North America is a continent[1] in the Earths northern hemisphere and (chiefly) western hemisphere. ... The Paunsaugunt Plateau (pronounced PAWN-suh-gant) is dissected plateau, rising to an elevation of 7000 ft-9300 ft (2100 m-2800 m), in southwestern Utah in the United States. ... Paiute women and children in Yosemite Valley 1891. ... Species C. canadensis C. fiber Beavers are semi-aquatic rodents native to North America and Europe. ... A backpacker at the confluence of Buckskin Gulch and the Paria River. ...


Bryce Canyon was not formed from erosion initiated from a central stream, meaning it technically is not a canyon. Instead headward erosion has excavated large amphitheater-shaped features in the Cenozoic-aged rocks of the Paunsagunt Plateau. This erosion exposed delicate and colorful pinnacles called hoodoos that are up to 200 feet (60 m) high. A series of amphitheaters extend more than 20 miles (30 km) within the park. The largest is Bryce Amphitheater, which is 12 miles (19 km) long, 3 miles (5 km) wide and 800 feet (240 m) deep. Severe soil erosion in a wheat field near Washington State University, USA. For erosion as an operation of Mathematical morphology, see Erosion (morphology) Erosion is displacement of solids (soil, mud, rock and other particles) by the agents of ocean currents, wind, water, or ice by downward or down-slope movement... Butchers Creek, Omeo, Victoria A stream, brook, beck, burn or creek, is a body of water with a detectable current, confined within a bed and banks. ... Grand Canyon, Arizona Noravank Monastery complex and canyon in Armenia. ... This article needs to be wikified. ... The Colosseum in Rome, Italy. ... The Cenozoic Era (IPA pronunciation: ); sometimes Caenozoic Era or Cainozoic Era (in the United Kingdom), meaning new life (Greek (kainos), new, and (zoe), life), is the most recent of the three classic geological eras. ... Hoodoos East of Drumheller, Alberta Hoodoos are tall thin spires of rock that protrude from the bottom of arid basins and badlands. ...


The highest part of the park at 9,105 feet (2,775 m), Rainbow Point, is at the end of this scenic drive. From there, Aquarius Plateau, Bryce Amphitheater, the Henry Mountains, the Vermilion Cliffs and the White Cliffs can be seen. Cope Canyon, where it exits the park in the north-east section, is the lowest part of the park at 6,600 feet (2,011 m). Rainbow Point is a suburb of Taupo. ... The Aquarius Plateau is a physiographic region within Garfield and Wayne counties in south-central Utah. ... An image of peaks in the Henry mountains viewed from a high mountain road. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ...


Human history

Native American habitation

Petroglyphs in Bryce Canyon indicate the presence of people in the area several thousand years ago, but little is known about them.
Petroglyphs in Bryce Canyon indicate the presence of people in the area several thousand years ago, but little is known about them.

Little is known about early human habitation in the Bryce Canyon area. Archaeological surveys of Bryce Canyon National Park and the Paunsaugunt Plateau show that people have been in the area for at least 10,000 years. Basketmaker-period Anasazi artifacts several thousand years old have been found south of the park. Other artifacts from the Pueblo-period Anasazi and the Fremont culture (up to the mid-12th century) have also been found. NPS image from http://www. ... NPS image from http://www. ... Petroglyphs on Newspaper Rock State Historic Monument, southern Utah, USA Petroglyphs are images created by removing part of a rock surfaces by incising, pecking, carving, and abrading. ... The Paunsaugunt Plateau (pronounced PAWN-suh-gant) is dissected plateau, rising to an elevation of 7000 ft-9300 ft (2100 m-2800 m), in southwestern Utah in the United States. ... Ancient Pueblo People, or Ancestral Puebloans is the preferred term for the group of peoples often known as Anasazi who are the ancestors of the modern Pueblo peoples. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Pueblo Indians . ... Categories: Native American tribes | Stub ...


The Paiute Indians moved into the surrounding valleys and plateaus in the area around the same time that the other cultures left. These Native Americans hunted and gathered for most of their food, but also supplemented their diet with some cultivated products. The Paiute in the area developed a mythology surrounding the hoodoos (pinnacles) in Bryce Canyon. They believed that hoodoos were the Legend People whom the trickster Coyote turned to stone. At least one older Paiute said his culture called the hoodoos Anka-ku-wass-a-wits, which is Paiute for "red painted faces". Paiute women and children in Yosemite Valley 1891. ... This article is about the people indigenous to the United States. ... Native American spirituality includes a number of stories and legends that are mythological. ... Coyote is a mythological character common to many Native American cultures, based on the coyote (Canis latrans) animal. ...


