Bryce Canyon National Park is a stunning landscape for hikers, with its dramatic scenery and glowing orange and gold hoodoos. From Sunrise or Sunset Points, visitors can take in the stunning view of the canyon and the winding trails that run through it. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or looking for an easy stroll, Bryce Canyon is sure to impress with its magnificent views and awe-inspiring landscapes.
Exploring a fairy-land forest of towering hoodoos is a magical experience. The hard-packed paths on the tops of ridges wind their way through the landscape and provide a unique view of the area. Surrounded by huge and impressive stone formation, the occasional pine tree appears as a mere speck in comparison. It’s a sight to behold, and a great way to appreciate the beauty of nature.
For hikers of all levels, Bryce Canyon offers a variety of trails that provide breathtaking views. From easy paved paths to strenuous half-day trails, there is something for everyone. The easy hikes offer a leisurely stroll around the rim of the canyon, while the moderate trails take you along the canyon’s floor and provide a closer look at its many wonders. The toughest hikes will get your heart racing as you ascend to the canyon’s highest points, but the views and the feeling of accomplishment are well worth the effort.
1.The Combined route of Queen’s
The Queen’s Garden/Navajo Loop is an amazing hike that is the most popular in Bryce Canyon National Park. It takes hikers through the most spectacular section of the park, giving them a breathtaking view from the rim as they descend along ridges into the canyon. Along the way, you’ll be surrounded by the gorgeous red rock hoodoos that make Bryce Canyon so unique. It’s no wonder why this is the most popular hike in the park – it’s a must-do for any nature lover.
This hike is a great way to explore the park and get a taste of the natural beauty it has to offer. At 2.9 miles, the hike is of an ideal length to not be too overwhelming, and the 600 feet elevation gain is a good challenge without being too strenuous. It’s perfect for anyone in reasonable shape looking for a fun and exciting adventure, allowing them to discover the park and all it has to offer.
Hiking around Bryce Canyon is an amazing experience with stunning views at every turn. The best way to do this hike is to start at either Sunrise or Sunset Point and go in a clockwise direction. On the Queen’s Garden trail, you will have incredible views of the canyon walls and various hoodoos as you make your way down. There is also an optional detour to the Queen’s Garden where you will find a hoodoo that resembles Queen Victoria. This hike is a must-do for anyone who is visiting Bryce Canyon National Park.
The trail soon meets up with Navajo Loop, and then gradually ascends up the canyon. On the last section of Navajo Loop, two trails lead up to Sunset Point; the most popular being Wall Street, and the second option being Two Bridges. These trails eventually meet up to a series of switchbacks, which cover a considerable amount of elevation over a short distance. This is the most strenuous part of the hike, but once you reach the top, the reward of the view of the canyon is worth the effort.
2.From Sunset Point to Sunrise Point
If you are looking for a quick and easy walk that offers breathtaking views, then the Rim Trail at Bryce Canyon National Park is the perfect choice. The paved walking trail runs along the top of the canyon and offers up a stunning view of the Bryce Canyon Amphitheater and the surrounding Utah scenery. This walk is a must-do if you are short on time and want to take in some of the most impressive views in the area.
The burnt orange and cream banded hoodoos in the canyon are a sight to behold. Rising up from the floor and walls, they provide a unique and magnificent view. The rolling hills in the background stretch out and eventually give way to distant mountains, and if the day is clear, you can even see all the way to Navajo Mountain, 80 miles away. It’s a stunning sight that people come from all over to experience.
Standing on the rim of the canyon, the view from this trail is breathtaking. To the left, you can see sections of the Queen’s Garden trail winding its way along the ridges. To the right, the switchbacks of the Navajo Loop Trail are visible. This trail offers plenty of photo opportunities, and with it being only a half-mile walk (one mile return trip), it makes for an easy and enjoyable hike.
3. Fairyland
The Fairyland Loop is a great choice for those looking for a longer hike. This path takes you on a scenic journey through hoodoos, along ridges and other unique formations. You’ll get close-up looks at the strange formations, while taking in the amazing views along the way. Whether you’re seeking a longer hike or just want to experience the beauty of the region, the Fairyland Loop is the perfect choice.
The Bryce Canyon Trail is a stunningly beautiful hike that takes you through some of the most incredible sights in the canyon. In some sections, the trail feels like a canopy walk through a forest of hoodoos, putting you at eye level with balancing rocks on the tops of spires. The colors of the rock formations are particularly vibrant along this trail, with oranges, golds, creams, and pinks all featured prominently. With each step, you’ll be mesmerized by the beauty of this unique landscape.
