Fortunately, if you want to explore Bryce Canyon's one-of-a-kind beauty without coughing up national park-level fees, you have a terrific alternative thanks to the extraordinary Fairyland Loop Trail.

Bryce Canyon National Park is best known for its hoodoos, but it also boasts three distinct climatic zones, dense forests, and many other natural treasures.

The nearest town, Bryce Canyon City (pop. 195), is a couple miles north of the park on Utah State Route 63—a short road linking the park to State Route 12 and other nearby towns, including ...