White exploration and settlement

It was not until the late 18th and the early 19th century that the first Caucasians explored the remote and hard to reach area. Mormon scouts visited the area in the 1850s to gauge its potential for agricultural development, use for grazing, and settlement. For the peoples actually from the Caucasus, see Peoples of the Caucasus. ... A statue commemorating the Mormon pioneers The Mormon pioneers were members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, also known as Latter-day Saints, who migrated across the United States from the midwest to the Salt Lake Valley in what is today the U.S. state of... Grazing To feed on growing herbage, attached algae, or phytoplankton. ...


The first major scientific expedition to the area was led by U.S. Army Major John Wesley Powell in 1872. Powell, along with a team of mapmakers and geologists, surveyed the Sevier and Virgin River area as part of a larger survey of the Colorado Plateaus. His mapmakers kept many of the Paiute place names. The United States Army is the largest and oldest branch of the armed forces of the United States. ... John Wesley Powell, second Director of the USGS. Served from 1881-1894. ... The Sevier River (SUH-veer) is a river, approximately 280 mi (450 km) long, in southwestern Utah in the United States. ... The Virgin River, a tributary of the Colorado, is shown highlighted on a map of the southwestern United States The Virgin River is a tributary of the Colorado River, 200 mi (322 km) long, in the southwestern United States. ... The Colorado Plateau, also called the Colorado Plateaus Province, is a physiographic region of the Intermontane Plateaus, roughly centered on the Four Corners region of the southwestern United States. ...

Ebenezer Bryce and his family lived in Bryce Canyon, in this cabin, here photographed circa 1881.
Ebenezer Bryce and his family lived in Bryce Canyon, in this cabin, here photographed circa 1881.

Small groups of Mormon pioneers followed and attempted to settle east of Bryce Canyon along the Paria River. In 1873 the Kanarra Cattle Company started to use the area for cattle grazing. Ebenezer Bryces cabin in Bryce Canyon circa 1881. ... Ebenezer Bryces cabin in Bryce Canyon circa 1881. ... A backpacker at the confluence of Buckskin Gulch and the Paria River. ... For general information about the genus, including other species of cattle, see Bos. ...


The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints sent Scottish immigrant Ebenezer Bryce and his wife Mary to settle land in the Paria Valley because they thought his carpentry skills would be useful in the area. The Bryce family chose to live right below Bryce Canyon Amphitheater. Bryce grazed his cattle inside what are now park borders, and reputedly thought that the amphitheaters were a "helluva place to lose a cow." He also built a road to the plateau to retrieve firewood and timber, and a canal to irrigate his crops and water his animals. Other settlers soon started to call the unusual place "Bryce's canyon", which was later formalized into Bryce Canyon. For other uses, see Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (disambiguation). ... Scottish Americans or Scots Americans are citizens of the United States whose ancestry originates in the northwest European nation of Scotland. ... For other uses, see Canal (disambiguation). ...


A combination of drought, overgrazing and flooding eventually drove the remaining Paiutes from the area and prompted the settlers to attempt construction of a water diversion channel from the Sevier River drainage. When that effort failed, most of the settlers, including the Bryce family, left the area. Bryce moved his family to Arizona in 1880. The remaining settlers did manage to dig a 10 mile (16 km) long ditch from the Sevier's east fork into Tropic Valley. Fields outside Benambra, Victoria, Australia suffering from drought conditions A drought is an extended period of months or years when a region notes a deficiency in its water supply. ... // In the dictionary and agriculture, overgrazing is when plants are exposed to grazing for too long, or without sufficient recovery periods. ... Flooding in Amphoe Sena, Ayutthaya Province, Thailand. ... Official language(s) English Spoken language(s) English 74. ...


Creation of the park

People like Forest Supervisor J. W. Humphrey promoted the scenic wonders of Bryce Canyon's amphitheaters, and by 1918 nationally distributed articles also helped to spark interest. However, poor access to the remote area and the lack of accommodations kept visitation to a bare minimum.


Ruby Syrett, Harold Bowman and the Perry brothers later built modest lodging, and set up "touring services" in the area. Syrett later served as the first postmaster of Bryce Canyon. Visitation steadily increased, and by the early 1920s the Union Pacific Railroad became interested in expanding rail service into southwestern Utah to accommodate more tourists. If you are looking for different meanings of this word, see Postmaster (disambiguation) A postmaster is a term used in post offices to denote the head or master of the office. ... The Union Pacific Railroad (AAR reporting marks UP) (NYSE: UNP), headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, is the largest railroad network in the United States. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ...


