Top Things to do in Bryce Canyon National Park
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Top 10 Budget-friendly Things to do in Bryce Canyon National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park
Pink cliffs, dramatic hoodoos and towering red and yellow spires make Bryce Canyon a geological wonder. While its founder, Ebenezer Bryce, thought that the canyon was just "a helluva place to lose a cow," visitors today will appreciate the panoramas, the flora and fauna and the limestone formations. Hike on the mile-long Bristlecone Loop or on the 22-plus mile Under the Rim trail. With 50 miles of trails, mountain biking, horseback riding and star talks, Bryce is an outdoor enthusiast's paradise.
1. Fairyland Loop
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 338 reviews
8-mile loop strenuous hike to Fairyland and Campbell Canyons.
Reviewed By artdob - Simi Valley, United States
This was our main hike at Bryce Canyon National Park.. We did the whole thing and then some. We started I believe at Sunrise Point. Plan on this hike to take a good portion of your day if you intend to hike the entire trail. This hike will take roughly 5 hours and the visual rewards are great. As you make your way into the initial portion of the hike, you’ll soon come across spectacular hoodoos. They are everywhere. Be prepared to stop often and admire these geological wonders. The scenery along the way is stunning. You’ll get a nice view of Tower Bridge – not the one in London England, but the Utah version. The trail is well maintained, wide enough and generally even without too many rocks to stumble over on the trail itself. The terrain is primarily dry, though you’ll be treated to occasional flowers along the walk in spring and summer. There are great vistas along the journey. Perhaps because of its length and difficulty level, this trail is less travelled as compared to the popular Navajo and Queens trails. As a result, you’ll likely enjoy much of the hike without a sense of being in a crowd. This loop trail also includes a portion of the Rim Trail from Sunset Point back to the Fairyland Point, completing the “loop”. It is easy to get carried away with photography on this hike. Everywhere you look, the trail offers something amazing. One major tip – don’t walk and photo at the same time. You wouldn’t want to take a step over a ledge anywhere – which could be easier to do than you might think. Yes, I’m talking to you GoPro folks walking and talking at the same time. And yes, guilty here too. This hike is rated as strenuous. You’ll be walking for nearly 8 miles and be logging in roughly 1,545 feet in elevation change along the walk. You’ll fare better if you are in decent physical shape and have done a similar hike before. EQUIPMENT -Water: This is essential. We came with 2 liters a piece on a day where the temperatures were in the low 80s. We would have needed more if the day was hotter. -Sun screen: You’ll be better off with some of this on the exposed areas of your body. -Hat: Keep the sun off your face. -Trekking Poles: These just make this type of hike easier and more enjoyable. They also are helpful in mitigating injury risk. We are approaching 60 years of age (not quite there yet), but we were able to complete the hike without any challenges.
2. Peek-A-Boo Loop
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 491 reviews
4.1-mile Hiking Trail, Often Steep, Which Is Used By People And Horses, And Has A Picnic Area At The Bottom.
Reviewed By AeneasAtSea - Salt Lake City, United States
This easternmost loop inside Bryce Canyon is probably the most strenuous of the amphitheater trails, since it is relatively shadeless and has a lot of up and down. But it is spectacular, with a number of fun tunnel arches along the way. It is accessed either by the little connector trail from the Navajo loop or from the east rim. The trail itself is about 4 miles long, not counting whatever trails are used to access it. If you have time and energy, it is one of the canyon's best hikes, especially if you can combine it with either the rim trail or the Queen's Garden loop.
3. Red Canyon Trail Rides
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 197 reviews
Come on a horseback riding adventure and experience the Wild West. Your cowboy guide will share some extraordinary history of the Bryce Canyon area during your adventure such as how the famous outlaw Butch Cassidy himself once roamed these parts. No matter what trails you choose to explore, whatever your experience level, you’re sure to have a memorable time discovering Bryce Canyon and the surrounding area.
4. Navajo/Queens Garden Loop
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,703 reviews
2.9-mile hiking trail that leads to rock formations shaped like Queen Victoria and her garden.
Reviewed By JayG2720 - Frisco, United States
My wife and I Hike the combined Navajo/Queens Garden loop at Bryce Natl Park and really enjoyed it. Definitely would recommend it for anyone visiting the park as it was an easy to moderate hike that allows you to experience the hoo doo amphitheater up close and provides a great perspective looking up through them up to the ridge. Would agree with the recommendation to start at sunrise point and proceed clockwise as it gives you a much more gradual descent and leaves you a ascent to sunset point that provides great views of Thor’s Hammer and the overall amphitheater. Definitely a highlight of our four park circle tour this fall!
5. Wall Street
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 311 reviews
Narrow walking area between rock walls.
Reviewed By Bandit331 - North Salt Lake, United States
Start at Sunrise Point and follow the "Wall Street" sign descending down a winding path to a wonderful slot canyon with tall trees growing within it. Beautiful colors and cool shade areas. Easy going down but a good hike back up. Take your time and bring water; about an hour roundtrip.
6. Navajo Trail
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 769 reviews
The 2.2-mile trail takes hikers down 521 feet into the magnificent canyon, so make sure you bring lots of film.
Reviewed By 919cherylj - Bloomington, United States
We started at Sunset Point (very steep and easier to descend than ascend), hiked down Wall Street, and then completed the Navajo Loop. The amazing rock formations, Thor's Hammer and the 3 Sisters, can be viewed at the end of this loop.
7. Sunset Point
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 794 reviews
See the canyon spread out below you, and the hoodoos rise up.
Reviewed By richardsM2843GS - Maricopa, United States
Stunning views and each is different from each view point. Take the time to stop inhale the fresh mountain air, you will be at about 7,000 feet so if your not in shape you will get out of breath walking around.
8. Queen's Garden Trail
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 510 reviews
This 1.5 mile loop is an extremely colorful trail with views of some interesting hoodoos.
Reviewed By robb118 - Las Vegas, United States
I was reluctant to write a review, as I wasn’t sure I would be able to provide any more superlatives to those already provided. Just know that I agree with all of the most positive reviews about the beauty and texture of this very unique place. There is one item I would like to add is in regard to the Navajo Loop, which connects to Queens Garden Trail. If you use the NL to ascend, please consider using the Left trail, known as Wall Street, which has many of the element ms of Bryce Canyon, as well as some very nice little slot canyons of it’s own. The route up Wall Street is slightly longer than the alternate route, but I’m told it’s better to see on the ascent than in the descent. Just wanted to point that route out, as it is mentioned in many of the guide books but IMO, it’s not really features as it should be.
9. Sunrise Point
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 586 reviews
Scenic overlook in Bryce Canyon National Park.
Reviewed By pamgoes
Sitting at one end of the Rim Walk, and a short walk from Bryce Canyon Lodge, this is a popular spot for viewing the sunrise. It is also the trailhead for the Queen’s Garden Trail leading down into the hoodoos.
10. Inspiration Point
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,239 reviews
Scenic overlook in Bryce Canyon National Park.
Reviewed By AeneasAtSea - Salt Lake City, United States
The aptly-named Inspiration Point offers perhaps the single best view of the Bryce amphitheater. Definitely worth a stop during any trip to the park!
