Bryce Canyon National Park is a place where the landscape hardly seems real, a maze of rose and orange spires dropping away from the rim in dizzying depth.

Hiking here is the most rewarding way to experience this otherworldly amphitheater. From the iconic Navajo Loop and Queen’s Garden combination to longer routes that wander far from the crowds, Bryce offers trails for every energy level.

This guide walks through the very best hikes in the park today, how to choose between them, and what you need to know before you go.

Understanding Bryce Canyon’s Trails and Seasons

Before lacing up your boots, it helps to understand how Bryce Canyon’s trails are organized and how the seasons shape your experience. Almost all of the park’s most famous hikes plunge below the rim into the Bryce Amphitheater, then climb steeply back out. Distances may look short on paper, but elevation, grade, and altitude make them more demanding than many visitors expect.

The park sits between roughly 8,000 and 9,000 feet in elevation, which means thinner air, cooler temperatures, and a higher chance of altitude fatigue if you push too hard too quickly.

Trails are categorized by the National Park Service as easy, moderate, or strenuous based on total distance and elevation gain, but weather and trail conditions can quickly change difficulty levels.

Summer brings warm days, big crowds, and possible afternoon thunderstorms. Spring and fall can be crisp and uncrowded but occasionally icy in the shade. In winter, snow turns the hoodoos into a red and white fantasy, yet many trails become slick and require traction devices, and the famous Wall Street section of the Navajo Loop often closes when freeze-thaw cycles make it unstable.

With that context in mind, here are the best hikes in Bryce Canyon right now, from classic amphitheater loops to quieter backcountry circuits and short scenic walks along the rim.

If you have time for only one hike in Bryce Canyon, make it the Navajo Loop and Queen’s Garden combination. Widely promoted by Bryce Canyon National Park as its signature route, this loop joins the park’s two most famous trails into a compact tour of everything that makes Bryce unforgettable: sweeping amphitheater views, narrow switchbacks, towering Douglas firs, and close-up hoodoos shaped like castles and queens.

The official Queen’s/Navajo Combination is about 2.9 miles round trip with roughly 625 feet of elevation gain. The National Park Service strongly recommends hiking it clockwise, descending via Queen’s Garden and climbing out via Navajo, both to maximize views and to cut down on injuries on the steeper grades.

Queen’s Garden Trail

The Queen’s Garden Trail begins at Sunrise Point and is often described as the easiest route that drops below the Bryce rim. That label can be misleading, because even this “easy” descent is steep in places, but it is more forgiving than the Navajo switchbacks and offers a gentler grade for your knees.

From Sunrise Point, the trail winds down a series of broad, sandy switchbacks that steadily reveal the Bryce Amphitheater from new angles. As you descend, hoodoos towering above the trail frame the view of gullies and fins below. The route passes through arches and tunnels carved naturally out of the soft limestone, a reminder of how quickly this landscape is eroding and changing.

Near the bottom, a short spur leads to the “Queen’s Garden” itself, where eroded rock forms that resemble Queen Elizabeth appear to preside over a cluster of pinnacles and turrets. This is a natural place to pause, soak in the scene, and appreciate how far below the rim you have come before continuing toward the Navajo junction.

From the lower end of Queen’s Garden, a connector brings you to the base of the Navajo Loop Trail. This is where the climb back to the rim begins. The Navajo Loop is about 1.3 miles total and climbs roughly 550 feet, with two distinct arms known as Two Bridges and Wall Street.

The Two Bridges side is open year-round under normal conditions. It passes beneath the striking “Two Bridges” rock spans and offers classic views up to the rim lined with fir trees and hoodoos. The Wall Street side is steeper and tighter, a dramatic corridor of switchbacks between tall rock walls.

Because of its narrowness and the way snow and ice linger here, Wall Street closes seasonally in periods when freezing temperatures and precipitation combine, and only the Two Bridges side remains open. In heavy winter or early spring, you should always check with the park for current closure information before planning to descend this way.

