Bryce Canyon City Bryce | |
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![]() Bryce Canyon City welcome sign (in early spring) | |
![]() Location in Garfield County and state of Utah. | |
Coordinates: 37°40′26″N112°09′25″W / 37.67389°N 112.15694°W | |
Country | United States |
State | Utah |
County | Garfield |
Founded | 1916 |
Incorporated | July 23, 2007 |
Founded by | Reuben C. "Ruby" Syrett |
Named for | Bryce Canyon |
Government | |
• Type | Mayor-council government |
• Mayor | Shiloh Syrett |
Area | |
• Total | 3.35 sq mi (8.67 km2) |
• Land | 3.35 sq mi (8.67 km2) |
• Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
Elevation | 7,664 ft (2,336 m) |
Population (2020) | |
• Total | 336 |
• Estimate (2019) [3] | 222 |
• Density | 66.35/sq mi (25.62/km2) |
Time zone | UTC-7 (Mountain (MST)) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC-6 (MDT) |
ZIP code | 84764 |
Area code | 435 |
GNIS feature ID | 2371469 [2] |
Website | www |
Bryce Canyon City, sometimes shown as Bryce on maps, [4] is a town in Garfield County, Utah, United States, adjacent to Bryce Canyon National Park. The town, formerly known as Ruby's Inn, was officially incorporated on July 23, 2007 under a short-lived state law. The population was 336 at the 2020 census. [5]
Bryce Canyon City is located some 20 miles (32 km) east of Panguitch, just outside the park entrance at the northwest corner of Bryce Canyon National Park, about 2.5 miles (4.0 km) north of the park's visitor center. The town lies alongside Utah State Route 63, near the park's popular Sunset Point. [6] The town limits extend north to Utah State Route 12 at the north end of Route 63.
The climate in this area has mild differences between highs and lows, and there is adequate rainfall year-round. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Bryce has a humid continental climate, abbreviated "Dfb" on climate maps. [7]
Climate data for Bryce Canyon AP, Utah, 1991–2020 normals, 1948-2020 extremes: 7586ft (2312m) | |||||||||||||
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Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Record high °F (°C) | 58 (14) | 61 (16) | 70 (21) | 77 (25) | 87 (31) | 94 (34) | 94 (34) | 94 (34) | 92 (33) | 79 (26) | 68 (20) | 61 (16) | 94 (34) |
Mean maximum °F (°C) | 47.7 (8.7) | 49.7 (9.8) | 60.3 (15.7) | 69.0 (20.6) | 78.0 (25.6) | 86.7 (30.4) | 89.7 (32.1) | 86.6 (30.3) | 82.2 (27.9) | 71.9 (22.2) | 61.1 (16.2) | 49.7 (9.8) | 90.4 (32.4) |
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 35.7 (2.1) | 37.6 (3.1) | 45.3 (7.4) | 53.9 (12.2) | 64.3 (17.9) | 76.3 (24.6) | 81.4 (27.4) | 78.6 (25.9) | 71.2 (21.8) | 59.2 (15.1) | 45.7 (7.6) | 35.1 (1.7) | 57.0 (13.9) |
Daily mean °F (°C) | 20.9 (−6.2) | 23.7 (−4.6) | 31.6 (−0.2) | 39.0 (3.9) | 47.5 (8.6) | 56.5 (13.6) | 63.3 (17.4) | 61.6 (16.4) | 53.9 (12.2) | 42.7 (5.9) | 30.5 (−0.8) | 20.4 (−6.4) | 41.0 (5.0) |
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 6.1 (−14.4) | 9.7 (−12.4) | 17.8 (−7.9) | 24.2 (−4.3) | 30.8 (−0.7) | 36.7 (2.6) | 45.2 (7.3) | 44.6 (7.0) | 36.5 (2.5) | 26.1 (−3.3) | 15.2 (−9.3) | 5.7 (−14.6) | 24.9 (−4.0) |
Mean minimum °F (°C) | −14.6 (−25.9) | −10.8 (−23.8) | −2.9 (−19.4) | 11.9 (−11.2) | 19.2 (−7.1) | 25.6 (−3.6) | 35.0 (1.7) | 35.3 (1.8) | 24.1 (−4.4) | 13.6 (−10.2) | −3.5 (−19.7) | −14.4 (−25.8) | −19.2 (−28.4) |
Record low °F (°C) | −32 (−36) | −28 (−33) | −20 (−29) | −5 (−21) | 4 (−16) | 18 (−8) | 27 (−3) | 22 (−6) | 13 (−11) | −2 (−19) | −23 (−31) | −31 (−35) | −32 (−36) |
