Location: Tropic
Top Things to do in Tropic
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10 Things to Do in Tropic That You Shouldn't Miss
Tropic is a town in Garfield County, Utah, United States, along Utah Scenic Byway 12. As of the 2010 census, the town had a population of 530. Tropic was founded in 1891.
Restaurants in Tropic
1. Bryce Canyon National Park
Overall Ratings
5 based on 6 reviews
Reviewed By csb123 - Gainesville, GA
We loved seeing the unique hoodoo rock formations. The Queens garden – Navajo loop trail from sunrise to sunset point was great. We loved the park. However, the entire family was ready to move on after one day.
Be aware that there are limited lodging and restaurant options near the park.
2. Natural Bridge
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 440 reviews
Reviewed By CrankingChick - Tucson, Arizona
Natural Bridge (elevation 8627') is a viewpoint on the scenic drive in Bryce Canyon National Park that overlooks an arch formed when natural forces carved away the red rock. "Bridges" are formed when the rushing water of streams or rivers erodes the rock. Technically, this formation is an "arch" because it was created by a combination of factors. First, water in the cracks of the rock froze and thawed, expanding and weakening the fissures. Then over time rainwater ate away at the top and sides of the soft limestone. Ultimately, gravity caused the weaker sections of rock to collapse, leaving the hole in the center. I enjoyed seeing young quaking aspen trees at this location as well. There's a small parking area at the site. You can't really see the arch when just driving by in the car because it's below the road level, but the overlook is only a few steps from the parking lot. The walkway is paved and wheelchair-accessible. This viewpoint is located about 12.4 miles south of the park entrance sign on Utah State Route 63. Entrance fees are required to access this area ($30/car, valid 7 days, or use NPS passes). Note that the regular park shuttle does not visit this location, but you can reserve a seat on the free Rainbow Bus tour that visits the southern end of the scenic drive twice per day (435-834-5290).
3. Grand Canyon North Rim Mule Rides -Tour
Overall Ratings
5 based on 36 reviews
Reviewed By Andrew S - Johannesburg, South Africa
What an experience.
This is a bucket list item, even if you didn't know it.
You get to ride a mule, half horse half donkey, in the Grand Canyon.
Need I say more?
There are short one-hour trips and three-hours, too. You can choose to go down into the canyon, or do a trail on top to lookout points, suggested for those who are uncomfortable with heights.
The mules are docile and friendly. No previous experience is needed. The guides run you through all the basics beforehand.
It is an experience not to be missed.
The guides are great.
Friendly, informative and helpful.
If you're staying at the lodge and doing a three-hour morning ride on your last day, request a late check out so you can shower before your drive out.
I would book in advance to avoid disappointment.
4. Dark Ranger Telescope Tours
Overall Ratings
5 based on 169 reviews
See our Universe's wonders through BIG telescopes in the darkest/best stargazing location in USA -Utah's Bryce Canyon region. Watch live multimedia presentations about astronomy and nocturnal animals. Learn constellation stories during laser sky tours. Work on your Astronomy Boy/Girl Scout Badge. By capping attendance at 42, our knowledgeable and entertaining astronomers provide the premium astronomy experience. Private Tours up to 150 people also available by special request.
Reviewed By LisaVADC - Arlington, Virginia
Saturn, exploding stars and a galaxy far far away! That and more is exactly what I saw with my own eyes thanks to the great Dark Ranger Telescope Tours. Kevin the Ranger really helps to make this a wonderful experience. Very knowledgeable and truly entertaining! We learned and I laughed!. I was really looking forward to this as a part of my Bryce vacation and I was not disappointed. I do not like the cold and thanks to repeated advice, I was prepared – so follow the advice and you will be warm enough to enjoy the magnificent skies, lessons and humor. I also found Kevin is very open and responsive to questions as you plan your trip as well as during the night tour. I wish I lived closer so I could do this again and again! I highly recommend this to any visitor to Bryce area.
5. Navajo/Queens Garden Loop
Overall Ratings
5 based on 1 reviews
2.9-mile hiking trail that leads to rock formations shaped like Queen Victoria and her garden.
Reviewed By RetiredTravelerTN - Nashville, TN
One of our favorite experiences at Bryce Canyon was the combined Queen’s Garden and Navajo Loop Trail. The rock formations are beautiful from above, but walking below the rim gives an entirely different perspective. Make the whole loop if you can. If mobility is an issue, begin at the Queen’s Garden trailhead and go just far enough to get an impression of the view below the rim.
6. Mecham Outfitters
Overall Ratings
5 based on 29 reviews
Reviewed By 48Swampy - Jacksonville, Florida
We took the 1/2 day morning trip with McClain Mecham into the slots in Escalate/Grand Staircase. McClain is very personable, focused on his client's safety, comfort and enjoyment. He made it extremely easy and out us totally at ease. His animals (horses and mules) are extremely well trained and very responsive to greenhorns. McClain is very knowledgeable of the area, being 5th generation as well as a noted wild game guide. He provides good information but is comfortable with quiet. He is also very open to questions and very adaptable . I understand is father is the same way. If you have the time, do yourself a favor. Its not something you'll likely ever have the opportunity to do again.