As you climb, Thor’s Hammer, one of Bryce Canyon’s most famous hoodoos, appears beside the trail near the Two Bridges arm. You can see this formation from the rim at Sunset Point without hiking, but getting closer on the Navajo Loop underscores how fragile and improbable it looks, balanced on a slender pedestal of rock.

Completing the Queen’s/Navajo Combination Loop

The classic Queen’s/Navajo Combination typically begins at Sunrise Point. Hike down Queen’s Garden, traverse the connector to the Navajo Loop, ascend via your chosen arm, and emerge at Sunset Point. From there, an easy half-mile stretch of the Rim Trail links back to Sunrise to form a complete loop.

Hiking clockwise this way gives you downhill views into the amphitheater on Queen’s Garden, then saves your knees by keeping the steeper Navajo slope for the ascent. The National Park Service notes that most hiking injuries in Bryce occur while descending the steeper side of Navajo, so resisting the temptation to run straight down from Sunset is as much a safety choice as a scenic one.

Expect the loop to take 2 to 3 hours for most visitors, longer if you stop often for photos or breaks. In peak season, start early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid midday congestion on the tight switchbacks and to find parking at Sunrise or Sunset Point.

Between April and October, a free park shuttle serves the Bryce Amphitheater area; given parking restrictions on oversized vehicles during shuttle season, many hikers opt to leave their car at the shuttle station and ride to the trailhead.

Beyond the Basics: Figure-8, Peekaboo Loop & Bryce Amphitheater Combos

Once you have sampled Navajo and Queen’s Garden, Bryce Canyon’s amphitheater offers an array of longer combinations that link those same trails with the Peekaboo Loop and other connectors.

These routes are considered moderate to strenuous because of their cumulative elevation change and distance, but they showcase the heart of Bryce in a way short hikes cannot match.

The National Park Service highlights several of these as “signature” strenuous routes, including the Peekaboo Loop, the Figure-8 Combination, and the Bryce Amphitheater Traverse.

All three involve steep grades, thin air, and extended time below the rim, so they are best suited to reasonably fit hikers who have some experience with elevation and are prepared for changing conditions.

Peekaboo Loop Trail

The Peekaboo Loop descends from Bryce Point and loops through a dense forest of hoodoos beneath the rim before climbing back out to Bryce Point. The full circuit is about 5.5 miles with roughly 670 feet of elevation change, but because of rolling ups and downs, it can feel more strenuous than the numbers suggest.

From Bryce Point, the trail drops quickly into the amphitheater, delivering immediate and expansive views back up to the rim and across to the Boat Mesa and Fairyland areas.

Once on the loop proper, the trail undulates through a landscape of freestanding spires, fins, and slotlike gullies, often giving a feeling of walking through a stone city. Several vantage points offer long perspectives across the amphitheater that many visitors never see from the shortcut trails.

Peekaboo is shared with guided horse and mule rides during the main season, which means hikers must be prepared to yield on narrow sections and to contend with churned-up, dusty tread. The National Park Service recommends hiking the loop in a clockwise direction both to manage the grades more comfortably and to reduce congestion at tight bends.

Figure-8 Combination: Queen’s Garden, Navajo & Peekaboo

The Figure-8 Combination is one of Bryce Canyon’s most ambitious day hikes, combining Queen’s Garden, the Navajo Loop, and the Peekaboo Loop into a seamless circuit.

The route is about 6.4 to 7 miles depending on your exact start and end points and includes more than 1,500 feet of cumulative elevation change, placing it squarely in the strenuous category.

The standard approach is to start at Sunrise Point, descend Queen’s Garden, connect to the Peekaboo Loop, hike Peekaboo clockwise, then climb out on the Navajo Loop and complete the circuit back to Sunrise on the Rim Trail. Hiking in this direction maximizes downhill views, helps distribute hikers along the route, and keeps the steepest grades oriented toward ascent.