Average precipitation inches (mm) | 0.69 (18) | 0.77 (20) | 0.85 (22) | 0.70 (18) | 0.80 (20) | 0.39 (9.9) | 1.35 (34) | 1.46 (37) | 1.66 (42) | 1.49 (38) | 0.78 (20) | 0.64 (16) | 11.58 (294.9) |
Average snowfall inches (cm) | 12.6 (32) | 12.6 (32) | 12.3 (31) | 5.8 (15) | 2.2 (5.6) | 0.1 (0.25) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.2 (0.51) | 2.3 (5.8) | 7.9 (20) | 9.9 (25) | 65.9 (167.16) |
Source 1: NOAA [8] | |||||||||||||
Source 2: XMACIS2 (records, monthly max/mins & 1949-1982 snowfall) [9] |
Climate data for Bryce Canyon City | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Record high °F (°C) | 59.0 (15.0) | 64.0 (17.8) | 66.9 (19.4) | 75.0 (23.9) | 84.9 (29.4) | 91.9 (33.3) | 98.1 (36.7) | 90.0 (32.2) | 86.0 (30.0) | 79.0 (26.1) | 68.0 (20.0) | 60.1 (15.6) | 98.1 (36.7) |
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 35.8 (2.1) | 38.3 (3.5) | 44.1 (6.7) | 52.7 (11.5) | 63.3 (17.4) | 73.8 (23.2) | 79.9 (26.6) | 76.8 (24.9) | 69.4 (20.8) | 58.3 (14.6) | 44.4 (6.9) | 36.7 (2.6) | 56.1 (13.4) |
Daily mean °F (°C) | 22.8 (−5.1) | 25.3 (−3.7) | 31.1 (−0.5) | 38.3 (3.5) | 47.5 (8.6) | 56.5 (13.6) | 63.3 (17.4) | 61.0 (16.1) | 53.2 (11.8) | 43.0 (6.1) | 31.5 (−0.3) | 23.7 (−4.6) | 41.4 (5.2) |
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 9.9 (−12.3) | 12.6 (−10.8) | 18.0 (−7.8) | 24.1 (−4.4) | 31.6 (−0.2) | 39.4 (4.1) | 46.9 (8.3) | 45.1 (7.3) | 37.0 (2.8) | 27.7 (−2.4) | 18.3 (−7.6) | 11.1 (−11.6) | 26.8 (−2.9) |
Record low °F (°C) | −26.0 (−32.2) | −26.0 (−32.2) | −11.0 (−23.9) | −2.9 (−19.4) | 12.9 (−10.6) | 21.0 (−6.1) | 28.0 (−2.2) | 23.0 (−5.0) | 16.0 (−8.9) | 0.0 (−17.8) | −16.1 (−26.7) | −23.1 (−30.6) | −26.0 (−32.2) |
Average precipitation inches (mm) | 1.5 (38) | 1.5 (39) | 1.4 (36) | 0.9 (23) | 0.9 (23) | 0.6 (14) | 1.4 (35) | 2.1 (53) | 1.6 (41) | 1.5 (38) | 1.1 (28) | 1.1 (29) | 15.6 (397) |
Average snowfall inches (cm) | 17.6 (44.7) | 17.6 (44.7) | 15.9 (40.4) | 7.4 (18.8) | 1.7 (4.3) | 0.1 (0.2) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.1 (0.2) | 2.5 (6.3) | 9.9 (25.1) | 15.0 (38.1) | 87.8 (222.8) |
Average extreme snow depth inches (cm) | 12 (30) | 16 (40) | 11 (27) | 2.8 (7) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 2.0 (5) | 5.9 (15) | 16 (40) |
Average precipitation days | 6 | 6 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 8 | 10 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 73 |
Mean daily daylight hours | 10.4 | 11.3 | 12.4 | 13.7 | 14.7 | 15.2 | 15 | 14 | 12.8 | 11.6 | 10.6 | 10.1 | 12.6 |
Source: Weatherbase [7] |
Reuben C. "Ruby" Syrett built a lodge and cabins at this location in 1916, when the promotion of Bryce Canyon for tourism was just beginning. Syrett's business grew along with the park's popularity, particularly once it was made a national park in 1928. Ruby's Inn became an important junction; its travelers' services developed into a small community. [6] Syrett donated land to the state for construction of a road (now Utah State Route 63), strategically placing Ruby's Inn right at the entrance to the park. [10]
In 2007, the Utah State Legislature unanimously passed H.B. 466, a bill that amended the state law on petitions to incorporate a town. The new provisions allowed a petition for a new town with 100–999 residents to be filed with just the signatures of the owners of a majority of the land area, [11] even a single majority landowner. [12] If the petition met the conditions of state law and its signers owned the majority of the land by value, the new law required the county government to grant the petition and appoint a mayor and town council from a list of individuals approved by the petitioners. [11]
