The park has over 50 miles of hiking trails with a range of distances and elevation change. Assess your ability and know your limits. Use caution if unaccustomed to the high altitude.

Day Hikes: The easiest trail is the 1/2-mile (one way) section of Rim Trail between Sunset and Sunrise Points. Other sections of the Rim Trail (which extends 5.5 miles between Fairyland and Bryce Points) have steeper terrain. The Fairyland Loop (8 miles round trip), Peekaboo Loop (4.8 or 5.5 miles round trip), Queen's Garden (1.7 miles round trip) and Navajo Loop (1.5 miles round trip) trails wind down through the rock formations along steep grades. The Peekaboo Loop Trail also serves as a horse trail.

Backcountry: The Under-the-Rim Trail extends 23 miles from Bryce Point to Rainbow Point and has eight backcountry campsites. The Riggs Spring Loop Trail (8.8 miles round trip) from Yovimpa Point has four backcountry sites. Both trails drop below the rim of the plateau and lead through forested areas. A backcountry permit is required for all overnight hiking. Permits are available at the Visitor Center for $5.

Permits must be obtained in person and are issued at the park visitor center from 8:00 a.m. until two hours before sunset. No phone or email reservations will be accepted. In person reservation can be made up to 48 hrs. in advance. Park staff reserves the right to refuse permits to parties that fail to demonstrate the necessary preparedness that Bryce Canyon's high and dry backcountry demands.

Trails

Rim Trail: An easy hike, the rim trail starts at either Bryce or Fairyland points. It is 5.5 miles from one point to another, taking a maximum of 5 or 6 hours to complete the 11 mile round trip. If that is too long for you, you may jump on the trail at one of the other points that connects to the rim trail. This trail will provide you some spectacular views of the magnificent hoodoos in the Bryce Amphitheater.

Fairyland Loop: A moderate hike, you may start your hike through the Fairyland Loop at either Fairyland or just north of Sunrise Point. It covers eight miles, taking around four to five hours to complete. This trail tends to be less crowded than the trails through the Bryce Amphitheater. Along the way, you will pass such attractions as the Tower Bridge, and the Chinese Wall.

Peekaboo Loop: A steep hike, the Peekaboo Loop trail passes the Wall of Windows and the Three Wiseman. It is 5-7 miles, depending on the entrance you use. You can enter from Bryce Point via the Under-the-rim trail, Sunrise Point via the Queens Garden trail, or Sunset Point, via the Navajo Loop trail.. The hike should take around three or four hours. The Peekaboo Loop trail also serves as a horse trail.

Tower Bridge: A piece of the Fairyland Trail, this hike will take you to see the Tower Bridge, named after its resemblance to one of the Thames bridges in London. The hike is 3 miles long and will take you two or three hours to complete.

Queens Garden: A moderate hike, the Queens Garden trail is the easiest way to get down into the Amphitheater. Formations in the bottom resemble Queen Victoria, hence its name. It is 1.8 miles long, and it should take you around one to two hours. You can get to it via Sunrise Point.

Navajo Loop: This moderate hike will take you down into Wall Street, an extremely narrow canyon where tall trees mingle amongst the hoodoos, via switchbacks. The hike is 1.4 miles and takes one or two hours to complete. You can get to it via Sunset Point.

Trail to the Hat Shop: This trail will take you to the Hat Shop, a collection of hard gray caps balanced on smaller pillars of rock. The trail, which starts at Bryce Point, is 3.8 miles long and will take you three to four hours to complete.

Bristlecone Loop: A very easy trail, this trail is one of the most popular at Bryce Canyon. It is an easy way to catch the beauty of Bryce Canyon without having to do the difficult hiking. Along the way, you will encounter bristlecone pines, some that are 1,700 years old! The trail is one mile long and takes only about half an hour to complete. It begins at Rainbow Point.

While you are hiking, take time to see the wildlife up-close.
Go on an Animal Safari.