Fairyland is an eight-mile trek that is considered strenuous by the park due to its length and elevation gain of approximately 2,300 feet. Although it isn’t technically challenging, the distance and elevation make it a difficult hike that isn’t suitable for inexperienced hikers. Those looking for a more challenging hike should definitely attempt Fairyland, but should be sure to be prepared with the proper supplies and safety measures before heading out.
If you are planning to camp at Bryce’s North Campground and take a hike, you’re in luck! You can start the hike right from the campground. If camping isn’t your style, you can start the hike from either Fairyland Point or Sunrise Point. Starting from Sunrise Point will add some extra distance to your hike, but it is still a great option.
4. Take a look at the park
The Peekaboo Loop Trail in Bryce Canyon National Park is a great option for those looking to explore the park without the crowds of the Queen’s Garden and Navajo Trails. The 5.5-mile loop takes hikers through the depths of the Bryce Canyon Amphitheater, with its awe-inspiring hoodoos, and a steep descent. Along the way, you’ll find plenty of opportunities to take in the stunning views and take a break. This trail is a great way to explore the canyon without the hustle and bustle of the more popular trails.
The Peek-A-Boo Loop is a stunningly beautiful hike in Bryce Canyon National Park. One of its most popular attractions is the Wall of Windows, an impressive arrangement of arches and cracks in the upper portions of connecting hoodoos that frame the bright blue sky behind. It is a short but challenging hike, with over 1,500 feet of elevation gain over a relatively short distance. Despite the difficulty, it is well worth the effort to experience the stunning beauty of the Wall of Windows and the other amazing scenery along the Peek-A-Boo Loop.
The Figure 8 Combination Trail is a great way to experience the best of Bryce Canyon National Park. Combining the Queen’s Garden/Navajo Loop with the Peek-A-Boo Loop, the trail will give you a 6.4-mile double loop that will let you experience the beauty of the amphitheater up close. Highly recommended for any outdoor enthusiast, the Figure 8 Combination Trail is a great way to experience the wonders of Bryce Canyon National Park.
5. Garden of Queen
Queen’s Garden is an ideal trail for those looking for stunning views without committing to an entire day of hiking. At only 1.8 miles long, it is an easy, out-and-back trail that still manages to provide a variety of different vistas. It is the perfect length for anyone short on time, but still offers the same beauty and diversity as the Queen’s Garden/Navajo Loop Combination Trail. With its unique views in each direction, it feels like a loop trail in half the time.
The breathtaking hike from Sunrise Point down into the canyon is a truly unique experience. The journey descends from the high point along mud and limestone ridges, with colorful hoodoos rising up all around. The ridges are dotted with pine trees, providing a pleasant contrast to the dusty desert landscape. As you make your way down, the views become ever more incredible, and the fresh air is invigorating. It’s an unforgettable experience that will stay with you for a long time.
The trail is a must-see, with stunning views and plenty of photo opportunities along the way. As you meander along, you pass through a few man-made arches, making for a unique experience. At the end of the path is the Queen’s Garden, an idyllic spot with dense pines providing comfortable shade. If you look up, you can spot a hoodoo resembling Queen Victoria sitting on her throne. When you’re done, simply retrace your steps back to the parking area.
6. Navajo Trail
Navajo Trail is a popular hike in Bryce Canyon National Park and offers hikers a similar experience to that of the Queen’s Garden. As you traverse the trail, you will find yourself surrounded by the park’s unique hoodoos, rising up in a variety of colors. The main difference between the two hikes is that Navajo Trail is much steeper in grade and has a greater elevation gain, making it more of an adventure. As you make your way down into the amphitheater, you will be rewarded with spectacular views of the park from Sunset Point.
This moderate 1.3-mile hike at Sunset Point is the perfect challenge for all levels of hikers. With 550 feet of elevation gain over an extensive series of heart-pumping switchbacks, the trail will provide a great workout. Although the park rates this hike as moderate, you can take your time and make it an easy trail. This trail is the perfect way to get some exercise with beautiful views.
7. Take a journey to explore
An uncommon sight in this area of Utah, the bristlecone pine tree is an ancient species of tree, some of which are over 1,800 years old. Take a hike on this trail to get a glimpse of these incredible trees, along with other species of wildlife, as well as breathtaking views of the canyon. Along the way, you’ll traverse a forest of blue spruce, Douglas fir, and white fir. Keep your eyes peeled for birds and other wildlife that may be in the area. It’s sure to be an unforgettable experience.