The Syrett family, owners of Ruby's Inn, had been seeking municipal incorporation for some time, hoping to qualify for a portion of county sales tax revenue to help fund the water system and other community infrastructure. They jumped at the opportunity to incorporate under the new law, filing a new petition soon after its passage. Garfield County officials had repeatedly denied the request for a new town, unwilling to give up some 10 percent of the county budget. County officials discovered, however, that they no longer had any option under the provisions of H.B. 466; the petition was in order, and they were required to grant it. [13] On July 23, 2007, Bryce Canyon City became the first town incorporated under the amended law. In fact, it was the only one before the legislature amended the law again in early 2008. Three other Utah towns that already had petitions pending, Hideout, Independence, and Powder Mountain, were grandfathered in. However, under the 2008 law there must be at least five petition sponsors, who were not allowed themselves to own more than 40 percent of the land. The new law also granted the county government more authority in the process, and required the town government to be elected. [14]
Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
---|---|---|---|
2010 | 198 | — | |
2019 (est.) | 222 | [3] | 12.1% |
U.S. Decennial Census [15] |
Bryce Canyon City is one of the few population centers in a sparsely populated, rural area. At incorporation, the officially estimated population was 138. [13] A majority of the residents are members of the Syrett family, and nearly all of the adults are employees of Ruby's Inn. The year-round population is only a fraction of the people who occupy the town at the peak of tourist season, when employment swells to 600, and the number of visitors is in the thousands, more than the total population of Garfield County. [10]
As of the census [16] of 2010, there were 198 people living in the town. There were 118 housing units. The racial makeup of the town was 62.6% White, 0.5% Black or African American, 4.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 18.7% Asian, 12.6% from some other race, and 1.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 24.2% of the population.
Bryce Canyon City is a company town, consisting solely of the property of Ruby's Inn and the Syrett family, its third-generation owners. Rod Syrett, the company's board president, was chosen as the first mayor. [10]
Bryce Canyon National Park is an American national park located in southwestern Utah. The major feature of the park is Bryce Canyon, which despite its name, is not a canyon, but a collection of giant natural amphitheaters along the eastern side of the Paunsaugunt Plateau. Bryce is distinctive due to geological structures called hoodoos, formed by frost weathering and stream erosion of the river and lake bed sedimentary rock. The red, orange, and white colors of the rocks provide spectacular views for park visitors. Bryce Canyon National Park is much smaller and sits at a much higher elevation than nearby Zion National Park. The rim at Bryce varies from 8,000 to 9,000 feet.
