Exploring Bryce Canyon National Park

You have to blink a few times fast to make sure you are seeing what you are seeing when you visit Bryce Canyon National Park. That’s because the combination of fairy chimneys, amphitheaters, and beautiful pink and orange rock will make you feel like you’ve traveled to another planet. Bryce Canyon National Park sits on Utah Scenic Byway 12 and is part of Utah’s Mighty 5 National Parks.

Bryce Canyon National Park is a hiker’s paradise, teeming with awe-inspiring trails that offer varied landscapes and difficulty levels. The Fairyland Loop is one of our favorites, winding through the mystical Fairyland amphitheater and showcasing remarkable rock formations. Another trail worth exploring is the Mossy Cave Trail, a less strenuous route leading to a unique water-formed cave. For a captivating journey into Bryce Canyon’s heart, the Navajo Loop Trail is a must, offering dramatic views of the park’s famous hoodoos. Each trail at Bryce Canyon provides a unique experience, promising unforgettable adventures.

1. Navajo Loop Trail

The Navajo Loop Trail is a fantastic hike on its own and can be done without including the Queens Garden Trail. If you want to get down to business and go from the canyon rim to the valley floor, then the Navajo Loop Trail is among the best options in Bryce Canyon.

You can access this spectacular hike from Sunset Point, descending through the slot canyon of Wall Street down to the Bryce Amphitheater floor. As you traverse this trail, you’ll see iconic rock formations such as Thor’s Hammer and the Two Bridges. The ever-changing views of this alien landscape will continue to amaze you with each step you take.

Completing the loop, you are greeted by the expansive sight of the Bryce Amphitheater beneath you—a breathtaking spectacle. The trail is a 1.4-mile loop and is often considered a more challenging hike due to the steep climb back up.

• Trail Length: 1.5 Miles (2.4 km) Loop
• Trailhead: Sunset Campground / Sunset Point
• Difficulty Level: Moderate
• Duration: 1-2 Hours

2. Rim Trail

This trail offers some of the best landscape views of the entire park. The Rim Trail features steep climbs in sections, with an elevation gain of 1,754 feet, making it a challenge for many hikers. Despite this, the stunning scenery of the Bryce Amphitheater in the distance will inspire you to push onward.

Starting from Fairyland Point, the trail unfolds with a moderate ascent, weaving through clusters of ponderosa pines and ancient Douglas firs. Various scenic viewpoints along the trail present new perspectives of the amphitheater and the maze of red-orange hoodoos below.

The trail eventually leads towards Sunrise Point, where the full grandeur of the amphitheater reveals itself. Continuing onward, the path brings you past Inspiration Point and Bryce Point, eventually descending towards Rainbow Point—the highest point in the park.

• Trail Length: 5.5 Miles (9.16 km) – One way from Bryce Point to Fairyland Point
• Elevation: 1,754 feet
• Hiking Time: 3 to 4 hours
• Difficulty Level: Moderate
• Notes: This can be done as a round-trip hike, or you can take the shuttle to Bryce Point and hike one way.

3. Sunrise Point – Sunset Point Trail

For an easy yet picturesque hike, this one-mile trail offers stunning views of Bryce Canyon. Starting at Sunset Point, you will walk along the canyon rim, and the distance from one point to the other is just half a mile.

Along the way, you will be treated to expansive views of the canyon and the myriad of hoodoos. Timed correctly, you can begin your walk at sunrise or conclude it at sunset for a truly magical experience. This paved path is wheelchair accessible during winter months, making it popular among visitors.

• Trail Length: 0.5 Miles (0.8 km) – 1-mile return hike (1.6 km)
• Hiking Time: 30 minutes
• Trailhead: Sunset Point Parking Lot
• Difficulty Level: Easy
• Notes: This is the only pet-friendly trail in the park.

4. Tower Bridge Trail

The Tower Bridge Trail is one of the most popular hikes in Bryce Canyon, offering a variety of terrain while being relatively easy. The trailhead is located at Sunset Point, from which you will journey out to Tower Bridge.