This combination is ideal for visitors who want to spend a full half-day or more immersed in the amphitheater, away from the highest traffic near the rim. You will see every kind of Bryce terrain in one outing, from crowded overlooks to quiet gullies and broad, sunlit slopes studded with pines. Carry plenty of water, snacks, sun protection, and layers; the route feels exposed at mid-day, and weather can change rapidly at Bryce’s elevation.

Bryce Amphitheater Traverse

The Bryce Amphitheater Traverse offers a point-to-point alternative for hikers who prefer not to climb all the way back to their starting point. This one-way hike begins at Bryce Point, descends to and follows the Peekaboo Loop for a portion, then connects to Queen’s Garden and ascends to Sunrise Point. It typically covers 4 to 5 miles and takes 3 to 4 hours for most parties.

Because it starts at a high elevation at Bryce Point and ends at Sunrise Point, the traverse feels like a journey through the entire amphitheater. You will experience the deep interior of the canyon along Peekaboo, then gradually return toward busier terrain as you approach Queen’s Garden near Sunrise. Many hikers choose to use the park shuttle to reach Bryce Point, then hike back toward their vehicle near Sunrise or the visitor center, simplifying logistics.

This route works especially well for photography-focused visitors who want the dramatic viewpoints of Bryce Point without retracing their steps, or for reasonably fit hikers who have one dedicated morning or afternoon to see as much of the amphitheater as possible in a single outing.

Fairyland Loop, Mossy Cave & Other Top Trails Beyond the Core

While the amphitheater trails around Sunrise, Sunset, and Bryce Points draw the majority of hikers, some of Bryce Canyon’s most rewarding routes lie just beyond the busiest corridor. Trails like the Fairyland Loop and Mossy Cave offer quieter perspectives, varied terrain, and in some cases easier access and different elevation profiles.

The National Park Service lists eight main day hikes in the park, spread between the amphitheater and the less-visited northern and southern ends. Mixing one or two of these with the classic Navajo and Queen’s Garden loop can give a well-rounded sense of Bryce’s diverse geology and ecosystems.

Fairyland Loop

The Fairyland Loop is a strenuous yet less crowded circuit that runs around Boat Mesa and dips in and out of the rim near the park’s northern end. The full loop is about 8 miles with substantial elevation change and takes 4 to 5 hours for most hikers. It can be accessed from Fairyland Point or the Rim Trail near the Tower Bridge trailhead north of Sunrise Point.

Compared with the amphitheater hikes, Fairyland feels more expansive and remote. The trail alternates between high rim segments with vast views and lower sections that wind among unusually delicate hoodoos and fins. The colors here skew paler and more pastel than in the central amphitheater, and the sense of open space is greater, especially early or late in the day when crowds are thinnest.

There is no shuttle service to Fairyland Point, so hikers starting or ending there must arrange their own transport or plan to hike from one access point to another. Many people choose to hike the loop counterclockwise from the Rim Trail junction so that the steeper Tower Bridge portion is tackled on the descent rather than during the final climb.

Mossy Cave Trail

The Mossy Cave Trail is a short, family-friendly walk at the park’s northern boundary that offers an unusual perspective. Instead of starting on the rim and heading down, this route begins at a lower elevation outside the main amphitheater area and climbs gently along a stream-fed canyon toward a shaded grotto and small waterfall.

The entire out-and-back distance is about 0.8 mile and typically takes 30 to 60 minutes. Along the way, you walk beside a clear, shallow creek flanked by red rocks and hoodoos on the slopes above.

The “cave” at the end is actually a moist overhang where moss thrives in summer and icicles form in winter. It is a very different microclimate from the sunny, dusty amphitheater and can be cooler and more humid, offering welcome relief on hot days.

Parking at Mossy Cave is limited, and the park recommends visiting early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid congestion. Because the trail is short and accessible from a highway, it attracts many casual walkers and families. Staying on the signed path and respecting closures is essential to protect both people and the fragile streamside environment.

