Hikes and More
Special Programs
Just For Kids - Join a ranger for games and activities on ecology and Bryce Canyon. 1.5 hours. Reservations required.
Moonlight Hike - Hike among moonlit hoodoos. Reservations required. 320 ft / 98 m elevation change; 2 hours. (Offered three times each month during the full moon.)
Night Skies at Bryce - Learn the stars, planets and constellations. 1 hour.
Star Party - Join an astronomer from Hansen Planetarium and view the sky through telescopes. 2 hours. (Offered once each month.)
Talks & Evening Programs
Geology Talk - Rangers tell the geological story of Bryce Canyon. 20 minutes.
Campfire/Auditorium Program - Bryce Canyon's diversity comes to life during the slide program or evening talk at the campground amphitheaters and visitor center auditorium. 45 minutes.
For times, locations, topics and descriptions, check the activity schedules posted at the visitor center, general store, Bryce Canyon Lodge, and campground bulletin boards.
What to do during your time at Bryce Canyon National Park
With a short time to spend in the park
- Stop at the visitor center for information, exhibits and a 10-minute slide show. Publications and maps are available for purchase.
- Drive to Rainbow Point and stop at a few overlooks on your return trip.
- Picnic at one of the designated areas.
- Stroll along the Rim Trail at Sunset, Sunrise, Fairyland, Inspiration, or Bryce Point.
With a day or more to spend in the park
- Drive to Rainbow Point (18 miles one-way) and stop at the 13 viewpoints on your return trip.
- Hike one of the trails. Choose from the list of trails described on page 4.
- Attend a ranger-conducted walk or talk. Schedules are available at the visitor center or lodge.
- Horseback ride into the canyon for 2-hours or one half day.
Hikes and Walks
Rim Trail
- Round Trip
- 11.0 miles/17.7 Km - 5-6 Hours average time
- Ascent
- 550 Feet or 168 meters
- Description
- Parallels Bryce Amphitheater between Fairyland and Bryce points. Hike al or part of the trail for outstanding views of hoodoos from above, as well as panoramic vistas of over 100 miles. Section between Sunset and Sunrise Points is paved and fairly level.
Fairyland Loop
- Round Trip
- 8.0 miles/12.9 Km - 4-5 Hours average time
- Ascent
- 900 Feet or 275 meters
- Description
- Hike into Fairyland and Campbell Canyons and around Boat Mesa on this strenuous but less crowded trail dotted with juniper and mountain mahogany.
Tower Bridge
- Round Trip
- 3.0 miles/4.8 Km - 2-3 Hours average time
- Ascent
- 800 Feet or 244 meters
- Description
- Descend past bristlecone pines and the Chinese Wall along this beautiful stretch of the Fairyland Trail. Follow a shady side trail south 1/4-mile to the bridge.
Queen's Garden
- Round Trip
- 1.8 miles/2.9 Km - 1-2 Hours average time
- Ascent
- 320 Feet or 98 meters
- Description
- Considered the easiest trail for descending below the rim. Portals carved into the rock offer the opportunity to see formations in the shapes of Queen Victoria and her "garden."
Navajo Loop
- Round Trip
- 1.4 miles/2.2 Km - 1-2 Hours average time
- Ascent
- 521 Feet or 159 meters
- Description
- A series of switchbacks leads to Wall Street, a narrow canyon with high rack walls and Douglas fir trees stretching to reach the sun. Norther section of trail affords close-up views of Thor's Hammer.
Navajo/Queens Combination
- Round Trip
- 2.9 miles/4.6 Km - 2-3 Hours average time
- Ascent
- 521 Feet or 159 meters
- Description
- Combine two trails described above with a connecting trail that winds along the canyon floor through an open forest of pine and juniper. Hike the rim back to your starting point.
Peekaboo Loop
- Round Trip
- 4.8-6.8 miles/7.8-10.9 Km - 3-4 Hours average time
- Ascent
- 521-800 Feet or 159-244 meters
- Description
- Steep hike past the Wall of Windows and Three Wisemen- Trail is also used by horses in the summer and fall. Pit toilets and a picnic area are available at the bottom.
Trail to the Hat Shop
- Round Trip
- 3.8 miles/6.0 Km - 3-4 Hours average time
- Ascent
- 900 Feet or 275 meters
- Description
- Leads to the Hat Shop, where hard gray caps balance precariously on top of narrow pedestals of softer rust-colored rock.
Bristlecone Loop Trail
- Round Trip
- 1.0 miles/1.6 Km - 1 hour average time
- Ascent
- 100 Feet or 31 meters
- Description
- Hike through dense spruce-fir forests to exposed cliffs where bristlecone pines survive and distant views are exceptional.