Ponderosa Canyon Viewpoint – stunning spot on the Southern Scenic Drive
Ponderosa Canyon is one of those
If you’re heading to Bryce Canyon, you absolutely have to stop at Ponderosa Canyon. It’s one of my favorite spots along the Bryce Scenic Drive. You’ll find it about 13.5 miles from the park entrance, and it’s definitely worth a pitstop on your drive down to Rainbow Point.
What makes Ponderosa Canyon so special are the incredible views of the massive Ponderosa pines that stand tall against the vibrant canyon backdrop. The overlook sits you at the top of a huge vantage point; look down on the vibrant orange hoodoos, the ancient trees, and the mix of colors and textures is just stunning.
If you’re doing a Utah Road Trip, check out some of my other Utah articles, including the Rainbow Hills, Zion Hikes and Glamping in the region.
Quick Mini Guide To Bryce
Don’t have a lot of time? Here’s a quick mini guide to Bryce National Park.
Where to stay
- Bubble dome Glamp and Camp
- Best Western – The closest hotel to the entrance of Bryce.
Best Hikes & When to go
Wall Street, Navajo Trail, the Queen’s Garden Trails. It’s best to go in Spring or Autumn. The summer becomes very hot & busy, so visit after 4pm.
Bryce Entry Fee
Private Vehicle: $35 for a 7-day pass, $20 for individuals.
Car rental
Public transport is limited so car rental is your best option. Consider getting a 4×4 for any dirt roads.
Best Tours
- Hiking Tour
- Off roading ATV in Bryce
- Horse riding the trails.
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Ponderosa canyon overlook
The Ponderosa Point Canyon Overlook is one of the stunning stops on the Bryce Canyon Scenic Drive. If you’re interested in the other viewpoints along the way, have a look at the Swamp Canyon Overlook, Agua Canyon Overlook, Bryce Natural Bridge, the Pink Cliffs and Rainbow Point.
The drive itself is a beautiful journey. Starting at the park entrance, it stretches 18 miles all the way to Rainbow and Yovimpa Points. You’ll pass by popular spots like Sunrise Point, Sunset Point, Inspiration Point, and Bryce Point within the first 3 miles. But the real treat is the Southern Scenic Drive, where you’ll find Ponderosa Canyon among other amazing overlooks.
Take your time to stop and enjoy each viewpoint, each one is slightly different, although you will see beautiful hoodoos at all of them.
Ponderosa Canyon is perfect for some breathtaking photos, and it’s a great place to just soak in the natural beauty. Plus, the drive is accessible year-round and you can bring pets along, so your furry friends can also enjoy exploring the park.
Ponderosa Canyon gets its name from the massive Ponderosa Pine Trees on the canyon floor, and you can see these on the hiking trails! Some of these trees are over 5 feet wide and tower above you over 150 feet.
From the high viewpoint, you probably wont be able to tell the scale, but it’s worth it! Many visitors are surprised to find themselves surrounded by a forest of Engelmann spruce and Douglas fir at the overlook. Bryce is a mix of vibrant orange landscape and thick, green forest.
Things to note before you go
- There is not a ton of parking at Ponderosa Canyon, so bear that in mind if going at peak times.
- Get the shuttle bus on busy days, free with park entry run from the Visitors Centre, run by the National Park Service.
- Bring your camera! There are a lot of little angles to photograph when you’re at Swamp Canyon overlook.
- Bring more water than you think you need, especially in the summer! You can fill up at the Visitors Centre.
- Just make sure you take five minutes to take it all in soak up with reviews soak up the incredible viewpoints.
Landscape Features
- To the South: See hoodoos eroded from the Paunsaugunt Plateau, contained within a bowl-shaped amphitheater shared with Rainbow Point. A forest of pine and fir lies 1,000 feet below.
- To the Southeast: Navajo Mountain looms over 80 miles away. This “laccolith” is like a volcano that never erupted, with a hardened core formed by slowly cooling magma.
- To the East: View the Paria Valley and the upper steps of the Grand Staircase. The Table Cliff plateau, at 10,000 feet, is made of the same Claron formation as Bryce Canyon’s hoodoos. The Paunsaugunt fault creates a significant elevation difference here.
