Celebrate the summer solstice by hiking Bryce Canyon, Utah! What better way to celebrate the seasons than immersing yourself in nature? We ended up with one of the hottest weeks in June so far and had to make due with the weather we were given. Also we were both healing from various injuries still and had to take it easy. If this was before the summer of hell 2025, I would have been shredding up all those trails in style and thirsty for more minus the heat. But alas, this is part of my story now and part of my journey. My power plus one literally bruised her tailbone a week before this trip so all signs from the universe were saying slow down. And I’m glad we did! It wasn’t the hiking by the way making my right hip throb as much as all the random beds, lumpy couches and odd angles, driving all over and pissing it off the old fashioned way of just living life. I will say it is super frustrating being someone who is so outdoorsy to a person who has to reign in her love for the great outdoors! But I do believe we found a nice balance here and wanted to share with others who may be in a similar boat or have elderly or disabled people in their family.
First things first! Let’s get that packing list on point. Things you will need include water with electrolytes or salt, a sweet and savory snack (I prefer dried fruit and vegan protein bars), a hat, sunscreen, protective clothing if you burn in the sun like me, hiking shoes with grip (I prefer sneaker style that are waterproof, latest black and pink pair from REI), the lightest backpack you can find (mine from REI weighs nothing but has arm strap padding and a waist belt) and sunglasses you don’t care about. Our hosts provided us with Boost Oxygen cans and my guest brought the altitude sickness patches placed behind the ear which hopefully helped too. Since the weather was in the 90s (supposed to be early 80s like Bon Jovi) we had to plan our hikes before the hottest part of the day and before we lost our zoomies. We didn’t push ourselves and also noticed when the other was fading, it’s always good to have a kind, thoughtful friend along!
Mossy Cave Trail
This was just one of the first hikes we did that was rated easy however I would say moderate especially because of the hot summer sun. If you get up super early, you can catch more of a secluded vibe but it was pretty packed from what we saw in the parking lot all day long. Maybe sunset would work best too. Mossy Cave Trail is easily accessible with a main parking lot and an overflow lot and has public restrooms as well. You can walk along the stream which is less climbing options – and even play in it if you like – or hike higher along the side up to the top like we did. The trail to the hoodoos was closed and the cave was a little further up the trail to the left however the altitude was making us dizzy so we came, we saw and we went back down. Remember if you have stabbing brain pains, dizziness, slurred speech or shortness of breath, that’s a sign to go back to a lower altitude. Also sprinkle some salt in your water if you’re out of electrolytes. I’m also a big fan of those Boost Oxygen cans to huff air! Don’t forget a hat (Go Phillies!), sunglasses, the sunscreen and/or protective clothing too. Watch the video above for the full experience and photos below for more helpful hints!
This was a man made trail way back in the day at Mossy Cave Trail. These views are from the parking lot area so no hiking needed here.Immediately you get to see the hoodoos that are famous in Utah at Mossy Cave Trail.The creek is visible right by the parking lot at Mossy Cave Trail.The creek leads to a dam, reservoir of water and a bridge at Mossy Cave Trail.Some people prefer to walk along the creek at Mossy Cave Trail. My friend Chelsey for scale!The sky was making those red rocks pop on Mossy Cave Trail.Further up the hike at Mossy Cave Trail.It seems to be a Bob Ross painting at points on Mossy Cave Trail.We stopped at a tree to film and a hummingbird greeted us at Mossy Cave Trail.Not us going under every shaded tree for a breather on Mossy Cave Trail.The first bridge you’ll cross at Mossy Cave Trail.To the right, the water flows at Mossy Cave Trail.To the left, water rushes down from the waterfall at Mossy Cave Trail.Some people were just walking barefoot or in flip flops through the water at Mossy Cave Trail.We were not trying to tempt fate to fall at Mossy Cave Trail so on the paths we stayed put.Up and around toward the top of Mossy Cave Trail.The path to the hoodoos was steep and closed at Mossy Cave Trail but it didn’t stop some.My first glimpse of the waterfalls at Mossy Cave Trail.So many people were playing in the water at Mossy Cave Trail.A better view of the waterfalls at Mossy Cave Trail.A view looking back where we came from at Mossy Cave Trail.We then went a bit further upstream at Mossy Cave Trail.Make sure you’re not slip sliding on these rocks at Mossy Cave Trail.A nice zoom into the hoodoos at Mossy Cave Trail. This is much steeper than it looks here.Water rushes down towards the falls at Mossy Cave Trail.On the hike back from Mossy Cave Trail.The backside of the hoodoos with my Nikon zoom at Mossy Cave Trail.The signs so you can learn more and screenshot if needed at Mossy Cave Trail. We didn’t go to the cave but hear it’s cool iced in winter!
