Bryce Canyon Lodge- Bryce, UT

Parkitecture. Buildings designed to harmonize with their surrounding natural environment. A historic hotel with a National Park thrown in for good measure. Built in 1925, this rustic lodge completes your Bryce Canyon experience. 

Designed by Gilbert Stanley Underwood for a subsidiary of the Union Pacific Railroad, the lodge was intended to drive tourism, providing a noteworthy destination within the park. Apparently the hoodoos were not enough for these early travelers.

As far as park lodges go, this one is relatively small. The lobby does however have a stone fireplace, which I am sure is a lodge requirement. Arts and Crafts in style, milled timbers are used throughout the first floor. The adjacent auditorium has both a grand stone fireplace as well as an open ceiling with exposed log trusses.

Only a handful of rooms are located on the second floor of the lodge, so book early, or pray for a cancellation. While the rooms are nothing special, the location cannot be beat.  We lucked into a last minute cancellation for the Ebeneezer Bryce room, which was much more comfortable than its stern name suggests. The rooms have been recently updated, and apparently decorated in the style of early dorm room. While they don’t retain a lot of historic character, they do have lovely casement windows. If available, the historic cabins would be a fabulous alternative.

Staying within the boundaries of a National Park is one of the true pleasures in life. Both the lodge and the cabins are mere footsteps away from the rim of Bryce Canyon. Not only does that allow easy access to Bryce’s amazing sunrise, but you will be left awestruck by the clarity of the night sky. Due to the parks remote location, far from the ubiquitous scourge of light pollution, over 7500 stars are visible on a moonless night. There are also ranger led astronomy programs, so be prepared to see the night sky in a whole new (lack of) light.

One final note, the lodge restaurant was really good. Not just good for a remote location, but really and truly good, appetizer to desert. They also had a decent wine list, which was absolutely not expected at a lodge in Utah. Anywhere in Utah really. Call it a pleasant surprise.