At the same time, conservationists became alarmed by the damage overgrazing and logging on the plateau, along with unregulated visitation, were having on the fragile features of Bryce Canyon. A movement to have the area protected was soon started, and National Park Service Director Stephen Mather responded by proposing that Bryce Canyon be made into a state park. The governor of Utah and the Utah Legislature, however, lobbied for national protection of the area. Mather relented and sent his recommendation to President Warren G. Harding, who on June 8, 1923 declared Bryce Canyon National Monument into existence. The conservation ethic is an ethic of resource use, allocation, exploitation, and protection. ... // In the dictionary and agriculture, overgrazing is when plants are exposed to grazing for too long, or without sufficient recovery periods. ... Logging is the process in which trees are cut down usually as part of a timber harvest which is good for the environment. ... The National Park Service (NPS) is the United States federal agency that manages all National Parks, many National Monuments, and other conservation and historical properties with various title designations. ... Stephen Mather (1867 - 1930) was a pioneering American industrialist and conservationist. ... List of Utah Governors Heber M. Wells Republican 1896-1905 John C. Cutler Republican 1905-1909 William Spry Republican 1909-1917 Simon Bamberger Democrat 1917-1921 Charles R. Mabey Republican 1921-1925 George H. Dern Democrat 1925-1933 Henry H. Blood Democrat 1933-1941 Herbert B. Maw Democrat 1941-1949... Warren Gamaliel Harding (November 2, 1865 – August 2, 1923) was an American politician and the twenty-ninth President of the United States, from 1921 to 1923, when he became the fifth president to die in office. ... is the 159th day of the year (160th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1923 (MCMXXIII) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Bryce Canyon Lodge was built between 1924 and 1925 from local materials.
Bryce Canyon Lodge was built between 1924 and 1925 from local materials.

A road was built the same year on the plateau to provide easy access to outlooks over the amphitheaters. From 1924 to 1925, Bryce Canyon Lodge was built from local timber and stone. Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1293x576, 293 KB) A photograph of the lodge at Bryce Canyon National Park. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1293x576, 293 KB) A photograph of the lodge at Bryce Canyon National Park. ... Bryce Canyon Lodge is a lodge in Bryce Canyon National Park Utah. ... Bryce Canyon Lodge is a lodge in Bryce Canyon National Park Utah. ...


In 1924, members of U.S. Congress decided to start work on upgrading Bryce Canyon's protection status from a U.S. National Monument to a National Park to establish Utah National Park. A process of transferring ownership of private and state-held land in the monument to the federal government started, the Utah Parks Company negotiating much of the transfer. The last of the land in the proposed park's borders was sold to the federal government four years later, and on February 25, 1928, the renamed Bryce Canyon National Park was established. Congress in Joint Session. ... Navajo National Monument Devils Tower National Monument Statue of Liberty National Monument Fort Matanzas National Monument A National Monument is a protected area of the United States that is similar to a national park (specifically a U.S. National Park) except that the President of the United States can quickly... The National Park Service (NPS) is the United States federal agency that manages all National Parks, many National Monuments, and other conservation and historical properties with various title designations. ... Utah Parks Company is a company located in Utah. ... is the 56th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1928 (MCMXXVIII) was a leap year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

In 1928 the canyon became a National Park. It now has this visitors' center.
In 1928 the canyon became a National Park. It now has this visitors' center.

In 1931, President Herbert Hoover annexed an adjoining area south of the park, and in 1942 an additional 635 acres (2.57 km²) was added. This brought the park's total area to the current figure of 35,835 acres (145.02 km²). Rim Road, the scenic drive that is still used today, was completed in 1934 by the Civilian Conservation Corps. Administration of the park was conducted from neighboring Zion Canyon National Park until 1956, when Bryce Canyon's first superintendent started work. Download high resolution version (1000x750, 110 KB)NPS photo from [1] This image has been released into the public domain by the copyright holder, its copyright has expired, or it is ineligible for copyright. ... Download high resolution version (1000x750, 110 KB)NPS photo from [1] This image has been released into the public domain by the copyright holder, its copyright has expired, or it is ineligible for copyright. ... Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada A national park is a reserve of land, usually, but not always (see National Parks of England and Wales), declared and owned by a national government, protected from most human development and pollution. ... Herbert Clark Hoover (August 10, 1874 – October 20, 1964), the thirty-first President of the United States (1929–1933), was a world-famous mining engineer and humanitarian administrator. ... CCC workers on road construction, Camp Euclid, Ohio 1936 The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) was a work relief program for young men from unemployed families, established on March 19, 1933 by U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt. ... Zion National Park is located near Springdale, Utah in the southwestern United States. ...


More recent history

The USS Bryce Canyon was named for the park and served as a supply and repair ship in the U.S. Pacific Fleet from September 15, 1950, to June 30, 1981. USS Bryce Canyon (AD-36) was a Shenandoah-class destroyer tender. ... The United States Pacific Fleet (USPACFLT) is a theater-level unit of the U.S. armed forces, under the operational control of the United States Pacific Command. ... is the 258th day of the year (259th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1950 (MCML) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 181st day of the year (182nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1981 (MCMLXXXI) was a common year starting on Thursday (link displays the 1981 Gregorian calendar). ...


