2010 SETS RECORD FOR VISITATION IN BRYCE CANYON NATIONAL PARK
Bryce Canyon National Park recorded its busiest year with a total of 1,782,333 visitors in 2010. This reflects an increase of 7.24% from 2009. For its relatively small size (56 square miles), Bryce Canyon receives an unusually large number of visitors. With over 50% of its visitation from abroad, people from around the world come to the park to marvel at its unique and spectacular colorful geological formations called "hoodoos."
Though visitation has been on the rise since 2001, last year's increase could be attributed to the high cost of fuel, Americans vacationing closer to home, the National Park Service's free‐fee weekends, the value of the dollar for international travelers, special events (such as the astronomy and geology festivals) in the park and greater promotion from local businesses, communities and the National Park Foundation's "Electronic Field Trip " broadcast.
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