The Bristlecone Pines hike is a great way to experience the incredible beauty of Great Basin National Park. The hike begins at Rainbow Point, located at the south end of the scenic drive through the park, which is the highest area in the park, with an elevation of 9,100 feet. Fortunately, the one-mile loop trail only has an elevation gain of less than 200 feet, making it a relatively easy hike. The views of the surrounding landscape are stunning, and visitors should be sure to bring a camera to capture the beauty.
8. Tower Bridge
The Tower Bridge Hike is the perfect choice for those who don’t have the time or energy to complete the full Fairyland Loop Trail. This shorter trail still takes hikers through some of the most beautiful parts of the Fairyland trail, before branching off to the impressive Tower Bridge. This stone structure is a sight to behold and is definitely worth the effort it takes to reach it. Whether you’re looking for a short and sweet hike or a more challenging one, the Tower Bridge Hike offers something for everyone.
The three-mile hike through hoodoos and past the Chinese Wall offers a beautiful view of the bristlecone pines. These ancient trees can be seen along the entire trail, providing a stunning backdrop to the colorful stone wall. The Chinese Wall, in particular, is an amazing sight, with its vibrant colors and impressive formation that makes it an unmissable attraction along the hike. Visitors can take in the breathtaking beauty of the bristlecone pines while they explore the hoodoos and the Chinese Wall.
9. Mossy
Hiking to the Cave is a great way to spend a day outdoors. As the name suggests, the trail leads to a cave, more like a moist overhanging shelf, that provides a great view of the surrounding landscape. The real beauty of this easy trail is the waterfall and river that runs through the area at the base of the hoodoo-covered hills. The view of the river cutting through the landscape is truly breathtaking and a great way to appreciate the beauty of nature.
The trail winds along the river, crossing a bridge before beginning the ascent up to the mossy cave. Along the way, the trail will split, offering hikers the choice of either continuing to the cave or heading right to an overlook with beautiful views of the falls and river below. The right path will offer a great opportunity to take in the natural beauty of the area and snap some photos. No matter which way you go, you’re guaranteed to have an unforgettable experience.
Mossy Cave is an ideal destination if you are on your way to Capitol Reef National Park. It is located just outside of the park gates along highway 12, towards the town of Tropic, making it a convenient and brief stop. The out-and-back hike is just under one mile, with an elevation gain of 300 feet. It is great for those looking for a quick and easy hike with beautiful views. Mossy Cave is a must-see when visiting Capitol Reef National Park!
10. Hat Shop
The Hat Shop trail is one of the most unique and rewarding hikes in the park. Named for the white rocks perched atop the hoodoos along the hike, it’s a great choice for experienced hikers looking for an uncrowded trail and a challenging physical workout. With a variety of terrain and stunning views, the Hat Shop trail provides a rewarding experience for any outdoor enthusiast.
The trail down into the canyon is steep and winds its way through the hoodoo formations. Once you reach the bottom, take a moment to turn around and look up to where the trail begins again. The view of the Paria River Valley and the Kaiparowits Plateau is breathtaking and changes in each direction. Make sure to take time to pause and catch your breath while admiring the view. This is a journey worth taking and enjoying the beauty of nature.
11. Sheep Creek
For a change of scenery and a bit of peace and quiet, the Sheep Creek/Swamp Canyon hike in Bryce Canyon National Park is the perfect choice. This lesser-visited area of the park offers a tranquil atmosphere, with gentle running water and breathtaking views of the canyons and hoodoos. It’s an ideal spot for a peaceful escape, or a chance to explore an area of the park that few visitors ever see. With its peaceful atmosphere and picturesque landscape, the Sheep Creek/Swamp Canyon hike is an ideal way to get away from it all and experience the beauty of Bryce Canyon.
Sheep Creek/Swamp Canyon is one of the best hikes to do in the spring. It’s located in a beautiful area that bursts into color with wildflowers, making it a truly spectacular sight. While hiking, it’s important to be aware of the bees and wasps that are busy doing their pollinating work. This is also a great time to spot wildlife, particularly deer, which are the most commonly seen animals in the area. An outdoor adventure in Sheep Creek/Swamp Canyon in the springtime is sure to be a memorable experience.