- To the North: Observe the eroded edge of the Paunsaugunt Plateau, with bowl-shaped amphitheaters.
- To the West: The rolling ponderosa forest of the Paunsaugunt Plateau is deeply incised by water traveling north to the Tropic Reservoir. This area forms a rain divide between the Great Basin and the Colorado River.
Permits Required for camping
- Backcountry Permit: Required for Ponderosa Canyon Camping & overnight stays, available at the Visitor Center. Campsites are limited to 6 people per regular site and 15 per group site.
No Fires Permitted
- Stoves Only: Gas-powered cooking stoves are allowed, but open fires are prohibited outside of established fire rings at North and Sunset Campgrounds.
Bears and Other Wildlife
- Wildlife Awareness: The park is home to mountain lions, coyotes, black bears, squirrels, snakes, and other animals. Bear-resistant food canisters are recommended and available for loan at the Visitor Center.
Transportation
- No Park Transport South of Bryce Point: You may need to arrange for private shuttles if you dont have a car.
Shuttle Bus times
Bryce Canyon National Park runs a free shuttle bus from mid-April through mid-October. The shuttle generally runs on the following schedule:
- Early Morning: Begins around 8:00 AM and every 15-20 minutes thereafter
- Late Evening: Ends around 6:00 PM
It stops at major viewpoints and trailheads including the Visitor Center, Bryce Amphitheater, Sunrise Point, Sunset Point, Inspiration Point, and Bryce Point.
Ponderosa Canyon Hikes
1. Ponderosa Canyon Trail
- Overview: This is a relatively easy trail offering beautiful views of the large ponderosa pines that give the canyon its name.
- Length: Approximately 1.8 miles (2.9 km) round-trip
- Duration: 1 to 1.5 hours
- Difficulty: Easy
- Elevation Change: Minimal
- Features: Provides a scenic walk through the ponderosa pine forest with gradual elevation changes.
2. Under-the-Rim Trail (Accessed from Ponderosa Canyon)
- Overview: This trail provides an extended hike through Bryce Canyon’s backcountry, starting from the Ponderosa Canyon area.
- Length: 22.9 miles (36.9 km) one-way, but you can choose shorter segments
- Duration: Varies; a multi-day backpacking trip is common
- Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous, depending on the segment
- Elevation Change: Significant; descends and ascends as it follows the rim of Bryce Canyon
- Features: Offers views of diverse landscapes, from forests to hoodoos, and connects various parts of the park.
3. Riggs Spring Loop Trail (Accessed from Ponderosa Canyon)
- Overview: A scenic loop that starts and ends at the southern end of the park, near Ponderosa Canyon, providing views of lush forests and open meadows.
- Length: 8.6 miles (13.9 km) round-trip
- Duration: 4 to 5 hours
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Elevation Change: 1,000 feet (305 meters)
- Features: Passes through a variety of forest types, including aspen groves and pine forests, with opportunities to see wildlife.
4. Agua Canyon Connector Trail (Accessed from Ponderosa Canyon)
- Overview: Connects the Ponderosa Canyon area with the Agua Canyon viewpoint, offering a more rugged backcountry experience.
- Length: Approximately 1.6 miles (2.6 km) one way
- Duration: 1 to 2 hours
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Elevation Change: 500 feet (152 meters) descent to the Under-the-Rim Trail
- Features: Provides a transition from forested areas to more open canyon views and connects with the Under-the-Rim Trail for longer hikes.
5. Hat Shop Trail (Accessed from Ponderosa Canyon)
- Overview: This trail leads down to the unique rock formations known as the Hat Shop, where balanced rock hoodoos resemble hats.
- Length: 2.5 miles (4 km) round-trip
- Duration: 2 to 3 hours
- Difficulty: Strenuous
- Elevation Change: 1,380 feet (421 meters) descent
- Features: Includes challenging descents and spectacular views of colorful rock formations.
the Bryce Scenic Drive
A lot of people go straight to hike the Navajo trail, or look at Sunrise point or Sunset point. And they miss the whole scenic drive that takes you to the very end of Bryce Canyon, which is Rainbow point and Yovimpa point.
