Towering Hoodoos and Fiery Cliffs—This Utah National Park Is Unlike Anywhere Else on Earth
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – Bryce Canyon National Park is one of the most unique and captivating parks in the United States.
Bryce Canyon is renowned for its hoodoos – tall, slender, and often knobby spires of rock sculpted over time by the forces of wind and water.
The striking red and orange colors of the rocks are complemented by the Ponderosa pine forests throughout the park, and the geological formations found here are among the most intriguing in the world.
I’ve traveled aaaaalllllll over the southwest, hiking and outdoor adventuring my way through all sorts of destinations. So when I tell you Bryce is special, I say it with a lot of experience! I adore the otherworldly landscapes here and was in awe of the majestic hoodoos rising across the orange Bryce Amphitheater.
What to See and Do in Bryce Canyon
So what to in Bryce Canyon? Let’s discuss the best viewpoints and hikes that make Bryce Canyon so unique.
A. Admire the Viewpoints of the Bryce Amphitheater
If you only go one spot in Bryce Canyon, you have to go to the viewpoints of the Amphitheater. Here you’ll get an incredible view down over all the orange hoodoos in the valley below.
There are four overlooks (Sunrise Point, Sunset Point, Bryce Point, and Inspiration Point), each providing a slightly different angle and showcasing different features of the hoodoos. Most of the trails in Bryce Canyon also start from these overlooks.
Here’s a brief breakdown of what each overlook is like:
1. Sunrise Point
Sunrise Point is on the northern edge of the Bryce Amphitheater and is one of the first stops you’ll come to in Bryce Canyon.
Here, you’re treated to expansive views over the whole park, including the Queen’s Garden and the captivating red hills that roll nearby.
2. Sunset Point
At Sunset Point, the hoodoos seem to surround you on all sides. This is one of Bryce Canyon’s most iconic viewpoints, and is frequently featured in photographs of the park.
Stephanie’s Tip: Aim to get there before 9am for a good chance of parking directly at Sunset Point. If you arrive later, the parking lot is often full, so you’ll likely have to park at the Visitor’s Center and use the shuttle (which I’ll cover in more detail further down).
3. Bryce Point
Bryce Point and Inspiration Point are on the opposite end of the amphitheater compared to Sunrise and Sunset Point, so you’ll get a totally different type of view here.
Bryce Point offers a striking view of the amphitheater, bringing you nearer to towering hoodoos like the “cathedral” and “alligator” – the latter remarkably resembling its namesake from above. Our kids loved this spot and finding the different shapes on the tops of the hoodoos.
Another unique feature at Bryce Point are the views of the caves within the canyon wall, a sight not easily found at other viewpoints.
4. Inspiration Point
Inspiration Point is remarkable for its close-up views of the more delicate, towering hoodoos. The orange hoodoos feel even more spindly and skinny here than anywhere in the park!
This location features both an upper and lower viewpoint. You’ll find parking and the shuttle stop at the lower point. It’s a steep climb to reach the upper viewpoint, but the effort is rewarded with even more impressive views.
B. Can’t Miss Hikes in Bryce Canyon
5. Navajo Loop + Queen’s Garden Trail
The Navajo Loop + Queen’s Garden trail is easily the most popular trail in Bryce Canyon, and for good reason. Both the kids and adults in our family adored this hike, and it easily jumped into my top 5 favorite hikes of all time.
The Navajo Loop and the Queen’s Garden Trail are two distinct and separate trails. However, the Navajo Loop intersects with the Queen’s Garden Trail at approximately the halfway point, allowing you to hop over and experience the best parts of each gorgeous trail.
Starting the Hike, and Which Direction To Go
You can start from either direction (either starting from the Navajo Loop or the Queen’s Garden Trail). On the Navajo Loop, there are two slightly different paths that meet up in the valley – the Wall Street path or the Two Bridges path.
Wall Street is known for the tight switchbacks the trail makes as it heads into a slot canyon-like area surrounded by tall hoodoos. This is the picture, above, and is ostensibly the cooler path to take.
After the Wall Street section, you’ll continue through a slot canyon area filled with tall, golden canyon walls. There are lots of little places to explore here, and you’ll find some hoodoos tucked away around you.