7. Agua Canyon
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 110 reviews
Reviewed By BradJill - Hong Kong, China
Aqua Canyon is the location of one of the very good viewpoints along Highway 63 at Bryce Canyon National Park. This particular stop is situated between Natural Bridge an Ponderosa Canyon Overlooks and is well worth a stop for the outstanding views of impressive stacks of hoodoos and other land formations as well as the landscape views into the lower Aqua Canyon area below
During our early April visit last year, we were treated to a light layer of snow on the main canyon rim. This contributed to very good pictures we were able to make at the Aqua Canyon viewpoint.
Note, the viewpoints along Highway 63 are each on the east side of the road. As such, its best to simply drive all the way down south to Rainbow and Yavimpa Point first. Then make your way north pulling over into whichever viewpoints you are interested in. I would give Aqua Canyon at least 4-5 minute stop.
8. Inspiration Point
Overall Ratings
5 based on 942 reviews
Scenic overlook in Bryce Canyon National Park.
Reviewed By CrankingChick - Tucson, Arizona
Inspiration Point is a breath-taking viewpoint overlooking the Bryce Canyon maze of colorful hoodoo formations. It is understandably one of the most popular areas in Bryce Canyon National Park. There are 3 overlooks: lower, middle and upper. The lower viewpoint has a paved trail less than 300' long that leads to an overlook (wheelchair-accessible). The trail to the middle and upper viewpoints is unpaved, steep and rough (about 1225'). The elevation at Inspiration Point is 8100'; be aware of the symptoms of altitude sickness (fatigue, headache, shortness of breath, etc.) and drink plenty of fluids. A restroom is available in the parking area.
To get to Inspiration Point, you will have to pay park entrance fees ($30/car, valid 7 days, or use NPS passes). Enter the park headed south on Utah State Route 63 from Bryce Canyon City, drive 2.8 miles past the park entrance sign and turn left on Bryce Point Road (6th left). Go .1 mile and turn left. The parking area for Inspiration Point will be .2 mile ahead. The free park shuttle goes to Inspiration Point (stop 4) so it is possible to park elsewhere (i.e. Bryce Canyon City or the park visitor center) and ride to the viewpoint. There is also a paved multi-use path suitable for bicycles that goes about 5.5 miles from Bryce Canyon City to Inspiration Point (bike rentals available at Ruby's Inn).
The Rim Trail passes through Inspiration Point and can be followed to/from other viewpoints on the canyon edge: Bryce Point (1.6 miles, closed in winter), Sunset Point (.7 mile), Sunrise Point (1.2 miles), and Fairyland Point (3.9 miles). Distances are one-way. These attractions have separate Tripadvisor reviews with more information.
9. Zion National Park Rides
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 32 reviews
Reviewed By buffy0182 - Costa Mesa, California
What a beautiful national park! Then again, are any of them bad? I found this to be on of the cleanest national parks I've ever been too. A LOT cleaner than Yosemite for sure! The restrooms were a lot cleaner, the trails better maintained, and it's not as crowded, though parking can be very tricky in the summer months.
It costs $30 to enter the park for 7 days, and I believe you can avoid this fee by taking the shuttle into the park from Springdale town. It will save you much more time to park at Zion though. In the summer, they close one of the streets and you must take a shuttle if you want to go anywhere between Canyon Junction and Temple of Sinawava. It's not a bad drive, and the shuttle comes frequently, so it saves you time looking for parking. In the non-peak months you don't need to take a shuttle.
The red rocks landscape was absolutely spectacular. Breath-taking, really. The hikes ranged from very easy to strenuous, and you had your pick. The trails are so well maintained, I thought they were all doable. The best hikes were Angels Landing (strenuous with an uphill 1400 ft elevation climb), Canyon Overlook(moderate), Weeping Rock (easy), Pa'rus Trail (easy), Riverwalk (easy - though this is the beginning of the Narrows, which I didn't do, but it follows the river and takes about 8 hours to do), Emerald Pools (moderate if you do the Upper, easy if you do the lower and middle), Taylor Creek at Kolob Canyon (moderate, but the trail is SUPER tricky since it criss-crosses the river), and Timber Creek Overlook at Kolob Canyon (easy).
The only issue besides summer parking is that there are only two campgrounds here, so book early!
This is a must-do and a great bucket list item. I would spend at least 2-3 days here. We were able to do 9 hikes in about 2.5 days there, so a weekend here is definitely enough.
10. Ponderosa Canyon
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 75 reviews
Reviewed By BradJill - Hong Kong, China
This is one of the delightful viewpoints you can enjoy along the Scenic Drive (Highway 63) within Bryce Canyon National Park. It is situated south of the Aqua Canyon Viewpoint, near the southern end of the drive.
We visited in early April and greatly enjoyed the snow covered views from this viewpoint at 8900 feet above sea level. From here you can see some impressive stacks of hoodoos as well as subtle erosion of the hillside where future hoodoos will take shape and form many thousands of years from now.
In the end, Ponderosa Viewpoint is somewhat similar to Aqua Canyon Viewpoint. We've give both a quick stop. You can conveniently enjoy in 3-5 minutes and be on your way to the next viewpoint or hiking stop in the park.
Note: The viewpoints along the Scenic Drive are all on the east side of the road. As such, it is best to drive straight through to Rainbow and Yavimpa Points first. Then start making your way back north, pulling over to the right hand side for viewpoint stops.
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