Bryce Canyon Country - Tropic

Click here for Tropic lodging or dining information.

Tropic is located along Scenic Highway 12, just 11 miles from the east entrance to Bryce Canyon National Park. Settled in 1891 by pioneers from nearby Panguitch, Tropic was named to reflect its hot summer climate. Despite its name, this tenacious community survived a severe blizzard that dumped three feet of snow on the farmlands in May of 1900. Harsh winters followed by drought and overgrazing led President Roosevelt to create reserves to protect local forests and watersheds. Today Tropic is a thriving ranching community with a population of about 500, and serves as an excellent home base for exploring beautiful Bryce Canyon Country. Tropic, Cannonville and Henrieville join via Scenic Highway 12 to make up colorful Bryce Valley. From the dazzling sunrises that wash over the striking hoodoos in Bryce Canyon to the vibrant sunset that turns Powell Point and the Escalante Mountains brilliant shades of pink and orange, there's no place like Bryce Valley.

Area Attractions
Bordering Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument and Dixie National Forest, Tropic and Bryce Valley have unlimited sightseeing and outdoor recreational opportunities. Check locally for information and conditions. Things to do in and around Tropic include:

Hike Bryce Canyon National Park. The Tropic Trail and the Mossy Cave Trail start near Tropic.

Photograph Kodachrome Basin State Park, located just nine miles south of Cannonville. Hike, mountain bike, camp, take a stagecoach ride or a trail ride.

Drive a section of Scenic Highway 12, Utah's first All-American Road. Scenic Byway 12 links Tropic with Cannonville and Henrieville and leads to extraordinary scenery.

Explore the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. Visit Grosvenor Arch and drive the unpaved Cottonwood Canyon Road. Mountain bike or ATV ride along the dirt roads. Hike Willis Creek, Round Valley Draw or the Bull Valley Gorge.

Stop at Ebenezer Bryce's historic cabin in Tropic.

Mountain bike to Powell Point in the Dixie National Forest.

Explore the trails of Red Canyon, just 8 miles from Tropic.

Go fishing at Tropic Reservoir, 15 miles west of Tropic.

Discover dinosaur bones and mineralized wood relics at Escalante Petrified Forest State Park.

Fish for trout at Pine Lake. Ride your ATV or mountain bike along the dirt roads and trails.

Watch the Escalante Mountains and Bryce Canyon come alive with color at sunrise and sunset.

Stroll around the Pioneer Village, an authentic re-creation of Tropic's early residents.

Notice the historic buildings in Henrieville, including the 1881 one-room schoolhouse.

Dig for fossils in the famous Tropic Shale.

Shop local gift shops.

Attend the annual Deer Hunters Ball or 'Art-Out' events held in October.

Stop at the area's old cemeteries for interesting history.

Lodging and Dining:
You'll find excellent year-round services in Tropic, including lodging, restaurants, gasoline, groceries and sundries, laundry, a post office, churches and a visitor center. Lodging accommodations include about a dozen motels, bed and breakfasts, inns, cabins and campgrounds. Eateries include Clark's Restaurant on the grounds of the Bryce Valley Inn and The Pizza Place, open year-round.

The Bryce Valley area provides unlimited recreation and sightseeing. Bryce Valley is one place on Earth where you can enjoy the sunrise by looking west at Bryce Canyon, and watch the colorful sunset to the east as it turns Powell Point and the Escalante Mountains shades of pinks and oranges. You'll find excellent services and accommodations throughout the year at Bryce Valley and Tropic.

Click here to connect to the Tropic community website.

Click on the map or here to view the map in a larger version.


Check the Photo Page for more photography of Tropic.

Ask a Question: Need a question answered. Feel free to email us at travgar@color-country.net or call us at 800-444-6689 and we will try assist you.

Select Other Destinations

Utah National Parks / Areas

Bryce Canyon N.P.   Capitol Reef N.P. Grand Staircase Escalante Lake Powell National Forest

Utah State Parks / Scenic Drives

Anasazi State Museum   Kodachrome Basin Petrified Forest Scenic Backways Scenic Drives