The Ultimate Guide to The Best Hiking Trails in Bryce Canyon

Bryce Canyon National Park is one of Utah’s Mighty 5 and one of the most underrated, beautiful parks. The drive alone to Bryce Canyon is jaw-dropping. I love hiking here because it has trails for every skill level. It’s family friendly and filled with viewpoints for any non-hiking family members. You can easily see the entire park in just a few days too, making it a great stop.

Things To Know About Bryce Canyon

• You will need a National Park Pass or pay the $30 entrance fee upon arrival. If you plan to visit other National Parks within a year the park pass would be the more cost effective choice.

• Bryce Canyon is known for it’s Hoodoos. They are rock formations that look like towers, caused by water erosion. Be sure to stop by the visitor center or listen in if you see a ranger on trail talking. It’s amazing learning more about them!

• There are not a lot of restaurants or places to stay outside of the park. If you’re camping plan to pack plenty of food to make yourself. If you’re staying in a hotel be aware of the limited dining options.

• There are so many other activities to do near Bryce besides hiking! You could go on a horse ride through the hoodoos. You can book a ride through Canyon Rides or Ruby’s Inn. There is also a bike trail throughout the park and for miles outside the park. You can rent e-bikes through Outta Here Bikes or regular bikes at Ruby’s Inn.

• You should plan to drink a liter of water for every two hours you’re hiking, more in the summer months. The desert is unforgiving and dehydration happens quickly. Pack electrolytes to help keep you hydrated on trail.

• Pets are only allowed on paved trails. If you are wanting to do any hiking, leave your pet at home so you can do all the trails.

• Bryce is located in the desert therefore there are reptiles, including poisonous ones. Know what you may encounter on trail and what to do if you cross paths with one. Never stick your hands and feet someplace you cannot see.

Bryce Canyon Location

Bryce Canyon is located in the southwest corner of Utah, between Zion and Capital Reef National Parks. Zion is an hour and twenty minutes to the west and Capital Reef is just over two hours. There is only one entrance into the main part entrance, which is located off highway 12.

Best Time of Year to Visit Bryce Canyon

Bryce Canyon is a year-round destination. The best time of year to go depends on what experiences your wanting. Summer is the busiest time of year but it will be very hot. Spring and fall will have less crowds and moderate temperatures. In the winter months Bryce will have snow, which draws in people as well. I’ve always wanted to see the Hoodoos covered in snow, but I’ve only been in the summer months.

Where to Camp at Bryce Canyon

When I go I stay at Ruby’s Inn RV Park, but I rent one of their teepees! The teepees are only a little more than a campsite it’s so worth it! I enjoy staying here because it’s just outside the park entrance, making it easy to enter the park. There is a shuttle stop just outside the entrance as well if you don’t want to drive. Ruby’s also has showers among many other conveniences, which is greatly appreciated after a long day of hiking in the desert.

There are campgrounds inside the National park as well. These will be harder to book and you will need to reserve in advance. If your want to camp for free, there is BLM land just outside of Bryce Canyon you can camp on instead.

Trails in Bryce Canyon

Fairyland Loop via The Rim Trail

You can begin this trail In multiple spots. If you’re staying at the North Campground, walk to the rim trail and begin the hike. You can also park at the Fairyland Point, which has limited parking or at Sunrise Point, near the general store. From both points you can hike in either direction, but I hiked it clockwise, taking the rim before dropping down by Fairyland Point. You will have stunning views of the park and hoodoos the entire way.

This trail is unique because as you reach the end of the rim trail and the beginning of Fairyland point you will enter into the tree line. It smells amazing as you walk through the juniper trees. You won’t be in the trees for long, so enjoy the shade! You will begin the descent into the canyon and down the Fairyland trail.

Once you hike down to the canyon floor the trail is easy terrain. Any elevation gain is like a rolling hill. This stretch of the hike leaves you mostly exposed to the elements so it’s best to do this hike early in the morning. While you are down on the canyon floor you can take the short offshoot to Tower Bridge. This area doesn’t have as large of hoodoos are some other trails, but it’s still an amazing trail.

Mossy Cave and Turret Ach

This trail isn’t located in the main park area. You will need to go back out to highway 12 and head east. This trail is called Mossy Cave but there is a man-made waterfall called Tropic Ditch Falls at the end. A lot of people walk through the river and cool off in the summer months.

There are two bridges on this trail. When you reach the second one, the trail to Mossy Cave it just over the bridge on the left. It isn’t a large cave, not the type you walk into. There is water seeping out of the rock and green mossy plants growing all over. In the winter the cave is icy.

