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Exploring Bryce Canyon National Park’s distinctive hoodoo formations — PHOTOS

By CHASE STEVENS LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL
October 22, 2016 - 11:02 am
 
The view from Bryce Point as the sun sets at Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah on Saturday, Oct. 15, 2016. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @csstevensphoto)
A man is highlighted by the final rays of sunlight at Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah on Saturday, Oct. 15, 2016. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @csstevensphoto)
Trees are silhouetted by a twilight sky at Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah on Saturday, Oct. 15, 2016. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @csstevensphoto)
People take in the view from Bryce Point at Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah on Saturday, Oct. 15, 2016. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @csstevensphoto)
People hike along the Navajo loop trail at Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah on Monday, Oct. 17, 2016. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @csstevensphoto)
The sun shines on leaves along the Mossy Cave trail at Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah on Sunday, Oct. 16, 2016. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @csstevensphoto)
People hike along the Mossy Cave trail at Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah on Sunday, Oct. 16, 2016. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @csstevensphoto)
A view of the Bryce Amphitheater at Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah on Sunday, Oct. 16, 2016. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @csstevensphoto)
People take in the view from Bryce Point as the sun sets at Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah on Saturday, Oct. 15, 2016. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @csstevensphoto)
People walk along the Queens Garden trail at Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah on Sunday, Oct. 16, 2016. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @csstevensphoto)
People explore Wall Street along the Navajo loop trail at Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah on Monday, Oct. 17, 2016. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @csstevensphoto)
The sky at dusk outside of Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah on Monday, Oct. 17, 2016. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @csstevensphoto)
Water drips down at Mossy Cave in Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah on Monday, Oct. 17, 2016. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @csstevensphoto)
People hike along the Mossy Cave trail at Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah on Sunday, Oct. 16, 2016. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @csstevensphoto)
A man gets up after lying down along the Rim Trail at Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah on Monday, Oct. 17, 2016. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @csstevensphoto)
A man takes in the view along the Rim Trail at Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah on Monday, Oct. 17, 2016. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @csstevensphoto)
People explore Wall Street along the Navajo loop trail at Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah on Monday, Oct. 17, 2016. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @csstevensphoto)
A view along the Queens Garden trail at Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah on Monday, Oct. 17, 2016. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @csstevensphoto)
The shadow of a dog is shown by the Mossy Cave trailhead at Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah on Sunday, Oct. 16, 2016. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @csstevensphoto)
People take in the sunset at Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah on Saturday, Oct. 15, 2016. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @csstevensphoto)
People hike along the Navajo loop trail at Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah on Monday, Oct. 17, 2016. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @csstevensphoto)
A man hikes along the Navajo loop trail at Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah on Monday, Oct. 17, 2016. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @csstevensphoto)
People walk up to Sunrise Point at Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah on Monday, Oct. 17, 2016. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @csstevensphoto)
The sun lights up the sky outside of Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah on Sunday, Oct. 16, 2016. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @csstevensphoto)
People take in the view from Bryce Point at Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah on Saturday, Oct. 15, 2016. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @csstevensphoto)
The sky is shown after the sun sets at Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah on Saturday, Oct. 15, 2016. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @csstevensphoto)
A couple takes in the view from Agua Canyon at Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah on Sunday, Oct. 16, 2016. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @csstevensphoto)
A natural bridge is shown at Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah on Sunday, Oct. 16, 2016. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @csstevensphoto)
People hike along the Navajo loop trail at Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah on Monday, Oct. 17, 2016. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @csstevensphoto)
People walk along the Queens Garden trail at Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah on Sunday, Oct. 16, 2016. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @csstevensphoto)
A man poses for a photo along the Queens Garden trail at Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah on Monday, Oct. 17, 2016. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @csstevensphoto)
A tree is silhouetted against the sky along the Queens Garden trail at Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah on Monday, Oct. 17, 2016. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @csstevensphoto)
People take in the view along the Rim Trail at Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah on Monday, Oct. 17, 2016. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @csstevensphoto)
People take in the sights of Wall Street along the Navajo loop trail at Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah on Monday, Oct. 17, 2016. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @csstevensphoto)
A view of Wall Street along the Navajo loop trail at Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah on Monday, Oct. 17, 2016. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @csstevensphoto)
People hike along the Navajo loop trail at Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah on Monday, Oct. 17, 2016. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @csstevensphoto)
