I’ve already been lucky enough to visit many extraordinary places, but Bryce Canyon National Park has truly earned a special place in my heart. This park in the southwest of the United States is known for its unique geological formations, including the famous hoodoos: pillars of rock shaped by erosion. But the park has so much more to offer than just these special rock formations. In this blog, I share my experiences and tips for an unforgettable trip to Bryce Canyon National Park.
Specifically, there are 2 things you can do in Bryce Canyon
My tip: go hiking in the morning. Do the car route in the (late) afternoon. You’ll avoid crowds AND the hottest part of the day for your hike.
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What makes Bryce Canyon National Park so special?
Bryce Canyon National Park is located in the southwestern United States, in the state of Utah. The park covers an area of more than 145 square kilometers and is known for its unique geological formations, such as the famous hoodoos. These rock pillars were formed by erosion and come in the most remarkable shapes and colors. Bryce Canyon National Park is a paradise for hikers, with over 80 kilometers of trails that take you past the most beautiful spots in the park.
Bryce Canyon National Park is not only a place of natural beauty, but also of historical value. The park is named after Ebenezer Bryce, a cattle rancher who lived in the area in the 19th century. Bryce Canyon National Park was established in 1928 and has been a popular destination for tourists from all over the world ever since.
Hiking trails in Bryce Canyon National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park is a hiker’s paradise. With more than 80 kilometers of trails, there’s something for everyone. Whether you want to do a short walk or head out for a full day, there’s always a route that fits.
One of the most popular hiking trails in the park is the Navajo Loop Trail. This route takes you past the famous hoodoos and offers stunning views over the park. The trail is about 2.2 kilometers long and takes on average around 1.5 to 2 hours.
Another great option is the Queens Garden Trail. This trail is a bit longer than the Navajo Loop Trail, but offers views that are at least as beautiful. The Queens Garden Trail is about 3.1 kilometers long and takes on average around 2 to 3 hours.
Top hiking trails in Bryce Canyon National Park
- Navajo Loop Trail
- Queens Garden Trail (via Queen’s Victoria Garden Loop)
- Fairyland Loop Trail
- Peekaboo Loop Trail
- Rim Trail
Navajo Loop Trail
- Difficulty: Easy/Moderate
- Distance: 2.4 kilometers (round trip)
- Elevation gain: 152 meters
- Estimated hiking time: 1–2 hours
- Starting point: Sunset Point
If you’re short on time in Bryce Canyon, this is the hike for you. It’s the most popular hike in Bryce Canyon, and for good reason. The photo above is iconic for this hike!
Queens Garden Trail (via Queen’s Victoria Garden Loop)
- Difficulty: Easy/Moderate
- Distance: 3.4 kilometers
- Elevation gain: 124 meters
- Estimated hiking time: just over an hour
- Starting point: Sunrise Point
Go look for Queen Victoria’s throne. If you look closely, you can spot it in the rock formation. This trail is perfect to combine with the Navajo Loop Trail. If you simply keep walking on from the Navajo Loop, you can just add the Queens Garden Trail. That way, you’ll be on the move for about 5.0 km.
Fairyland Loop Trail
- Difficulty: Challenging (especially in warm weather)
- Distance: 12.6 kilometers
- Elevation gain: 471 meters
- Estimated hiking time: 4 hours
- Starting point: Fairyland Point
The Fairyland Loop Trail is a popular hike in the park thanks to its breathtaking panoramic views of the canyon and rock formations. The advantage of the longer route: it’s much quieter. Many travelers simply don’t have the time or fitness for it.
If you go early in the morning, there’s plenty of shade, but if you start hiking after 10 a.m., I recommend bringing lots of sunscreen and water.
Peekaboo Loop Trail
- Difficulty: Challenging (especially in warm weather)
- Distance: 8.4 kilometers
- Elevation gain: 443 meters
- Estimated hiking time: 3 hours
- Starting point: Sunset Point
The trail takes you through constantly changing hoodoo formations and offers popular views of the Three Wisemen, The Organ, the Cathedral, and the Wall of Windows.
Rim Trail
- Difficulty: Easy
- Distance: 8.4 kilometers
- Estimated hiking time: 3–4 hours (depending on how far you go)
- Starting point: Sunset Point & Sunrise Point are both possible
You’ll come across a Rim Trail more often in the American West: it’s the path that runs along the top edge of the canyon. So you get stunning views of the canyon the entire time. You can start this trail anywhere.
