Trip Idea

A Typical Summer Visit in 1-3 Hours

Multiple Parks

A sloping area of red rocks interspersed with trees.
Duration Half Day
Topic(s) Scenic Views, Animals, Geology, Native American Heritage, Natural Sounds, Night Sky, Ancient Seas, Archeology, Canyons and Canyonlands, Plateaus and Mesas, Fossils and Paleontology, Rock Landscapes and Features, Farming and Agriculture, Freshwater Springs, Astronomy, Trails, Schools and Education, Photography more »
Activities Scenic Driving, Museum Exhibits, Guided Tours, Front-Country Hiking, Picnicking, Park Film more »
Type Active, Relaxed, Indoors, Outdoors, Group Friendly
Parks Bryce Canyon National Park

A sloping area of red rock formations interspersed with trees.

NPS Photo

A shorter visit should focus on the first 3 miles (4.8 km) of the park, known as the Bryce Amphitheater. After a stop at the Visitor Center just past the fee booths for restrooms, the park gift shop, and other amenities, continue 1.5 miles (2.4 km) to the turn for Bryce Point. The road to Bryce Point is 2 miles (3.2 km) long and ends at one of the park's most popular overlooks.

Return toward the main road, then turn right to then see Inspiration Point. Inspiration Point provides easy walks along the rim and a steeper walk south to a higher overlook.
Continue on to the main road, and turn right back toward the Visitor Center. Your next right turn will be for Sunset Point. In addition to a beautiful view, visitors can enjoy a flat 1.0 mile (1.6 km) walk along the Rim Trail to Sunrise Point and back. If time allows, you can enjoy a ranger program in the area.

For more moderate day hikes, the Navajo Loop and Queen's Garden Trails descend from Sunset and Sunrise Points, respectively or can be combined to do the 2.9 miles (4.6 km) Queen's Garden/Navajo Combination Loop.
Things to Do
  • Bryce Canyon National Park

    See the Bryce Amphitheater

    • Activity Fee: Yes
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Scenic Driving
    • Pets: Yes with Restrictions
    • Duration: 1–3 Hours
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Any Time
    Red rock formations against a clear blue sky

    By far the most iconic section of the park, the Bryce Amphitheater is home to the greatest concentration of irregular rock spires (called "hoodoos") found anywhere on Earth. Viewpoints along the first 3 miles (4.8 km) of the main road provide access to views overlooking this area.

    View Details
  • Bryce Canyon National Park

    Hoodoo Geology Talk

    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Guided Tours
    • Pets: Yes
    • Location: Sunset Point
    • Duration: 20–30 Minutes
    • Time of Day: Day
    A ranger in uniform stands in front of a crowd with a background of red rock formations

    Typically offered year-round at Sunset Point at 11 a.m. Geologists have spent years studying the unique geologic story of Bryce Canyon and its amphitheaters of hoodoos. Join the Ranger along the rim at Sunset Point to explore the evolution of the hoodoos and the groups of people who have passed through this magical terrain. 

    View Details
  • Bryce Canyon National Park

    Drive the Southern Scenic Drive

    • Activity Fee: Yes
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Scenic Driving
    • Pets: Yes
    • Duration: 2–12 Hours
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Any Time
    A large red rock limestone arch stands along a slope above forested cliffs

    The main park road is 18 miles (29 km) from the park entrance in the north to the end of the road at Rainbow at Yovimpa Points. While the Bryce Amphitheater area is found along its first 3 miles (4.8 km), the next 15 miles (24 km) to the road's end are known as the Southern Scenic Drive. Along this section of the main road are 9 scenic overlooks and vehicle pullouts that offer opportunities to see the lesser-seen geology and wildlife of Bryce Canyon.

    View Details
  • Bryce Canyon National Park

    Explore the Visitor Center Museum

    • Activity Fee: Yes
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Museum Exhibits
    • Pets: No
    • Location: Visitor Center
    • Duration: 15–60 Minutes
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Day
    A couple stands among other people examining a relief map within the park museum

    The park museum is found within the Visitor Center and contains exhibits focused on scales of time: Geological, Ecological, Human, and with special exhibits on the Night Sky and Air Quality.