Rock formations along the Mossy Cave trail are shown at Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah on Sunday, Oct. 16, 2016. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @csstevensphoto)
A man walks under a waterfall along the Mossy Cave trail at Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah on Sunday, Oct. 16, 2016. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @csstevensphoto)
People take in the view from Bryce Point as the sun sets at Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah on Saturday, Oct. 15, 2016. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @csstevensphoto)
A hiker takes a photo along a trail at Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah on Saturday, Oct. 15, 2016. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @csstevensphoto)
A man takes a photo from Bryce Point at Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah on Saturday, Oct. 15, 2016. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @csstevensphoto)
People hike along the Navajo loop trail at Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah on Monday, Oct. 17, 2016. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @csstevensphoto)
The sun shines on leaves along the Mossy Cave trail at Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah on Sunday, Oct. 16, 2016. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @csstevensphoto)
People hike along the Navajo loop trail at Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah on Monday, Oct. 17, 2016. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @csstevensphoto)
A view from Bryce Point as the sun sets at Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah on Saturday, Oct. 15, 2016. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @csstevensphoto)
People pose for photos at Bryce Point at Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah on Saturday, Oct. 15, 2016. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @csstevensphoto)
The sun shines through a tree at Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah on Saturday, Oct. 15, 2016. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @csstevensphoto)
A view of Agua Canyon at Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah on Sunday, Oct. 16, 2016. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @csstevensphoto)
People take in the views along the Mossy Cave trail at Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah on Sunday, Oct. 16, 2016. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @csstevensphoto)
People take in the sunset at Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah on Saturday, Oct. 15, 2016. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @csstevensphoto)
A streak of light shines on a leaf at Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah on Sunday, Oct. 16, 2016. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @csstevensphoto)
People walk along the Queens Garden trail at Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah on Sunday, Oct. 16, 2016. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @csstevensphoto)
People hike along trails in the Bryce Amphitheater at Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah on Sunday, Oct. 16, 2016. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @csstevensphoto)
Trees are silhouetted as the sun sets at Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah on Saturday, Oct. 15, 2016. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @csstevensphoto)
A man rests along the Rim Trail at Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah on Sunday, Oct. 16, 2016. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @csstevensphoto)
People take in the view from Bryce Point as the sun sets at Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah on Saturday, Oct. 15, 2016. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @csstevensphoto)
People take in the sights of Wall Street along the Navajo loop trail at Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah on Monday, Oct. 17, 2016. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @csstevensphoto)
People walk along the Queens Garden trail at Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah on Sunday, Oct. 16, 2016. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @csstevensphoto)
A tree casts a shadow along a wall at Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah on Sunday, Oct. 16, 2016. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @csstevensphoto)
A view along the Queens Garden trail at Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah on Sunday, Oct. 16, 2016. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @csstevensphoto)
A man walks along the Queens Garden trail at Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah on Sunday, Oct. 16, 2016. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @csstevensphoto)
The final rays of sunlight cause an orange glow at Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah on Saturday, Oct. 15, 2016. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @csstevensphoto)
People walk along the Queens Garden trail at Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah on Sunday, Oct. 16, 2016. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @csstevensphoto)
People walk along the Queens Garden trail at Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah on Sunday, Oct. 16, 2016. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @csstevensphoto)
A tree is shown through a passageway along the Queens Garden trail at Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah on Sunday, Oct. 16, 2016. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @csstevensphoto)
People hike along the Navajo loop trail at Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah on Monday, Oct. 17, 2016. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @csstevensphoto)
People take in the view along the Rim Trail at Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah on Monday, Oct. 17, 2016. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @csstevensphoto)
People explore Wall Street along the Navajo loop trail at Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah on Monday, Oct. 17, 2016. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @csstevensphoto)

One of the best things about Southern Nevada is that it’s surrounded by abundant natural beauty, with sweeping landscapes and majestic vistas accessible within a four- or five-hour drive in any direction.

Great Basin National Park is Nevada’s only officially designated national park, but Southern Utah’s Bryce Canyon National Park — a 262-mile drive — is actually closer to Las Vegas.

Despite its name, this park is not a canyon but primarily a collection of large natural amphitheaters that feature distinctive crimson-hued rock formations called hoodoos.

Descending into the Bryce Amphitheater is an exhilarating and otherworldly experience, and walking among the colorful hoodoos and trees can can seem like exploring the terrain of an alien planet.

Sunset Point is not to be missed. The final rays of sunlight sink below the hoodoos and other rock formations, creating an ethereal glow. Shortly after sundown, the sky becomes a canvas of colors, blending shades of blue, purple and peach together until they disappear into each other and fade into darkness.

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