One Day in Bryce Canyon National Park

Bryce Amphitheater

SUMMARY:

1. Rim Trail
2. Queen's/Navajo Loop
3. Scenic Drive with Viewpoints
4. Bristlecone Loop

SPECIAL THINGS YOU'LL NEED:

1. Packed lunch
2. Water

ITINERARY:

The hoodoos of Bryce Canyon National Park are truly majestic, especially with the shadows of sunrise or sunset. Regardless of when you arrive, park at Sunset Point and access the Rim Trail from there. Parking will be difficult in the summer months, so arrive early or park at the Visitor Center and take the park shuttle to each of these stops. From Sunset Point, walk east along the Rim Trail to Sunrise Point, and start the Queen's/Navajo Loop from there if you are short on time. If you have more time, walk further on the Rim Trail and admire the views from the ledge before turning back to Sunrise Point.

Queen's Garden Trail

Inside Bryce Amphitheater

Begin the Queen's/Navajo Loop with the Queen's Garden Trail, which leaves from Sunrise Point. Most of the Queen's Garden Trail is paved as it descends into Bryce Amphitheater. It's amazing how much larger the hoodoos appear up close, and the trail weaves through them nicely. Eventually, you will reach the Queen Victoria hoodoo. From here, take the Navajo Loop back up. I recommend the Wall Street side of Navajo Loop, which is only open during the summer. Wall Street winds through exceptionally tall hoodoo walls that feel like a slot canyon - very unique. The trail will lead you back to Sunset Point where you began in the morning. Take advantage of the picnic tables here and eat your packed lunch.

Inside Wall Street

Spend your afternoon driving along the main park road and stopping at each of the viewpoints. This drive is often referred to as the "Scenic Drive", but it's really the viewpoints that give it this name (most of the road itself has nothing but trees on both sides). Start with Inspiration Point, and then drive down to Bryce Point and Paria View. From there, backtrack to the main park road and drive west, stopping at each viewpoint (Swamp Canyon, Piracy Point, Farview Point, Natural Bridge, Agua Canyon, Ponderosa Canyon, Black Birch Canyon, Yovimpa Point, and finally Rainbow Point). Natural Bridge is a beautiful arch overlooking the valley, so be sure to hit that one.

Natural Bridge

Rainbow Point boasts some of the highest elevation in the park. You can barely see Bryce Amphitheater from Rainbow Point, but the view of the valley is breathtaking. Take some time at the end of your day to hike the Bristlecone Loop, which is a short, easy loop around the rim accessible from Rainbow Point. Bristlecone Loop also contains many peaceful spots to sit on a log-made bench and admire the vistas.

Bristlecone Loop

Time of year visited: July

Got more ideas or suggestions? Throw them in the comments below!

One Day in Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve

View of the dunes as you enter the park

SUMMARY:

1. Sand Boarding or Sledding
2. Primitive Road Drive
3. Dunes Overlook Trail
4. Dinner at the Oasis
5. Night Hike to High Dune

SPECIAL THINGS YOU'LL NEED:

- Packed lunch
- Water shoes or socks for sand
- Head lamp or flashlight
- Bug spray
- Water


ITINERARY:

If visiting in the summer, arrive as early as possible to make the most of the sand before it gets unbearably hot (and the afternoon thundershowers arrive). Before you get to the park, stop at the Great Sand Dunes Oasis store, where you can rent sand boards and sand sleds for a flat day rate. When I visited, I was told that sand boarding was closer to wakeboarding than snowboarding. I agree with that - I felt like I had much less speed control or ability to use the board's edges compared to snowboarding. That being said, sand boarding was one of a kind, so I recommend it for those with wakeboarding/snowboarding experience. If you are less experienced, or you would like a more leisurely ride, the sleds are an excellent way to go. You must hike up the sand for every ride down, so you're better off enjoying your rides on a sled than wasting your effort falling every time on a sand board.

Sand boarding on the dunes

The dunes will appear small as you drive up, but it's hard to comprehend how large they actually are from so far away. Park at the Visitor's Center and walk out towards the dunes. Most families and groups post up close to the Medano Creek, which is beautifully refreshing if you can catch it in the summer before it stops flowing for the season. Because of this creek, mosquitoes and other bugs are prevalent here, so bug spray is a must. From here, those who are sand boarding and sledding (or those who would like to climb the dunes) can make the trek over to them. In the summer, the sand can burn your feet, so you will need to wear preferably water shoes or socks if you don't have those. I wore socks, and the sand still burnt my feet through my socks by midday.

Medano Creek in late June

Hiking up sand dunes can be tiring, especially if you are still adjusting to the altitude like I was. Start with small dunes with the boards/sleds, and then work your way up. For optimal speed, you will have to wax the board between every run. But don't be afraid to fall - the sand is pretty gentle. When you've gotten your fill of the dunes and the hot sand, head back to your base camp by the creek or at the Visitor's Center to enjoy your packed lunch.

Small cacti on the Dunes Overlook trail

After lunch, during the heaviest heat of the day, take a drive along the park road past the visitor center. The road becomes a primitive road (not paved) after the Pinon Flats campground, but most cars can still manage just fine up to the Point of No Return, which you should not pass unless you have 4WD because the sand gets so deep. I was in a sudan that did not have 4WD, and I actually got a little stuck in the sand trying to turn around at the Point of No Return parking lot.

Dunes Overlook viewpoint

After your drive, choose a short hike for the afternoon. I highly recommend the Dunes Overlook trail, which leaves from the Pinon Campground (there is ample parking onsite). The Dunes Overlook trail is 2.3 miles roundtrip and usually takes about 2 hours. There is gorgeous fauna along the way, will groves of small cacti. The overlook provides quite a picturesque view of the first ridge of dunes. Remember to pack water, especially if you're hiking in the summer.

Sunset over the dunes and Medano Creek

After your hike, take a drive back to the Oasis store to return your boards/sleds. Stop in the little restaurant attached to store for a delicious warm meal while you wait for the sun to drop - I recommend the Navajo tacos with green chile on top.

View from the dunes at dusk

After dinner, head back to the dunes and set out for a hike up to High Dune (or as high as you would like). There is no single path up, so create your own as you watch the sunset. There are multiple false summits, so take your time and enjoy the stillness of nightfall. You'll likely be hiking back under bright moonlight or a sky full of stars.

Time of year visited: June.

Got more ideas or suggestions? Throw them in the comments below!