Bryce Canyon National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park is a sprawling United States government reserve in Southern Utah and is known for its crimson-colored hoodoos aka spire-shaped rock formations. The park’s main road leads to the information center then past the expansive Bryce Amphitheater, a hoodoo-filled divet lying below the Rim Trail hiking path. It has overlooks at Sunrise Point, Sunset Point, Inspiration Point and Bryce Point with prime viewing times around sunrise and sunset. If you have a USA parks pass, even better! And you don’t have to look at Trump’s face by the way, they have protective, decorative sleeves you can buy to that cover that eyesore. We were lucky my plus one had one otherwise it wouldn’t have been in the budget and you’ll see why below. We kind of just drove in, fucked around and found out some cool spots. I did most of the driving that day which was fun until we hit the very top with the highest altitude of 9,115 which immediately hit us hard so we drove back down. It was so much cooler up there though and kind of eerie as well as you’ll see below. The nice part about this is that you don’t even have to get out of the car if you want but for the best views and photos, some walking on incline may be necessary.
The prices to get into Bryce Canyon National Park as of June 2026. The line wasn’t terribly long but I assume at sunset it would be worse.First we stopped by the information center so my guest can get her passport stamped at Bryce Canyon National Park. We also used the restrooms which were pretty stinky from all the people cruising though. Ya’ll do wash your private parts, right?!A tent outside with merch was a good idea as it was crazy packed inside at Bryce Canyon National Park.A helpful ranger desk is there to answer all your questions at Bryce Canyon National Park. The cluster in the back is passport stamp area.The had some displays that explained the lay of the land at Bryce Canyon National Park but we were itching to get out and see it for ourselves.My first view of Bryce Canyon National Park.Every direction looked so expansive at Bryce Canyon National Park.Stunning with the trees framing it at Bryce Canyon National Park.It’s like a mixture of Sedona meets Grand Canyon at Bryce Canyon National Park.We soon learned more about slot canyons and little caves at Bryce Canyon National Park.Don’t get too close to the edge at Bryce Canyon National Park.It goes for miles at Bryce Canyon National Park.The main lookout spot is where it’s at for Bryce Canyon National Park.People do and can go hiking at the base at Bryce Canyon National Park.It’s cool to see where the green valleys grow at Bryce Canyon National Park.Even more green valley exists at Bryce Canyon National Park.The metal rails at Bryce Canyon National Park.And the walk down is pretty steep for some at Bryce Canyon National Park.We kept going up the mountain and landed at this hiking trail and pull off spot at Bryce Canyon National Park.Very full of trees and greenery at Bryce Canyon National Park.This would be my kind of hike if able at Bryce Canyon National Park. I love trees!Sometimes you need a vertical shot to get it all in at Bryce Canyon National Park.We hopped back in the SUV and went even higher in Bryce Canyon National Park.We’re not sure if this was a controlled burn or what at Bryce Canyon National Park.It was giving desolate vibes at Bryce Canyon National Park.Certainly at the top here at Bryce Canyon National Park.A spooky little trail was kind of cute at Bryce Canyon National Park.Soon we were getting woozy so hightailed it back down the mountain while huffing Boost Oxygen air at Bryce Canyon National Park. But what a view!
Willis Creek Slot Canyon
Saving the best for almost last, this was my favorite hike while in Bryce Canyon, Utah. You have to have an SUV or Jeep equivalent to get to it which I stressed out about for a bit until driving the roads, they are very well kept especially compared to Arizona. Our Enterprise rental SUV Chevrolet Equinox worked like champ too, even teaching my friend how to navigate the back roads was a breeze. And the adrenaline, there is nothing like it! Dubbed as a dog-friendly slot canyon featuring short waterfalls and small creeks, reachable by a dirt road, we were also loving the shade and coolness it offered from the blazing sun. Willis Creek is located within Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument and the closest town is Holm, Utah where we stayed at Bryce Glamp and Camp. It’s literally next door to it! The drive was about 30 minutes being careful with our rental car but having fun in spurts. The hike itself can be up 1.5 to 3 hours depending on your pace. The slot canyons that are the star of this show are the first couple miles so you can do what we did and make our way down to the cooler air and turn back around when they ended to reserve energy. Don’t expect the vivid orange Antelope Canyons in Page, Arizona. Just go in with an open mind and appreciate the beauty that Mother Nature created in Utah!
