Carved by wind and water from an ancient stone plateau, Bryce Canyon National Park's vast natural amphitheaters are spiked with hoodoos; irregular rocky pillars of pink, purple, and brown. The name for these limestone spires was derived from the word "voodoo," a fitting tribute to their strange and haunting shapes.

Many visitors take to Bryce's canyon-floor trails to wander among the hoodoos at close range. But the high amphitheater rims offer their own rewards: spectacular views, easy strolls, and the chance to examine some of the hardy flora; including 1,500-year-old bristlecone pines; thriving at 9,000 feet (2,740 meters) above sea level.