Garfield County is a county in south central Utah, United States. As of the 2020 United States Census the population was 5,083, making it the fifth-least populous county in Utah; with about one inhabitant per square mile, it is also the least densely populated county in Utah. Its county seat and largest city is Panguitch.
Grand County is a county on the east central edge of the U.S. state of Utah, United States. As of the 2020 United States Census, the population was 9,669. Its county seat and largest city is Moab.
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Salt Lake County is located in the U.S. state of Utah. As of the 2020 United States census, the population was 1,185,238, making it the most populous county in Utah. Its county seat and largest city is Salt Lake City, the state capital. The county was created in 1850. Salt Lake County is the 37th most populated county in the United States and is one of four counties in the Rocky Mountains to make it into the top 100. Salt Lake County has been the only county of the first class in Utah – under the Utah Code is a county with a population of 700,000 or greater. Although, Utah County directly to the south has recently reached this threshold.
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Cannonville is a town in Garfield County, Utah, United States, along Utah Scenic Byway 12. As of the 2020 census, the population was 186.
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Panguitch is a city in and the county seat of Garfield County, Utah, United States. The population was 1,725 at the 2020 census. The name Panguitch comes from a Southern Paiute word meaning “Big Fish,” likely named after the plentiful nearby lakes hosting rainbow trout year-round.
Eagle Mountain is a city in Utah County, Utah. It is part of the Provo–Orem metropolitan area. The city is located to the west as well as north of the Lake Mountains, which are west of Utah Lake. It was incorporated on 3 December 1996 and is rapidly growing. The population was 43,623 at the 2020 census. Although Eagle Mountain was a town in 2000, it has since been classified as a third-class city by state law on Sept. 4th 2001. In its short history, the city has become known for its rapid growth.
Uintah is a city in Weber County, Utah, United States. The population was 1,322 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Ogden–Clearfield, Utah Metropolitan Statistical Area. Although Uintah was a town in 2000, it has since been classified as a fifth-class city by state law.
State Route 12 or Scenic Byway 12 (SR-12), also known as "Highway 12 — A Journey Through Time Scenic Byway", is a 123-mile-long (198 km) state highway designated an All-American Road located in Garfield County and Wayne County, Utah, United States.
State Route 20 (SR-20) is a state highway in southern Utah, running 20.492 miles (32.979 km) in Iron and Garfield Counties, without directly serving or connecting any cities. It serves as a truck connection between I-15 and US-89 and an access to Bryce Canyon National Park. It may also be used to travel between Salt Lake City and Phoenix, Arizona. The highway follows the route of the Old Spanish Trail.
U.S. Route 89 in the U.S. state of Utah is a north-south United States Highway spanning more than 502 miles (807.891 km) through the central part of the state, making it the longest road in Utah. Between Provo and Brigham City, US-89 serves as a local road, paralleling Interstate 15, but the portions from Arizona north to Provo and Brigham City northeast to Wyoming serve separate corridors. The former provides access to several national parks and Arizona, and the latter connects I-15 with Logan, the state's only Metropolitan Statistical Area not on the Interstate.
Widtsoe is a ghost town in Garfield County, Utah, United States. Located in John's Valley northeast of Bryce Canyon and along the Sevier River at the mouth of Sweetwater Creek, the town existed from about 1908 to 1936.
Lund Highway is a road connecting Cedar City to the ghost town of Lund in Iron County, Utah. Although it is classified as a minor collector, it was once an important connection between the Union Pacific Railroad at Lund and the national parks of southern Utah and northern Arizona.
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The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to Utah:
Hideout is a town in the northwestern corner of Wasatch County, Utah, United States, in the northern part of the state. Lying just to the north and east of Jordanelle Reservoir along Utah State Route 248 (SR-248), the town was incorporated in 2008 under short-lived state law. The population was 656 at the 2010 census.
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