Tropic is the largest of three small ranching communities that make up the Bryce Valley area located just outside Bryce Canyon National Park. This little gem of a town is set amidst some of the most scenic southern Utah landscapes imaginable—Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument, Dixie National Forest, Red Canyon, and of course Bryce Canyon, just to name a few.
Tropic is centrally located to scenic attractions such as Kodachrome Basin State Park, Grosvenor’s Arch, Bull Valley Gorge, Powell Point, Tropic Reservoir, Pine Lake, Calf Creek Falls, and Hole in the Rock. Coyote Gulch, Peekaboo, and Round Valley are just some of the nearby slot canyons waiting to be explored. Enjoy easy access to Bryce Canyon Country’s world-class scenery and unlimited outdoor adventures–hiking, canyoneering, mountain biking, horseback riding, fishing, wildlife viewing, photography and more–all centrally located to Tropic. Utah’s All American Road Scenic Byway 12, a destination in itself, leads straight to Tropic.
Tropic’s humble beginnings trace back to 1892 when 15 pioneer families came to settle the community. Now the small town of 500 residents thrives as a ranching community and friendly tourism center. As part of the new Tropic Town Heritage Center, a heritage museum is in the works to showcase the history of Tropic and the surrounding Paria River Valley. You can also visit Ebenezer Bryce’s historic cabin in Tropic, or simply stroll around the Pioneer Village, a re-creation of Tropic’s early homes.
You’ll find excellent accommodations and services in Tropic, with several eateries and about a dozen lodging options including motels, cabins, and campgrounds. The Bryce Valley Inn is one of the most popular accommodations in Tropic. Tropic also has a small visitor center, groceries, a gas station, and a post office. At around 6,000 feet in elevation, Tropic’s relatively mild climate still allows for four distinct seasons so you can enjoy it–and Bryce Canyon Country–any time of year.
