Stop 4: Bryce Canyon National Park
(Days Needed: 2)
As we continue along the Mighty Five journey, we have now had the chance to marvel at three incredibly diverse national park landscapes.
Arches, Canyonlands, and Capitol Reef have each graced us with their unmistakable charm and captivating character, and any of the three could contend for the most impressive park thus far, depending on whom you ask.
No matter how you may choose to answer that question, this next park is guaranteed to give the other three a run for their money. And once you experience its magical setting for yourself, I think you will agree.
Located high up on the Pausaungunt Plateau, Bryce Canyon National Park marks the first multi-day stop (well-deserved!) on the Mighty Five Road Trip.
The park, named for Mormon pioneer Ebenezer Bryce who inhabited the land in the 1870s, is widely considered a top-20 U.S. national park and consistently leaves its 2.5 million annual visitors in awe from the moment they arrive.
The park’s unique forest setting, which contains an abundance of plant and animal life, would certainly make for a worthy destination on its own, yet it’s the irregular rock spires known as hoodoos that attract visitors from all over the globe.
These fascinating rock pillars, shaped by unpredictable weather patterns, can be found lining the park’s massive amphitheaters (canyon-like bowls created by rainfall and snow) by the thousands. While there are a handful of other places where hoodoos exist, Bryce’s vibrant collection is easily the world’s largest.
Navigating Bryce Canyon is extremely easy, as nearly all its sites and activities are situated off the same primary road.
Though the park’s overall size pales in comparison to the others on this trip, you’ll still want two full days to experience the sense of wonder here.
Bryce Amphitheater
Bryce Amphitheater, located just beyond the park’s entrance, is easily the most visited area of the park. Containing what feels like an infinite number of hoodoos, the amphitheater is the site of several stunning vistas and many well-known trails.
No matter what activity level you desire, this is where you’ll want to spend the majority of your time in the park.
Your Amphitheater Arrival
While driving your vehicle to the amphitheater is certainly a viable option, the parking lots get incredibly busy during peak season, and it can feel like you’re in a fight with several other cars for the next open space.
If you’d rather skip this headache, the park operates an efficient shuttle service from April to October that takes park-goers back and forth between Bryce Amphitheater and several pick-up points near the park’s entrance.
For another fun, alternate means of transportation, you can rent a bike from one of the vendors in Bryce Canyon City and take the scenic, 5-mile paved trail from the town to the amphitheater.
This multi-use trail also extends west outside the park to the beautiful Red Canyon, a stunning area worth checking out if you have the time.
If you arrive by car, all of the amphitheater’s access points will be on your left-hand side, starting with Lodge Loop Road and ending with Bryce Point Road. Lodge Loop Road is also where you’ll find the park’s lodge, general store, and restaurant.
Rim Trail
One of the best ways to take in the amphitheater is via the Rim Trail, which runs alongside its edge for 5.7 miles. The most popular stretch between Sunrise Point and Sunset Point is flat and paved (and dog-friendly!), making it the easiest and most family-friendly way to enjoy the sprawling amphitheater and its countless hoodoos.
As you may have guessed, these two points are also the go-to spots for sunrise and sunset. Bryce Amphitheater’s already stunning colors are nothing short of brilliant at these times, so start or end your day here if you can!
Beyond Sunrise and Sunset Point, the Rim Trail transitions to an unpaved surface that becomes more moderate in difficulty the further you go. But don’t let that discourage you. The viewpoints along these stretches are well worth the trek, and you’ll have considerably fewer people to deal with.
After enjoying plenty of top-down views, you may be ready to immerse yourself in the magical land of hoodoos. Fortunately, many of the park’s best trails branch directly off the Rim Trail and won’t waste any time dropping you into the heart of this natural wonderland.
Immersing Yourself in the Land of Hoodoos
Perhaps the most popular of these options is the 1.5-mile Navajo Loop which starts and ends at Sunset Point. The trail begins with a series of steep descending switchbacks that seemingly disappear into Wall Street, an impressive slot canyon you’ll soon find yourself in the middle of.
Very little sunlight makes its way down to these depths, yet somehow, several towering Douglas fir trees manage to survive here. Their striking contrast with the surrounding canyon walls makes for an excellent picture!
Once you’ve made it through the canyon, you’ll begin your ascent back through the Two Bridges section of the trail. The views of the amphitheater really open up during this stretch, and you’ll encounter many pronounced hoodoos, including Thor’s Hammer.