Bryce Canyon Natural History Association (BCNHA) was established in 1961. It runs the bookstore inside the park visitor center and is a non-profit organization created to aid the interpretive, educational and scientific activities of the National Park Service, at Bryce Canyon National Park. A portion of the profits from all bookstore sales are donated to public land units. Since BCNHA's inception in 1961, donations have exceeded $3.5 million. Bryce Canyon Natural History Association (BCNHA) is a non-profit organization created to aid the interpretive, educational and scientific activities of the National Park Service, at Bryce Canyon National Park and the USDA Forest Service on the Dixie National Forest. ... ISO 4217 Code USD User(s) the United States, the British Indian Ocean Territory,[1] the British Virgin Islands, East Timor, Ecuador, El Salvador, the Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Palau, Panama, Turks and Caicos Islands, and the insular areas of the United States Inflation 2. ...


Responding to increased visitation and traffic congestion, the National Park Service implemented a voluntary, summer-only, in-park shuttle system in June 2000. In 2004, reconstruction began on the aging and inadequate road system in the park. This article needs additional references or sources to facilitate its verification. ... The National Park Service (NPS) is the United States federal agency that manages all National Parks, many National Monuments, and other conservation and historical properties with various title designations. ...


Geology

Main article: Geology of the Bryce Canyon area
Erosion of sedimentary rocks has created natural arches.
Erosion of sedimentary rocks has created natural arches.
Thor's Hammer formation in Bryce Canyon National Park
Thor's Hammer formation in Bryce Canyon National Park

The Bryce Canyon area shows a record of deposition that spans from the last part of the Cretaceous period and the first half of the Cenozoic era. The ancient depositional environment of region around what is now the park varied: The exposed geology of the Bryce Canyon area shows a record of deposition that covers the last part of the Cretaceous period and the first half of the Cenozoic era in that part of North America. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1500x1125, 882 KB) A natural bridge in Bryce Canyon National Park. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1500x1125, 882 KB) A natural bridge in Bryce Canyon National Park. ... Severe soil erosion in a wheat field near Washington State University, USA. For erosion as an operation of Mathematical morphology, see Erosion (morphology) Erosion is displacement of solids (soil, mud, rock and other particles) by the agents of ocean currents, wind, water, or ice by downward or down-slope movement... Two types of sedimentary rock: limey shale overlaid by limestone. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 533 pixelsFull resolution (2000 × 1333 pixel, file size: 2. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 533 pixelsFull resolution (2000 × 1333 pixel, file size: 2. ... // The Cretaceous Period is one of the major divisions of the geologic timescale, reaching from the end of the Jurassic Period (i. ... The Cenozoic Era (IPA pronunciation: ); sometimes Caenozoic Era or Cainozoic Era (in the United Kingdom), meaning new life (Greek (kainos), new, and (zoe), life), is the most recent of the three classic geological eras. ...

  • The Dakota Sandstone and the Tropic Shale were deposited in the warm, shallow waters of the advancing and retreating Cretaceous Seaway (outcrops of these rocks are found just outside park borders).
  • The colorful Claron Formation that the park's delicate hoodoos are carved from was laid down as sediments in a system of cool streams and lakes that existed from 63 to about 40 million years ago (from the Paleocene to the Eocene epochs). Different sediment types were laid down as the lakes deepened and became shallow and as the shoreline and river deltas migrated.

Several other formations were also created but were mostly eroded away following two major periods of uplift: The Dakota Sandstone (also Cockrum Sandstone, Dakota Formation) is a general term for an ill-defined early Cretaceous formation of the Rocky Mountains and Great Plains. ... The Western Interior Seaway, also called the Cretaceous Seaway and the North American Inland Sea, was a huge inland sea that split the continent of North America into two halves during most of the early and mid-Cretaceous period. ... Hoodoos East of Drumheller, Alberta Hoodoos are tall thin spires of rock that protrude from the bottom of arid basins and badlands. ... Butchers Creek, Omeo, Victoria A stream, brook, beck, burn or creek, is a body of water with a detectable current, confined within a bed and banks. ... Blowdown Lake in the mountains near Pemberton, British Columbia A lake (from Latin lacus) is a body of water or other liquid of considerable size contained on a body of land. ... The Paleocene, early dawn of the recent, is a geologic epoch that lasted from 65. ... hfajhfiudshfas == == == --24. ... Nile River delta, as seen from Earth orbit. ... Severe soil erosion in a wheat field near Washington State University, USA. For erosion as an operation of Mathematical morphology, see Erosion (morphology) Erosion is displacement of solids (soil, mud, rock and other particles) by the agents of ocean currents, wind, water, or ice by downward or down-slope movement...

