yovimpa point

There is a short loop walk here and it is worth doing to get various aspects of the whole area. It is approximately 9000 feet at this point so on a fine day great views.

On the day we visited, the park was moderately busy and there were quite a few people at most locations. However, this view point requires a short walk from the car park so there was no one there. If you want some peace and quiet this is a great place to come and the view is particularly good.

This view point is one of the furthest into the canyon. The view is beautiful, but not the best the park has to offer.

Another nice lookout point along the main road. Slightly different in that you have a short walk between the trees first (10 minutes).

While not as spectacular as Natural Bridge or Sunset and Inspiration, it still provides a stunning view of the surrounding valley and pass as well as some nice rock formations. It sits adjacent to Rainbow Point so you can walk both areas at the same stop.

Yovimpa Point is a short walk from Rainbow Point. The viewpoint is located about 17 - 20 miles from the visitor's center, but the drive is worthwhile. You will see a great view of the hoodoos without the crowd.

As you enter Rainbow Point most people drove to the left took a look out, took some photo's and went. Make the effort of a ten minute walk to Yovimpa Point as I certainly think it's worth it. You walk through the shade of the trees on a well maintained path (0.2 mile) to be greeted with the most beautiful orange and white cliffs. The view spread on into the distance and with the green of the trees and the blue of the sky the pictures from here are every bit as good as from Rainbow Point.There are a couple of trails to follow but they are quite long and very hilly (It is a canyon after all.)

You can skip this one if you are staying in the Park, this is an outlook for those looking just to drive through Bryce and see some sites.

How to get there: you can either drive in your own car or take the Rainbow point shuttle. If you are taking your own car , parking could be a problem. If you are riding the shuttle , it is free and you need to reserve your place on it. The shuttle runs twice daily at 9 am and 1 pm. You can call 1 435 834 5290 and reserve a place , the 3.5 hour guided tour is free.Yovimpa Point in Bryce Canyon is located just a short distance before Rainbow Point, at the end of the 18-mile paved highway along the canyon rim. It is the highest point of Bryce Canyon National Park at 9,100 feet and offers stellar views of the rock layers known as the Grand Staircase from the top of the Pink Cliffs.You will see bristle cone pines here. Bristlecone Pines are among the oldest living organisms on earth. The oldest LIVING tree is called "Methuselah" and is 4,765 years old. This tree is nearly 1,000 years older than any other bristlecone alive today. It lives in a secret location in the White Mountain range of eastern California.Bristlecones have 5 needles per fascicle, and can grow to be 40-60 feet in height (under most favorable conditions.) Often they will die in portions. As the roots become exposed they will dry out and die. The tree directly connected above those roots will eventually die as well.

Yovimpai Point is actually further south than Rainbow Point but is accessed by a short paved trail (~0.2 mile each way) from parking near Rainbow Point. From Yovimpai Point one gets a view of each of the plateaus of the Grand Staircase Escalante reaching into Arizona, Navajo Mountain and on some days even into New Mexico. While the view is expansive and different, I enjoyed the view from nearby Rainbow Point and the four viewpoints on Bryce Amphitheater more. Although I did not hike it, the Riggs Spring Loop trail is also accessed from the short spur trail to Yovimpai Point.

Of the two parks, Bryce and Zion, I would have to say that Bryce is the most spectacular because of the Hoodoo rock formations. Also, I am one of the individuals who likes the view from the top looking down.

The amphiteatroom point has a nicer view but worth visiting this one as well. I would recommend to spend more time at the Sunrise and Sunset point.

If you've come this far, spend a few extra minutes and go to this lookout. Each one is slightly different and worth a few minutes.

Brilliant look out point where you can get a sense of the scale of Bryce Canyon.

Many people who come to Bryce Canyon National Park are there for a few hours and never get to the top points of the park. It is well worth the 17 mile drive to the top!! Rainbow Point is right off the parking lot. Yovimpa Point is a short walk. You can see Arizona 50 miles away on a clear day!! It is a wide expanse of beautiful. Spend some time there! There are many points to stop at on the way down. Stop at a few!!