- Duration: 2-12 Hours (depending on whether you hike any of the trails).
- Reservations: No
- Pets: Yes
- Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
- Time of Day: Day, Night, Dawn, Dusk
The Bryce Scenic Drive is definitely one not to miss. This is a 18-mile drive and starts at the park entrance in the north of the National Park and will take you all the way to Rainbow and Yovimpa Points. Rainbow Point is right at the southern end of Bryce Canyon National Park.
It’s a fantastic way to see all the incredible viewpoints in Bryce.
Along the way, you’ll pass the Bryce Amphitheater area within the first 3 miles, where you’ll find popular spots like Sunrise Point, Sunset Point, Inspiration Point, and Bryce Point (most people don’t go beyond that!).
After that, the next 15 miles take you through the Southern Scenic Drive, which has 9 scenic overlooks and several roadside stops for vehicles.
The drive is accessible year-round, and pets are allowed, making it a great option no matter the season. Whether you have just a couple of hours or a full day, the Bryce Scenic Drive is a great way to spend an afternoon.
Weather in Utah
Be wary of the weather in Utah, it’s so diverse! In the winter, it is literally freezing.
In the summer it is literally boiling, and it can actually be difficult to be out in the middle of the day. Whatever the time of year you visit, be prepared, whether that’s water bottles, or extra layers to keep warm.
Utah Weather in January
- Average temperature: -1°C (30°F)
- Average rainy days: 5
- Average daylight hours: 10
- Average sunrise time: 7:45 AM
- Average sunset time: 5:30 PM
Utah Weather in February
- Average temperature: 2°C (35°F)
- Average rainy days: 5
- Average daylight hours: 11
- Average sunrise time: 7:30 AM
- Average sunset time: 6:00 PM
Utah Weather in March
- Average temperature: 7°C (45°F)
- Average rainy days: 6
- Average daylight hours: 12
- Average sunrise time: 7:00 AM
- Average sunset time: 6:30 PM
Utah Weather in April
- Average temperature: 11°C (52°F)
- Average rainy days: 6
- Average daylight hours: 13
- Average sunrise time: 6:30 AM
- Average sunset time: 7:30 PM
Utah Weather in May
- Average temperature: 16°C (61°F)
- Average rainy days: 5
- Average daylight hours: 14
- Average sunrise time: 6:00 AM
- Average sunset time: 8:00 PM
Utah Weather in June
- Average temperature: 21°C (70°F)
- Average rainy days: 3
- Average daylight hours: 15
- Average sunrise time: 5:45 AM
- Average sunset time: 8:45 PM
Utah Weather in July
- Average temperature: 26°C (79°F)
- Average rainy days: 4
- Average daylight hours: 15
- Average sunrise time: 6:00 AM
- Average sunset time: 8:45 PM
Utah Weather in August
- Average temperature: 24°C (75°F)
- Average rainy days: 4
- Average daylight hours: 14
- Average sunrise time: 6:30 AM
- Average sunset time: 8:30 PM
Utah Weather in September
- Average temperature: 19°C (66°F)
- Average rainy days: 4
- Average daylight hours: 12
- Average sunrise time: 7:00 AM
- Average sunset time: 7:30 PM
Utah Weather in October
- Average temperature: 12°C (54°F)
- Average rainy days: 4
- Average daylight hours: 11
- Average sunrise time: 7:30 AM
- Average sunset time: 6:30 PM
Utah Weather in November
- Average temperature: 5°C (41°F)
- Average rainy days: 4
- Average daylight hours: 10
- Average sunrise time: 7:00 AM
- Average sunset time: 5:00 PM
Utah Weather in December
- Average temperature: -1°C (30°F)
- Average rainy days: 5
- Average daylight hours: 9
- Average sunrise time: 7:30 AM
- Average sunset time: 5:00 PM
Certainly a bucket list Utah Road Trip. Have a look at my other USA articles that you might find interesting:
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