Here we go yee-hawing on the back roads to Willis Creek Slot Canyon.A little bit of the sights flying by towards Willis Creek Slot Canyon.There’s a coupe of steep hills but nothing too terrible to get to Willis Creek Slot Canyon. DO NOT drive a car here!We arrived happy and excited and parked in the shade at Willis Creek Slot Canyon.This sign starts the trail right across the way at Willis Creek Slot Canyon.For bathrooms, there were portapotties but they were cooking in the sun all day at Willis Creek Slot Canyon. Pack TP if you must!And off we went with wide eyes at Willis Creek Slot Canyon.The come at you quickly at Willis Creek Slot Canyon.My first boulder at Willis Creek Slot Canyon. I loved her!If you go upstream, they shrink at Willis Creek Slot Canyon.The stream was barely there which was fine by our hiking shoes and boots at Willis Creek Slot Canyon.I actually enjoyed stomping around in the water and gravel at Willis Creek Slot Canyon. The start is here.Then you start getting back into the Willis Creek Slot Canyon.Photos don’t do it justice at Willis Creek Slot Canyon.Looking back at the tail at Willis Creek Slot Canyon.And off we go happily bouncing around Willis Creek Slot Canyon.A pretty patch of trees meet Willis Creek Slot Canyon.Into the rocks we must go at Willis Creek Slot Canyon.The black mold was pretty cool at Willis Creek Slot Canyon.Because of the drive in and out, it’s a more secluded hike at Willis Creek Slot Canyon.It went too fast and we popped out here at Willis Creek Slot Canyon. You can keep going but that sun was blazing our skin and souls.Looking back into Willis Creek Slot Canyon.Now that we were facing the sun, new photo spots appeared at Willis Creek Slot Canyon.Now you can see more of the curves at Willis Creek Slot Canyon.There’s some of that orange pop at Willis Creek Slot Canyon.Always look up at Willis Creek Slot Canyon so you can see the blue sky.Do you see faces here at Willis Creek Slot Canyon?This type of photography brings me back to my roots at Willis Creek Slot Canyon.We were reluctant to go until others started showing up at Willis Creek Slot Canyon.I could have played all day here at Willis Creek Slot Canyon. But we had other places to see!The drive back was very pretty from Willis Creek Slot Canyon.We even had some traffic of cows in the road who posed for a photo at Willis Creek Slot Canyon.While we were geeking out taking photos, a Sheriff truck passed us at Willis Creek Slot Canyon. On the way in, a lady in a truck stopped to say hello.You can’t really see we’re on a hill here at Willis Creek Slot Canyon. But look how smooth that road is!The sign when you drive into Willis Creek Slot Canyon.Around the bend and we were back to Bryce Glamp and Camp at Willis Creek Slot Canyon. The best day but we didn’t want it to end.
Kodachrome Basin State Park
After the above adventure, we popped back into our glamping dome and enjoyed some sandwiches with potato chips inside to refuel ourselves for the next outing. Kodachrome Basin State Park in Utah is also right next door to Bryce Glamp and Camp. It sits 5,800 feet above sea level, 12 miles south of Utah Route 12 and 20 miles southeast of Bryce Canyon National Park. A small state park with unique features, if you go, do an overview drive off the park, check out the campground for a future visit and hike the Panorama Trail for 3 miles total for all the colored rocks, cliffs and spires. If you don’t want to hike, some Utah state parks allow drone flying with a permit. Kodachrome. You buy the permit at the Kodachrome visitor center and fill out a form for both you and your drone. However there are still some areas where you cannot fly which seems counterproductive. You can also just take a nice drive through for a $10 per car fee. The USA Park Pass doesn’t cover this fee so we turned around and ended up actually taking a 10 mile drive each way on the back roads to the coolest arch ever! It’s literally a red rock sands road where the entrance of the park is near. At this point, my friend was hooked on back roading so I just held the oh shit handle in the passenger seat and guided her on even when she got scared, I was like gun it up that hill, you got this! It was less hill-y than Willis and good for a beginner. And worth the drive as we weren’t quite done with our zoomies yet.