  • The Laramide orogeny affected the entire western part of what would become North America starting about 70 million years ago and lasting for many millions of years after. This event helped to build the ancestral Rocky Mountains and in the process closed the Cretaceous Seaway. The Straight Cliffs, Wahweap, and Kaiparowits formations were victims of this uplift.
  • The Colorado Plateaus were uplifted 10 to 15 million years ago and were segmented into different plateaus — each separated from its neighbors by faults and each having its own uplift rate. The Boat Mesa Conglomerate and the Sevier River Formation were removed following this uplift.
Hoodoos can form strange shapes due to random fluctuations in erosion patterns and variations between the rock strata.
Hoodoos can form strange shapes due to random fluctuations in erosion patterns and variations between the rock strata.

Vertical joints were created by this uplift, which were eventually (and still are) preferentially eroded. The easily eroded Pink Cliffs of the Claron Formation respond by forming freestanding pinnacles in badlands called hoodoos, while the more resistant White Cliffs formed monoliths. The pink color is from iron oxide and manganese. Also created were arches, natural bridges, walls, and windows. Hoodoos are composed of soft sedimentary rock and are topped by a piece of harder, less easily eroded stone that protects the column from the elements. Bryce Canyon has one of the highest concentrations of hoodoos of any place on Earth. The Laramide orogeny was a period of mountain building in western North America, which started in the Late Cretaceous, 70 to 80 million years ago, and ended 35 to 55 million years ago. ... North America North America is a continent[1] in the Earths northern hemisphere and (chiefly) western hemisphere. ... For individual mountains named Rocky Mountain, see Rocky Mountain (disambiguation). ... The Colorado Plateau, also called the Colorado Plateaus Province, is a physiographic region of the Intermontane Plateaus, roughly centered on the Four Corners region of the southwestern United States. ... For other uses, see Plateau (disambiguation). ... Old fault exposed by roadcut near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (2272x1704, 1649 KB) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Bryce Canyon National Park Hoodoo (geology) Wikipedia:Picture peer review User:Digon3 Wikipedia:Picture peer review/Bryce Canyon... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (2272x1704, 1649 KB) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Bryce Canyon National Park Hoodoo (geology) Wikipedia:Picture peer review User:Digon3 Wikipedia:Picture peer review/Bryce Canyon... Hoodoos East of Drumheller, Alberta Hoodoos are tall thin spires of rock that protrude from the bottom of arid basins and badlands. ... For other uses, see strata (novel) and strata title. ... The Chinle Badlands at Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. ... Iron oxide pigment There are a number of iron oxides: Iron oxides Iron(II) oxide or ferrous oxide (FeO) The black-coloured powder in particular can cause explosions as it readily ignites. ... General Name, symbol, number manganese, Mn, 25 Chemical series transition metals Group, period, block 7, 4, d Appearance silvery metallic Standard atomic weight 54. ... Rainbow Bridge was formed by a meandering watercourse. ...


The formations exposed in the area of the park are part of the Grand Staircase. The oldest members of this supersequence of rock units are exposed in the Grand Canyon, the intermediate ones in Zion National Park, and its youngest parts are laid bare in Bryce Canyon area. A small amount of overlap occurs in and around each park. The Grand Staircase is an immense sequence of sedimentary rock layers that stretch south from Bryce Canyon National Park through Zion National Park and into the Grand Canyon. ... This article is about the canyon in the southwestern United States. ... Zion Canyon as seen from the top of Angels Landing at sunset Zion National Park is a United States National Park located in the Southwestern United States, near Springdale, Utah. ...


Biology

Mule Deer are the most common large animals found in the park.
Mule Deer are the most common large animals found in the park.

