We began to drive into Bryce Canyon National Park and saw signs about a low tunnel of 13 feet. We were here before and height was not an issue. Our equipment is 13.5 feet tall. We called the campground and they said use the middle of the tunnel it was the edge that was 13 feet. No problem but it sure made us think. The road is just one lane in each direction and there is no room to turn around.
We arrived at Bryce canyon and got set up at Ruby’s Inn and RV Park in their overflow area on the east side of the street. It is a large area of gravel with full hookup. We stayed a week here and it was easy and comfortable. We were getting very interested in boon docking and spent several afternoons looking at places to set up. There are a quite a few BLM areas but none would accommodate our 40 foot rig. The wind and dust is common in this part of the country. We hiked the park every days. Bryce is just different and walking down into the canyon is a trip to another world. The spires and hoodoos are everywhere and the colors are always changing. We were able to hike and not be in a crowd. ½ a mile in and there is no one. Early evening we saw mule deer alongside of the road. The drive out to the point was a great overview of the park and we stepped off at several place to hike down into the canyon. If you are willing to walk a ½ mile or so the crowds thin out fast. Don’t miss the east side of the park. We went over to the northeast side of the park and walked up to Mossy Cave Trail and saw the stream running from the park. You enter from outside of the park east on route 12. There is a water fall and a small cave there. It’s worth the time and energy to walk up to.
There is not much water around. There is a waterfall and it falls to Mossy Cave Trail. We did walk out a couple of miles to the campsite overlook and it was worth the walk. One afternoon as we were walking around the park we visited with a campground host who told us to walk out the gravel road east and have a look at the canyon from there. It was worth the walk and more. Bryce Canyon is a changing view minute by minute. There are many overlooks with a new view in every direction.
We took a day trip to Kodachrome a state park. How could you not got to a place called Kodachrome? We hiked to the top of the area and had some great views. It was an overcast day which served us. The sun is tough on the high plains. We also drove over to Capital Reef National park. The scenic drive was amazing through the high and low desert. The road travels up and down and across a high range that overlooks miles and miles of high and low desert. The views were awesome it took a couple of hours to make the drive but it was worth it. We hiked up the canyon at capitol gorge. It followed a dried up river bed. The wall of the canyon went up straight. We walked a couple of miles. We also walked to Hickman Bridge. This is our kind of a place. A Great scenic beauty and not many people around. We drove out through the town of Fruita and continued on to the narrow canyon walking several miles back. Planning the trip out be prepared for not much fuel, food, water or people.
We had a fine meal at the lodge. The lodge is a Log building original to the park. It has the feel of the past and was a fitting last night at Bryce.
