Hiking at Red Canyon & Bryce Canyon

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Things to do

Hiking

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Tips For The Hiking Trails

Just two pieces of advice before you hike these magnificent trails:

(1) Take plenty of water

(2) Don't forget your camera!

Red Canyon Trail System

The Red Canyon Trail System is open year-round for guests to explore a different perspective of the “crown jewels” of Bryce Canyon National Park as well as the unique views and geology of Dixie National Forest. The Red Canyon Trail System offers well-maintained paths that are less crowded but still abundant with geological wonders.

Pink Ledges
Hoodoo
Birdseye
Golden Wall
Losee Canyon Trail
Thunder Mountain - Mountain Biking
Red Canyon Bicycle Trail - Biking
Casto Canyon Trail - Off-highway vehicles

Bryce Canyon National Park Hiking

Bryce Canyon National Park has hiking trails for every guest, from beginners to more experienced hikers. Take a stroll around the infamous Bryce Amphitheater on the Rim Trail or choose a more challenging hike to explore the hoodoos on the Peekaboo Loop. Whichever trail is chosen, the hoodoos will enchant you.

Bryce Canyon National Park is a federally protected area. To help preserve the park resources and for your protection, please observe the following rules on park trails:

Pets, including ADA-registered animals, are only allowed on paved trails, viewpoints, roads, campsites, and picnic areas. Pets must be on a leash at all times.
Do not climb hoodoos or stray from maintained trails.
Feeding wildlife is prohibited.
Stay on trails to protect vegetation and avoid wildlife confrontations.
Bicycling is allowed only on paved surfaces.
Be prepared! Park elevations reach over 9,000 feet. Equip yourself with water, food, and proper clothing and shoes. Elevation may cause nausea and dizziness.
Check the weather before hiking. Lightning is a year-round danger to hikers.
Hikers must yield to horses/mules on trails.
In the winter, crampons and ski poles are strongly advised.

Safety at High Elevation:
Bryce Canyon National Park is a high-elevation park, with most of the park being at 8,000 feet or above. At this level, there is 70% of the oxygen present at sea level. It is important for hikers to make elevation a factor when choosing their hiking trail.

Due to the high elevation, storms and other dangerous weather conditions can form quickly. Take shelter immediately if thunder roars.

Easy Hikes

Easy hikes are partially paved trails with gentle grades and minimal elevation changes.

Hike

Distance

Features

Notes

Sunset to Sunrise

1.0 mi / 1.6km round trip

Paved portion of the Rim Trail. Easiest of the hikes. Pet friendly.

Est. Time: 1 hour

Elevation Change: 40 ft (12 meters)

Mossy Cave

.8 mi / 1.3 km round trip

Found outside of the amphitheater on highway 12 going toward Tropic, this trail is a streamside walk up to a mossy overhang and small waterfall. (Waterfall flows May to October)

Est. Time: 1 hour

Elevation Change: 150 ft (46 meters)

Rim Trail

1.0 - 11 mi / 1.6 - 17.7 km round trip

Observe the amphitheater and its hoodoos along the rim and if planned right, visit all four main viewpoints.

Est. Time: 1 hour – 7.5 hours

Elevation Change: 719 ft (219 meters)

Bristlecone Loop

1.0 mi / 1.6 km round trip

Hike through spruce-fir forests to cliffs with bristlecone pines and expansive vistas.

Est. Time: 1 hour

Elevation Change: 200 ft (61 meters)

Moderate Hikes

Moderate hikes have steep grades with “down and back” elevation changes.

Hike

Distance

Features

Notes

Queens Garden

1.8 mi / 2.9 km round trip

This is the least difficult trail into the canyon. Using your imagination, you may even see Queen Victoria at the end of a short spur trail.

Est. Time: 1-2 hours

Elevation Change: 450 ft (137 meters)

Navajo Trail

1.3 mi / 2.2 km round trip

The Navajo Loop begins at Sunset Point and goes down into Bryce Amphitheater through a "slot" canyon where large Douglas Fir trees stretch to reach sunlight high above. Steep and short trail. Hikers will see Thor’s Hammer, Two Bridgers, and the bottom of Wall Street.

Est. Time: 1-2 hours

Elevation Change: 625 ft (191 meters)

Tower Bridge

3 mi / 4.8 km round trip

See Bristlecone Pines and the China Wall. A shady 1/4-mile spur trail leads to the Tower Bridge.

Est. Time: 2 – 3 hours

Elevation Change: 760 ft (232 meters)

Swamp Canyon

4.3 mi / 7.2 km round trip

Descend into one of the lesser-known areas of Bryce Canyon.

Est. Time: 3 – 4 hours

Elevation Change: 800 ft (244 meters)

Strenuous Hikes

Strenuous hikes are long distance, steep grade trails with multiple elevation changes. These are particularly challenging hikes, even for avid hikers. Rule of thumb: Per 2-3 hours of hiking, carry 1 quart of water.

Hike

Distance

Features

Notes

Fairyland Loop

8 mi/12.9 km round trip

See the China Wall, Tower Bridge, and tall hoodoos on this less-crowded trail.

Est. Time: 4 – 5 hours

Elevation Change: 1900 ft (579 meters)

Peek-A-Boo Loop

5.5 mi/8.8 km round trip

Steep but spectacular hike through the heart of Bryce Amphitheater. See the Wall of Windows.

Est. Time: 3 – 4 hours

Elevation Change: 1560 ft (474 meters)

Hat Shop

4 mi / 6.4 km round trip

Descend to the Under-the-Rim Trail to see a cluster of balanced-rock hoodoos.

Est. Time: 3 – 4 hours

Elevation Change: 1380 ft (421 meters)

Figure 8 Combination

6.4 mi / 10.2 km round trip

Combination of Queen’s Garden, Peekaboo Loop, and Navajo Loop. Clockwise direction needed on Peekaboo loop.

Est. Time: 4 – 5 hours

Elevation Change: 1575 ft (480 meters)

Bryce Amphitheater

4.7 mi / 7.5 km round trip

Descend from Bryce Point, turn left on Peekaboo Loop. Then connect to Queen’s Garden and ascend to Sunrise Point. Use the shuttle or the 3.2 Rim return.

Est. Time: 3 – 4 hours

Elevation: 1145 ft (349 meters)