The forests and meadows of Bryce Canyon provide the habitat to support diverse animal life, from birds and small mammals to foxes and occasional bobcats, mountain lions, and black bears. Mule deer are the most common large mammals in the park. Elk and pronghorn antelope, which have been reintroduced nearby, sometimes venture into the park. More than 160 species of birds visit the park each year, including swifts and swallows. Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 613 × 599 pixelsFull resolution (659 × 644 pixel, file size: 208 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File historyClick on a date/time to view the file as it appeared at that time. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 613 × 599 pixelsFull resolution (659 × 644 pixel, file size: 208 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File historyClick on a date/time to view the file as it appeared at that time. ... Binomial name (Rafinesque, 1817) The mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) is a deer whose habitat is in the western half of North America. ... This article is about a community of trees. ... A meadow is a habitat of rolling or flat terrain where grasses predominate. ... Habitat (which is Latin for it inhabits) is the place where a particular species live and grow. ... For other uses, see Bird (disambiguation). ... Subclasses & Infraclasses Subclass †Allotheria* Subclass Prototheria Subclass Theria Infraclass †Trituberculata Infraclass Metatheria Infraclass Eutheria Mammals (class Mammalia) are warm-blooded, vertebrate animals characterized by the production of milk in female mammary glands and by the presence of: hair, three middle ear bones used in hearing, and a neocortex region in... This article needs additional references or sources for verification. ... Binomial name (Schreber, 1777) The Bobcat (Lynx rufus) is a North American mammal of the cat family, Felidae. ... Binomial name Puma concolor (Linnaeus, 1771) The puma (Puma concolor) is a type of large cat found in North, Central and South America. ... “Black Bear” redirects here. ... Binomial name (Rafinesque, 1817) The mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) is a deer whose habitat is in the western half of North America. ... For other uses, see Elk (disambiguation). ... Binomial name Antilocapra americana Ord, 1815 The pronghorn (Antilocapra americana) is the only surviving member of the family Antilocapridae, and the fastest land animal in North America running at speeds up to 54 mph (90 km/h). ... Genera Many; see text. ... Genera Many, see text. ...


Most bird species migrate to warmer regions in winter, but jays, ravens, nuthatches, eagles, and owls stay. In winter, the mule deer, mountain lion, and coyotes will migrate to lower elevations. Ground squirrels and marmots pass the winter in hibernation. Genera Garrulus Podoces Ptilostomus Perisoreus Aphelocoma Gymnorhinus Cyanocitta Calocitta Cyanocorax Cyanolyca The jays are several species of medium-sized, usually colorful and noisy passerine birds in the crow family Corvidae. ... Species See text. ... Species 22 species, see text The nuthatches are a family, Sittidae, of generally very similar small passerine birds found throughout the Northern hemisphere. ... Genera Several, see below. ... For other uses, see Owl (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Coyote (disambiguation). ... Genera Ammospermophilus Spermophilus Cynomys Marmota Tamias Sciurotamias The ground squirrels are all members of the Sciuridae most closely related to the genus Marmota and included in the tribe Marmotini. ... Species See text. ... This article refers to the process of hibernation in biology. ...


There are three life zones in the park based on elevation:

Bryce Canyon has extensive fir forests.
Bryce Canyon has extensive fir forests.

Also in the park are the black, lumpy, very slow-growing colonies of cryptobiotic soil, which are a mix of lichens, algae, fungi, and cyanobacteria. Together these organisms slow erosion, add nitrogen to soil and help it to retain moisture. Species Section Cembroides     Pinus cembroides     Pinus orizabensis     Pinus johannis     Pinus culminicola     Pinus remota     Pinus edulis     Pinus monophylla     Pinus quadrifolia Section Rzedowskiae     Pinus rzedowskii     Pinus pinceana     Pinus maximartinezii Section Nelsoniae     Pinus nelsonii The pinyon pines (or piñon pines), are a group of pines, which grow in the southwestern United States... Species Junipers are coniferous plants in the genus Juniperus of the cypress family Cupressaceae. ... Species See text See Manzanita (album) for the Mia Doi Todd album. ... Species About 25; see text The Serviceberry (Amelanchier), also known as juneberry, saskatoon, mespilus, sarvis, shad-blossom and shadbush, is a genus of about 25 species of small deciduous trees and large shrubs in the family Rosaceae. ... Binomial name Purshia tridentata (Pursh) DC. The Antelope Bitterbrush (Purshia tridentata), also called Buckbrush, is a nitrogen fixing shrub in the genus Purshia, native to mountainous areas of western North America ranging from southeastern British Columbia in the north, east to Montana and south to California and New Mexico. ... Species Populus adenopoda Populus alba Populus grandidentata Populus sieboldii Populus tremula Populus tremuloides Aspens are trees of the willow family and comprise a section of the poplar genus, Populus sect. ... Species Populus deltoides L. Populus fremontii [[]] Populus nigra L. This article is about the poplar species. ... Species About 350, including: Salix acutifolia - Violet Willow Salix alaxensis - Alaska Willow Salix alba - White Willow Salix alpina - Alpine Willow Salix amygdaloides - Peachleaf Willow Salix arbuscula - Mountain Willow Salix arbusculoides - Littletree Willow Salix arctica - Arctic Willow Salix atrocinerea Salix aurita - Eared Willow Salix babylonica - Peking Willow Salix bakko Salix barrattiana... Binomial name Pinus ponderosa Douglas ex C. Lawson Ponderosa Pine (Pinus ponderosa) is a widespread and very variable pine native to western North America. ... Binomial name Picea pungens Engelm. ... Species See text. ... Species See text. ... Binomial name Abies concolor (Gordon) Lindley ex Hildebrand White Fir (Abies concolor) is a fir native to the mountains of western North America, occurring at altitudes of 900-3,400 m. ... Binomial name Picea engelmannii Parry ex Engelm. ... Binomial name Pinus flexilis ( var. ... Binomial name Pinus longaeva D.K.Bailey The Great Basin Bristlecone Pine (Pinus longaeva) is one of the bristlecone pines, a group of three species of pine found in the higher mountains of the southwest United States. ... Download high resolution version (1500x1125, 705 KB)Photograph of a winter storm at Bryce Canyon National Park. ... Download high resolution version (1500x1125, 705 KB)Photograph of a winter storm at Bryce Canyon National Park. ... FIR may stand for: finite impulse response (a property of some digital filters) far infrared, i. ... A Cryptobiotic soil is a biological soil crust composed of living cyanobacteria, green algae, brown algae, fungi, lichens, and/or mosses. ... For other uses, see Lichen (disambiguation). ... A seaweed (Laurencia) up close: the branches are multicellular and only about 1 mm thick. ... Subkingdom/Phyla Chytridiomycota Blastocladiomycota Neocallimastigomycota Glomeromycota Zygomycota Dikarya (inc. ... Orders The taxonomy of the Cyanobacteria is currently under revision. ... “Life on Earth” redirects here. ... General Name, symbol, number nitrogen, N, 7 Chemical series nonmetals Group, period, block 15, 2, p Appearance colorless gas Standard atomic weight 14. ... Loess field in Germany Surface-water-gley developed in glacial till, Northern Ireland Technically, soil forms the pedosphere: the interface between the lithosphere (rocky part of the planet) and the biosphere, atmosphere, and hydrosphere. ...