My tip: hike down into the canyon. You always see the canyon from the top before you start a hike. But inside is where it becomes truly beautiful!
Panoramic drive by car
The scenic drive through Bryce Canyon offers some of the most spectacular views in the park. The route is about 30 kilometers long and includes countless stops with incredible viewpoints, including Bryce Point, Inspiration Point, and Sunset Point. Each viewpoint offers a unique perspective of the breathtaking hoodoo formations and the deep canyon below. One of the highlights of the route is the Natural Bridge viewpoint, where you can see a natural arch in the rocks stretching across the ravine. Whether you’re an experienced photographer or simply want to soak in the views, the scenic drive is an absolute must-see for visitors to Bryce Canyon.
Again, my tip: do this route in the afternoon. It’s easy to do, even if the park is busy. You want to do hikes when it’s quiet and the temperature isn’t too warm yet.
Best time to visit Bryce Canyon National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park is open year-round, but the best time to visit is in spring or fall. In summer, the park can get very busy and temperatures can rise above 30 degrees Celsius. In winter, the park can receive a lot of snow, which makes hiking more difficult. In spring and fall, it’s quieter in the park and temperatures are pleasant for hiking.
If you’re hiking in summer, make sure you start early. The temperature differences between morning and afternoon are often quite big. That means you can hike just fine in the morning, and it’s still relatively quiet too.
Camping in Bryce Canyon National Park
If you really want to enjoy the natural beauty of Bryce Canyon National Park, camping is the best option. There are several campgrounds inside the park where you can stay overnight. The campgrounds are open from mid-April to the end of October and offer various facilities, such as showers and restrooms.
One of the most popular campgrounds in the park is North Campground. This campground is close to the park entrance and offers spacious sites for tents and RVs. Another option is Sunset Campground, which is a bit farther from the park entrance, but offers a beautiful view of the surroundings.
Lodging options in and around Bryce Canyon National Park
If camping isn’t your thing, there are plenty of other places to stay in and around Bryce Canyon National Park. Close to the park itself you’ll find a number of lodges, such as the Best Western PLUS Bryce Canyon Grand Hotel, Bryce Canyon Lodge or Best Western PLUS Ruby’s Inn. These lodges offer comfortable rooms and are the perfect base for exploring the park, but because of their location they are a bit more expensive.
Prefer something cheaper? About a 20-minute drive from the park you’ll find Bryce Canyon Resort. Don’t expect too much, but there’s a Subway next door (which I really liked when we stayed here) and you’ll pay quite a bit less.
Other activities to do in Bryce Canyon National Park
Besides hiking, there are plenty of other activities to do in Bryce Canyon National Park. For example, you can go horseback riding, mountain biking, or attend a ranger program. There are also several viewpoints in the park where you can enjoy spectacular views of the surroundings.
A great tip is to go to Bryce Point at sunset. From this viewpoint you’ll have a beautiful view over the park, and the sunset creates a special atmosphere.
Explore Bryce Canyon on horseback
A fun alternative to hiking is exploring Bryce Canyon on horseback. Are you a horse lover, or does hiking feel a bit too intense right now? Then I definitely recommend going by horse. You’ll still get to see the beauty of Bryce Canyon!
Wildlife in Bryce Canyon
Bryce Canyon National Park is not only famous for its impressive rock formations, but also for its diverse wildlife. You can spot different animals: squirrels, violet-green swallows, Utah prairie dogs and even a cougar. In reality, you probably won’t see most of them. They tend to stay far away from the tourist trails.
Tips for visiting Bryce Canyon National Park
- You can visit Bryce Canyon with your America the Beautiful pass
- Bring enough water and snacks while hiking
- Wear sturdy hiking shoes
- Check the weather forecast before you head out
- Start your day with a hike, and only then do the scenic drive. Otherwise, the parking lot may already be full.
Bryce Canyon: a must-see on your road trip through the American West
Bryce is a special place you really should visit at least once. The park offers not only stunning geological formations, but also countless opportunities for hiking and other activities. Whether you want to camp inside the park or prefer a comfortable hotel outside the park, there are plenty of overnight options. With my tips and experiences, I hope you’ll have an unforgettable trip to Bryce Canyon National Park.
