Bryce Canyon is one of the “mighty five” national parks in Utah…and for good reason with its plethora of hiking trails and a variety of must see sights. It will blow you away with the interesting rock formations known as hoodoos. In fact, Bryce Canyon has the largest collection of hoodoos in the world. I have included the 5 best hikes in Bryce that you might want to check out if you are planning a trip to visit a national park. These hikes in Bryce Canyon will leave you with an adventurous soul wanting more!
How do Hoodoos form?
Before I dive into my favorite sights, let me give you a quick science lesson on what a hoodoo actually is and how they are formed. Knowing what a hoodoo is will help you understand what I am referring to when I talk about “hoodoos”… and no, they are not formed by witchcraft!
Hoodoos are the unique rock pillars standing straight up from the ground or along the perimeters of Bryce Canyon amphitheater. When water or rain gets into the cracks of the rock, the water will freeze into ice under freezing temperatures. The water will expand by 9% in the form of ice, putting pressure on the surrounding rock and pushing the rocks further apart from each other. When the rocks are being wedged apart over time, they will form into these pillar like structures known as hoodoos. If you want to learn more about the hoodoo formation, you can read more about how Bryce Canyon was created by clicking here.
Seeing these rock formations will make you feel like you’re walking through a bunch of sand castles. It is a whimsical feeling walking amidst such grand geological wonders!
My favorite sights in Bryce Canyon
- Navajo Trail Loop
- Peekaboo Trail
- Fairyland Trail
- Bryce Canyon Rim Trail
- Sunrise Point/Sunset Point
Navajo Trail Loop
Difficulty: Moderate
Time: 1.5 hour
Distance: 1.5 miles
Type: Loop, linking to Queen’s Garden or Peekaboo trail
This trail begins at Sunset Point which is at the top of the rim and it will wind downward through a set of switchbacks into the valley. This trail has steep elevation at times, with a 550 foot elevation change. As you enter the first set of switchbacks you will see the iconic switchback view leading into the valley between narrow limestone walls.
If you are going during a time where it has recently rained or snowed, be careful walking down these switchbacks as they are very slippery. There were quite a few people on the trail that had slipped. I, too, had a few close calls, but luckily my caboose miraculously ended up mud free.
The Navajo trail loop will divide into two separate sides: Wall Street side and Two Bridges side. Since I went in March and there were still freezing temperatures, the Wall Street side was closed, so I ended up hiking into the Two Bridges side that led to two more new trails. From Two Bridges, you can either take Queen’s Garden Trail (2 miles) or Peekaboo trail (4 miles).
Peekaboo Trail
Difficulty: Moderate
Time: 3 hour
Distance: 4 miles
You can find your way onto the Peekaboo trail by starting at Sunset Point, Sunrise Point, or Bryce Point. From those entrances up on the rim, it will take you down towards the floor of the summit and then you will ascend back up to the rim.
I really enjoyed the Peekaboo Trail because it felt very forested on the summit floor with tall pines surrounding you on the hike. When you least expect it, you will stumble upon a tunnel-like opening in the rock, through which you will walk through to find spectacular views of the hoodoos below you. The trail will then guide you up the perimeters of the amphitheater so you can get even closer to the hoodoos.
Fairyland Trail
Difficulty: Moderate
Time: 4 hours
Distance: 8 miles
Type: loop
Fairyland loop trail is a long hike, but will keep you in awe every corner you turn.
You have the option of 2 starting points: either start on the Rim trail and hike it counter clockwise, or hike the loop clockwise by starting at the Fairyland trailhead. I ended up starting at the latter at the Fairyland trailhead and began the descent right away. It will take you through forested trees guarding the trail and then open up with clear views of the hoodoos in the canyon. Around the 2 mile mark, you will see a rock structure that looks like a bridge connecting two rocks known as Tower Bridge, at which point you will slowly make your ascent back up into the canyon. I would have thought that I would get tired of seeing the same hoodoo landscape over and over, but I couldn’t get enough of them! I was in awe being able to walk so close to the hoodoos. Never have I felt so small next to giant rock pillars!
The elevation gain from the floor of the summit is about 1,500 feet in which you will eventually climb gradually to the top by the end of the hike. Though this hike is rated as moderate, it does get strenuous just because of the climbs you will end up climbing. Luckily, the trail is distinctly marked and does not hug the edge of the mountain, so even those with a fear of heights should not get overwhelmed.
Bryce Canyon Rim Trail
Difficulty: easy
Time: 3-6 hours
Distance: 5.5 miles one way, 11 miles total
Type: out and back
The Rim Trail is a great hike for those who don’t want to deal with steep elevation changes when hiking up and down the canyon. As the name suggests, it stays up on top of the rim of the canyon, offering views of the spectacular hoodoos down below. The Rim Trail is still a dirt trail, but well paved and maintained so it is easy to walk on. There are benches along the way if you need a break.
The Rim Trail will connect Bryce Point to Fairyland trail with several scenic overlooks along the way, including Inspiration Point, Sunrise Point, and Sunset Point. The portion of the Rim trail that is wheelchair accessible is the one mile stretch between Sunrise and Sunset Point.
When the shuttle is running, it is advised to hike the 5.5 miles one way, and then you can take the shuttle back to your destination point if you do not want to walk the same trail twice.
Sunrise Point/Sunset Point Overlooks
Sunrise Point
Sunrise Point is a scenic overlook of Bryce Canyon and also serves as the trailhead to enter Queen’s Garden Trail (a moderate hike). For those who want a viewpoint of the hoodoos from the top of the rim, this the spot for you. It is just a short walk from the parking lot or from Bryce Lodge.
Sunset Point
Sunset Point is similar to Sunrise Point in that it also is a scenic overlook go Bryce Canyon. You can see down into Wall Street from the Navajo Loop from the Sunset overlook. There is an easily paved 1 mile trail connecting Sunrise Point to Sunset Point. This is a great option for those who are not wanting to hike or for those unable to hike. The trail is dirt, but well paved that it is wheelchair accessible. There are several log benches along the rim to sit down and enjoy the hoodoos below.
Do you have a favorite national park that you have hiked through? I would love any suggestions of where to adventure to next!
If you are looking for another national park to adventure through, you can check out my other guides to make planning a little easier:
1 Comment
The Fairyland Trail is one of my top 3 favorite hikes ever! March/April is such a great time to go too since it’s not too hot and the scenery is even more stunning with bits of snow mixed in!