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Show I have a very intimate connection with Bryce Canyon National Park. It's one of the first national parks I ever visited. My parents took me there when I was young, and I've been hooked ever since. Bryce Canyon National Park is a truly unique place. Leading photography workshops here has brought me to the park year after year. Even after nearly a dozen visits, the magic hasn't faded. I still find myself staring, jaw dropped, as the light dances across the hoodoos. Watching the sunrise from one of the various lookouts that dot the rim of the canyon has become a sort of spiritual thing for me. During the spring, BCNP does get a little chilly. The high elevation and windy conditions make it one of the colder spring break destinations on our list. That shouldn't stop you from enjoying the out-of-this-world rock formations. The rangers at Bryce Canyon brag about how the night skies there are darker than almost anywhere in the country. If you have a thing for stargazing, then BCNP should be a no-brainer. I've never been able to see the Milky Way as bright as I have at Bryce Canyon. As far as adventure goes, Bryce Canyon mostly offers hiking, backpacking, and even some cross-country skiing during the snowier months. —Conor Barry ZION Zion National Park isn't really that far off the beaten path. In fact, it's the eighth most visited park in the country. That many people in such a small, narrow canyon gets pretty crowded. Luckily, going during the off or shoulder season means you'll have to share the park with far fewer people. Call me selfish, but when it comes to nature, I don't want to share with hundreds of tourists in buses. During the busy summer months, a free shuttle service runs throughout the day. That may seem like a pretty killer deal until you realize they only run the shuttle because the park is so crowded there's nowhere for private cars to go. You're restricted to only using the shuttle. That's right — no private vehicles are allowed in the canyon. The best part about the off season is you can take you own car up and down the canyon at your leisure. No waiting at shuttle stops in 110 degree temps. Oh, and I almost forgot to mention the weather. ZNP gets really hot in the summer — the kind of hot that makes you melt. In the winter and spring, however, the highs are right around 55-65 degrees. If you ask me, that sounds like some great weather for hiking and climbing. The only downside is it's a little chilly if you had canyoneering in mind. Zion National Park is home to some of the most truly impressive terrain in the west. Sheer canyon walls tower over the valley floor. Deep slot canyons wind their way through layers of sandstone. Waterfalls plummet hundreds of feet to the ground. It's truly an impressive sight. Hundreds of miles of hiking trails are scattered amongst the various peaks and canyons. For those looking for some serious adventure, the climbing in the park is some of the best to be had. So don't even think twice. Head to ZNP for this spring break. You won't regret it. —Conor Barry 9 |