Hiking

Trail Closures

Always check Current Conditions for any alerts or trail closures.

 

 

Hiker enjoys a descent along the Queen's Garden Trail

NPS Photo

Hiking at Bryce Canyon

Bryce Canyon offers several day-hiking trails. Because many of these are interconnected, our most popular hikes are combinations of two or more of these basic trails. Most day hikes and their trailheads are found in the Bryce Amphitheater area.

Which trail is right for you? All trails offer a unique view of the beauty of this park, but the park's high elevation means that length and elevation change should be the first variables you consider when choosing a hike.

 

Know Before You Go

• Pets are only allowed on paved trails and viewpoints, roads, campsites, and picnic areas. The 0.5 mi (0.8 km) section of Rim Trail between Sunset and Sunrise Points and the Shared-Use Bike Path are the only paved trails within this park. Pets must be leashed at all times and you are required to clean up after your pet. Dog owners looking for hoodoos and dog-friendly trails should consider visiting nearby Red Canyon, which is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.
• Emotional Support Animals must follow the same regulations as pets. Only Service Animals recognized by the ADA are permitted to accompany hikers off pavement.
• Stay on maintained trails and do not climb hoodoos. Do not use "social" trails. These social trails contribute to plant death, aggressive erosion, and visitor/wildlife confrontations including those with rattlesnakes.
• Bicycles are only permitted on paved surfaces.
• Wear hiking boots with good "lug" traction and ankle support. Along with altitude-related illnesses, ankle injuries are the park's number one injury.
• Carry plenty of water; 1 quart (liter) per 2-3 hours of hiking for each person
• Park elevations reach over 9,000 feet (2774 meters). Even mild exertion may leave you feeling light-headed and nauseated. Remember, most hikes here begin with a descent and end with a climb. Leave yourself enough energy for your return trip.
• Be respectful of others; keep noise levels down.
• Do not feed wildlife.
• Lightning is a year-round danger – especially during summer storms! If you can hear thunder, lightning is within 10 miles (16 km) and you need to seek the shelter of a building or your vehicle immediately.
• In winter, Crampons and ski poles are advised for extra grip and support.
• Remember, ultimately, you are responsible for your own safety.
• Leave No Trace principles are always a best practice.

 

Easy Hikes

TRAIL NAME	DISTANCE	ELEV CHANGE	DESCRIPTION
Sunset to Sunrise Sunset Point	1.0 mi 1.6 km 1 hr	34 ft/ 10 m	Paved portion of Rim Trail; easiest hike with views of the scenic Bryce Amphitheater. Pets are allowed on this easy walk.
Rim Trail Walk the rim of the scenic Bryce Amphitheater (not a loop)	1.0-11.0 mi 1.6-17.7km 1-7.5 hrs	1177 ft/ 359 m	View the hoodoos from above. Trail paved between Sunrise and Sunset Points.
Bristlecone Loop Rainbow Point or Yovimpa Point	1.0 mi 1.6 km 1 hr	200 ft/ 61 m	Hike through spruce-fir forests with bristlecone pines and expansive vistas.
Mossy Cave North end of park, 4 mi East on Hwy 12	0.8 mi 1.3 km 1 hr	200 ft/ 61 m	Streamside walk up to a mossy grotto that fills with spectacular icicles in winter, and dripping mosses in summer. Note: This small trail has become extremely crowded; visitation is not recommended between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Vehicles parking outside of the provided parking lot are subject to being ticketed or towed.

 

Moderate Hikes

TRAIL NAME	DISTANCE	ELEV CHANGE	DESCRIPTION
Queen’s Garden Sunrise Point (not a loop)	1.8 mi 2.9 km 1-2 hrs	357 ft/ 109 m	The least difficult trail that descends into the canyon. See Queen Victoria at the end of a short spur trail.
Navajo Loop Sunset Point *Not a loop in winter	1.3 mi 2.2 km 1-2 hrs	550 ft/ 168 m	See Thor’s Hammer, Two Bridges, and the bottom of Wall Street on this short but steep trail.
Queen’s/Navajo Combination Loop Sunset / Sunrise Point Most Popular Trail!	2.9 mi 4.6 km 2-3 hrs	600 ft/ 183 m	Combine Queen’s Garden & Navajo Loop to form a 2.9-mile loop. Clockwise direction recommended; use Two Bridges in winter.
Tower Bridge North of Sunrise Point (Portion of the Fairyland Loop)	3.0 mi 4.8 km 2-3 hrs	802 ft/ 245 m	See Bristlecone pines and the Chinese Wall. A shady 1/4-mile spur trail leads to the bridge.
Sheep Creek/ Swamp Canyon Swamp Canyon	4.0 mi 6.4 km 3-4 hrs	647 ft/ 198 m	A beautiful hike through a section of the park’s quiet backcountry.

 

Strenuous Hikes

TRAIL NAME	DISTANCE	ELEV CHANGE	DESCRIPTION
Hat Shop Bryce Point (not a loop)	4.0 mi 6.4 km 3-4 hrs	1075 ft/ 328 m	Descend the Under-the-Rim Trail to see a cluster of balanced-rock hoodoos.
Fairyland Loop Fairyland Point or north of Sunrise Point	8.0 mi 12.9 km 4-5 hrs	1716 ft/ 523 m	See the Chinese Wall, Tower Bridge, and tall hoodoos on a picturesque, less crowded trail.
Peekaboo Loop Bryce Point	5.5 mi 8.8 km 3-4 hrs	1571 ft/ 479 m	Steep, spectacular hike through the heart of the park. See the Wall of Windows. Clockwise direction required.
Navajo / Peekaboo Combination Loop Sunset Point	4.9 mi 7.8 km 3-4 hrs	1581 ft/ 482 m	Combine Navajo and Peekaboo Loop Trails into a mini figure-8. Clockwise direction required on Peekaboo Loop.
The Figure 8 Combination Sunrise / Sunset Point	6.4 mi 10.2 km 4-5 hrs	1631 ft/ 497 m	Combine Queen’s Garden, Peekaboo Loop, and Navajo Loop into one ultimate hike! Clockwise direction required on Peekaboo Loop.
Bryce Amphitheater Traverse Bryce Point	4.7 mi 7.5 km 3-4 hrs	1010 ft/ 308 m	Descend From Bryce Point. turn left (clockwise) on Peekaboo Loop, connect to Queen’s Garden and Ascend to Sunrise Point. Use shuttle or 3.2 mi Rim return.

 

 

Backcountry hiking provides forested hiking with distant views of the park's Pink Cliffs

NPS/Peter Densmore

Backcountry Hiking

Looking to hike among the hoodoos? The frontcountry day hikes above are just for you. Backcountry hiking in Bryce Canyon provides a more forested and remote experience, with distant views of the park's Pink Cliffs.
The Under-the-Rim Trail extends 23 miles from Bryce Point to Rainbow Point and has eight backcountry campsites. The Riggs Spring Loop Trail (8.8 miles round trip) from Yovimpa Point has four backcountry sites. Both trails drop below the rim of the plateau and lead through forested areas. Day hiking requires no permit. A backcountry permit is required for all overnight camping. Permits are available at the Visitor Center. More information can be found at our Backcountry Information page.

Permits must be obtained in-person and are issued at the park Visitor Center. No phone or e-mail reservations will be accepted. In-person reservations may be made up to 48 hours in advance. Park staff reserves the right to refuse permits to parties that fail to demonstrate the necessary preparedness that Bryce Canyon's high and dry backcountry demands.

Bryce Canyon's backcountry is a primitive area managed according to regulations that protect its wilderness values.