Rim Trail Highlights

The Rim Trail, stretching roughly 5.5 miles from Bryce Point to Fairyland Point, stitches together the park’s main overlooks and provides the easiest way to experience grand Bryce views without a major descent.

Difficulty varies by section, but the portion between Sunrise and Sunset Points is paved, nearly level, and wheelchair accessible under good conditions, making it one of the park’s most inclusive walks.

Strolling this central section offers repeated views into the amphitheater from slightly different angles. Many visitors use the half-mile Sunrise to Sunset segment to complete loops that start on Queen’s Garden or Navajo, while others linger along the rim at dawn or dusk watching light shift across the hoodoos.

More ambitious hikers can tackle longer segments of the Rim Trail as a moderate day hike, using the shuttle to return to their starting point. Starting from Sunrise or Sunset Point and walking south toward Bryce Point, for example, offers a steady progression of overlooks, each with unique compositions and distant views toward the Paunsaugunt Plateau and beyond.

Short, Easy Walks for Casual Hikers and Families

Not every visitor to Bryce Canyon wants or needs to brave steep switchbacks and long loops. The park has several short, relatively easy trails that still deliver rewarding scenery. These are ideal for families with young children, travelers adjusting to altitude, or anyone looking for a lower-commitment introduction to Bryce’s landscape.

These routes focus on paved sections of the Rim Trail and very short descents, plus accessible viewpoints that work well as sunset or sunrise stops. They can also complement a day when you plan to drive the park road to viewpoints at higher elevation but still want a chance to move your legs.

Sunset to Sunrise Rim Walk

The paved Rim Trail segment between Sunset and Sunrise Points is a simple 1-mile round-trip walk with only about 40 feet of elevation change. It is the easiest walk in the main amphitheater area and is open to leashed pets, which is not the case for most Bryce trails. Under normal conditions, most visitors complete it in about an hour with plenty of stops to linger at railings and take photographs.

The views here are the Bryce Canyon postcard shots: a sweeping amphitheater filled with orange and pink hoodoos, with the Queen’s Garden and Navajo trails visible below. Because both trailheads for the Queen’s/Navajo Combination are located at the ends of this paved walk, it is often busy, but the path is wide and accommodates two-way traffic comfortably.

This route is particularly appealing at sunrise and sunset, when low-angle light ignites the hoodoos and shadows dramatize the depth of the amphitheater. Railings and fencing along much of the rim offer a greater sense of security for visitors who are uneasy with heights.

Bristlecone Loop

At the park’s highest elevations near Rainbow Point, the Bristlecone Loop offers a one-mile circuit through subalpine forest that stays entirely above the canyon rim. The trail is relatively easy, with gentle grades, and passes by ancient bristlecone pines that can be up to 1,800 years old.

Because it is higher and more forested than the amphitheater, this loop feels cooler and more sheltered, especially in summer. Views open intermittently through the trees to distant plateaus and cliffs, and interpretive signs along the way explain the ecology and longevity of bristlecone pines. It is a good choice for visitors who want a quieter, more contemplative walk, or who may be sensitive to exposure on steep canyon trails.

Snow can linger here longer than at lower elevations, especially in late winter and early spring, so footing may be icy or muddy depending on conditions. As always, check the latest updates at the visitor center before heading to the far end of the park road.

Planning Your Bryce Canyon Hiking Day

Choosing the best hikes in Bryce Canyon is not only about distance and scenery. Altitude, sun exposure, time of year, and current trail conditions all play important roles. A little planning goes a long way toward having a safe and enjoyable day on the trails.

With the park’s free shuttle system operating seasonally and parking restrictions at popular trailheads, logistics are worth considering before you arrive. Likewise, gear and timing matter more here than on many low-elevation desert hikes because of the combination of steep grades and high altitude.

