5 Of The Best Hikes In Bryce Canyon National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah is known for its colorful and whimsical formations, and incredible stone hoodoos and rock types. Contrary to what many people believe, it's not a canyon. It's a spectacular series of more than a dozen amphitheaters, each of which is carved at least 1,000 feet into the chromatic limestone.
Ranked No. 5 in our All 59 National Parks Ranked story, Bryce Canyon offers a variety of outdoor recreational opportunities; some of which include camping, biking, backpacking, and of course, hiking.
Hiking in this park gives you the opportunity to explore the unique landscape, take photos from the canyon rim, and view incredible wildlife.
The park is open 24 hours per day throughout the year; however certain hiking trail hours may vary.
Here are 5 of the best hikes in Bryce Canyon National Park.
1. Rim Trail- The Rim trail is a fairly long hike, at 11.1 miles. There are two main routes; an easy, paved trail that connects Sunrise and Sunset Points, and a more strenuous trail that runs from Fairyland Point to Bryce Point. Along your hike you will enjoy incredible views of the hoodoos in the area.
2. Fairyland Loop- This is one of the more difficult hikes in the park. It is a strenuous 7.8 mile loop trail that offers a variety of recreational opportunities. Begin at Fairyland Point and explore the scenery along the rim into the canyon. The hike takes approximately 4-5 miles round trip. A review on alltrails.com said: "Had the most amazing time on this trail. The views were unbelievable. Loved it!!"
3. Bristlecone Loop Trail- This is an easy hike, perfect for sightseeing and exploring nature with the family. It's a 1 mile loop that can be accessed by Rainbow Point. Venture through the forest and reach the highest point of the park – over 9,100 feet in elevation. Also make sure to look out for wildlife. "The forest here is dominated by Blue Spruce, Douglas-fir and White Fir, making this good habitat for grouse, woodpeckers, owls, and a variety of squirrels and chipmunks," alltrails.com says.
4. Tower Bridge Trail- This is a scenic 3.6 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail, according to alltrails.com. There is a lot of variation in the landscape. Enjoy views of hoodoos and white sandstone. A review said: "Just do it! The whole hike is just beautiful with tons of cool rock formations to explore and take pictures by."
5. Navajo Loop Trail- This is a 1.4 mile loop trail commonly used by moderate hikers and bird watchers. You will begin your journey at Sunset Point then venture through Wall Street, "a narrow switchbacked slot between sheer cliffs, with towering Douglas fir trees growing along the trail," alltrails.com explains. "The trail provides outstanding views of much-photographed Thor's Hammer – a tall, narrow pinnacle with a narrower neck, supporting a large hammerhead-like rock."
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