While humans have greatly reduced the amount of habitat that is available to wildlife in most parts of the United States, the relative scarcity of water in southern Utah restricts human development and helps account for the region's greatly enhanced diversity of wildlife.


Activities

Most park visitors sightsee using the 18 mile (29 km) scenic drive, which provides access to 13 viewpoints over the amphitheaters.


Bryce Canyon has eight marked and maintained hiking trails that can be hiked in less than a day (round trip time, trailhead): Two hikers in the Mount Hood National Forest Eagle Creek hiking Hiking is a form of walking, undertaken with the specific purpose of exploring and enjoying the scenery. ...

There are marked trails for hiking, for which snowshoes are required in winter.
There are marked trails for hiking, for which snowshoes are required in winter.
  • Mossy Cave (one hour, Utah State Route 12 northwest of Tropic), Rim Trail (5–6 hours, anywhere on rim), Bristlecone Loop (one hour, Rainbow Point), and Queens Garden (1–2 hours, Sunrise Point) are easy to moderate hikes.
  • Navajo Loop (1–2 hours, Sunset Point) and Tower Bridge (2–3 hours, north of Sunrise Point) are moderate hikes.
  • Fairyland Loop (4–5 hours, Fairyland Point) and Peekaboo Loop (3–4 hours, Bryce Point) are strenuous hikes.

Several of these trails intersect, allowing hikers to combine routes for more challenging hikes. Download high resolution version (1000x750, 156 KB)NPS photo from [1] This image has been released into the public domain by the copyright holder, its copyright has expired, or it is ineligible for copyright. ... Download high resolution version (1000x750, 156 KB)NPS photo from [1] This image has been released into the public domain by the copyright holder, its copyright has expired, or it is ineligible for copyright. ... Two hikers in the Mount Hood National Forest Eagle Creek hiking Hiking is a form of walking, undertaken with the specific purpose of exploring and enjoying the scenery. ... A pair of modern snowshoes Snowshoes, sometimes colloquially referred to as webs, are footwear for walking over snow. ... Bryce Canyon Tunnel on Utah SR-12 at milepost 4. ...


The park also has two trails designated for overnight hiking: the 9 mile (14 km) long Riggs Loop Trail and the 23 mile (37 km) long Under the Rim Trail. Both require a backcountry camping permit. In total there are 50 miles (80 km) of trails in the park.

Horse riding is available in the park from April through October.
Horse riding is available in the park from April through October.

More than 10 miles (16 km) of marked but ungroomed skiing trails are available off of Fairyland, Paria, and Rim trails in the park. Twenty miles (32 km) of connecting groomed ski trails are in nearby Dixie National Forest and Ruby's Inn. Download high resolution version (1000x750, 170 KB)NPS photo from [1] This image has been released into the public domain by the copyright holder, its copyright has expired, or it is ineligible for copyright. ... Download high resolution version (1000x750, 170 KB)NPS photo from [1] This image has been released into the public domain by the copyright holder, its copyright has expired, or it is ineligible for copyright. ... horse, see Horse (disambiguation). ... Cross-country skiing (skating style) in Einsiedeln, Switzerland. ... Dixie National Forest is a national forest in Utah with headquarters in Cedar City. ...

