Viewpoints

Bryce Canyon is situated along the eastern edge of the Paunsagunt plateau, with one main 18-mile north-to-south road and only one entrance/exit. As you enter the park, all viewpoints and hikes are on the left.

The iconic Bryce Amphitheater area is located along the first 3 miles of the main road. Most of the park's day hikes can be found here. The main road continues for another 15 miles along the Southern Scenic Drive until it ends at the park's highest elevations at Rainbow and Yovimpa Points. We recommend visiting these viewpoints on your return trip north as all stops will be on your right side.

 

Bryce Amphitheater Area

Sunrise Point

The northernmost viewpoint in the amphitheater, this view is equally spectacular at daybreak and day's end.

Sunset Point

Sunset Point offers vistas of some of the most famous and breathtaking of Bryce Canyon's hoodoos.

Inspiration Point

Inspiration Point provides a birds-eye view of the world's largest collection of "hoodoos" found within the Bryce Amphitheater.

Bryce Point

Perhaps the most iconic of all the Bryce Amphitheater's four major viewpoints, Bryce Point provides a soaring view of the hoodoos.

 

Southern Scenic Drive

Rainbow and Yovimpa Points

At 9,115 ft (2,778 m) Rainbow and Yovimpa Points are the highest viewpoints in the park.

Black Birch Canyon

The park has its share of misnomers (Mossy Cave isn't a cave, the canyon isn't really a canyon...) and Black Birch Canyon would be another.

Ponderosa Canyon

Ponderosa Canyon is so named because of the huge Ponderosa pines on the canyon floor.

Agua Canyon

At Agua Canyon two prominent hoodoos command attention. On the left, is "The Hunter" and to the right is the "Rabbit".

Natural Bridge

The impressive feature seen here is not a bridge, it's a natural arch, or window, formed by the expansion of ice in cracks deep within.

Farview & Piracy Points

Navajo Mountain, 90 miles away on the border of Utah and Arizona, can be seen from Farview Point on most days.

Swamp Canyon

Swamp Canyon completes the transition from the hoodoo-filled Bryce Amphitheater to the steep cliffs and buttes of the scenic drive.

 

Viewpoints in Other Areas

Mossy Cave

Mossy Cave is the northernmost hike in the park, located just off of SR 12 as it winds its way through the park boundary.

Fairyland Point

Fairyland Point is the northernmost viewpoint along the rim of the Paunsagunt Plateau within the park.

Paria View

A viewpoint for those who want to experience the quieter side of the park, Paria View overlooks a more than 500 ft (152m) deep amphitheater.

Tropic Trail

One of the least-traveled front-country trails in the park, the Tropic Trail provides a unique point of entry into the Bryce Amphitheater.