The best road cycling routes in Dixie National Forest

Lower Inspiration Point is a fantastic spot over Bryce Amphitheater, with views of the dense clusters of hoodoos known as the Silent City. The short, unpaved trail from the parking area leads to a fenced overlook with sweeping views to the north. It’s a quieter alternative to the park’s busier viewpoints and is especially stunning at sunrise or after dark under the starry sky.

The Bryce Canyon Multi-use Path is an 18-mile path that connects the hoodoos of Red Canyon with Inspiration Point. The trail is fully paved and popular with walkers, runners, and cyclists.

This multi-use path runs from Bryce Canyon City to Inspiration Point, offering an easy ride with amazing views of the park. The trail is family-friendly and a great way to explore away from the main roads.

We reach the spectacular Bryce Canyon. The bizarre rock formations ("hoodoos") are just as characteristic of Bryce Canyon as its forests. The combined forces of wind, water and ice have created a landscape of rock pillars in strange shapes and sizes. These rock formations are also called hoodoos. The hoodoos create a labyrinth of constantly changing shapes and colors from bright orange to pale pink or ochre. Here we take the opportunity to descend into the canyon. The change of perspective makes us really aware of the size of the individual rock formations. We see several chipmunks that are far too quick for my camera.

The magic of this landscape, which has always inspired people's imagination, is described in a legend of the Paiute Indians. According to it, a long time ago the Legend People lived in a wonderful city that Coyote had built for them. When the Legend People began to behave ungratefully and badly towards Coyote, he turned them into immovable rocks as punishment. And so today, on hikes through the valley, we encounter curious-looking stone figures at every turn.

Impressive view over the canyon.

The tunnel can be located on UT-12, but it remains visible from the trail. It's an impressive arch that was constructed to facilitate the construction of the road through this region.

In 1916, Reuben C. (Ruby) Syrett brought his family to the wilderness of southern Utah and started a farm near the present location of Ruby's Inn. A few weeks after his arrival, another farmer in the area told Ruby about the canyon called Bryce. Ruby and his family visited the edge of the canyon. They were so impressed by what they saw that they not only started telling people about the beauties of the canyon, but they also became hosts to the visitors. In 1919 they had received permission from the state to build a lodge, the "Tourist Rest", near the edge of the canyon. In 1923, when Bryce Canyon became a National Monument, Ruby moved his "Tourist Rest" to the site of his ranch and named it Ruby's Inn. The post office located in the inn and still serves the area year-round. Ruby's reputation grew as the National Monument became a National Park, and soon Ruby's Inn became a major business. What started with tents and a place to serve meals paved the way for the modern facilities that today serve tourists in Bryce Canyon and give all travelers a pleasant stay in the Bryce Canyon area. Enthusiasm and love for the Bryce area were passed on to Ruby's son Carl. Today, the same Western hospitality and friendly service is carried on by Carl's children and grandchildren, who still run the business.