Trip Idea

4+ Hour Hikes

Multiple Parks

Red rock formations as seen from above on the Fairyland Loop Trail
Views from the Fairyland Loop, one of the longer hikes in the park.

Visiting for 4+ hours and want to do some longer hikes?

If you have a half day or more to hike in Bryce Canyon, we recommend starting with the Bryce Canyon Amphitheater. This iconic area is located along the first three miles of the main road and is home to some of the most popular trails in the park, including Queen's Garden and Navajo Loop. However, with some extra time you can explore some longer, more strenuous trails in the area as well. Many trails in this area can easily be combined to form longer hikes.

More time also gives you the opportunity to hike other areas of the park like the 8.0 mile (12.9 km) Fairyland Loop or the Swamp Canyon Loop along the Southern Scenic Drive.

Scroll down to find moderate and strenuous hikes that take you a little deeper into Bryce Canyon.

Getting Around

Avoid full parking lots: Use the free shuttle to access the viewpoints and trailheads in the Bryce Amphitheater (April to October).

During shuttle hours, vehicles over 23 feet (7 meters) are restricted from parking in the Bryce Amphitheater area. Instead, park at the shuttle station and use the free shuttle.

Safety

Bryce Canyon is a high altitude park ranging from 8,000 feet (2438 m) to over 9,000 feet (2743 m) in elevation. Even mild exertion in the park can lead to altitude-sickness if you're not prepared. Visit our Hiking at High Altitudes page to learn more.

Wear hiking boots with good ankle support and "lug" traction. In winter, traction devices are strongly recommended. Wearing shoes or boots not designed for hiking is the number one cause of rescues and injuries that require hospital visits at Bryce Canyon National Park.
Moderate
  • Bryce Canyon National Park

    Swamp Canyon Loop
    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Backcountry Hiking
    • Pets: No
    • Location: Swamp Canyon Overlook
    • Duration: 3–4 Hours
    A large formation of red rock partially in shadow with threatening storm clouds above it

    Swamp Canyon appears relatively small and sheltered from the overlook, allowing the viewer to develop a more intimate connection with the landscape than some of the grander viewpoints in the park. The Swamp Canyon Loop, which starts at the viewpoint, is more rugged than the Bryce Amphitheater trails, taking hikers into a more forested backcountry hike. There is less signage on this hike and hikers are encouraged to carry a map.

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Strenuous
  • Bryce Canyon National Park

    Hat Shop
    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Backcountry Hiking
    • Pets: No
    • Location: Hat Shop Trailhead
    • Duration: 3–4 Hours
    A landscape of red rocks in the foreground with hazy mountains on the horizon

    The Hat Shop trail descends from Bryce Point into the backcountry using the Under-the-Rim trail, offering views of the colorful cliffs of the Grand Staircase. This strenuous out-and-back hike leads down 1,380 feet (421 meters) over two-miles to a cluster of balanced-rock hoodoos before hikers turn around to return to Bryce Point. These narrow, orange pinnacles wear "hats" of large gray boulders, giving them a distinct appearance.

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  • Bryce Canyon National Park

    Fairyland Loop
    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Front-Country Hiking
    • Pets: No
    • Location: Fairyland Loop Trailhead
    • Duration: 4–5 Hours
    An overhead photo of red rock formations that appear to be glowing in the sun

    The Fairyland Loop is a quiet 8 mile hike that combines hiking along the plateau rim near Boat Mesa with a hike in the canyon with long views of the Bryce Amphitheater surrounded by unique hoodoos. You can start this hike at Fairyland Point or on the rim trail north of Sunrise Point at the Tower Bridge trailhead. We recommend hiking in a counter-clockwise direction. There is no shuttle pick-up at Fairyland Point, so you will need to hike to your starting point.

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  • Bryce Canyon National Park

    Peekaboo Loop
    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Front-Country Hiking
    • Pets: No
    • Location: Bryce Point
    • Duration: 3–4 Hours
    An overhead view of red rock formations with a blue sky in the background

    The Peekaboo Loop descends 670 feet (204 meters) from Bryce Point to this hoodoo-filled loop trail before ascending back up to Bryce Point. In summer months, hikers will encounter horses/mules on this trail. We recommend hiking this trail in a clockwise direction.

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  • Bryce Canyon National Park

    Navajo/Peekaboo Combination Loop
    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Front-Country Hiking
    • Pets: No
    • Location: Navajo Loop Trailhead
    • Duration: 3–4 Hours
    A view over a landscape filled with red rock formations with the iconic thor\'s hammer formation.

    Combine two of our most iconic trails, the Navajo and Peekaboo Loop trails, into a a mini Figure-8 combination loop. Start the hike at Sunset Point, descend down either side of the Navajo Loop (Two Bridges in winter), connect to the Peekaboo Loop (we recommend hiking it in a clockwise direction), and ascend Navajo back to Sunset Point.

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  • Bryce Canyon National Park

    Figure-8 Combination
    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Front-Country Hiking
    • Pets: No
    • Location: Queen's Garden Trailhead
    • Duration: 4–5 Hours
    Red rock formations on top of a steep sandy slope with distant red rock formations in the background

    The Figure-8 Combination combines three amphitheater hikes, Queen's Garden, Navajo Loop, and the Peekaboo Loop, into one ultimate hike! We recommend a clockwise direction descending Queen's Garden, connecting to the Peekaboo Loop (we recommend hiking it in a clockwise direction), and ascending either side of the Navajo Loop (Two Bridges in winter). From there you can complete the trail by hiking back to Sunrise Point along the Rim Trail.

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  • Bryce Canyon National Park

    Bryce Amphitheater Traverse
    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Front-Country Hiking
    • Pets: No
    • Location: Bryce Point
    • Duration: 3–4 Hours
    Two hikers descend down a trail from right to left with red rock formations in the background

    The Bryce Amphitheater Traverse is a one-way hike combining the Peekaboo Loop with the Queen's Garden trail. Hikers descend from Bryce Point, turning left (clockwise) on Peekaboo Loop and then connecting to the Queen's Garden trail to ascend to Sunrise Point.

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Last updated: March 5, 2024