In 1875, Mormon settler Ebenezer Bryce came to the Paria Valley to live and to harvest timber along the canyon rim. His neighbors began to refer the canyon behind his home as Bryce’s Canyon. In 1924, national legislation was written which gave Bryce Canyon official National Park status as Utah National Park. Later in 1928 the provisions of the 1924 legislation were properly met and the park name was changed to Bryce Canyon National Park.
Visitors can enjoy Bryce Canyon during any season. Summer days are pleasant and nights are cool at 8,000-9,000 feet. July is the warmest month, with an average daytime high temperature of 83 degrees and a nighttime low of 47 degrees.
Cold winter days are offset by high altitude sun and dry climate. Winter nights are subfreezing. During some winters, Alaskan cold fronts descend on the Colorado Plateau region bringing temperatures as low as 30 degrees below zero.
The park visitor center is open year round except Thanksgiving Day, December 25, and January 1. A ten-minute slide program, exhibits, restrooms, information, and backcountry permits are available here. In addition, maps and other publications are available for purchase through Bryce Canyon Natural History Association.
For more information about Bryce Canyon National Park, click here. |
