Join us at The Canyon Livery, near Bryce Canyon, and experiece the beauty of less-traveled paths.

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Presented below is information on: Overlooks and Scenic Drive Hiking Trails Select Bryce SuperMap for a more detailed, full page version of the map below. Bryce Canyon is not really a canyon, but rather a series of amphitheaters carved by erosion from the edge of the Pausaugunt Plateau. The park's main scenic drive runs atop the plateau connecting various lookouts over the amphitheaters. Hiking trails run along the rim and down into the amphitheaters. The park is relatively small, stretching just 18 miles north to south and 6 miles across at its widest point. You can experience it adequately in a day, though longer stays will be rewarded. While Bryce Canyon is beautiful anytime of the day, it is most spectacularly colorful near sunrise and sunset. Special effort should be made to be at the rim for either (or both). The best views in the park are from Sunrise Point, Sunset Point, Inspiration Point and Bryce Point. They form a semi-circle around the Bryce Amphitheater, which is the largest and most spectacular in the park. Nearby Fairyland Point offers a view almost as good over the adjacent Fairyland Amphitheater. The easy Rim Trail runs along the edge of the plateau and connects each of these lookouts. Beyond Bryce Point to the south are numerous lookouts over other amphitheaters in the park. Each affords a little different view of the wonderful geology and distant landscapes. Each are worthwhile though none are as dramatic as the views over the main Bryce Amphitheater. Of these Paria View, Aqua Canyon, Ponderosa Canyon, and Rainbow and Yovimpa Points provide the best views. Also worth a stop is Natural Bridge, which is really a large arch. You can (kind of) look through it to the scenery below.

There are numerous hiking trails within Bryce running more than 50 miles. You should try to take at least one down into an amphitheater to get a different perspective on Bryce's beauty. (You'll find them well marked on the official park map handed out at the entrance to the park.) Difficulty Distance Elev. Change Time Rim Trail Easy 5.5 mi. oneway 540 ft. 2-1/2 hrs. The Rim Trail runs along the edge of the plateau above Fairyland and Bryce amphitheaters. It connects Fairyland Point, Sunrise Point, Sunset Point, Inspiration Point and Bryce Point. It is 5-1/2 miles long in total but can be picked up at any of the lookouts and traveled just as long you want. It is paved between Sunrise and Sunset Points and provides wonderful views all along. Think about strolling it early in the morning or just before sunset. Fairyland Loop Trail Moderate 8 mi. loop 950 ft. 4 hrs. The Fairyland Loop Trail descends 900 feet from Fairyland Point, meanders through the hoodoos of Fairyland Amphitheater and climbs back out at Sunrise Point. It is made a loop by hiking 2.5 miles back along the Rim Trail (a segment you can omit by taking the park shuttle back to Fairyland Point). This trail tends to be less crowded than trails in Bryce Amphitheater (i.e. Queens Garden, Navajo Loop and Peekaboo, described below). As the map to the right shows, the next three trails -- Queens Garden, Navajo Loop and Peekaboo Loop -- are interconnected within Bryce Amphitheater, giving you the ability to combine trails in several different ways. One of the most popular is to combine a descent on the steep Navajo Loop Trail with an ascent up the easier Queens Garden Trail, and then return along the Rim Trail to create a 3-1/2 mile loop. Queens Garden Trail Moderate -- 1.5 mi. roundtrip -- 320 ft. -- 1-1/2 hrs. The popular Queens Garden Trail descends from Sunrise Point through fabulous hoodoos into Bryce Amphitheater. It is the easiest trail down into the amphitheater. Navajo Loop Trail Moderate 1.5 mi. loop 520 ft. 1-1/2 hrs. The Navajo Loop Trail begins at Sunset Point. Take the right fork just below the rim through a steep, narrow canyon to the even narrower Wall Street canyon, where tall pines grow among taller hoodoos. At the bottom of the trail is a short side trail to the Twin Bridges, a pair of thin natural bridges in a narrow canyon. The trail returns up sharp switchbacks to the same fork in the trail. Peekaboo Loop Trail Easy 3-1/2 mi. loop 240 ft. 2 hrs. The Peekaboo Loop Trail winds about the bottom of the Bryce Amphitheater. It is full of ups and downs and interesting sights. It can be accessed from Bryce Point via the a connector trail from the Under-the-Rim Trail (making a 5-1/2 mile roundtrip), from Sunset Point via the Navajo Loop Trail (a 5-1/2 mile roundtrip) or from Sunrise Point via the Queens Garden Trail (a 7 mile roundtrip). You have to share the Peekaboo Trail with horses, so watch your step. Under-the-Rim Trail Moderate 22-1/2 mi. oneway 1,500 ft. 2-3 days The Under-the-Rim Trail travels through numerous amphitheaters from Bryce Point to Rainbow Point with overnight backpacking opportunities. Four connecting trails from the main scenic drive allow you to break it into segments. Overnight camping is permitted along the trail at designated sites only. Permits may be obtained at the visitor center. (See Bryce-Camping for additional details.) Riggs Spring Loop Moderate 8.7 mi. loop 1,650 ft. 4-1/2 hrs. The Riggs Spring Loop Trail is a challenging 8-1/4 mile loop that descends from the pine forests of Rainbow Point past hoodoos into wooded canyons below. You'll encounter great panoramas south and pretty scenery all along. It can be tackled in a day with some effort or can be made into an easy overnighter. Overnight camping is permitted along the trail at designated sites only. Permits may be obtained at the visitor center. (See Bryce-Camping for additional details.) Bristlecone Loop Easy 1 mi. loop 100 ft. 1/2 hr. The Bristlecone Loop Trail is an easy walk along the rim starting at Rainbow Point. It offers numerous nice views and takes you past the extraordinarily hardy bristlecone pines, some of which have withstood the elements for over 1,700 years. Winter Hiking Snowshoes can be borrowed at no charge from the visitor center. Just leave a driver's license or credit card. Descents into the amphitheater are discouraged, but you can stomp along the Rim Trail.

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