Bryce Canyon vs Yosemite

Welcome to my article comparing Bryce Canyon vs Yosemite as travel destinations.

Two of the most popular national parks in the United States are Bryce Canyon National Park and Yosemite National Park. Known for its unique hoodoos and colourful rock formations, Bryce Canyon National Park is located in southern Utah. Yosemite National Park is in California and is famous for its granite cliffs, including El Capitan and Half Dome, and waterfalls, such as Yosemite Falls.

Overview – Should I visit Bryce Canyon or Yosemite? 

Both parks offer breathtaking views, unique terrain and a wide variety of activities. Although both parks are located in different time zones, they each have their own unique features that draw visitors from all over the world. 

Bryce Canyon National Park

Bryce Canyon National Park is located in Utah’s Bryce Canyon Country and covers an area of 35,835 acres (56 square miles). It was established on September 15, 1928, and the lowest point is 6,620 feet at Yellow Creek, while the highest point is 9,115 feet at Rainbow Point. In 2021, the park saw 2,104,600 visitors, who were charged a fee of $35 per private vehicle per week for entry. 

Yosemite National Park

Yosemite National Park is located in California’s Sierra Nevada Mountains and covers an area of 747,956 acres (1,169 square miles).

It was established on October 1, 1890, and the lowest point is 2,105 feet at the Merced River, while the highest point is 13,014 feet at Mount Lyell. In 2021, the park saw 3,287,595 visitors, who were charged a fee of $35 per private vehicle per week for entry. The two parks have some similarities as well as differences. 

Comparison – Bryce Canyon vs Yosemite

One similarity is that both parks have a similar entry fee (2021 – $35) for private vehicles. Additionally, both parks offer a wide variety of activities, including hiking, camping, biking, horseback riding and more.

The main difference between Bryce Canyon and Yosemite is the terrain, which can vary greatly from park to park. Bryce Canyon is located in a desert climate, which is characterized by hot summers and cold winters. While Yosemite is located in a more temperate climate, which is characterized by milder temperatures and more rain. 

Both are located in the western United States and are renowned for their natural beauty. Yosemite Valley is a classic glacier-cut valley, carved out of solid granite by glaciers that may have reached thicknesses of 4,000 feet or more. Bryce Canyon is not technically a canyon, but a series of about a dozen natural amphitheatres eroded into the escarpment of the Paunsaugunt Plateau. Both parks are also home to some of the darkest night skies in the country and both offer unique stargazing opportunities.

Despite these similarities, some key differences exist between Yosemite National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park. Yosemite Valley is only a tiny fraction of the park, less than 1%, while almost 95% is designated wilderness.

Furthermore, Bryce Canyon is known for its unique rock formations and hoodoos, while Yosemite is known for its majestic waterfalls and towering granite cliffs. In conclusion, Bryce Canyon and Yosemite are two of the most popular national parks in the United States.

While both parks offer a variety of activities, they have different terrains, climates and features that make them unique. Regardless of which park you choose, you are sure to have an unforgettable experience.

Overview: Bryce Canyon vs Yosemite Canyon

Bryce Canyon	Yosemite National Park
Established on September 15, 1928	Established on October 1, 1890
Area: 35,835 acres (56 square miles)	Area: 747,956 acres (1,169 square miles)
Lowest point: 6,620 feet at Yellow Creek	Lowest point: 2,105 feet at the Merced River
Highest point: 9,115 feet at Rainbow Point	Highest point: 13,014 feet at Mount Lyell
2021 Visitors: 2,104,600	2021 Visitors: 3,287,595
Entry fee: $35 per private vehicle per week	Entry fee: $35 per private vehicle per week
Climate: Desert	Climate: Temperate
Unique features: Unique rock formations and hoodoos	Unique features: Majestic waterfalls and towering granite cliffs

Trails Comparison Bryce Canyon vs Yosemite 

Bryce Canyon National Park and Yosemite National Park are two of the United States’ most beloved natural destinations. Both parks offer stunning landscapes and an array of trails for hikers of all abilities. However, they also differ in certain aspects, such as the type of terrain and the range of difficulty of their trails.

The Bryce Canyon National Park trails are mostly easy to moderate and generally shorter than those in Yosemite National Park. The Bristlecone Loop Trail is an easy 1 mile loop, the Navajo Loop Trail is a moderate 1.4 mile loop, the Queen’s Garden Trail is a moderate 0.9 mile one-way trail, and the Rim Trail is a 5.5 mile one-way trail. The Water Canyon & Mossy Cave Trail is an easy 0.9 mile out and back trail.

