Park Fee Included, Fairyland Start

A 3 hour guided sightseeing tour of Bryce Canyon National Park.

Overview

This three-hour tour from Bryce Canyon Scenic Tours begins at Fairyland Canyon. A short walk gets you among the geological formations there, and there is a chance to see a Bristlecone Pine, one of the oldest living organisms on earth. From there the route continues through the park by minivan, with a local guide explaining the geology, plants, animals and human history as you go.

The middle of the tour covers the Natural Bridge and a high plateau viewpoint that extends to the north rim of the Grand Canyon. The cathedral and conglomerate sections come next, followed by Inspiration Point for hoodoo hunting; Wall Street is closed, so the operator skips or swaps that stop, best to confirm ahead. There you look out over the Silent City, Thor's Hammer, the Great Serpent and Queen Victoria.

Total hiking sits under half a mile, spread across a few short walks, so the tour suits travellers who want the park's highlights without a long trek. The park entrance fee is covered, along with transport, water, snacks and tips. It does not suit anyone expecting hotel pickup, since you make your own way to the meeting point.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Meet at Fairyland CanyonThe tour starts with a short walk through the geological formations at Fairyland Canyon.
2. Bristlecone Pine stopDuring the Fairyland section there is an opportunity to see a Bristlecone Pine Tree, described as one of the oldest living organisms in the world.
3. Natural Bridge and plateau viewThe minivan heads to the center of the park, where you see the Natural Bridge and a high plateau view that extends to the north rim of the Grand Canyon.
4. Cathedral and conglomerate sectionsA stop at these sections of the park, with the guide sharing geology and local history along the way.
5. Inspiration PointA stop for hoodoo hunting across the amphitheater.
6. Wall Street and the Silent CityAfter another short hike, the tour continues to Wall Street for views of the Silent City, Thor's Hammer, the Great Serpent and Queen Victoria.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points will help you get the most from this tour before you book.

• Footwear and clothing. The listing asks for comfortable clothes and hiking shoes. Hiking is minimal, under half a mile in total, but sturdy footwear still makes the short walks on stone easier.
• Guides make it. Reviewer after reviewer names their guide as the reason the tour worked, praising their knowledge of geology and local history. The pattern of praise is consistent across recent reviews.
• Photo stops. One reviewer noted the guide took the group to the best spots for photos. Bring a camera or phone with charge to spare.
• Water and snacks. Water, fruit bars and granola bars are provided, and umbrellas if the weather calls for them. Staying hydrated matters at this altitude, so take advantage of what is on offer.
• Altitude. Bryce sits on the high plateaus of Southern Utah and the listing warns that altitude sickness is a possibility. Pace yourself on the short hikes and take the water on offer.
• Weather dependency. All tours are subject to weather, and no tour departs during a lightning storm. Check the forecast and have a backup plan for stormy afternoons.

Common issues. The main complaints are about time rather than content: the tour covers a lot of ground in three hours, and some travellers on the platform's review summary wanted more time and flexibility at each stop. There is no hotel pickup, so you must arrange your own transport to the meeting point. Tours can be cancelled outright in lightning storms, and the high altitude is a genuine factor for anyone sensitive to it. Drones are not allowed, and anyone hoping for a long hike will find the walking here limited by design.

Tour Questions, Answered