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Trip Report: Canyons of Utah: Zion & Bryce - November 2022
Published December 7, 2022
The four corners area of northern Arizona, northern New Mexico, southern Colorado, and southern Utah is arguably one of the most diverse and beautiful areas one can experience in the U.S.
The Colorado Plateau makes up the vast majority of this area and it is home to the greatest concentration of National Parks in the country. It features geological hallmarks of massive canyons, slot canyons, hoodoos, domes, fins, reefs, towers and natural bridges.
This area is truly not just a “must” see, but an “essential” destination for any landscape photographer. Two of the most well-known parks within the plateau, are Zion and Bryce Canyon.
The Colorado Plateau makes up the vast majority of this area and it is home to the greatest concentration of National Parks in the country. It features geological hallmarks of massive canyons, slot canyons, hoodoos, domes, fins, reefs, towers and natural bridges.
This area is truly not just a “must” see, but an “essential” destination for any landscape photographer. Two of the most well-known parks within the plateau, are Zion and Bryce Canyon.
Zion, renamed from Mukuntuweap National Monument, which was established in 1909, was proclaimed a National Park in 1919 by congress.
Bryce followed when it received its National Park designation from congress in 1928. Both these areas were explored and settled extensively by the Mormons during the mid to late 1800s and their influences are apparent in each park, especially with the naming of many prominent geological features.
Bryce followed when it received its National Park designation from congress in 1928. Both these areas were explored and settled extensively by the Mormons during the mid to late 1800s and their influences are apparent in each park, especially with the naming of many prominent geological features.
My experience with both of these parks has a long history. In the 1980s and 90s, I lived in Flagstaff and made many visits to these areas. Though it had been over 2 decades since my last visit, I was excited to see some of my old favorites and appreciate the area from the perspective of a photographer.
I was always captivated by the geological wonders of these parks, as I hiked and backpacked throughout them, but never had my primary objective been to photograph these locations.
I was always captivated by the geological wonders of these parks, as I hiked and backpacked throughout them, but never had my primary objective been to photograph these locations.
Fall can be a fickle time in the desert. Days can be warm and sunny with nights turning chilly with clear skies. However, fronts can move through and offer up clouds to break up the bright, cobalt blue skies, but also bringing with them, much needed moisture to the parched earth of the area.
Snowstorms and snow squalls can roll through and blanket the red rocks, offering a juxtaposition of colors. The statuesque Cottonwoods turning a brilliant yellow, and the Scrub Oaks a blazing red, add additional allure to the many-hued rock formations found in these Parks. As photographers, we hoped to find these conditions, and oh my, how we did!
Over the two trips that I led, guests experienced a multitude of these shooting conditions while we visited the classic locations.
Towers of the Virgins, Court of the Patriarchs, The Watchman, Temple of Sinawava, The Narrows, and Canyon Overlook in Zion, and Sunrise and Sunset Points, Thor’s Hammer, Inspiration Point, and Bryce Point in Bryce, just to name a few.
We were able to capture some iconic scenes that were not only on guests’ trip goals but also images that were on their lifelong bucket lists to obtain. We also visited lesser-known areas, but no less beautiful in their offering up amazing imagery.
Towers of the Virgins, Court of the Patriarchs, The Watchman, Temple of Sinawava, The Narrows, and Canyon Overlook in Zion, and Sunrise and Sunset Points, Thor’s Hammer, Inspiration Point, and Bryce Point in Bryce, just to name a few.
We were able to capture some iconic scenes that were not only on guests’ trip goals but also images that were on their lifelong bucket lists to obtain. We also visited lesser-known areas, but no less beautiful in their offering up amazing imagery.
To sum up our experiences from the two weeks spent in these fabulous places, I’ll quote one of my favorite authors, who influenced me tremendously, Mr. Edward Abbey. Abbey writes this about the desert southwest in his iconoclastic book, Desert Solitaire.
“Standing there, gaping at this monstrous and inhumane spectacle of rock and cloud and sky and space, I feel a ridiculous greed and possessiveness come over me. I want to know it all, possess it all, embrace the entire scene intimately, deeply, totally...” - Edward Abbey, Desert Solitaire
And I know personally being back in these parks and the desert southwest, was truly a magical experience both photogenically speaking as well as sentimentally. Zion and Bryce offer an amazing array of experiences that lures visitors back again and again, and there is no doubt I’ll be back to capture and experience more of their magic!
“Standing there, gaping at this monstrous and inhumane spectacle of rock and cloud and sky and space, I feel a ridiculous greed and possessiveness come over me. I want to know it all, possess it all, embrace the entire scene intimately, deeply, totally...” - Edward Abbey, Desert Solitaire
And I know personally being back in these parks and the desert southwest, was truly a magical experience both photogenically speaking as well as sentimentally. Zion and Bryce offer an amazing array of experiences that lures visitors back again and again, and there is no doubt I’ll be back to capture and experience more of their magic!
We offer world-class travel photography
experiences around the world.
Each tour is bundled with lodging, meals, and transportation between workshops included, allowing you to focus on photography instead of the stress of traveling.
experiences around the world.
Each tour is bundled with lodging, meals, and transportation between workshops included, allowing you to focus on photography instead of the stress of traveling.
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"Backcountry Journeys offers guests the unique opportunity to explore our natural world from behind their own lens. We run a selection of hand-crafted Photo Tours, Workshops & Safaris connecting passionate people to exceptional experiences. Locations worldwide.
- Russ Nordstrand, Backcountry Journeys Founder & Director
- Russ Nordstrand, Backcountry Journeys Founder & Director
TRIP CATALOG
Download our Trip Catalog for detailed information on our many destinations for photography tours, workshops, and safaris.
All Images & Content are property of Backcountry Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris LLCs - Copyright 2025
BACKCOUNTRY JOURNEYS
"Backcountry Journeys offers guests the unique opportunity to explore our natural world from behind their own lens. We run a selection of hand-crafted Photo Tours, Workshops & Safaris connecting passionate people to exceptional experiences. Locations worldwide.
All Images & Content are property of Backcountry Journeys Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris LLC - Copyright 2025
TRIP CATALOG
Download our Trip Catalog for detailed information on our many destinations for photography tours, workshops, and safaris.