This morning, we woke up at 3:45AM and left the AirBnB at 4:15AM. Following the recommendation of the visitor center in Moab, we decided to take a longer road to Bryce National Park, opting for the “2nd most beautiful road in the world.” (According to s Fox News web article)
By the time we reached Green River it was 6AM and there was plenty of daylight by the time we turned onto highway 24, a scenic byway that passes through beautiful scenery including Capitol Reef National Park. We arrived at Capitol Reef National Park at 8:30AM and hiked the Natural Bridge Trail which followed a rock wall marked with petroglyphs from over 1,500 years ago. After Natural Bridge, we stopped by the visitor center and at their recommendation we stopped by the Giffords House (an old ranch and farm inside the National Park) and picked up a freshly baked cinnamon roll and chocolate ice cream.
We then turned onto Highway 12 and continued along the beautiful road. During this part of the drive, we stopped at Kova Koffehouse, a remote coffee shop on highway 12 with a beautiful view.
At about 2PM we arrived at Bryce National Park and drove the entire length of the road inside the national park, visiting sunset viewpoint, Bryce Point, Inspiration Point, and so many other viewpoints.
Next, we visited Zion National Park, entering via Carmel Junction. Entering from the direction of Carmel Junction, we drove through a mile-long tunnel through a huge rock wall before descending down onto the canyon floor.
We drove and parked at the museum, and then boarded the shuttle into the main part of the National Park with Tahoe. We got off the shuttle at Zion Lodge, and dad and I hiked the Emerald Pool Trail. After returning to the lodge, we boarded the shuttle back to the museum and then drove to St George. We spent the night at at the Best Western in St George which was very comfortable.
