Utah’s Bryce Canyon Inn offers highly recommended cabins just 15 minutes from Bryce Canyon National Park and a short drive from the Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument.
The Tropics, Where? Utah?
I had never heard of Tropic, Utah until my pursuit to explore National Parks introduced me to Bryce Canyon National Park located in that small town. And while I was researching, I learned about the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument and Kodachrome Basin State Park. I knew a visit to Tropic, Utah would make for a memorable visit.
Tropic is a small town in Garfield County, southern Utah, nestled near the southern edge of Bryce Canyon National Park. Originally inhabited by Native American tribes such as the Paiute people, Bryce Canyon also has a geological history that dates back millions of years with the formation of canyons and other landscape. Utah’s Scenic Highway 12 leads straight to Tropic, a small ranching community and tourist area, and the location of our accommodations, Bryce Canyon Inn.
Our Cabin at Bryce Canyon Inn
Tropic is a year-round destination, but the Bryce Canyon Inn is only open from March to October. The inn, named a Tripadvisor’s Traveler’s Choice, is located near the park entrance and made for a great 3 night stay to explore the park and surrounding areas.
There were many types of accommodations to choose from including traditional rooms and suites, along with a variety of cabins. Playing off our attempt to be National Park adventurers, we instantly knew that a free standing cozy cabin would be a great option for us.
We stayed for three nights and it turned out to be a great location, super quiet, with a very clean, well equipped, spacious, and comfortable cabin. The cabin, with King bed, even had a fireplace! The rustic log-design décor brought the outdoors inside, and the modern amenities such as internet, cable television, mini refrigerator, and other things were appreciated.
Each morning, we enjoyed breakfast onsite at the Bryce Canyon Coffee Company before a day of exploring at Bryce Canyon National Park. We enjoyed returning to the cabin for a bit of relaxation before heading out to dinner. There is a convenient pizza restaurant onsite that we enjoyed for dinner.
I appreciated the fact that we could do a bit of laundry onsite. The laundry room even has a convenient change machine to provide coins for the washing machines and dryers. There is also a picnic area, Tesla Charging Stations, trail rides, and more.
Dining Onsite at the Inn and in Town
The only downside of staying at Bryce Canyon Inn is that the cabins are not equipped with kitchens, so we needed to eat out for every meal. In addition, there was not an abundance of food options in the town of Tropic but there were still good dining options within walking distance. Don’t misunderstand, the quality of food made up for the lack of restaurant quantity, as the food we did eat was very good.
The Bryce Canyon Coffee Company onsite in the Inn’s lobby was a great coffee shop where we enjoyed breakfast and snacks every day. Known to serve the best espresso in the area, you can enjoy many favorite coffee creations (lattes, cappuccinos, and cold brew) along with smoothies and delicious baked goods. As a guest at the Inn, we even nabbed a 10% off saving. Also onsite, The Pizza Place features delicious hand-tossed pizzas, salads, sandwiches, and more.
The nearby Stone Hearth Grille features both indoor and outdoor seating that provides a spectacular view. The steak was outstanding! I’d describe it more like an upscale restaurant but the décor still felt warm and inviting. Rustler’s Restaurant is equally as welcoming with rustic décor and we learned that it is a favorite among locals. The best burgers!
Sightseeing Around the Tropic Area
Bryce Canyon scenery is a sight to behold and like other National Parks, a location offering unlimited outdoor adventures. With only a 3-night stay we needed to narrow down our sightseeing itinerary but still managed to squeeze in some major attractions.
As we learned, Tropic certainly offers something for everyone. It’s located near scenic attractions such as Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Kodachrome Basin State Park, Tropic Heritage Center Museum, and more.
There was one word associated with Bryce Canyon that piqued our curiosity. The word was “Hoodoos.” We had to make exploring the “Hoodoos” our first destination. The colorful towering hoodoos of Bryce Canyon are tall thin shafts of rock that resemble the shape of a totem pole. Hoodoos range in heights from approximately 6 feet tall all the way up to more than a ten story building.
Hiking and Driving in Bryce Canyon National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park was not even 15 minutes away from the Inn. In addition to the hoodoos and mountain landscapes, there were breathtaking views in every direction. Wearing our most comfortable hiking shoes and layered clothing, and carrying a water bottle, we set out for a bit of hiking. (We believe that walking is good for longevity!) We were not 100% sure where to start so we just followed other hikers and were blown away by the incredible sights that make this park so unique like Fairyland Point.
Fairyland Point not only offered additional views of the famous hoodoos but the colorful rock formations with different positions of the sun, made for a light show of sorts. While it was described to us as a leisurely stroll, we walked pretty far until we knew it was time to take a scenic drive and rest our feet.
The Bryce Canyon Scenic Drive is an 18-mile route that gave us different views of the massive park. Each stunning rock formation and canyon after canyon had us continually saying “wow.” There were many pull-off areas where we stopped to take photos and I was surprised to see how the park featured signs that told us pertinent information about the area.
Along the drive, we also stopped at the Ebenezer Bryce Cabin, the historic area that was owned by the settler that Bryce Canyon National Park is named for. We toured the cabin and got a history lesson about the area.
Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument
A huge highlight of our Utah trip was visiting the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. It was a magnificent sight, the most unique rock formations. It was suggested that we hike a more family-friendly trail called Willis Creek Slot Canyon. It was a narrow, winding canyon but the shade from the sun was appreciated. The colorful rocks made for some beautiful photo opportunities.
Kodachrome Basin State Park
Kodachrome Basin State Park features reddish sandstone pipe-looking rock formations similar to the structure of the hoodoos. With the largest spike said to be 170+ feet tall, it’s another must-see sight in person because photos do not do it justice. The park also offers hiking trails so we picked the easiest trail to eliminate more foot blisters from the previous day of hiking. Aching feet and all, I’m glad we got to see the stunning rock formations in person.
Tropic Heritage Center Museum
The Tropic Heritage Center Museum is a small museum with exhibits highlighting the history of Tropic and its surroundings. I enjoyed learning more about the early settlers. There were displays highlighting the local Native American tribes as well. The museum’s Veterans Memorial Park was a lovely tribute to local veterans.
Mossy Cave Trail
Mossy Cave Trail is another manageable hike in Bryce Canyon National Park. It’s an easy, one-mile roundtrip path that not only led us to the “mossy cave” but there was also a beautiful waterfall. Cascading waterfalls mean so much to me so it was another memorable Utah highlight. The mossy landscapes and cool rock formations made for a peaceful ambiance. The hike took us about 45 minutes because we took many breaks to enjoy the views.
Takeaways/Final Thoughts About Bryce Canyon Inn
- Located just east of Bryce Canyon National Park on scenic Highway 12
- Comfortable, clean, and cozy cabins that offer parking right out front
- Offers modern amenities and a wood-paneled cabin charm
- Great for families with children and there are a few pet-friendly cabins
- Gourmet coffee shop and a pizza restaurant onsite
- Gorgeous sunrises to the east and spectacular sunsets to the west
- Wear comfortable shoes and drink lots of water when hiking the park
- Be sure to visit Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument and Kodachrome Basin State Park
Author Bio: Originally from Long Island, New York, Donna Wright now calls Deland, Florida her home. An avid traveler, she has journeyed by air, land, and sea, to many cities in the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean to exciting destinations like California, Arizona, Las Vegas, San Diego, Myrtle Beach, Lake Tahoe, Reno, and more.
This content is provided for general informational purposes only and should not be considered travel or consumer advice. Inn amenities, prices, policies, and availability may change. Readers should verify all details independently and use their own judgment when planning travel.