Last Updated: October 11, 2021

Best Hikes In Bryce Canyon

Bryce Canyon National Park is found in the more remote part of Utah and if you’re looking for a place to get away from the summer crowds it’s an awesome place to go. Due to its remote location, it sees far less traffic than most other national parks in the area, hopefully giving you the peace you need. But it’s not just the lack of people in Bryce that’s attractive, there is a whole natural wonderland to discover.

Bryce Canyon National Park consists of a series of canyons that are full of amazing things to discover. You will hike past ancient trees over 1000 years old, California condors, flycatchers, and even endangered species like the Utah prairie dog. Being in Utah it’s also full of awesome geological landscapes and is most famous for its spired-shaped rock formations, known as the crimson-colored hoodoos. The colors remind me of hiking in Sedona in Arizona!

When it comes to immersing yourself in this beautiful environment, hiking is definitely the best way to go. There is no better way to see the hoodoos or experience the true scale of a 1000-year-old tree than by standing next to it. In this article, we are going to take you through some of the best hikes in Bryce Canyon National Park. All the hikes are easy to moderate so almost any can accomplish them, plus they’ll take you to some of the best parts of the park.

And, if you want to stay for a while, you can also camp near the park.

Bristlecone Loop Hike

Hike Details

Trail length: 1.1 miles
Elevation Change: 89 ft
Hiking Time: 1 hour
Starting Point: Rainbow Point
Difficulty: Medium
Transportation: Car

The Bristlecone Loop Hike is an awesome hike that captures the sheer size if Bryce Canyon Nation Park. It follows the most elevated part of the national park and gives you quite incredible views that show you the scale of the environment you’re in.

The hike is quite easy and is suitable for most abilities. At a length of just over a mile and with a very small elevation change, it’s really a stroll in the park and shouldn’t take you more than an hour. It’s best done between April and November as heavy snowfall can block it in winter. If you’re in the park in summer, this is a great midday option, as it’s shaded and will give you a break from the strong sun.

To start the hike, get to Rainbow Point and begin following the trail. The hike takes you through an ancient forest full of Blue Spruce, White Fir, and Douglas-firs that are over 1000 years old. It’s quite a magical experience to wander amongst these old huge forests.

Amongst the forest, you’ll also be able to see grouse, owls, ravens, woodpeckers, Steller’s Jays, and lots of squirrels and chipmunks. Since the trail is so high up, at 9100 feet, you’ll get some amazing views into the Four Corners area of the park.

This certainly isn’t the most mind-blowing hike in the park but it’s great if you’re just looking for a chilled forested walk with some lovely views.

Inspiration Point to Queens Garden Hike

Hike Details

Trail length: 3.8 miles
Elevation Change: 673 ft
Hiking Time: 3 hours
Starting Point: Inspiration Point - Use the shuttle to get there
Difficulty: Medium
Transportation: Car & Shuttle

The Inspiration Point to Queens Garden Hike is a great way to see some of the best things Bryce Canyon National Park has to offer. The hike takes you around some of the best viewpoints and is full of wildlife, beautiful trees, plants and is great for bird watching.

This hike is rated as medium and is do-able by most abilities. At 3.8 miles long with 673 ft of elevation change, it’s isn’t too hilly or too long to tire most people out. The trail is well marked and runs over easy terrain. It’s best done between March and November, and it’s wise to get there early or late to avoid the crowds and the hot sun a