This moderate 3-mile round trip hike reveals stunning landscapes. Named for its resemblance to the iconic structure in London, Tower Bridge consists of two towering natural formations connected by a seemingly precarious arch—testament to the forces of nature at work.

This hike involves a descent of 950 feet, with an elevation gain during the return. Hikers may encounter local wildlife, so it is recommended to wear sturdy boots for comfort.

• Trail Length: 3.0 miles
• Hiking Time: 2-3 hours
• Elevation: 802 feet
• Difficulty Level: Moderate
• Trailhead: Sunrise Point

5. Bryce Point to Sunrise Point

This trail is like a buffet of hiking experiences within Bryce Canyon National Park. Spanning 5.4 miles, it allows hikers to sample diverse landscapes. You can be dropped off at Bryce Point and hike through beautiful vistas down to Sunset Point and eventually join the Navajo Loop Trail.

As you descend into Wall Street, you will truly appreciate the grand scale of the canyon. After visiting the Queen’s Garden hoodoo, you will continue your trek until reaching Sunrise Point.

The Queen’s Garden Navajo Loop is regarded as a moderate hike, though it can become slippery in places, so those with balance concerns may want to use hiking poles for added stability.

• Trail Length: 5.4 Miles (8.7 km)
• Hiking Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
• Trailhead: Bryce Point
• Difficulty Level: Moderate

6. Queen’s Garden Trail and Navajo Combination Loop

This combination features the Queens Garden Trail and the Navajo Trail, creating a beautiful 2.9-mile loop. With a 629-foot elevation change, this loop showcases some of Bryce Canyon’s most iconic sights. You can park at the Sunset Point Parking Lot and start the hike on the Navajo Trail.

Early risers are rewarded with breathtaking sunrises illuminating the hoodoos. The views from the canyon rim include the famous Thor’s Hammer hoodoo, while the loop also takes you past the regal Queen Victoria hoodoo and the Two Bridges formation.

• Trail Length: 3 Miles (4.7 km)
• Hiking Time: 3 Hours
• Difficulty Level: Moderate
• Notes: Start at the Sunrise Trailhead and hike counter-clockwise to join the Navajo Trail Loop.

7. Mossy Cave Trail

As one of the shortest and most picturesque trails in Bryce Canyon National Park, Mossy Cave Trail covers 1 mile. Accessible from the Mossy Cave Trailhead, it follows a stream leading to a lovely grotto. The route provides options to either carry on along the stream to a waterfall or venture left into the natural grotto.

Though brief, this trail allows you to experience the hoodoos up close without descending into the park’s amphitheater.

• Trail Length: 1 Mile (1.6 km) return
• Difficulty Level: Easy
• Notes: This popular trail can get busy, so arriving early is recommended for finding parking.

8. Bryce Point to Bryce Canyon Lodge

For families with varying ages, the Bryce Point to Bryce Canyon Lodge trail provides an easy and suitable option. This 2.5-mile hike along the canyon rim descends 300 feet, offering breathtaking views of the hoodoos.

You can utilize the park shuttle to arrive at Bryce Point before walking to Bryce Canyon Lodge, passing Inspiration Point en route and enjoying spectacular scenery along the way.

• Trail Length: 2.5 Miles (4.02 km) one-way hike
• Difficulty Level: Easy
• Notes: Use the shuttle to start at Bryce Point and finish at the lodge.

9. The Bristlecone Loop

The Bristlecone Loop is a less-traveled trail at Bryce Canyon National Park, possibly due to its high elevation requiring a drive to the trailhead at Rainbow Point. However, the views from this point are nothing short of spectacular, featuring beautiful Bristlecone pines.

Reaching an elevation of 9,100 feet, this trail allows you to explore the renowned Bristlecone pine trees, which some of the oldest in the park, dating back over 1,500 years. Their unique characteristics are a delight to behold as you hike.