As you arrive in the valley, the landscape transforms. The path evens out and winds its way amidst Ponderosa pines, opening up to impressive vistas of the surrounding hoodoos. Across the valley, keep an eye out for intriguing formations resembling “castles” and “cathedrals.”
As you transition onto the Queen’s Garden Trail, you’ll find yourself walking alongside towering hoodoos once again. This path offers a unique opportunity to closely observe the intricate formations!
The name ‘Queen’s Garden Trail’ is inspired by a standout hoodoo formation that bears a striking resemblance to a queen. A helpful placard not only identifies this formation, but also illustrates how erosion shapes the hoodoos over time, showcasing historical photos to against current formations.
Keep your eyes peeled for other whimsical shapes along the trail. As we hiked through this area, we spotted formations resembling dragons, a musketeer, and even a man holding a lamp!
Following this section, the trail begins to climb towards the rim and the endpoint at Sunrise Point. You’ll encounter a few sections with tighter switchbacks, though they’re less intense compared to those on Wall Street.
This hike, with its close encounters with majestic rock formations, was profoundly memorable. It was our favorite experience in Bryce Canyon and, without a doubt, the one trail you shouldn’t miss.
- Distance: 3.2 miles/6km
- Elevation Gain: 663 feet
- Difficulty: Easy-moderate
- Time Spent: We spent approximately 2 hours on this hike, with lots of stops to explore and take lots of pictures.
6. The Rim Trail
The Rim Trail, a smooth, paved path, stretches across the rim of the Bryce Amphitheater, connects Bryce Point and Sunrise Point. Along this trail, you get panoramic views of the canyon and amphitheater, with easy access to the four main viewpoints.
The entire Rim Trail is pretty long – 5.5 miles – and it’s probably not worth doing the entire hike. Instead, I’d recommend doing a shorter section of the trail between the viewpoints, like the 0.6-mile stretch from Sunrise to Sunset or the 0.7-mile walk from Sunset to Inspiration.
A Practical Tip: if you’ve parked at Sunset Point or Sunrise Point for the Navajo Loop/Queen’s Garden Trail, consider walking back to your car via the Rim Trail. It’s a great way to round off your hike with more stunning views.
7. Mossy Cove Trail
Mossy Cove Trail is a very easy, 0.8 round trip hike to a cave viewpoint and a waterfall.
The trail follows a charming stream with views of hoodoos in the distance, and crosses two bridges, before reaching a fork. The left fork takes you up to the cave, while the right fork takes you to the top of the small waterfall. Alternatively, you can hop off the main trail at the second bridge to go down and play in the stream.
During warmer months, the cave is full of moss, but I think it’s more dramatic and beautiful in the winter when the slowly dripping water of the cave creates massive icicles.
This ended up being one of our kids’ favorite parts of the day – they loved playing in the stream at the base of the waterfall. It’s very scenic and is usually shallow and calm enough that you can safely play in the water.
Mossy Cove Trail is actually outside of the fee area for Bryce Canyon, and off of Highway 12. There’s a small parking lot right at the trailhead and another overflow parking lot another 0.2 miles further.
- Distance: 0.8 miles/ 1.3 km
- Elevation Gain: 135 feet
- Difficulty: Easy
C. Drive the Scenic Route and Stop at the Viewpoints Along the Way
Bryce Canyon Road, or Highway 63, serves as the main road going through Bryce Canyon National Park. While it initially stays close to the rim of the Bryce Amphitheater, the road extends beyond Bryce Point, becoming a scenic drive that leads to more viewpoints, natural features, and stunning vistas.
Positioned on the uppermost “stair” of the Grand Staircase, Bryce Canyon’s Scenic Drive heads south to where the expansive landscape opens up. The higher elevation on this route offers sweeping views of the distant mountain ranges and the picturesque countryside and ridges beyond.
Tip: Beyond Bryce Point, the Scenic Drive is often closed during the winter. Check with the Visitor Center for current closures.
Second Tip: From Bryce Point to the end of the Scenic Drive at Rainbow Point, the drive is about 20-30 minutes one way. But with stops along the way to enjoy the views, plan 1 – 2 hours to enjoy the whole drive.
