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BRYCE CANYON — For three consecutive days last weekend, more than 4,000 people entered the Bryce Canyon Visitors Center, breaking previous records. But if you're looking to avoid crowds rather than beat records, this week may be the time to visit the park.
Through Monday, the weather is supposed to be clear and sunny in Bryce Canyon. Take advantage of the weather and post-Memorial Day traffic and head to the park for a weekend visit. While you're there, check out these five activities.
Ranger-guided rim walk
Enjoy the view of the canyon's rim and learn about geology, plants, wildlife and the cultural history of Bryce Canyon on a ranger-guided walk. The one-mile walk takes about an hour and a half and is offered every day. No reservations are required; just meet at Sunset Point.
Other ranger-guided tours are available, included geology talks and evening programs.
Kid-friendly canyon
If you have small children who might not be up to an hour-and-a-half walk and presentation around the rim, reserve any of the kids' activities offered by rangers at the visitors center. Activities and age requirements vary, but children must be accompanied by an adult.
Kids ages 5 and up can turn their trip into a learning opportunity by becoming a "Junior Ranger." Aspiring Junior Rangers will work their way through an educational and activity booklet, attend a ranger presentation and pick up some litter on a trail or overlook. The program takes between three and six hours to complete.
See the night sky
The park may be its most beautiful at night, and the astronomy programs capitalize on that. During May, catch an astronomy program on Tuesday, Thursday or Saturday at 8:30 p.m. Check in at the visitors center and view a multimedia presentation, then view the night sky through telescopes.
Reservations are not required, but it's recommended to arrive 15-30 minutes early to get a seat. Check with the visitors center to see what astronomy programs are offered and choose one based on your interest.
The Annual Astronomy Festival begins June 5, as well. Enjoy lectures, model rocket building and other activities at the festival. Find more information online.
If you can make it back for June's full moon, set out on a full moon hike guided by a ranger. The 1- to 2-mile hikes vary between two and three hours in duration.
Take a hike
If you're looking for an easy hike, Queens Garden is the easiest in the park. At the end of the 1.8 mile roundtrip hike, look for Queen Victoria in the formation.
Mossy Cave is a short, beautiful streamside walk, and May through October, visitors can see a waterfall at the end of the hike. Find more easy hikes online.
For the more adventurous, Peekaboo Trails and the Fairyland Loop were chosen by National Geographic as one of the top 10 canyon hikes in Utah. Enter the Bryce Amphitheater on Queens Garden Trail, from which you access Peekaboo Trail, and finish the strenuous hike with Fairlyland Loop.
Ride through the canyon
Take a ride on the free shuttle or hire a guide and rent a horse to take a riding tour through the canyon.
Horse rides can be reserved through Canyon Rides. Visitors can choose between a two-hour or half-day ride, which are $60 and $80 per person, respectively.
Enter the canyon on one of the shuttles operated by the National Park Service. Boarding is included in the cost of your park entrance pass, and it stops at many popular scenic areas.