In comparison, trails in Yosemite National Park range from short, easy walks to more challenging trails. Popular trails include the Lembert Dome, Mist Trail, Taft Point and Tenaya Lake. The Lembert Dome trail is a 4 mile out and back trail, the Mist Trail is a 5 mile out and back trail, the Taft Point trail is a 2.2 mile out and back trail, and the Tenaya Lake trail is a 3 mile loop. 

Aside from the difference in trail difficulty and length, Bryce Canyon and Yosemite National Park also differ in terrain. Bryce Canyon is known for its hoodoos, or tall spires of rocks formed by erosive forces, while Yosemite is known for its waterfalls and meadows. Both parks, however, offer visitors the chance to experience the beauty of nature in the United States.

Trails Summary

Comparison	Bryce Canyon	Yosemite National Park
Trail Difficulty	Easy-Moderate	Easy-Challenging
Trail Length	Shorter	Longer
Terrain	Hoodoos	Waterfalls and Meadows
Unique Features	Unique rock formations	Majestic waterfalls and towering granite cliffs

Location

While the two parks are located in the western portion of the United States, they are in two very different areas. Yosemite National Park is located in California’s Sierra Nevada mountains in the east-central region of the state. 

The two gateway towns to the park are Oakhurst and Mariposa, while the closest major city is Fresno. Getting to Yosemite is relatively easy, with maps and directions available online. Bryce Canyon National Park is located in Utah’s much more remote southern region. The park is often combined with one or more of the other five Utah national parks, particularly Zion, which is located just a 90 minute drive away. Getting to Bryce Canyon from other Utah parks can require up to 5 hours of driving time.

In terms of similarities, both parks are home to incredible natural beauty, and offer visitors the opportunity to explore some of the most breathtaking landscapes in the country. Both parks are also part of the United States National Park Service. So visitors can take advantage of the same rules and regulations that apply to all national parks.

When it comes to differences, the most obvious is location. Yosemite National Park is in California, while Bryce Canyon National Park is in Utah. Additionally, Yosemite is closer to major cities and larger towns than Bryce Canyon, making it more accessible and easier to reach. Finally, Yosemite National Park is home to a wider variety of wildlife than Bryce Canyon, including bears, deer, and even mountain lions.

Conclusion

Comparison	Yosemite National Park	Bryce Canyon
Location	California’s Sierra Nevada mountains	Southern Utah
Gateway Towns	Oakhurst, Mariposa	N/A
Closest Major City	Fresno	N/A
Accessibility	Easier	More Remote
National Park Service	Yes	Yes
Unique Features	Wider variety of wildlife, including bears, deer, and mountain lions	Unique rock formations
Location to other Parks	Closer to major cities and larger towns	Often combined with other nearby Utah national parks

Camping 

Yosemite and Bryce Canyon national parks offer campgrounds for visitors to enjoy the spectacular scenery and outdoor activities. While each park has its own unique features, there are some similarities between the two. Both parks offer running water, flush toilets, fire rings and picnic tables at the campgrounds. 

Additionally, the campgrounds in both parks offer a variety of sites ranging from $20 to $30 per night. At Yosemite, the campgrounds are in high demand during summer as the park has a special reservations policy. Sites go on sale in one-month blocks months in advance, with dates opening at 10 AM EST on the 15th of each month. It is very difficult to obtain a campsite in Yosemite during the summer season due to the high popularity of the park. 

Bryce Canyon also has two developed frontcountry campgrounds, North and Sunset, located near each other. North Campground is closer to the main visitor areas, while Sunset Campground is a bit further from the canyon rim and visitor services. Both campgrounds offer the same amenities and cost the same. However, North Campground experiences higher demand due to its proximity to the general store and a short walk from the canyon rim. 

While both national parks have similar amenities, there are some differences between the two. Yosemite is open all year, while Bryce Canyon is only open in summer. Additionally, Yosemite has a more complicated reservations policy than Bryce Canyon, which makes it more difficult to obtain a campsite. In conclusion, both Yosemite and Bryce Canyon offer campgrounds with similar amenities and costs. 