Navajo Loop and Queen’s Garden

This is without a doubt my favorite trail in the park. It is also the most popular trail so it can be busy. Pro tip: get to the trailhead for sunrise or just after to beat the morning crowd. I like to start this trail at Sunset Point so I can hike down Wall Street when there aren’t a ton of people. This is easily one of the most photographed areas of the park.

I love this trail because it gets you up close to the amazing hoodoos. You will walk through some tunnels and see some of the most amazing landscapes the park has to offer. This trail is great because you can see Two Bridges, Queen’s Victoria and Thor’s Hammer all in one. Two bridges is a .4 mile round trip detour with two small arches off the Navajo Loop. There are signs pointing to it and you will want to return to the Queens Garden Trail to continue the loop or you will end up back at the rim.

Queen Victoria is a short out and back trail off Queens Garden Trail. This area of the trial is without a doubt my favorite spot to see the hoodoos. The hoodoos tower overhead and have the most amazing shade of orange. It feels like a painting coming to life. From this point you will begin your ascent back out of the canyon, which will have countless viewpoints. Thor’s Hammer is located off the Navajo Loop, but this loop doesn’t go past it directly. If you’re at Sunset point on the rim you can look out and see it below.

What to Bring to Bryce Canyon

Always carry a backpack with the 10 essentials with you. You never know when there will be an accident or you have to spent the night on trail. Always be prepared for the worst and hope it never happens. You can learn more about these items in my “The 10 Essentials” guide.

Sun Protection

Preventing sun stroke and sunburns is important, so bring and use proper sun protection. I always pack sunscreen to reapply throughout the hike as needed. Bring a hat to help keep the sun off your face and neck. Wearing a sun shirt to help protect skin from harmful UV rays will help prevent sunburns and heat stroke. Even on a cloudy day you can get a sunburn so always be prepared. Bryce can reach into the 100 degree temperatures int eh summer months.

Clothing Layers

It’s important to pack plenty of layers, especially if your visiting outside of summer months. I like to bring a down coat and rain coat with me so I know I’ll be comfortable if the weather turns. I also bring a long sleeve shirt to wear over a tank top. It can be used as a sun shirt for protection or a warm layer. On colder days I like to also bring a fleece layer.

Water and Electrolytes

It’s so important to stay hydrated hiking, no matter the time of the year. Plan to have one liter of water per 2 hours of hiking. I also bring electrolyte snacks on every hike I go on. I like using my bladder to make sure I’m consuming enough water since it’s easier to drink from. A large water bottle is a great option if you don’t like bladders. I always carry my water filter with me so I can resupply my water as needed. 

Hiking Poles

Hiking poles will be extremely helpful at Bryce if you are uncomfortable with steep terrain or want to help your knees. Getting into the canyon is a bit of a elevation loss. They are also great for helping keep you balanced if there is snow or ice on the ground I always carry poles in my pack and find my knees hurt less when I use them. I love my collapsible Black Diamond poles because they are so compact in my backpack.

Hiking Shoes

Always wear proper shoes when hiking. This means trail runners or hiking boots because they will provide the best traction over rocks and loose terrain. Sandals and tennis shoes are not great footwear for the trail. If you visit in the winter months with snow and ice on the ground, having a pair of microspikes will greatly help.

Reminders

• Always practice Leave No Trace. This means never carving or marking on the rocks. Pack out all of your trash. Leave no trace means limiting your impact on the area so stay on designated trails.

• Water, water, water! It‘s so important to have an appropriate amount if water. You should consume a liter for every 2 hours of hiking. A small water bottle or a shared water supply will not be enough.

• Know what reptiles you may encounter in the desert. There are multiple species of poisonous reptiles including rattlesnakes and scorpions. Know what to look out for, never put your hands and feet someplace you cannot see and know what to do if you get bit or stung.

• Be respectful of your fellow hiker and take turns taking photos of the hoodoos. Don’t sit for long periods in places where people may want to take photos.

• Never climb on the hoodoos. They are fragile rock formations and you should always remain on trail and off the hoodoos. Not only could you cause irreversible damage to them, but if one collapsed severe injury could happen.

• Wear and carry proper sun protection. This is the desert and there is limited shade on the trails. Wear sunscreen and pack sun protective clothing like long sleeve tops and sun hats.

Bryce Canyon is an underrated parks and yet one of the most magical National Parks. It’s full of beauty and sweeping views. Although it is not large, it is full of wonder and you will be in for a treat around every turn. No matter what hikes you choose to do here, you will be rewarded with the most amazing landscape. You are sure to fall in love with all this park has to offer.

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