With its otherwordly landscape, jaw-dropping canyons and staggering hoodoos, Bryce Canyon National Park is one of the country’s top outdoor destinations. Plus, it’s one of the United States’ top places to stargaze, thanks to it’s dark, nonpolluted night sky. For a fantastic Bryce Canyon hike, consider the Queen’s Garden Loop with the Navajo Loop. Not only will you gain great hoodoo and canyon perspectives, but you’ll walk along the impressive canyon rim. Here’s how to combine the two trails or do them one at a time.

Trailhead: Sunset Point or Sunrise Point
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 2.9 miles
Elevation change: 600 feet
Time: 2-3 hours

Providing an unrivaled diversity of scenery within Bryce Canyon National Park, the Queens Garden Loop, with the Navajo Loop trail, is an excellent choice for those seeking a moderate adventure. You’ll have wide open views, wind through towering hoodoos in the Queens Garden and tall redrock walls along the Navajo portion. Plus, you’ll get to enjoy part of the Rim Trail between Sunset Point and Sunrise Point, with a grand vista of the Bryce Amphitheater.

How Do I Hike the Queens Garden Trail and Navajo Loop Trail Together?
It is recommended that you do this loop hike clockwise. This way you’ll go down the Queens’ Garden Trail and up the Navajo Loop Trail, providing overall better views of the Bryce Amphitheater.
If you’d like to see both sides of the Navajo Loop, when the Wall Street side is open, you can head up that side, then down the Two Bridges side just far enough to get a view of Thor’s Hammer.

Begin at Sunrise Point, from which you’ll descend 320 feet into the canyon at the start of this 1.8-mile roundtrip hike. You’ll see numerous hoodoos resembling various garden features, hence the trail name. If you use your imagination, you may see Queen Victoria at the end of the short spur trail. Be prepared for steep slopes and loose gravel.

Start from Sunset Point and travel down relatively steep switchbacks between colorful, limestone walls to view of the park’s famous Thor’s Hammer hoodoo. There are two sides to the 1.4-mile loop: The Two Bridges side (0.6 mile) and the Wall Street side (0.7 mile). Two Bridges is open year-round, but Wall Street closes when there is precipitation and overnight freezing temperatures. If both sides are open, it is recommended to do the hike as a counter-clockwise loop.

Other Favorite Bryce Canyon National Park Hikes

Fairyland

This popular day hike runs through the Fairyland amphitheater north of Bryce Canyon. Access the trailhead at Fairyland Point or from Sunrise Point. You’ll be rewarded with views of the Sinking Ship and other interesting rock formations amidst the Douglas fir, juniper and limber pine trees.

A longer option is the Fairyland Loop trail, 8 miles, which lops through the Fairyland Amphitheater north of Bryce Canyon.

Mossy Cave Trail
Stretch your legs on this short walk into the reddish hoodoos off Utah Highway 12. You’ll come to a mossy, seeping cave – a nice peek into what Bryce Canyon National Park has to offer for those short on time.

Rim Trail
If you have the time, take this 5.5 one-way hike along the Bryce Canyon rim, connecting all of the scenic overlooks between Fairyland Point and Bryce Point. Short on time? There are lots of shorter options along the rim (access points are at Sunrise, Sunset, Inspiration and Bryce points). Use the park shuttle to get back to whichever parking lot you used.

To find the Rim Trail, drive north 0.7 mile from the Bryce Canyon Visitor Center to the Fairyland Point turnoff. Park in the designated parking lot. Walk east to the rim at Fairyland Point. Follow the stone path to the south. Portions of the trail between Sunrise and Sunset points are paved or well worn so as to be wheelchair accessible.

Peek-a-Boo Loop Trail
A trail for hikers and horses, the Peek-a-Boo loop trail winds around hoodoos below Inspiration Point and Bryce Point. Along the way, you’ll see the Wall of Windows, the Three Wisemen, The Organ and The Cathedral.

When Is the Best Time to Hike in Bryce Canyon National Park?
The best time to visit and hike in Bryce Canyon National Park is May through September. You’ll enjoy warm, pleasant weather and have access to a full range of ranger-led activities. To avoid crowds, consider April and October. The fall foliage and wildflowers are stunning.

The park is open all day every day of the year. Those visiting in the winter will see the park transformed by snow and have access to cross-country skiing and snowshoeing opportunities.

Tips for Hiking in Bryce Canyon National Park

• Start early. To avoid the crush of crowds on the trails and at overlooks, and so as not to have to battle for a spot in the parking lot, start your day early. The hoodoos are particularly pretty at sunrise. The hiking trails will be less crowded at this time, or in the late afternoon.
• Take photos at sunrise and sunset. The Bryce Canyon amphitheater glows in ethereal shades of purple, pink and orange at sunrise and sunset.
• Pack lot of water. At Bryce, you’ll be at the highest elevation of any Utah national park. On the scenic drive alone, you will gain over 1,200 feet of elevation. Bring along more than enough water so as not to become dehydrated. (This also helps if you are coming from lower-elevation parks, like Zion.)
• Pack layer. The weather changes often at Bryce Canyon, so wear and pack layers of clothing and outerwear. Thunderstorms come in quickly in the summer – if you hear thunder, seek shelter in a building or vehicle.