    View Details
  • Bryce Canyon National Park

    See the Park Film

    • Activity Fee: Yes
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Park Film
    • Pets: No
    • Location: Visitor Center
    • Duration: 24–30 Minutes
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Day
    Title screen for A Song of Seasons film reads Bryce Canyon National Park

    "A Song of Seasons" plays in the Visitor Center theater every half hour when the Visitor Center is open.

    View Details
  • Bryce Canyon National Park

    Plan a Picnic

    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Picnicking
    • Pets: Yes
    • Location: CCC Picnic Area
    A raven sits atop a brown sign that says Rainbow Point Elevation 9115.

    Looking for a good place to enjoy a picnic? Here is a list of Bryce Canyon picnic areas.

    View Details
Trails
  • Bryce Canyon National Park

    Sunset Point to Sunrise Point Hike

    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Front-Country Hiking
    • Pets: Yes
    • Location: Sunset Point
    • Duration: 20–60 Minutes
    Looking down from above over a scenery of irregular red rocks with the sun rising behind them

    The Rim Trail hike meanders along the rim of the iconic Bryce Canyon Amphitheater, giving you views of the hoodoos below. This portion of the Rim Trail, from Sunset Point to Sunrise Point, is the only paved section of this trail and is the easiest walk in the park. Pets are allowed on this trail but must remain on paved surfaces.

    View Details
  • Bryce Canyon National Park

    Queen's Garden Trail

    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Front-Country Hiking
    • Pets: No
    • Location: Queen's Garden Trail
    • Duration: 1–2 Hours
    An overhead shot of a landscape with irregular red rock formations

    The Queen's Garden Trail is the least difficult of the trails descending from the rim into the Bryce Canyon Amphitheater. Hike this out-and-back trail to the Queen Victoria hoodoo at the end of a short spur trail and experience the splendor of hiking amongst the hoodoos. This trail is commonly combined with the Navajo Loop to create a 2.9 mile round trip trail where you can descend at Sunrise Point and ascend at Sunset Point.

    View Details
  • Bryce Canyon National Park

    Navajo Loop Trail

    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Front-Country Hiking
    • Pets: No
    • Location: Navajo Loop Trailhead
    • Duration: 1–2 Hours
    Hikers descend sandy switchbacks heading into a canyon of red rock with trees

    The iconic Navajo Loop Trail begins and ends at Sunset Point. Its switchbacks wind between narrow walls of colorful limestone with views of towering Douglas-fir trees and the park's most famous hoodoo: Thor's hammer. The loop has two sides: Two Bridges and Wall Street. The Two Bridges side is open year-round, however, the Wall Street side is closed during the winter months. During this time Two-Bridges can be hiked as an out-and-back trail or combined with other trails.

    View Details
  • Bryce Canyon National Park

    Queen's/Navajo Combination Loop

    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Front-Country Hiking
    • Pets: No
    • Location: Queen's Garden Trailhead
    • Duration: 2–3 Hours
    Hikers walk along a trail towards an open archway in the red rock

    Our most popular hike in the park and the one we most recommend to first-time visitors. The Queen's/Navajo Combination Loop combines the open views and unique hoodoos of the Queen's Garden Trail with the iconic switchbacks and towering canyon walls of the Navajo Loop Trail. Descend Queen's Garden at Sunrise Point, ascend the Navajo Loop to Sunset Point, and then complete the loop back to Sunrise Point via the Rim Trail, enjoying views into the Bryce Canyon Amphitheater below.

    View Details
  • Bryce Canyon National Park

    Mossy Cave Trail

    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Front-Country Hiking
    • Pets: No
    • Location: Mossy Cave
    • Duration: 30–60 Minutes
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    A creek meanders through red rocks with red rock formations in the background.

    Mossy Cave trail is one of the lowest elevation hikes in the park as well as one of the only hikes that begins with a climb and ends with a descent. This trail provides access to Water Canyon in one direction and to a sheltered overhang known as Mossy Cave in the other. This area is filled with mosses in the summer and icicles in the winter. Please stay on the main trail and respect all posted signs. Pets are not permitted on this trail.

    View Details

Last updated: October 10, 2024