Why Bryce Canyon Deserves Your Attention
Bryce Canyon National Park doesn’t just belong on your bucket list. It belongs in your car’s GPS. And if you’re staying at Settlers Point Luxury RV Resort, you’re sitting just close enough to make this jaw-dropping landscape a feasible, full-day adventure without burning out your brakes or your patience. This isn’t one of those “you’ll need four days and a mule team” kind of parks. Bryce Canyon is compact, walkable, and engineered by nature to look like it was Photoshopped.
For travelers making the most of Southern Utah, this isn’t a detour. It’s a strategic play. You’ve got Zion to the west, the open desert all around, and Bryce Canyon standing tall (and slightly weird) with its iconic hoodoos, vibrant cliffs, and eerily quiet forested rims. So the question isn’t whether it’s worth the drive. It’s whether you want to regret skipping one of the most underrated national parks Utah has to offer.
This guide is built to help you see the best of Bryce Canyon in a single, well-planned day. No guesswork, no missed turns, just a smart loop from St. George to the park and back with your camera full and your socks a little red from the dust.
Start at the Rim, Stay for the Viewpoints
The drive from St. George to Bryce Canyon National Park clocks in at just over two hours, depending on whether you pause for gas, snacks, or that one roadside dinosaur statue that always gets someone to yell, “Pull over!” Once you hit the park entrance, head straight for Bryce Amphitheater. It’s the main event. Sunrise Point, Sunset Point, Inspiration Point, and Bryce Point are all strung along the rim like a greatest hits album. You can drive between them or hop on the shuttle, but honestly, walking the Rim Trail between at least a few of these is part of the experience.
The moment you hit your first overlook, you’ll understand what makes this park different. It doesn’t build to a climax, it slaps you with it upfront. Hoodoos, those red, twisted rock spires, stretch across the canyon like a geological fever dream. There’s no bad time to take a photo here, but if you’re an early riser, Sunrise Point delivers. And yes, that’s literal.
If you’re not up for the full hike, you can park at one of the main overlooks and walk as little or as much as you want. For most families or casual hikers, walking the section between Sunset and Inspiration Points gives you panoramic views without much elevation drama. And for those who feel like flexing a little, you can start from Bryce Point and descend into the canyon on the Peekaboo Loop Trail, which delivers the goods and the quad burn.
Hit the Trails That Make the Park Shine
While the viewpoints get all the Instagram love, Bryce Canyon’s real soul lives in its trails. The Queen’s Garden and Navajo Loop combo is the park’s most popular hike for a reason. It’s short, doable in 2–3 hours, and delivers all the rock cathedral vibes without the need for a camelback and survival training. Start at Sunrise Point, drop down through the rock tunnels of the Navajo Loop, say hello to Thor’s Hammer (yes, that’s the actual name of a hoodoo), then swing through Queen’s Garden and loop back up. You’ll feel like you’re walking through a movie set that forgot to CGI in the orcs.
If you’ve got time and energy, add the Peekaboo Loop. It’s not for total beginners, but if you’re reasonably fit, it rewards you with wide-open spaces between the hoodoos that most tourists never see.
Don’t forget the Mossy Cave Trail on your way in or out of the park. It’s technically outside the main gates and often overlooked, but it’s a quiet little canyon walk with a waterfall if you time it right. And if you’re dragging kids who aren’t yet impressed by geological formations, water tends to do the trick.
Day Tripping from Settlers Point Like a Pro
Let’s talk logistics. You’re based at Settlers Point in St. George, which gives you a clean home base with easy highway access. The best move is to leave early, think 7 AM early. You’ll beat the heat, dodge most of the crowds, and have primo light for photos. That early morning start means you’ll hit Bryce Canyon right around opening, and parking at the major trailheads will still be available.
Pack your food. The park has limited dining options, and nothing kills a vibe faster than waiting 40 minutes for a pre-wrapped turkey sandwich. A well-packed cooler means you can eat on the go, tailgate with a view, and avoid overpriced snacks that taste like regret.
Gas up before you hit the turnoff for Bryce, and make sure your phone is charged or your offline maps are downloaded. Cell service gets patchy, and you don’t want to miss a turn on these back roads.
If you time things right, you’ll be heading back to St. George by late afternoon. That gives you enough time for a dinner stop in Cedar City or Hurricane, depending on your route. You’ll be back at Settlers Point by dusk, just in time to drop your dusty hiking shoes and crack open whatever cold drink you’ve earned.
Maximize Your Photos, Minimize the Hassle
Whether you’re shooting with a DSLR or just your phone, Bryce Canyon is a photography playground. The key is light. The best shots happen early morning or late afternoon when the hoodoos glow like they’ve been lit from inside. Midday light flattens the shadows, so if you’re aiming for epic, plan around the golden hours.
Tripods are allowed on most trails but can be a pain if you’re moving fast. A compact gorillapod or handheld stabilizer is a solid compromise. And if you’re thinking drone, don’t. They’re banned in the park.
For families, getting a great group photo without herding cats is half the battle. Use the viewpoints with built-in railings as your setup zones. They naturally corral kids, prevent photobombers, and give you clean backgrounds.
Lastly, don’t sleep on the Visitor Center. The rangers there are sharp, the bookstore has surprisingly great maps, and the relief map of the park gives you a good sense of where you’re actually standing.
Where Hoodoos Meet Road Trips: Make the Most of It
Bryce Canyon National Park isn’t a casual stop. It’s a crown jewel of the national parks Utah lineup, and if you’re staying anywhere near St. George, it’s the smartest day trip you can make. It’s not about checking a box. It’s about seeing a landscape so strange and stunning that it rewires your sense of what nature’s allowed to do.
For RV travelers and families posted up at Settlers Point, this trip is a no-brainer. It’s got drama, views, short hikes, long loops, picnic-perfect stops, and more photo ops than your storage can handle. It’s everything the Southwest promises, minus the heatstroke and helicopter tours.
So load up the cooler, lace up your hiking shoes, and give yourself a day that feels like it should cost more than gas and a park pass. And if you want help planning your next adventure or need tips for capturing it like a pro, Settlers Point has you covered with local insights, gear recs, and travel-ready Wi-Fi. Just don’t forget to clean your lens. Hoodoo dust sticks to everything.