The Wall Street section of the Navajo Loop trail
The Wall Street section of the Navajo Loop trail

The air in the area is so clear that on most days from Yovimpa and Rainbow points, Navajo Mountain and the Kaibab Plateau can be seen 90 miles (140 km) away in Arizona. On a really clear day the Black Mesas of eastern Arizona and western New Mexico can be seen some 200 miles (320 km) away. The park also has a 7.3 magnitude night sky, making it the one of the darkest in North America. Stargazers can therefore see 7500 stars with the naked eye, while in most places fewer than 2000 can be seen due to light pollution (in many large cities only a few dozen can be seen). Park rangers host several public stargazing events and evening programs on astronomy, nocturnal animals, and night sky protection. The Bryce Canyon Astronomy Festival, typically held in June, attracts thousands of visitors. In honor of this astronomy festival, Asteroid 49272 was named after the national park.[1] Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 450 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (1200 × 1600 pixel, file size: 828 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Bryce Canyons Wall Street. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 450 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (1200 × 1600 pixel, file size: 828 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Bryce Canyons Wall Street. ... Navajo Mountain, in southeastern Utah, is a laccolith, a dome-shaped chunk of igneous rock that intruded into the sedimentary layers and lifted up the overlying layer. ... Official language(s) English Spoken language(s) English 74. ... Capital Santa Fe Largest city Albuquerque Area  Ranked 5th  - Total 121,665 sq mi (315,194 km²)  - Width 342 miles (550 km)  - Length 370 miles (595 km)  - % water 0. ... North America North America is a continent[1] in the Earths northern hemisphere and (chiefly) western hemisphere. ... STAR is an acronym for: Organizations Society of Ticket Agents and Retailers], the self-regulatory body for the entertainment ticket industry in the UK. Society for Telescopy, Astronomy, and Radio, a non-profit New Jersey astronomy club. ... The naked eye is a figure of speech referring to human visual perception that is unaided by enhancing equipment, such as a telescope or binoculars. ... This time exposure photo of New York City shows sky glow, one form of light pollution. ...


There are two campgrounds in the park, North Campground and Sunset Campground. Loop A in North Campground is open year-round. Additional loops and Sunset Campground are open from late spring to early autumn. The 114-room Bryce Canyon Lodge is another way to overnight in the park. Bryce Canyon Lodge is a lodge in Bryce Canyon National Park Utah. ...


A favorite activity of most visitors is landscape photography. With Bryce Canyon's high altitude and clean air, the sunrise and sunset photographs can be spectacular.


References

The rocks that comprise these hoodoos formed from sediment in streams and lakes that existed from about 63 to 40 million years ago.
The rocks that comprise these hoodoos formed from sediment in streams and lakes that existed from about 63 to 40 million years ago.
  • Geology of National Parks: Fifth Edition, Ann G. Harris, Esther Tuttle, Sherwood D., Tuttle (Iowa, Kendall/Hunt Publishing; 1997) ISBN 0-7872-5353-7
  • Secrets in The Grand Canyon, Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks: Third Edition, Lorraine Salem Tufts (North Palm Beach, Florida; National Photographic Collections; 1998) ISBN 0-9620255-3-4
  • The Hoodoo, National Park Service, Fall, Winter, Spring 2003–2004 edition
  • Bryce Canyon visitors guide, National Park Service (some public domain text in the biology section)
  • American Park Network: Bryce Canyon — Flora and Fauna, Preservation
  1. ^ IAU: Minor Planet Center. Discovery Circumstances: Numbered Minor Planets (45001)-(50000). Retrieved on May 22, 2007.

Download high resolution version (1000x651, 109 KB)NPS photo from [1] This image has been released into the public domain by the copyright holder, its copyright has expired, or it is ineligible for copyright. ... Download high resolution version (1000x651, 109 KB)NPS photo from [1] This image has been released into the public domain by the copyright holder, its copyright has expired, or it is ineligible for copyright. ... Hoodoos East of Drumheller, Alberta Hoodoos are tall thin spires of rock that protrude from the bottom of arid basins and badlands. ... Two types of sedimentary rock: limey shale overlaid by limestone. ... Logo of the IAU The International Astronomical Union (French: Union astronomique internationale) unites national astronomical societies from around the world. ...

Further reading

  • DeCourten, Frank. 1994. Shadows of Time, the Geology of Bryce Canyon National Park. Bryce Canyon Natural History Association.
  • Kiver, Eugene P., Harris, David V. 1999. Geology of U.S. Parklands 5th ed. John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
  • Sprinkel, Douglas A., Chidsey, Thomas C. Jr., Anderson, Paul B. 2000. Geology of Utah's Parks and Monuments. Publishers Press.

External links

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