9 Best Hikes in Bryce Canyon National Park

Miles: 0.9 miles
Elevation Gain: 121 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Trail Map & Current Conditions

Mossy Cave is a totally different kind of hike compared to the rest of Bryce Canyon—it’s short, easy, and has a super cool payoff. At the end, you’ll find a small mossy cave (yep, it’s actually mossy!) that’s gated off for protection. In the winter, it can even freeze over and fill with icicles, which is pretty awesome to see.

But honestly, our favorite part is the unexpected waterfall! Depending on the time of year, it’s a fun surprise to find flowing water in the middle of the desert. And it’s actually a much larger waterfall than we expected!

If you’re wondering how a waterfall here is even possible, here’s the backstory: back in the late 1800s, Mormon pioneers built an irrigation ditch to divert water from the East Fork of the Sevier River into this canyon. Except for one year, it’s been flowing ever since, supplying water to the nearby towns of Tropic and Cannonville.

Mossy Cave is located outside the main section of the park, so you’ll need to drive a bit to get there. Parking can be a little tight at the trailhead, but don’t worry—there’s an overflow lot just down the road that fits more cars and even RVs.

Miles: 1.1 miles
Elevation Gain: 104 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Trail Map & Current Conditions

​​The Bristlecone Loop begins at Rainbow Point at the southern end of the park. This hike takes you through the highest portion of the park, reaching elevations over 9,100 feet (2778 m). Here you will pass by Bristlecone Pines, the oldest trees in the world (up to 1,800-years-old!), and experience vistas reaching into the Four Corners area.

The forest here is dominated by Blue Spruce, Douglas-fir and White Fir, making this a good habitat for grouse, woodpeckers, owls, and a variety of squirrels and chipmunks. Be on the lookout to spot some fun wildlife along the way!

Miles: 1.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 515 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Trail Map & Current Conditions

The Navajo Loop Trail is one of the most popular hikes in Bryce Canyon National Park. And in our opinion it is a must-do!

The hike begins with a descent into the amphitheater, winding through “Wall Street”—a narrow, switchback-filled slot canyon flanked by towering cliffs and lined with majestic Douglas fir trees. Keep in mind, this section is only open in the warmer months. But if Wall Street is closed, there is another cool switchback section on the hike to experience!

Along the trail, you’ll catch iconic views of Thor’s Hammer, one of the park’s most photographed formations. To the west, you’ll see “Silent City,” and to the east, you’ll spot the impressive “Temple of Osiris.”

The Navajo Loop covers 1.5 miles and starts and ends at Sunset Point, with about 500 feet of elevation change. For those looking to extend their adventure, consider continuing onto the Queen’s Garden Loop or the Peekaboo Loop, each about 3 miles. Or combine both to form a scenic 6.3-mile figure-eight hike!

We’ve included some of the different route combinations below so you can find the one that suits your time and energy best.

Miles: 2.1 miles
Elevation Gain: 459 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Trail Map & Current Conditions

The Queen’s Garden Trail is another one of the most popular hikes in Bryce Canyon National Park. The descent is about a mile long along a ridgeline into the Bryce Amphitheater, ending at a distinctive hoodoo said to resemble Queen Victoria. Queen Victoria isn’t anything special really, but this route takes you through the coolest parts of Queen’s Garden, with multiple archways to walk through.

Of the six trails that descend into the amphitheater, Queen’s Garden is considered the easiest. However, due to the park’s high elevation and occasional steep sections, it’s still classified as moderately strenuous.

Miles: 3.0 miles
Elevation Gain: 652 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Trail Map & Current Conditions

The Navajo/Queens Garden Loop is a relatively easy hike that gets you up close and personal with Bryce Canyon’s famous hoodoos. It combines the best parts of the Navajo Loop and the Queens Garden trail into one epic day hike. In fact, if you can only do one hike in Bryce Canyon National Park, we’d suggest this one! We’ve hiked it three times now and it never gets old.

Along this trail you’ll go down the fun switchbacks of the Navajo Loop Trail, plus under the archways of the Queens Garden Trail. It’s the perfect hike to get down into the hoodoos and see some of the park’s most unique features.

Miles: 5.2 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,528 feet
Difficulty: Hard
Trail Map & Current Conditions

The Peek-A-Boo Loop Trail begins at Bryce Point and makes a steep descent to the canyon floor. Its name hints at the surprises that lie around every bend—dramatic changes in elevation, hidden arches, and sudden views. The combination of steep climbs and overall distance earns it a “hard” rating. We were breathing pretty heavily in some sections!

But with its dramatic scenery and ever-changing perspectives, it’s no wonder Peek-A-Boo Loop is one of the most popular hikes in the park. The trail offers some of the most breathtaking views in Bryce Canyon, with a chance to admire the iconic hoodoos from both high rim viewpoints and up-close within the amphitheater.

At the northern part of the loop, you’ll have the option to connect with either the Queen’s Garden or Navajo Loop trail to form the Figure Eight Trail. More on that next!

Miles: 6.2 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,479 feet
Difficulty: Hard
Trail Map & Current Conditions

We loved the Figure Eight Trail because it combines several of Bryce Canyon’s best hikes into one epic loop. Along the way, you’ll pass through the Navajo and Queens Garden Loop, Wall Street, and the Peekaboo Loop—all in one go! So if you want something a bit longer than the Navajo and Queens Garden Loop, add on the Peekaboo Loop as well.

One of our favorite spots on the trail is the Wall of Windows, where two natural “windows” are carved into the hoodoos. The hoodoos in this section are super close together and narrow, and have a gradient color scheme, which gives it a totally different feel compared to other parts of the park.

Miles: 7.9 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,555 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Trail Map & Current Conditions

If you’re looking for a more challenging hike, the Fairyland Loop Trail is one of the best longer hikes in Bryce Canyon National Park. It offers incredible views, fun formations, and tends to be a lot less crowded than some of the other popular trails in the park. 

You can start the loop from either the Fairyland Loop trailhead or Sunrise Point. If you begin at Sunrise Point, we recommend hiking clockwise. If you’re starting from the Fairyland trailhead, go counterclockwise. That way, you’ll knock out the less exciting part of the trail early on and save the best views for later!

Want more information on this hike? We’ve hiked this trail twice and have a detailed guide to the Fairyland Trail hike!

Miles: 11 miles (with options to make it easier!)
Elevation Gain: 1,568 feet
Difficulty: Hard, due to its length. But the smaller sections are all pretty easy!
Trail Map & Current Conditions

The Rim Trail is an 11 mile (round trip) route that spans from Fairyland Point to Bryce Point. However, if you just want to do a portion of it, you have options!

For those looking to hike with a stroller or wheelchair, tackle the 1.2 mile (round trip) stretch from Sunset Point to Sunrise Point. This fully paved section boasts the BEST sunrise views in the park! As a bonus, since it’s paved, dogs ARE allowed in this section.

And for something a bit longer, the 3.9 mile (round trip) portion from Bryce Point to Lower Inspiration Point is generally considered easy and takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes to complete. It traces the rim of Bryce Canyon and offering breathtaking views of its unique geological formations. We highly recommend doing a portion of this hike for sunset!

Resorts and Hotels

The Lodge at Bryce Canyon (located in the National Park)
Best Western Plus Ruby’s Inn
Best Western Plus Bryce Canyon Grand Hotel

Vacation Rentals

Cabin with King Bed at Bryce Canyon Log Cabins
Quaint and spacious cabin in the heart of Bryce Canyon Country