A visit to Bryce Canyon City that goes beyond the national park, focusing on the town’s unusual status and a raw, local Utah rodeo where tradition, danger and spectacle collide.
Bryce Canyon City as a gateway town
“Bryce Canyon City: Incorporated 2007”. The sign by the side of the road should be enough to sum up expectations of what’s realistically a tiny town acting as a curious gateway to Bryce Canyon National Park.
A loophole in Utah law allowed Bryce Canyon City to declare itself a town, a move largely designed to stick two fingers up at the local county and snaffle up the sales taxes that mount up to a serious sum given the numbers passing through on the way to the National Park.
A company town in southern Utah
It’s not so much a town as a giant resort, where everything is owned by the same family. This becomes most apparent at night, where a desperate lack of dining options should see small restaurants spring up here in competition.
That’s not in the interests of the Syrett family, however. They’d prefer to funnel people into their own, barn-like properties. And if that means long queues, so be it.
Why book the Bryce Canyon daily tour?
- See Bryce Canyon’s best viewpoints: Visit key overlooks such as Sunrise Point, Sunset Point and Inspiration Point.
- Expert local guide: Learn how Bryce Canyon’s hoodoos formed, along with practical insight into the park’s geology and history.
- Easy transport between stops: Travel comfortably without worrying about driving, parking or navigating park roads.
- Plenty of time for photos: Stops are planned to allow unhurried views and clear photo opportunities.
- Ideal for first-time visitors: A straightforward way to understand the layout and highlights of Bryce Canyon National Park.
The Bryce Canyon City rodeo experience
It’s with this backdrop of cartel company town in mind that the rodeo in Bryce Canyon City should be considered. Big signs advertise it on the way in, an unexpected extra for those who have come to see the National Park’s weird rock formations and panoramic canyon views.
In these parts, rodeo is the big sport. Forget American football, baseball, basketball or ice hockey. Kids grow up riding and roping rather than throwing balls around.
Rodeo traditions and early beginnings
Watching the rodeo, it’s astonishing how soon those kids start to grow up in this way. After everyone stands for the national anthem, the bareback riding starts.
Grown men in cowboy hats and jeans are quickly tossed aside. The horses are chased away by the masochists assigned to protect the rider, and the bucking broncos are eventually released back into their pen.
Calves, sheep and very young riders
It’s the smaller animals that follow. Calves and sheep. What really raises an eyebrow is not the size of the creature, but the person riding it.
This isn’t just a case of teenagers starting young. It’s toddlers.
Learning rodeo in public
One kid, who must be five years old at most, bursts into the arena astride a calf. Behind him is a doting father who staggers around trying to hold his son in place on the gambolling steed.
It’s the country equivalent of training wheels on a bicycle. When one of the wee nippers manages to stay on for a few seconds without support, the crowd roars like he’s just scored the winning goal in the World Cup Final.
The danger of bull riding
Various events rattle past, from roping to barrel racing. But the one everyone wants to see is the bull riding.
If you think of rodeo as a decathlon, this is the 100m race. If you’re thinking gymnastics, it’s the floor routine.
Why bull riding dominates the rodeo
The difference is that it’s really, really dangerous. On a couple of occasions, just getting out of the traps is a titanic struggle, as the bull bucks and refuses to cooperate.
Once out, the ferocity of the bull’s kicking becomes visible for all to see. All the cowboy can hope for is to stay on long enough to register a decent score, then fall without damaging anything.
Risk as entertainment
Again, the two masochists have to take over once the rider is on the floor. Sometimes the bull charges at them, and they leap up on to the surrounding railings to avoid being gored.
You don’t see Premier League footballers having to deal with that sort of thing in the name of entertainment. Rodeo in Utah really separates the men from the boys, and the boys have to become men very early.
Nearby attractions
- Bryce Canyon National Park, famous for its hoodoos and scenic viewpoints
- Inspiration Point, one of the park’s most popular overlooks
- Sunset Point, known for evening light on the amphitheatre
- Mossy Cave Trail, a short hike to a waterfall and grotto
- Red Canyon, a quieter alternative with dramatic rock formations
Bryce Canyon City and rodeo: Frequently asked questions
What is Bryce Canyon City?
Bryce Canyon City is a small resort-style settlement near Bryce Canyon National Park, incorporated in 2007 primarily to manage local taxes from tourism.
Is Bryce Canyon City a real town?
Legally yes, but in practice it functions as a privately owned resort area rather than a traditional town with independent businesses.
What happens at the Bryce Canyon City rodeo?
The rodeo features traditional events such as bareback riding, calf riding, barrel racing and bull riding, with participants ranging from small children to adults.
Is the rodeo suitable for children to watch?
The rodeo is a family event locally, but it includes dangerous activities and very young riders, which some visitors may find confronting.
How close is Bryce Canyon City to Bryce Canyon National Park?
Bryce Canyon City sits just outside the park entrance and is one of the main accommodation bases for visiting Bryce Canyon National Park.
More Utah travel
Other Utah travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
- Driving Utah Highway 12 – one of America’s most spectacular drives.
- Practical guide to the Navajo Loop Trail at Bryce Canyon National Park.
- What to expect at Rainbow Point in Bryce Canyon National Park.
- First time visitor’s guide to Dead Horse Point State Park.
- How to see Delicate Arch.
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