• Trail Length: 1 Mile (1.6 km)
• Trailhead: Rainbow Point
• Difficulty Level: Easy

10. Sheep Creek and Swamp Canyon Trail Loop

This 4.1-mile loop trail presents a moderate to challenging hike due to steep climbs at higher points. Featuring a 650-foot elevation change, the Sheep Creek Trail is 1.3 miles and leads to beautiful forest valleys.

This less-visited trail provides a unique experience with wildflowers and meadows, showcasing a different side of Bryce Canyon. Although hoodoos are limited along the trail, you will enjoy remarkable views of the Bryce Canyon Amphitheater.

• Trail Length: 4.1 Miles (7.2 km)
• Trailhead: Swamp Canyon Overlook
• Difficulty Level: Moderate

11. Fairyland Loop Trail

The Fairyland Loop Trail is an 8-mile hike that immerses you among the hoodoos. Located at Fairyland Point, you can also reach this trail from Sunrise Point if the road is closed in winter. This trail features an elevation change of over 2,000 feet.

During the hike, you will traverse between Fairy Point and Sunset Point, where shuttle access is also available. The trail can take around 5 hours, making it one of the more challenging hikes in Bryce Canyon.

• Trail Length: 8 Miles (12.6 km)
• Trailhead: Fairyland Point
• Difficulty Level: Moderate

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most popular hike in Bryce Canyon?

The Navajo Loop Trail is a top choice among hikers, providing excellent access to the iconic hoodoos and stunning natural views of the park’s amphitheaters. It combines beautiful vistas with a moderate level of difficulty, making it appealing to many visitors.

Where is the best hike to see the hoodoos in Bryce Canyon?

The Queen’s Garden Trail stands out as one of the best hikes to marvel at the breathtaking hoodoos, showcasing a variety of stunning rock formations against a colorful backdrop.

What is the hardest hike in Bryce Canyon?

The “Under the Rim Trail” is known as one of the most challenging hikes, stretching 23 miles (37 kilometers) from Rainbow Point to Bryce Point along the park’s eastern edge.

Which is better for hiking, Zion or Bryce?

If dramatic canyons, river hikes, and variety in trails excite you, Zion National Park may be the better option. Conversely, if hoodoos and unique rock formations captivate your interest, Bryce Canyon National Park is ideal. Both parks offer distinct experiences, so visiting both would enhance the enjoyment of Utah’s natural beauty.

How to Get to Bryce Canyon National Park

The nearest airport to Bryce Canyon is the Cedar City Regional Airport, with flights available from Las Vegas or Salt Lake City. For charter flights, the smaller Bryce Canyon Airport may also be utilized.

The journey to Bryce Canyon takes approximately 4 hours from both Las Vegas and Salt Lake City, with car rentals available at both locations.

Best Time to Visit Bryce Canyon

Spring is an excellent time to visit Bryce Canyon, with warming weather, melting snow, and blooming wildflowers adding vibrant colors to the scenery. Be mindful that spring can be unpredictable, so occasional rain is possible.

Fall also offers breathtaking views, as the park’s foliage transforms into stunning shades of red, orange, and gold. The trails tend to be less crowded during this season, providing a peaceful hiking experience.

Where to Stay Near Bryce Canyon

For accommodation within the park, The Lodge at Bryce Canyon is the recommended option. Alternatively, consider the following establishments outside the park:

• Best Western Plus Ruby’s Inn – The closest hotel to Bryce Canyon National Park, featuring both indoor and outdoor pools.
• Bryce View Lodge – Located just 3 miles (5.8 km) from the park, offering affordability and convenience.
• Bryce Pioneer Village – Located 4.7 miles (7 km) from the park, providing cozy cabins and hotel rooms.

How to Get Around

The most convenient way to explore Bryce Canyon is by renting a car or RV. A well-maintained road system connects major viewpoints and trailheads. Alternatively, a free shuttle service operates seasonally, providing an eco-friendly transportation option within the park.

Plan Your Next Trip to Utah With These Resources

Bryce Canyon National Park offers a myriad of incredible hiking experiences. Whether you are looking to get close to the Hoodoos or simply enjoy beautiful vistas, there is something for everyone.