Take just a few steps off the main road and enjoy unparalleled views from Inspiration Point. See orange and white hoodoos soaring up from the main amphitheater of Bryce Canyon National Park. There’s only one word for the natural splendor that stretches out before you: inspiring.
Discover the three levels of Inspiration Point and the various perspectives each one offers. See the hoodoos set against the backdrop of the Boat Mesa rock wall. These knobby, thin spires of rock project into the sky across a vast area known as the Silent City. Pick out the Pink Member and the White Member of the Claron Formation, both easily identifiable in the sedimentary rock.
Although its slopes are mostly barren, Inspiration Point is home to lots of interesting nature. Watch for a prehistoric-looking short-horned lizard creeping camouflaged along the ground. Admire the gnarled bristlecone pines that have been standing for centuries. Check out the unique younger bristlecones, nicknamed fox-tail pines because of their bushy appearance.
From Inspiration Point, follow the Rim Trail south to Bryce Point or north to Sunset Point. Enjoy Bryce Canyon from above from the scenic 5.5-mile (9.2-kilometer) trail. Inspiration Point has such steep cliffs that no trails can lead directly down from here into the canyon. Admire the views from a safe distance, as the sheer cliff sides are very crumbly.
Find Inspiration Point just off the park road, a short drive from Bryce Canyon National Park’s entrance. Visit the park daily throughout the year. Appreciate the snow blanketing the area in winter or marvel at the stark beauty in summer. Sunrise is a favorite time of day to visit. See the sun soar dramatically over the hoodoos, melting shadows and turning the whole landscape orange.
Visit Inspiration Point regardless of your fitness level. Hike here along the Rim Trail or simply drive along the park’s scenic route. Sleep under the stars at the nearby campground.