Seasonal Conditions and Closures

Trail conditions in Bryce Canyon change significantly with the seasons. In winter and the shoulder months when overnight temperatures are below freezing, the famous Wall Street side of the Navajo Loop often closes due to unstable, icy tread and rockfall risk. The Two Bridges side remains the default route for accessing the Navajo Loop in cold weather.

Snow and ice can persist on shaded sections of the Queen’s Garden, Navajo, and Peekaboo trails even when sunlit areas are dry. The National Park Service strongly recommends traction devices in winter to prevent slips, and rescues for ankle and leg injuries are more common when visitors attempt these routes in street shoes or smooth-soled footwear.

Summer brings its own challenges. Afternoon thunderstorms can develop rapidly, creating a risk of lightning on exposed rims and of flash flooding in low-lying gullies. Starting longer hikes like the Figure-8 Combination or Fairyland Loop early in the morning is often the safest strategy, allowing you to be back near the rim or at your vehicle by the time clouds typically build.

Using the Bryce Canyon Shuttle

From roughly April through October, Bryce Canyon operates a free shuttle system serving the most popular amphitheater viewpoints and trailheads. During shuttle season, vehicles over a certain length are restricted from parking at Bryce, Inspiration, Sunset, and Sunrise Points, making the shuttle the easiest way for many visitors to start hikes like Navajo, Queen’s Garden, or the Queen’s/Navajo Combination.

Shuttles typically run frequently throughout the day, with stops near the visitor center, the main amphitheater overlooks, and key trailheads. Many hikers choose to leave their car at the shuttle station or at designated parking lots and ride to their trail start, especially if they plan one-way routes like the Bryce Amphitheater Traverse.

Using the shuttle also reduces congestion in small parking lots and lowers the chance you will circle repeatedly looking for a spot at peak times. Checking the current shuttle schedule, operating dates, and any service changes at the visitor center or on official park information boards on the day of your visit is essential, as times and routes can shift from year to year.

Packing Smart for High-Elevation Hiking

Regardless of the trail you choose, hiking in Bryce Canyon requires more preparation than a casual stroll around a city park. The combination of altitude, sun exposure, and dry air means you will likely tire more quickly and dehydrate faster than you expect.

  • Carry at least 1 to 2 liters of water per person for short amphitheater loops, and more for longer routes like Fairyland or the Figure-8 Combination.
  • Wear sturdy hiking shoes or boots with good tread and ankle support. Smooth-soled sneakers, sandals, or slip-ons are strongly discouraged on steep switchbacks.
  • Bring sun protection including a brimmed hat, sunglasses, and broad-spectrum sunscreen; shade is limited on many routes.
  • Pack layers. Even in summer, mornings at 8,000 feet can be chilly, and weather can change quickly.
  • Carry snacks or a light meal for moderate and strenuous hikes to keep energy levels up, especially if you are not accustomed to altitude.

Visitors who are new to high elevation should consider starting with a short rim walk or the Queen’s Garden descent before committing to longer or steeper trails. Pay attention to signs of altitude sickness such as headache, nausea, dizziness, or unusual fatigue, and be willing to turn back if needed. The views will still be there on your next visit.

The Takeaway

Bryce Canyon’s best hikes showcase some of the most distinctive terrain in the American Southwest. The Navajo Loop and Queen’s Garden combination earns its reputation as the essential Bryce hike, compressing the park’s core attractions into a half-day outing that almost anyone with moderate fitness can enjoy.

For hikers who want more, the Peekaboo Loop, Figure-8 Combination, Fairyland Loop, and Bryce Amphitheater Traverse extend that experience into longer journeys through quieter corners of the canyon.

At the same time, short walks like Mossy Cave, the Sunset to Sunrise Rim Trail, and the Bristlecone Loop ensure that Bryce remains accessible to families, casual hikers, and travelers easing into the high-elevation environment.

Whichever route you choose, planning around current conditions, using the shuttle where appropriate, and carrying adequate gear will have far more impact on your day than chasing the most difficult trail.

