Day Hikes

The Queen's Garden provides an opportunity to descend among the hoodoos of the Bryce Amphitheater

NPS Photo / Peter Densmore

Visit our Hiking Page for more details on the hikes below.

This is a High Elevation Park

With most of the park at 8,000 feet (2,438 m) or above, elevation is a very real factor to consider when choosing your hike. At this elevation, there's about 70% of the oxygen available at sea-level, and you'll certainly feel it if you begin to hike. When you're choosing a hike, do yourself a huge favor and don't choose something at the edge of your abilities. Take it easy, and rest assured that even short hikes have as much beauty to offer as the longest ones. Elevation-related injuries, such as heart issues, are among the park's most common medical emergencies.

UV radiation is also a lot stronger at this elevation. Make sure you cover up, wear sunscreen, or take other precautions to protect your skin and eyes.

Lastly, storms can form quickly here. If thunder roars, go indoors! Lightning--especially during the summer monsoon season--is a deadly threat. Take shelter in your vehicle, a building, a shuttle bus, or if you're on a trail find a low lying depression. Both trees and hoodoos can conduct lightning down to you.

Water and Footwear

With less oxygen available in each breath, you're going to be breathing harder, which means that you're going to dehydrate more quickly. We recommend a liter of water for every 1-2 hours you plan to hike. There is no water available once you're on a trail (backcountry hikes pass seasonal springs and drainages, but even these are rarely reliable), so make sure you pack all that you need. 

Our number one cause of injuries in the park? Bad footwear. Trails have a lot of small, loose rock on their otherwise flat surfaces making slipping and twisting an ankle all too easy. Footwear with a good tread and ankle support is highly recommended. In winter, ice creates even more hazardous conditions. We strongly recommend the use of footwear traction devices when ice is present.

Easy Hikes

Mossy Cave: 0.8 mi (1.3 km)
Sunset to Sunrise (along Rim Trail): 1.0 mi (1.6 km)
Bristlecone Loop: 1.0 mi (1.6 km)

Moderate Hikes

Queen's Garden: 1.8 mi (2.9 km)
Navajo Loop: 1.3 mi (2.2 km)
Queen's/Navajo Combo Loop: 2.9 mi (4.6 km)
Tower Bridge: 3.0 mi (4.8 km)
Swamp Canyon Loop: 4.0 mi (6.4 km)

Strenuous Hikes

Hat Shop: 4.0 mi (6.4 km)
Fairyland Loop: 8.0 mi (12.9 km)
Peekaboo Loop: 5.5 mi (8.8 km)
Navajo/Peekaboo Combo: 4.9 mi (7.8 km)
Figure-8 Combo: 6.4 mi (10.2 km)
Bryce Amphitheater Traverse: 4.7 mi (7.5 km)

Details

Activity

Hiking

Pets Allowed

No

• Pets are permitted on all paved surfaces in the park: campgrounds, parking lots, paved roads, paved viewpoint areas, on the paved trail between Sunset Point and Sunrise Point, and on the paved Shared Use Path between the park entrance and Inspiration Point.
• Pets are not permitted on unpaved trails or viewpoints, in public buildings or on public transportation vehicles. These regulations also apply to pets that are carried.
• Pets must be on a leash at all times; the leash must be no longer than 6 feet.
• Pet owners may not leave pet(s) unattended or tied to an object. Pets may not be left in vehicles while their owners hike. Be aware that idling and generator use is not permitted in park parking lots.
• Pets may not make unreasonable noise.
• Pet owners are required to pick-up after their pets (excrement and other solid waste).

Activity Fee

Yes

Park admission provides access to this activity.

Reservations

No

Season

Year Round

Time of Day

Any Time

Accessibility Information

The only truly accessible trail here listed is the 0.5 mile (0.8 km) Sunset to Sunrise section of the Rim Trail. Other trails will vary. More details can be found on each individual hike page.