One of the best ways to explore Bryce Canyon National Park is by hiking. The most popular trails are in the northern part of the park, around an area called Bryce Amphitheater. If you don’t want to worry about finding a parking spot, you can take a free shuttle that will drop you off near the trails.
There are some really beautiful and less crowded trails in the southern part of the park, but the shuttle only goes as far as Bryce Point, so you’ll need to plan ahead. The road through Bryce Canyon is only about 18 miles long, so it’s easy to reach different trails by car. If you’d rather spend less time planning and more time hiking, you can even book a guided tour.
Here’s a list of the top five hikes in Bryce Canyon National Park, perfect for the summer months from June to September!
Mossy Cave
- Type: Front-Country Hiking
- Duration: 30-60 Minutes
- Reservations: No
- Pets: No
- Location: Mossy Cave
- Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
The Mossy Cave Trail is a short and fun hike in Bryce Canyon National Park, but it’s located outside the main park area, so you’ll need to drive to get there. Just head south on scenic route 12 for about 4 miles to reach the trailhead. As you walk along the trail, you’ll notice an irrigation ditch that was built by Mormon pioneers over two years in the late 1800s. This ditch still brings water to the nearby town of Tropic, Utah, even today!
The trail is an easy half-mile hike that goes up between towering hoodoos (cool rock formations) and smoother sandstone hills. After about a third of a mile, the trail splits into two paths. If you go left, you’ll find the Mossy Cave, and if you go right, you’ll reach a beautiful waterfall. Make sure to explore both!
This trail has become really popular in recent years, which is great, but it also means there’s more impact on the environment. If you decide to visit, please stay on the marked trail and follow the Leave No Trace rules to protect nature. It’s also a good idea to hike this trail early in the morning or later in the evening, before 10 a.m. or after 6 p.m., when it’s less crowded.
The Rim Trail
- Type: Front-Country Hiking
- Duration: 1-7 Hours
- Reservations: No
- Pets: Yes
- Location: Bryce Point
If you can only hike one trail in Bryce Canyon National Park, the Rim Trail is a great choice! This 11-mile round-trip hike takes you along the edge of Bryce Amphitheater, giving you amazing views of the park’s famous features like hoodoos (tall rock spires), narrow slot canyons, and fins (long, narrow rock formations).
We suggest starting at Bryce Point. Your first stop should be the Wall of Windows, a cool rock formation. Then, head to Inspiration Point, where you’ll get to see a sea of hoodoos and some of the best views in the park. Continue toward Sunset Point, passing through the Silent City (a cluster of hoodoos), and don’t miss the famous hoodoo called Thor’s Hammer! As you make your way to Sunrise Point, look and listen for quaking aspen trees.
If 11 miles sounds like too much, don’t worry! You can access the Rim Trail at different spots using your car or the free shuttle.
Bristlecone Loop
- Type: Front-Country Hiking
- Duration: 30-60 Minutes
- Reservations: No
- Pets: No
- Location: Bristlecone Loop Trailhead
- Season: Spring, Summer, Fall
The Bristlecone Loop Trail is a 1-mile hike that takes you through a forest filled with ancient trees at the southern tip of Bryce Canyon National Park. You can park your car at Rainbow Point, and the trail starts just a few steps away from the parking lot. As you walk, you’ll see Bristlecone Pines that are over a thousand years old, along with Fir and Spruce trees.
At over 9,000 feet, this is the highest point in the park, so you’ll get an amazing view of the Grand Staircase. Keep an eye out for wildlife like owls, woodpeckers, squirrels, and chipmunks, which are often spotted playing among the trees!
Queen’s & Navajo Combination Loop
- Type: Front-Country Hiking
- Duration: 2-3 Hours
- Reservations: No
- Pets: No
- Location: Queen’s Garden Trailhead
This is by far the most popular trail in Bryce Canyon National Park, so it’s a good idea to start early in the day to avoid the heat and the crowds. The trail is a 3-mile moderate hike that combines the Queen’s Garden and Navajo Loop trails into one amazing adventure. The stunning views and shorter distance make it a favorite among visitors.
Start at Sunset Point along the Rim Trail. In the first mile, you’ll see Thor’s Hammer, a tall hoodoo rising from the canyon floor. From there, you’ll join the Queen’s Garden Trail, where you’ll be greeted by a rock formation that looks like Queen Victoria. The trail then takes you down into the canyon. As you continue, you’ll follow the Navajo Trail, pass through the Wall Street tunnel, and finish back at Sunset Point.
Fairyland Loop
- Type: Front-Country Hiking
- Duration: 4-5 Hours
- Reservations: No
- Pets: No
- Location: Fairyland Loop Trailhead
The Fairyland Loop Trail is a tough but exciting hike because it takes you down into the canyon and then back up again. This trail combines part of the Rim Trail with the Fairyland Trail, which is less crowded and more challenging.
The hike starts at Fairyland Point and quickly descends to the canyon floor. Along the way, you’ll face some steep climbs and descents, but the views are totally worth it! You’ll circle around a rock formation called Boat Mesa and then visit Tower Bridge, where you can take a break before climbing back up to the canyon rim. As you finish, you’ll pass by the Chinese Wall and hike back along the Rim Trail to Fairyland Point.
