Plants and Wildlife in Bryce

With elevations approaching 9,000 feet, many of Bryce Canyon's 400 plant species are unlike those you'll see at less lofty places. Look at exposed slopes and you might catch a glimpse of the pygmy pinyon or the gnarled, 1,000-year-old bristlecone pine. At lower altitudes are the Douglas fir, the ponderosa pine, and the quaking aspen, which sit in groves of twinkling leaves. No fewer than three kinds of sagebrush—big, black, and fringed—grow here, as well as the blue columbine.

Mule deer and chipmunks are common companions on the trails and are used to human presence. You might also catch a glimpse of the endangered Utah prairie dog. Give them a wide berth; they may be cute, but they bite (and it's illegal to approach or feed wildlife in any national park). Other animals include elk, black-tailed jackrabbits, and the desert cottontail. More than 210 species of birds live in the park or pass through as a migratory stop. Bird-watchers are often rewarded handsomely for their vigilance: eagles, peregrine falcons, and even the rare California condor have all been spotted in the park.