Top 5 Scenic Hikes in Bryce Canyon National Park

Famous for its unique hoodoo rock formations, Bryce Canyon National Park needs no introduction. This incredible place is best experienced by its miles of hike-able trails, and best traveled to in one of our luxury Sprinter campervans. From the red rock spires to the bristlecone pine forests, Bryce practically begs you to explore every corner. With that in mind, we’ve put together a list of the top 5 most scenic hikes in Bryce Canyon. Being that it’s a short list, we had to leave off some excellent hikes. Let us know if we missed one of your favorites!

#5 Golden Wall Trail

RED CANYON

MODERATE (4.2 mi loop)

This hidden gem of a hike is actually part of the Red Canyon area outside Bryce, in the Dixie Forest! This 4.5 mile trail is an excellent introduction or one last glimpse, depending on when you drive through here, into the park and all its glory. With similar hoodoos formation to Bryce but less than a quarter of the crowds, this is a great option for those wanting a quieter experience than the Bryce Amphitheater. It’s a moderately strenuous hike that takes along ridgelines and through flowery single track trail that will keep you reaching for your camera at every turn.

#4 Peekabo Loop Trail

BRYCE POINT

STRENUOUS (5 mi loop)

One of our favorite hikes to get up close and personal with the Hoodoos in Bryce is the Peekaboo Loop Trail (5 mile, difficult). While the switchbacks can be hard going at some points, the views definitely make up for it!! Legs too tired from all of the steep hikes in Bryce recently? Consider a 3 hour horseback ride on the Peekaboo loop – all the views with none of the work!

#3 Riggs Spring Loop Trail

YOVIMPA PASS

STRENUOUS (8.6 mi loop)

This is a solid day hike, but instead of traveling through a large part of the park you may have already seen from overlooks, it gets you out into a part of Bryce you are unable to see without traveling this trail. You’ll be hiking through bristlecone pine forests and shaded trail stretches that will make you feel you’ve left Bryce (and the crowds) behind at times. Truly a beautiful hike, especially if you are looking for some shade from the hot desert sun!

#2 Tower Bridge Trail/Fairyland Loop

SUNRISE POINT

MODERATE or STRENUOUS, (3.5 mi out and back or 8 mi loop)

This 3.5 mile out and back trail is named for one of the hoodoo formations that resembles the Tower Bridge in London. It boasts an impressive variation of landscapes, that will get you up close and personal with Bryce’s Hoodoos! Just going down to tower bridge and back up is a worthy hike itself (allow 2-3 hours), however if you want to keep on going you can continue into the full 8-mile Fairyland loop, that features many more “familiar” looking rock formations.

#1 Wall St. & Queens Garden Loop

SUNRISE POINT

MODERATE (3.2 mi Loop)

This is the hike you come to Bryce to do. You’ll hike down into the valley and back up through a narrow channel of red rock walls with towering hoodoos on either side. From the forested rim of the amphitheater to the whimsical world of twisting rock towers, this hike is quintessential Bryce. It’s only 3.2 miles, and worth every step so don’t skip it!

This post is part of our local recommendations series. If you’re like us, when you go to a beautiful place you want to spend your time exploring it, not reading and researching it on your phone. These posts attempt to save you some screen time and point you in the right directions so you can leave the stress of decision making to us and lose yourself in places of wild scenic beauty. Because we’re keeping it simple, we had to leave out some truly incredible places and experiences and stick to the best of the best. If you are looking for something specific a little farther off the beaten path, contact our itineraries department for a custom trip designed just for you.