Bryce Canyon National Park, After Dark (Utah, USA)

Bryce Canyon National Park, After Dark, Utah, USA on northtosouth.us

On the fourth day of our road trip through the Western U.S., we headed to Bryce Canyon. We arrived around noon and were happy to find that the ‘full’ signs had not yet been hung next to the campground names at the entrance.

Bryce Canyon hoodoos, Utah, USA on northtosouth.us
The park by day, along Queens Ridge Trail

CAMPING AT BRYCE CANYON

Camping in the park made it easy to take a night trek amongst the hoodoos. Bryce has two campgrounds, and we chose North Campground, which was closer to the rim. Around midnight we climbed out of our warm sleeping bags for some night sky photos not far from the campground.

The Milky Way at Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah, USA on northtosouth.us
Fujifilm 14mm/2.8, 30 seconds, f/2.8, ISO 6400
The Milky Way at Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah, USA on northtosouth.us
Fujifilm 14mm/2.8, 30 seconds, f/2.8, ISO 6400

Since we were planning to get up in the middle of the night, we took it easy at camp in the afternoon. Ian and I hung out in the shade, built a fire, and enjoyed some s’mores and local Utah beer that we bought from the General Store at Bryce.

Making s'mores on northtosouth.us  Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah, USA on northtosouth.us

A BEAUTIFUL SUNSET

With bellies full of s’mores, we drove the Yaris up toward Rainbow Point at the edge of the park, to watch the sunset.

Dead trees at sunset at Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah, USA on northtosouth.us
Dead trees along the road to Rainbow Point; Rokinon 8mm/2.8, defished

Bryce Canyon National Park sunset from Rainbow Point, Utah, USA on northtosouth.us

Watch the sun paint the clouds over Bryce Canyon in the timelapse below:

BRYCE CANYON AFTER DARK

Though Bryce was also nice in the heat of the day, our best photos and memories came from our night hike down into the canyon. And talk about taking the road less traveled, not a single other soul was around.

Sunrise (or Moonrise) Point

After a late evening nap, we woke up and strapped on our headlamps at midnight. We took a few photos near our campground (see “Camping” above). The air was chilly, but we warmed up quickly with a brisk walk over to Sunrise Point.

Night sky over Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah, USA on northtosouth.us
Rokinon 8mm/2.8, 42 seconds, f/2.8, ISO 6400, defished | View on 500px
The Milky Way from Sunrise Point at Bryce Canyon National Park, After Dark, Utah, USA on northtosouth.us
Fujifilm 14mm/2.8, 30 seconds, f/2.8, ISO 6400

A Nighttime Trek Amongst the Hoodoos

Under a partially cloudy sky, we began our descent into the canyon. It was probably 1am.

Queens Ridge Trail at Bryce Canyon National Park, After Dark, Utah, USA on northtosouth.us
Rokinon 8mm/2.8, 25 seconds, f/2.8, ISO 6400, defished
Queens Ridge Trail at Bryce Canyon National Park, After Dark, Utah, USA on northtosouth.us
Rokinon 8mm/2.8, 25 seconds, f/2.8, ISO 6400, defished
Bryce Canyon National Park, After Dark, Utah, USA on northtosouth.us
Rokinon 8mm/2.8, 25 seconds, f/2.8, ISO 6400, defished
Queens Ridge Trail at Bryce Canyon National Park, After Dark, Utah, USA on northtosouth.us
Fujifilm 14mm/2.8, 30 seconds, f/2.8, ISO 6400

MORE ABOUT QUEENS RIDGE TRAIL

We hiked along the Queens Garden Trail trail both at midday and midnight. According to the National Parks Service website, it’s the easiest hike from the rim into the canyon.

Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah, USA on northtosouth.us

Because of the day’s heat and several photo distractions, we never actually made it to the end. But we saw plenty before our water bottle was empty. Along the trail were plenty of colorful hoodoos, chipmunks and limber pines.

Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah, USA on northtosouth.us  Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah, USA on northtosouth.us

Read more about the trail here. Check out the park newspaper here.

PHOTOGRAPHY

All photos in this post were taken by Ian Norman and Diana Southern using the Fujifilm X-T1. Learn how to take photos of the Milky Way like the photos in this post over at Ian’s blog, lonelyspeck.com.

Bryce Canyon from Rainbow Point, Utah, USA on northtosouth.us

7 Replies to “Bryce Canyon National Park, After Dark (Utah, USA)”

  1. I really did enjoy the photos and views of the places you have traveled. You are so blessed to be able to make it work,and share this your life with us the world. I’m sure some people might think its so nice and easy to do what you do,,,,but over all its time and effort ‘that makes this possible, and that’s the work that goes into this. And I thank you for sharing it with all of us. Keep up the good work and may life bless you with love and happiness in your travels..

    1. Thanks for the kind words, Michael. I’m so happy to hear you’ve been enjoying our travel posts. It really does take time and effort to make our lifestyle work, but Ian and I love what we’re doing now, and that makes it all worth it. Thanks for reading, and I hope you continue to enjoy the experiences we share here on North to South.

    1. Thanks Sergey! Bryce Canyon is a crazy gorgeous place. I think it’s one of the U.S.’s most unique National Parks.

          1. Yes, I definitely remember it being pretty chilly at Bryce! (I walked around with a blanket wrapped around me while we hiked around for the night photos.)

            Looks like you two kept warm in those sleeping bags! 🙂

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