Summary

Comparison	Yosemite	Bryce Canyon
Amenities	Running water, flush toilets, fire rings, picnic tables	Running water, flush toilets, fire rings, picnic tables
Cost	$20-$30 per night	$20-$30 per night
Reservations Policy	Complicated, sites go on sale in one-month blocks five months in advance	Less complicated, open in summer season
Campground Name	Various	North, Sunset
High demand campground	Yes	North Campground
Season of operation	Open all year	Open in summer season

Accommodation Yosemite vs Bryce Canyon

Bryce Canyon National Park and Yosemite National Park offer various accommodations for visitors to each park. Both parks offer lodging within the park boundaries and in the surrounding towns.

Bryce Canyon Accommodation within the park is available at the historic Lodge at Bryce Canyon, which is managed by Forever Resorts. The lodge offers simple motel-style rooms and cabins, as well as restaurants.

Outside the park, visitors can find accommodation in the town of Bryce Canyon City, with the Best Western Ruby’s Inn serving as the town’s flagship. Yosemite National Park in the western United States is renowned for its stunning scenery and outdoor activities.

Yosemite Valley Lodges, Tuolumne Meadows Tent Cabins and the Wawona Hotel are all within the park. Lodging at Yosemite is generally more expensive than at Bryce Canyon and must be pre-booked. There are also a number of private “inholdings” or private properties within the park where visitors can stay.

Outside the park, visitors to Yosemite can find lodging in the towns of Oakhurst and Mariposa. Oakhurst is located south of the park and is closest to Mariposa Grove and Wawona, while Mariposa is located west of the park and is closest to El Portal and the west side of Tioga Road.

In terms of similarities between Bryce Canyon and Yosemite, both offer a variety of overnight accommodations within the park boundaries and both require advance reservations for most overnight accommodations. Both parks also offer lodging in the surrounding towns. The main difference between the two parks is the type of lodging offered.

Conclusion

While Bryce Canyon offers simple motel-style rooms and cabins, Yosemite is better known for its lodges, tent cabins and private ‘inholdings’. Prices are also generally higher at Yosemite than at Bryce.

Overall, both Bryce Canyon and Yosemite offer a variety of accommodation options for visitors to each respective park. Depending on the type of accommodation desired and the budget available, visitors to both parks can find accommodation that suits their needs.

Comparison	Bryce Canyon	Yosemite
Accommodation within the park	Lodge at Bryce Canyon (motel-style rooms and cabins)	Lodges in Yosemite Valley, tent cabins in Tuolumne Meadows, Wawona Hotel, Privately owned “inholdings”
Surrounding towns for accommodation	Bryce Canyon City, Ruby’s Inn	Oakhurst and Mariposa
Advance reservation	Required	Required
Prices	Lower	Higher
Type of accommodation offered	Basic motel-style rooms and cabins	Lodges, tent cabins, privately owned “inholdings”

History of both Parks

Two of the most popular and iconic parks in the United States are Yosemite National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park. Both are renowned for their stunning scenery and both have a long and fascinating history.

Yosemite National Park was established in 1864 when President Abraham Lincoln signed the Yosemite Grant, giving California the rights to the valley and the Mariposa Grove. In 1890, Congress passed the bill to create Yosemite National Park. In 1906, President Theodore Roosevelt signed the bill into law, officially adding the valley and grove to the national park.

Bryce Canyon National Park, on the other hand, was established as Bryce Canyon National Monument in 1923 and received its current name in 1924. Despite their different histories, Yosemite National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park have a lot in common.

Bryce Canyon National Park is named after Ebenezer Bryce, a Mormon settler who built his home near the Bryce Amphitheatre. The hoodoo formations that Bryce Canyon is famous for were created by the repeated freezing and thawing of water, while the glaciers in Yosemite Valley are responsible for its stunning scenery. Yosemite

Summary – Bryce Canyon vs Yosemite

Bryce Canyon and Yosemite are two of the United States’ most popular national parks, known for their breathtaking landscapes and outdoor activities. While both parks offer similar amenities such as campgrounds with running water, flush toilets, fire rings, and picnic tables, Yosemite is open all year while Bryce Canyon is open only in the summer season. 

Yosemite has a more complicated reservations policy, making it more difficult to obtain a campsite. In terms of accommodation, both parks offer lodging within the park boundaries and in surrounding towns, but Yosemite’s accommodations are generally more expensive than Bryce Canyon’s. Yosemite is also more well-known for its lodges and tent cabins, while Bryce Canyon offers basic motel-style rooms and cabins. 

Both parks offer visitors the opportunity to explore some of the most beautiful landscapes in the country, but depending on the type of accommodation desired and budget available, visitors may prefer one park over the other.

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