Hike By Moonlight Light During This Whimsical Winter Outing In Utah

If you want to truly experience the wonder and beauty of Utah's national parks, you'll head off on a hiking trail or two. Hiking is the best way to immerse yourself in nature and get a look at parts of the parks that you'd never see from your car. Bryce Canyon National park is no exception, and the park service offers special Full Moon Hikes every month throughout the year. Keep reading to see how you can participate.

Bryce Canyon National Park is a true gem. Encompassing almost 56 square miles, its hoodoos and spires are some of the most beautiful natural wonders in the Beehive State.

The park is stunning year-round, but in the wintertime it's particularly pretty. Because of its elevation (from 6,620 to 9,105 feet), Bryce gets snow throughout the winter.

With fewer visitors during the winter months, it's a great time to explore the park. Just strap on some snowshoes and go for a hike!

For a truly unique adventure, join a park ranger for the monthly Full Moon hikes.

Offered on two nights every month, year-round, the full moon hikes pair park rangers with a small group of hikers for a special glimpse into Bryce after dark.

Participants are limited on these special one or two mile hikes. From November through March, you can sign up at the Visitor Center Auditorium at 4 p.m. on the day of the hike.

For Full Moon Hikes April through October, you must participate in a lottery held at the Visitor Center. Each group (up to six people) must be there, along with the footwear they plan to wear on the hike. The ranger will give each group a number, then draw in a lottery system for the hikes.

During winter months, you'll need snowshoes to participate, and you'll want to dress warmly in layers - it gets really cold at Bryce after dark! Participants must be at least six years old, and able to navigate steep and rocky trails.

No lights or lanterns are allowed, but you won't need any artificial light - Mother Nature provides plenty of moonlight!

For more information, call the park's Visitor Center at (435) 834-5322, and to see the 2019 calendar and get more information, visit the Full Moon Hike page of the Bryce Canyon National Park's website.

Learn more about the hoodoos in Bryce Canyon's amphitheater in our feature article.