Bryce Canyon National Park in southern Utah is a popular park and for good reason – its stunning rock spire formations (hoodoos) and the Bryce Amphitheater that can be seen from the canyon rim provide amazing views for those that visit. When it comes to hiking in Bryce Canyon, various trails provide a means for visitors to experience the canyon close up, while getting some good exercise and can offer a bit more solitude than the rim as well, if the timing is right.

Bryce Canyon hoodoos

Day Hikes at Bryce Canyon National Park

The trails in Bryce canyon range in difficulty, and many are interconnected (referred to as "connector trails" allowing you to be a little creative in regards to planning your hike. The rim is at a high altitude, with temperatures often increasing as you descend down into the canyon. It can be an odd experience hiking down to start, but having to complete the second half of your hike headed uphill.

Bryce Canyon Day Hiking Trails

Queens Garden Trail

1.8 miles round trip. One of the easier hikes that you'll find in Bryce Canyon, but if you're looking for a longer hike one could connect to the Navajo Loop Trail once you find yourself below the rim.

Navajo Loop Trail

1.3 miles round trip. The Navajo Loop Trail is a popular trail and option, beginning at Sunset Point and travelling to the Bryce Amphitheatre through something of a slot-type canyon. Rock slides happen here with some frequency.

Hat Shop Trail

4 miles, round trip. Descending to the Under-the-Rim Trail allows one to take in a unique formation of hoodoos with interesting top-balanced rocks.

Peek-A-Boo Loop

5.5 miles round trip. This is a steeper trail. Features views of the “Wall of Windows” and the Bryce Amphitheater. Pack animals / horses may be encountered on this trail. In the summer a restroom can be found along the trail.

Fairyland Loop

8 miles round trip. Accessing Tower Bridge and China Wall, the Fairyland Loop offers your typical Bryce Canyon hoodoos, and a bit more solitude with some amazing scenery (what trail in Bryce doesn't?).

A stunning view from the Bryce Canyon Rim

Backpacking at Bryce Canyon National Park

The backcountry of Bryce has fewer hoodoos and can provide access to more treed terrain with meadows and cliff views. Two main options offer access that we'll cover here.

Riggs Spring Loop

8.8-miles round trip. This is a hiking loop that starts and ends at the Rainbow & Yovimpa Point parking lot towards the far southern end of Bryce Canyon National Park.

Under-the-Rim Trail

A Longer option at about 23 miles that travels from Bryce Point to Rainbow Point. One could connect to the Under-the-Rim Trail via the Swamp Canyon, Whiteman Bench and Agua Canyon Trailheads and their shorter connector trails, providing various alternative and / or shorter hiking options.

Backpacking offers an opportunity to spend a night immersed in the scenery of Bryce Canyon.

Information

You'll need a permit for overnight stays, which can be purchased at the visitor center. Camping is only permitted in designated areas. See the official Bryce Canyon NPS website for more details and you can find hiking related information here. For a map, see the Trails Illustrated map covering the area. For a guidebook, check out Best Easy Day Hikes Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks and for getting to and from the trailhead and exploring other destinations in the state, the Utah Delorme Atlas & Gazetteer can be helpful.