One of the most spectacular sites in the American Southwest is Bryce Canyon National Park, a richly colored amphitheater with its long geologic history and colorful rock formations. Located about 50 miles northeast of Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon lies within the Colorado Plateau.

Everything about the area is interesting. Archaeological finds pinpoint ancient civilizations as far back as 10,000 years, the Anasazi included. Later, the Paiute people settled the surrounding valleys and plateaus, usually because of the abundance of wildlife. And it is the wildlife that makes the park especially interesting.

Three zones for wildlife in the park based on elevation.

While most people never consider the impact, elevation plays an important role in developing ecosystems throughout the American Southwest. Much like a tiny oasis in the Great Basin or Mojave Desert can develop unique species, Bryce Canyon has developed a dramatically diverse pool of wildlife with 59 species of animals.

Not all of these species can be seen at every elevation inside the park as many remain in their specific environments. The highest and harshest area includes the overlook of the canyon with great bristlecone pine. The mid-elevations are decorated with blue spruce, Douglas fir, and ponderosa pine. And the lowest area supports pinyon pine and juniper, with aspens growing along the streams.

The most common mammal in the park is the mule deer. They are especially common in the spring and fall because they move between the elevations. The best time to see them is the early morning and near dusk when they are most likely to forage meadows and grassy areas toward the higher elevations. It's also important to look for quieter spots, away from some of the more active areas in the park.

Sometimes you might spot a pronghorn antelope, or the occasional elk and bighorn sheep. And any time there is an abundance of grazing animals, there is always the chance you will see less common animals such as mountain lions. In addition to mule deer, there's also Utah prairie dogs, chipmunks, squirrels, foxes, turkeys, and mountain short-horned lizards.

Wildlife viewing is expected to become even more popular at the park. In early April, the National Park Service found no significant impact in constructing five wildlife viewing pullouts along the main park road. Two of the viewing pullouts will be constructed in the vicinity (within 350') of colonies of Utah prairie dogs.

The National Park Service does an excellent job at tracking the various species spotted in the park. They produced a downloadable document that includes all of the animals reported to be seen within the park. Not all of the animals on the list are confirmed.

Planning a trip to Bryce Canyon from Las Vegas.

With Bryce Canyon being such a popular destination for world travelers visiting Las Vegas, some try to visit the park in one day. However, even most locals who have taken the trip will explain that it can be an extremely tiring venture on your own.

TourGuy.com offers a one-day trip to Bryce Canyon as part of a Two National Parks In One Day tour, which has been mapped out and coordinated by the best operator in the area. Even then, the tour averages 13.5 hours.

"We thoroughly enjoyed our Bryce Canyon tour from Las Vegas, with a good deal of the credit going to Julian (the tour guide)," Elaine Bergey recently wrote to us. " We would rate your company and our experience as one of the best!"

Most excursions offered through TourGuy.com include complimentary pick-up and drop-off service from Strip hotels. For reservations and other Las Vegas attractions, visit the site or call toll free 1-888-801-1575. Tours range from just under two hours to two days. Group tour arrangements are also available.