š„¾ Best 3 Hikes in Bryce Canyon: Trails You Canāt Miss
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Thereās nothing quite like Bryce Canyon National Park. Unlike other Utah parks filled with sheer cliffs and mesas, Bryce is known for its surreal landscape of hoodoos ā spindly orange, red, and white rock towers sculpted by erosion over millions of years.
While you can admire Bryce Amphitheater from the viewpoints, the real magic happens when you lace up your hiking boots and head down into the canyon. Walking among the hoodoos feels like stepping into another world.
In this guide, Iāll share the 3 best hikes in Bryce Canyon ā ranging from short and iconic to longer and more adventurous. Whether you have just a few hours or a full day, these trails deliver the most memorable Bryce experience.
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š Table of Contents
- š„ Navajo Loop & Queens Garden Trail
- š„ Tower Bridge Trail
- š„ Peekaboo Loop Trail
- š§ Tips for Hiking in Bryce Canyon
- š Final Thoughts
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š„ 1. Navajo Loop & Queens Garden Trail
š Trailhead: Sunrise Point or Sunset Point
š Distance: 2.9 miles round trip
ā” Difficulty: Moderate
If you only have time for one hike in Bryce Canyon, make it this one. The Navajo Loop and Queens Garden Trail is often called the parkās āmust-doā hike, and for good reason ā it combines the most iconic features of Bryce into a single loop.
āØ Highlights
- Wall Street Switchbacks: Descend through a narrow canyon with steep switchbacks framed by towering rock walls. Itās one of the most photographed spots in the park.
- Thorās Hammer: This hoodoo resembles a giant hammer balanced on a pedestal ā an iconic Bryce symbol.
- Queens Garden: A whimsical area where hoodoos resemble castles and statues. The name comes from a hoodoo shaped like Queen Victoria.
- Sweeping Amphitheater Views: At every turn, youāll get postcard-worthy panoramas of Bryceās unique rock formations.
ā° Best Time to Hike
Go early in the morning to beat both the crowds and the heat. The hoodoos glow in soft golden light right after sunrise ā photographers, youāll love it.
š” Insider Tip
For the easiest route:
- Start at Sunset Point, go down Navajo Trail, and come up Queens Garden to Sunrise Point. The climb is more gradual this way. You can then walk the rim trail back to your starting point.
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š„ 2. Tower Bridge Trail
š Trailhead: Sunrise Point
š Distance: 3 miles round trip
ā” Difficulty: Moderate
Want a quieter hike without sacrificing incredible views? The Tower Bridge Trail is a gem that offers a mix of shady forest stretches and stunning hoodoo formations.
āØ Highlights
- Tower Bridge Formation: The star of the trail, this giant rock arch looks like something out of a medieval castle. Itās a perfect photo stop.
- China Wall Hoodoos: Rows of spindly rock formations resembling fortress walls.
- Forest Shade: Much of the trail passes through pine trees, offering a welcome break from the sun on hot days.
ā° Best Time to Hike
Late morning or early afternoon works well here because of the shady sections. For photography, late afternoon golden hour brings out rich colors in the Tower Bridge formation.
š” Insider Tip
This trail is actually the first part of the Fairyland Loop (8 miles). If you have more time and energy, you can continue on for a full-day hike. But if youāre short on time, Tower Bridge is the perfect half-day option.
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š„ 3. Peekaboo Loop Trail
š Trailhead: Bryce Point
š Distance: 5.5 miles loop
ā” Difficulty: Strenuous
For those who want a longer, more immersive hike, the Peekaboo Loop Trail dives deep into Bryce Amphitheater. Itās more demanding, but it rewards hikers with some of the best hoodoo views in the entire park.
āØ Highlights
- Wall of Windows: A dramatic series of natural rock āwindowsā carved into hoodoo walls.
- Up-Close Hoodoos: Unlike the shorter trails, Peekaboo takes you through less-crowded sections where the formations tower right above you.
- Expansive Vistas: From Bryce Point and along the trail, youāll have sweeping views of the amphitheater.
ā° Best Time to Hike
Start early in the morning ā this trail is strenuous with plenty of elevation changes, and itās best tackled before the midday heat.
š” Insider Tip
If youāre feeling ambitious, combine this hike with the Navajo/Queens Garden Loop for the Figure-8 Combination Trail (6.4 miles). Itās the ultimate Bryce Canyon day hike.
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š§ Tips for Hiking in Bryce Canyon
- Start early: Popular trails fill up by mid-morning, and summer temps can be brutal.
- Bring plenty of water: At least 2 liters per person, more if youāre tackling Peekaboo.
- Wear good footwear: Trails can be sandy and steep ā sturdy shoes with grip are essential.
- Sun protection is non-negotiable: High elevation means intense UV rays. Bring sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses.
- Weather changes fast: Even in summer, thunderstorms can roll in quickly. In winter, snow and ice may cover trails ā check conditions before hiking.
- Altitude matters: Bryce sits at around 8,000 feet. Take it slow if youāre not used to high elevation.
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š Final Thoughts
Bryce Canyon may be one of the smaller national parks in Utah, but it packs a punch with its otherworldly landscape. Hiking here isnāt just exercise ā itās a chance to wander through natural sculptures unlike anything else on Earth.
To recap:
- For the must-do classic ā Hike Navajo Loop & Queens Garden
- For a peaceful, scenic half-day ā Try Tower Bridge
- For a challenging adventure ā Conquer the Peekaboo Loop
Whichever you choose, youāll leave with memories (and photos) that feel like something out of a fantasy world.
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š„ FREE Bryce Canyon Hiking Cheat Sheet (PDF)
Want all the details in a handy format? Download my FREE Bryce Canyon Hiking Cheat Sheet (PDF) with maps, distances, and insider trail tips. Perfect to save offline for when cell service drops in the park. Click here to grab it!
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š Plan Your Trip with the Utah Mighty 5 RoadBook
Bryce Canyon is just one piece of Utahās legendary Mighty 5. My Utah Mighty 5 RoadBook includes ready-to-use itineraries, must-see stops, Google Maps pins, and insider tips to make your entire national park adventure seamless. Get your RoadBook here.