BRYCE CANYON NATIONAL PARK

national park in southern Utah, U.S., actually a series of natural amphitheatres rather than a canyon, below which stands an array of white and orange limestone and sandstone columns and walls sculptured by erosion. It was created in 1928, five years after part of the present area (56 sq mi [145 sq km]) had been set aside as a national monument. The geologic story of Bryce Canyon is related to that of nearby Grand Canyon and Zion national parks (qq.v.), since the stone of all three was laid down while the entire region was inundated by a shallow sea, although the sandstone and limestone beds of Bryce Canyon were formed more recently. The high rim country of the park is part forest and part grass and sage, with fir, pine, and aspen the dominant species. At lower, drier altitudes, pion pine and Utah juniper predominate. The sanctuary harbours many mammals and birds. The canyon was named for Ebenezer Bryce, an early settler in the area.