Wheeling through the Years

Before Bryce Canyon became a national park, the Union Pacific Railroad conceived the Grand Circle of parks, encompassing Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon, Cedar Breaks, and the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. To complete this circle, roads and railroad tracks needed to be built. After World War II, automobile travel rebounded, and the nation’s love affair with the automobile eclipsed Union Pacific’s vision. Railway traffic dwindled to nothing while road traffic to Bryce Canyon grew remarkably, and visitation continues to increase. Traffic, along with the problems that accompany it, has grown as well, leading Bryce to implement its shuttle system so future generations may celebrate Bryce Canyon’s delicate beauty without risking its long-term preservation.

Tropic, Utah · United States