Kodachrome Basin State Park sign by the entrance and $10 fee.You’ll drive down this road and then see a road to your left at Kodachrome Basin State Park.Super proud of my friend for slaying her first time and it was her birthday , she leveled up at Kodachrome Basin State Park.It was a small, mostly paved walk to get to the arches near Kodachrome Basin State Park.Well worth the drive near Kodachrome Basin State Park. We passed a few friendly trucks!We tried going around the rocks near Kodachrome Basin State Park.But the best views were certainly in the front near Kodachrome Basin State Park.The urge to climb this was very strong at Kodachrome Basin State Park.But instead I took photos and kept my footing secure near Kodachrome Basin State Park.You could take 100 photos here near Kodachrome Basin State Park.Looking off into yonder, you can see our SUV parked near Kodachrome Basin State Park. They also had restroom all the way out there!One final shot before we went back to drive to the dome home at Kodachrome Basin State Park.
Ruby’s Inn Horseback Rides, ATVs and Bicycles
Ruby’s Inn is the center of all things yee-haw at Bryce Canyon, Utah! While not hiking per say, they do offer a variety of other options to see the canyons. We were supposed to go horseback riding but alas, the universe decided not yet so we went to visit them instead and then discovered so much more at this gateway plaza to Bryce Canyon National Park. You can rent ATVs, go horseback riding on the rim, see a rodeo, rent a helicopter and fly around the canyons, ride mountain bikes, play dress up in some old timey photos, go to the buffet if you’re starving or get some groceries and souvenirs at the grocery store in the back. Inside the little old west town across the street, there’s rocks and crystals galore where they will cut geodes open, you can buy huge stones outside, mine for “gold”, enjoy some ice cream, have a beer or more to explore! Hopefully next visit we can check horseback riding the rim off the ol’ bucket list but it’s certainly a very cool place with everything you need in one spot. Ruby’s Inn has been serving visitors to Bryce Canyon for decades, with four great dining options, all located within close proximity to their lodging which includes RV and camping options like legit tipis if that floats your boat! Choose from the Cowboy’s Buffet & Steak Room, Canyon Diner, Tourist Rest Coffee Shop and Ebenezer’s Barn and Grill where I had an amazing steak dinner, click here to learn more about Utah.
Ruby’s Inn is located at almost the beginning of Bryce Canyon National Park. They literally have everything you could imagine inside!From merch to groceries to souvenirs in here at Ruby’s Inn.The hotel lounge at Ruby’s Inn with a buffet in back.To the right, you can book all your yee-haw fun at Ruby’s Inn. There’s also shuttles in your don’t want to drive!To the right of Ruby’s Inn, a coffee shop with some good flavors brewing. We preferred Bryce Canyon Coffee Co. in Tropic, Utah.Don’t forget your photos of this mural at Ruby’s Inn next to the coffee shop.This is what we were supposed to do last year at Ruby’s Inn. Alas, maybe next year?A sweet horse greets us and we give them some love at Ruby’s Inn.The whole horse lineup at Ruby’s Inn. See more butts?The smart horses hanging in the shade at Ruby’s Inn.This one was posing for a picture I swear at Ruby’s Inn.A young cowboy practices his roping skills at Ruby’s Inn.Meanwhile, Chelsey went to jail for eating too many Tootsie Rolls at Ruby’s Inn.Inside the little old west town was ice cream and more treats at Ruby’s Inn.More Native American merch if you need it at Ruby’s Inn. But more importantly a rock shop!Crystals galore makes Cassie a happy gal at Ruby’s Inn. The petrified wood in the back was pricey but pretty!I should get this tattooed on my forehead at Ruby’s Inn.I wanted all the shiny stones at Ruby’s Inn! Not terribly priced either.It was cool they had huge rocks at Ruby’s Inn. If I was driving from Arizona maybe!Take the kids or parents mining for gold at Ruby’s Inn.Next to the rock shop, a place to rent ATVs and bikes at Ruby’s Inn.The only horse I was able to ride at Ruby’s Inn which is good we didn’t go as it pitched my hip nerve immediately. Good times!We’ll be back someday to play some more horses or not at Ruby’s Inn.
Utah’s Scenic Byway 12
We took the long way home… errr I mean driving in not along this way and missed some of these great experience but did catch some glimpses on our way out. And had to pull over for some quick photos of this iconic archway at least before leaving from the airport. You can do the full drive by car which is 124 miles or 3 hours continuously, but it’s best experienced by dedicating a full day or multiple days to stop at overlooks and explore properly. It begins near Panguitch on US 89 and ends in Torrey near State Route 24 so plan accordingly. Let’s just hope those gas prices drop down when the champagne corks are popped around the world! Bye, bye Bryce Canyon… until we meet again.
You have to stop for at least one photo at Utah’s Scenic Byway 12 archway!A little zoom action from my Nikon at Utah’s Scenic Byway 12 says this would make a great modeling photoshoot spot!
