Utah is filled with incredible National Parks! And Bryce Canyon is certainly one of the best. The incredible hoodoos are so unique and worth visiting.
There are several hikes at Bryce Canyon National Park that are perfect for first-time visitors. They offer great views of the hoodoos from above and below, and they don’t require you to be a regular hiker (just take it slow!).
The guide below shares five hiking trails that you should put on your list for your visit to Bryce Canyon National Park.
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Prepare For Your Hike at Bryce Canyon National Park
Park Admission
There is an entrance fee for Bryce Canyon National Park. It varies depending on how many days you plan to visit the park, your age, and your military status. Please refer to the Bryce Canyon National Park fees page to determine your cost.
Parking
There are several parking lots within Bryce Canyon National Park. There is also a FREE shuttle during the busier season (April through mid-October).
Amenities
Restrooms and a water-bottle-filling station are available at the Visitor Center, at the Sunset Point parking loop, and at the General Store at Sunrise Point. Several picnic tables are also located within the Sunset Point loop and near Sunrise Point.
Cellular Service
We had decent coverage within Bryce Canyon National Park. However, it’s always a good idea to bring a map with you along the trail.
Pets
Dogs are not allowed on most of the trails within Bryce Canyon Nartional park. The only trail that allows dogs is the Rim Trail.
Higher Elevation
Bryce Canyon National Park’s elevation ranges from 8000 to 9000 feet. You might feel more easily out of breath. Make sure to stay well hydrated and take adequate rest breaks on the steeper sections of the trail.
Sun Exposure
Most trails at Bryce Canyon are fully exposed to the sun, with no shade. Make sure to wear sunscreen and clothing to protect yourself from the sun. Also, if you are visiting during the summer months, consider starting early in the morning.
5 First-Time Visitor Hikes at Bryce Canyon National Park
Rim Trail
- Trail Location: Between Bryce Point and Fairyland Point
- Trail Length: Up to 11 miles
- Elevation Gain: 720 feet
- Trail Difficulty: Easy
- Dog Friendly: Yes
The Rim Trail at Bryce National Park follows the Bryce Amphitheater, offering gorgeous views of the hoodoos along the way. Although it gains 720 feet in elevation, the gain is spread out over 11 miles, so it feels almost flat walking on it.
Part of the Rim Trail is paved, making it wheelchair- and stroller-accessible. The paved portion stretches from Sunset Point to Sunrise Point.
If you are traveling with dogs, the Rim Trail is the only trail within Bryce National Park that allows pets.
Queen’s Garden Trail
- Trail Location: Sunrise Point
- Trail Length: 3.6 miles out-and-back
- Elevation Gain: 450 feet
- Trail Difficulty: Moderate
- Dog Friendly: No
The Queen’s Garden Trail is one of Bryce Canyon National Park’s most popular trails. The park lists the trail as the easiest descent into the amphitheater. However, I personally think the switchbacks along the Navajo Loop are easier.
The 1.8-mile trail (one way) features several fun highlights, including the gorgeous Thor’s Hammer, a striking 150-foot spire towering above the canyon. We also loved the multiple “tunnels” that transition you along the trail.
You can treat this trail as an out-and-back or connect to either the Two Bridges or Wall Street sections of the Navajo Loop.
The Queen’s Loop Trail is primarly un-shaded. Be prepared with plenty of water and keep an eye out for signs of heat exhaustion during the warmer months.
- Trail Location: Sunset Point
- Trail Length: 1.3 miles (loop)
- Elevation Gain: 515 feet
- Trail Difficulty: Moderate
- Dog Friendly: No
If you’ve seen photos or videos of hikers on a switchback trail, this is it! You can only complete the Navajo Loop during the warmer months, as the park closes the Wall Street section of the trail in winter. Wall Street was open during our visit in early April, but I read it was closed briefly after our visit due to weather.
Both sections use switchbacks to descend into the canyon, then climb back up to the Rim Trail. You can go either direction; however, the park recommends going counterclockwise, descending via the Wall Street Section and climbing up the Two Bridges Section.
You can connect to other trails at the bottom of the canyon, including the Queen’s Garden. If you connect to Queen’s Garden, the loop will be about 3.3 miles.
Tower Bridge Trail
- Trail Location: Sunrise Point
- Trail Length: 3 miles (out and back)
- Elevation Gain: 760 feet
- Trail Difficulty: Moderate
- Dog Friendly: No
If you’re looking for a less crowded trail at Bryce Canyon, then you’ll want to do the Tower Bridge Trail. This trail follows part of the longer Fairyland Loop Trail to the bottom of the canyon, where you’ll see a beautiful hoodoo formation known as “Tower Bridge”.
The Tower Bridge Trail is pretty much 1.5 miles straight down (and remember, you’ll have to climb back up!), leading to a short spur trail that brings you to the bridge. Take your time coming back up, as it’s a steeper incline.
Mossy Cave Trail
- Trail Location: Small parking lot southeast on UT-12, about 7.5 miles
- Trail Length: .8 miles (out and back)
- Elevation Gain: 160 feet
- Trail Difficulty: Easy
- Dog Friendly: No
The Mossy Cave Trail is the only trail on this list “outside” of the park. The trailhead is located right off UT-12, about 7.5 miles from the Bryce Canyon Visitor Center.
Although this is a “waterfall trail”, you aren’t guaranteed a waterfall view. Tropic Ditch Falls is best seen in the winter months or after a summer rainstorm. During our visit, the waterfall wasn’t much more than a trickle.
The trail is short, less than a half-mile to the waterfall and cave. It’s easy, but there is a short, steep section.
Bryce Canyon Hikes For First-Time Visitors Wrap-Up
Bryce Canyon is absolutely incredible and worth visiting, especially if you’re in Utah for Zion National Park. The hoodoos are magnificent and a truly unique geological formation.
Although they have several longer trails at Bryce, the trails listed above are perfect if it’s your first time visiting Bryce. It’s very easy to do multiple trails in one day. We were able to do the Queen’s Garden and Navajo Loop before lunch and then the Mossy Cave Trail in the afternoon before our long drive back to Cedar City.
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