In the end, there is no single “right” way to hike Bryce Canyon. Whether you spend an hour on the rim watching light flicker across hoodoos, or a full day tracing loops among spires and fins, the park’s intricate amphitheaters will leave an impression that lasts far beyond your time on the trail.

FAQ

Q1. What is the single best hike for first-time visitors to Bryce Canyon?
The Queen’s Garden and Navajo Loop Combination is widely considered the best introductory hike. At about 2.9 miles round trip with around 625 feet of elevation gain, it delivers classic Bryce views, passes close to iconic hoodoos, and can be completed in 2 to 3 hours by most reasonably fit visitors.

Q2. How difficult is the Navajo Loop compared with Queen’s Garden?
The Navajo Loop is steeper and more demanding, with tighter switchbacks and a greater average grade, while Queen’s Garden offers a somewhat gentler descent. The park recommends descending on Queen’s Garden and ascending on Navajo to reduce the risk of knee and ankle injuries on the steeper slopes.

Q3. How long does it take to hike the Figure-8 Combination?
The Figure-8 Combination, which links Queen’s Garden, Navajo, and Peekaboo, typically takes 4 to 5 hours. Time varies based on fitness, altitude acclimatization, and how often you stop for photos and breaks, but most visitors should plan for a half day and carry extra water and snacks.

Q4. Is the Wall Street section of the Navajo Loop open year-round?
No. The Wall Street side of the Navajo Loop usually closes in periods when precipitation combines with freezing overnight temperatures, most often in winter and early spring. During these times, only the Two Bridges side is open. Trail status can change quickly, so always check current conditions with the park on the day of your hike.

Q5. Are there easy hikes suitable for families with young children?
Yes. The paved Rim Trail between Sunset and Sunrise Points is only about 1 mile round trip with minimal elevation change and is ideal for families. Mossy Cave is another excellent option, offering a short 0.8-mile out-and-back walk with a stream and a small waterfall that many children enjoy.

Q6. What are the best longer, less crowded hikes in Bryce Canyon?
For hikers seeking more solitude, the Fairyland Loop and the Peekaboo Loop are strong choices. Fairyland is an 8-mile circuit around Boat Mesa with varied terrain and fewer crowds, while Peekaboo is a roughly 5.5-mile loop that dives deep into the amphitheater from Bryce Point and sees fewer day-trippers than the core Navajo and Queen’s Garden corridor.

Q7. Do I need special gear to hike in Bryce Canyon during winter?
In winter, traction devices such as microspikes are strongly recommended for most amphitheater hikes, as shaded sections can be icy even when sunlit areas appear dry. Warm, layered clothing, gloves, and a hat are also important, and hikers should choose sturdy waterproof footwear rather than light sneakers.

Q8. Can I rely on the Bryce Canyon shuttle to reach all major trailheads?
During its operating season, the shuttle serves the main amphitheater viewpoints and trailheads, including Sunrise, Sunset, Inspiration, and Bryce Points, which access Queen’s Garden, Navajo, Peekaboo, and several combinations. It does not serve all outlying trailheads such as Fairyland Point and Mossy Cave, so hikers to those areas must use private vehicles.

Q9. How much water should I carry for typical Bryce Canyon hikes?
For short amphitheater hikes like the Queen’s/Navajo Combination, most hikers should carry at least 1 to 2 liters of water per person, more in hot or dry conditions. For longer, strenuous routes such as the Fairyland Loop or the Figure-8 Combination, 2 to 3 liters per person is a safer minimum, as water sources are not available on the trails themselves.

Q10. Is it safe to hike in Bryce Canyon if I am not used to high altitude?
Many visitors who are new to high elevation hike safely in Bryce Canyon by starting slowly, choosing shorter routes at first, drinking plenty of water, and listening to their bodies. If you feel persistent headache, nausea, dizziness, or unusual fatigue, you should rest, descend to the rim if you are below it, and consider cutting your hike short. When in doubt, consult park staff or a medical professional before tackling strenuous trails at altitude.