These were our 4 favorite stops on the Scenic Route:
8. Farpoint and Piracy Point Overlooks
These two viewpoints conveniently share a parking lot. A brief walk of less than five minutes through pine trees takes you to Piracy Point. In my opinion, Piracy Point offers a better view of the hoodoos compared to Farpoint, so I do think it’s worth the walk out.
9. Natural Bridge Overlook
Natural Bridge is a highlight of the Scenic Drive and definitely worth a visit. This impressive structure is surprisingly larger than it seems in pictures. You can easily see the arch from the road, set against a backdrop of pines and lush greenery.
If you only stop at one point on the Scenic Drive, I’d make it this one.
10. Agua Canyon Overlook
At this viewpoint you can admire two named and unique hoodoos: the Rabbit and the Hunter.
11. Ponderosa Canyon Overlook
This is a lovely viewpoint, with knobby hoodoos in front of you and rolling hills of pine forests behind.
D. Admire the Night Sky
Stargazing is one of Bryce Canyon’s most magical nighttime activities. The park’s high elevation, dry desert air, and remote setting create perfect conditions for observing the night sky.
Bryce Canyon is accessible 24 hours a day, allowing you to venture into any open area after dark for stargazing. Alternatively, you can participate in a ranger-led night sky program. On nights with a full moon, there’s even the option to join a guided night hike where flashlights are not allowed, adding to the adventure.
For more details, you can gather information from the Bryce Canyon Visitor’s Center or check their online resources.
Practical Information and Tips
Entrance Fees, Hours, Reservations, and Pets
Fees: The fee for a private vehicle is $35, which is good for seven days. As an alternative, consider purchasing the America the Beautiful Pass, also known as the National Parks Pass. This pass grants free access to all sites within the National Parks System for an entire year.
Hours: Bryce Canyon is open 24/7/365
Pets: Pets are welcome in Bryce Canyon, but they must be kept on a leash. They’re allowed on all paved surfaces, including overlooks and the Rim Trail connecting Sunset and Sunrise Points. Additionally, you can have your pets in campsites and picnic areas.
However, pets aren’t permitted on any unpaved trails, on the shuttle buses, or inside public buildings.
Reservations: No reservation is needed to enter Bryce Canyon.
When is the Best Time to Visit Bryce Canyon?
You can have a great experience in Bryce Canyon year-round, but the ideal time to explore it is between spring and fall, specifically from April to October.
Despite its location in southern Utah, Bryce Canyon’s high elevation of 7600 feet means it enjoys cooler temperatures than much of the region. In the summer, this elevation is a welcome relief, offering a much milder climate compared to other parts of Utah.
However, the high elevation also brings more snow in the winter. While a snow-covered Bryce Canyon is stunning and tends to be less crowded, be aware that certain trails, roads, or overlooks might be closed due to snow. In some cases, you might even need snowshoes to navigate the trails.
Other Spots in the Southwest To Visit
While visiting Bryce Canyon National Park, Zion National Park, Arches National Park, and the Grand Canyon are some of the most popular spots to visit in the southwest (and deservedly so), there are SO MANY other incredible places to visit nearby in Utah, Arizona, and Nevada that aren’t these well-known national parks.
For example, there are tons of hiking opportunities near St. George, including in Snow Canyon State Park. Farther north, Goblin Valley State Park is basically one big playground for kids and adults alike. And Capital Reef National Park is Utah’s least visited national park, but is still full of exciting hiking opportunities and gorgeous scenery.
Or, you could head east and hike to Lower Calf Creek Falls, kayak to a hidden slot canyon on Lake Powell, discover the incredible landscape at Natural Bridges National Monument, drive through the stunning Valley of the Gods, or stop in at Four Corners.
So, Is Bryce Canyon Worth Visiting?
Absolutely! Bryce Canyon is an absolutely jaw-dropping, stunning, otherworldly national park. The hoodoos are just incredible geological formations and there are a lot of cool spots to explore. I think I spent the day with a big smile on my face because the whole park is just so visually interesting and unique!