Queen’s Garden, another hiker’s favorite, can be done as a 1.8-mile out-and-back trail or combined with either half of the Navajo Loop to create a 3-mile hike. The trail, named for a hoodoo thought to resemble Queen Victoria, meanders down a rocky ridge to the forested amphitheater floor. As you make your way down, you’ll find plenty to marvel at, including the Queen and her hoodoo garden.
If you’re up for a slightly longer and more challenging hike, the Peek-A-Boo Loop is hard to beat. As the trail’s name alludes to, this hike is full of surprises, and its diversity makes it a personal favorite of mine.
The 5.2-mile trail that starts at the Bryce Point lookout leads hikers through tunnels, over ridges, past arches and spires, and winds through some of the most forested sections of the park. I recall being repeatedly astounded by the astounding views that would seemingly come out of nowhere.
The Peek-A-Boo Loop also connects with other trails, so park-goers can create their own route. The 5-mile Peek-A-Boo/Navajo route is one of the popular combinations that joins the entire Navajo Loop Trail with Peek-A-Boo’s primary loop.
As always, the AllTrails app is a wonderful tool for sorting through trail options and finding the route that suits you best.
Arguably the most challenging of the amphitheater hikes is the 8-mile Fairyland Loop trail. If you’re seeking more solitude on a memorable half-day hike, look no further.
This loop gets hikers up close to a larger quantity of hoodoos than any other trail while displaying a wide array of shapes and colors that will leave you mesmerized.
While there is moderate elevation change on this hike, there are plenty of flat stretches to admire this fairytale of a landscape.
Around the halfway point, you can take a short off-shoot to Tower Bridge, a rock formation that resembles London Bridge. The loop’s final mile joins the Rim Trail and peeks back into the spectacular landscape you’ve just wandered through.
Southern Scenic Drive
After you’ve spent plenty of time exploring the amphitheater, there’s still a whole other section of the park to unpack!
Beyond Bryce Point Road (the last turn-off for amphitheater-related activities), the park’s main road continues south for another fifteen miles. This section, known as Southern Scenic Drive, gains over 1,000 feet in elevation and tops out at 9,115 feet.
Throughout those fifteen miles, you’ll encounter nine scenic overlooks showcasing the lesser-seen beauty of the park.
Because each lookout will initially be on your left-hand side, I recommend driving straight through until the road ends at Rainbow Point and saving the pull-offs for the drive back. Doing this will allow you to easily maneuver into and out of the parking lots without dealing with oncoming traffic.
Once you reach Rainbow Point parking lot, you’ll have access to the Rainbow Point Lookout, Yovimpa Point Lookout, and the Bristlecone Loop Trail.
From the two lookouts, you’ll see the Grand Staircase (colorful cliffs resembling steps), along with canyons, mountains, and forests dotting the landscape. On a clear day, the views stretch over 100 miles, and visitors can see well into the state of Arizona!
The Bristlecone Loop is an easy, one-mile hike (1.3 miles when combined with the two lookouts) that winds through the pine forest and features bristlecone pine trees estimated to be nearly 2,000 years old. These uncommon trees, identified by their twisted roots and trunks growing in all directions, are some of the most weather-resilient plants on Earth.
As you retrace your drive back, Agua Canyon, featuring two prominent hoodoos, and Natural Bridge, an 85-foot arch giving way to the forest below, are two points I’d suggest stopping at. Realistically though, you can probably cover all the viewpoints in under two hours.
It’s worth noting that due to the increase in elevation, it’s not uncommon to encounter higher wind gusts, cooler temperatures, and more precipitation in these areas. If you’ve got a jacket and umbrella, you may want to throw them in the car just in case!
Wrapping Up Two Enchanting Days
Before wrapping up your time at Bryce, consider enjoying the amphitheater once more after dusk.
Like Capitol Reef, Bryce Canyon has been designated as an International Dark Sky Park, and the amphitheater takes on an entirely different (and dare I say spooky) persona as the moonlight’s shadows cast onto the hoodoos.
If your visit falls on a full moon, stop in the Visitor Center and ask them about their ranger-led moonlight hikes!
The setting at Bryce Canyon feels like something you’d read about in a book or see in a movie, with the hoodoos playing the starring role. To this day, it’s still one of my wife and I’s favorite places on Earth, so don’t be surprised if you leave feeling similar, with every intention of returning soon.
With the trip’s most enchanting park officially checked off the list, it’s time to head west once more to the Grand finale of the Mighty Five road trip.
On we go to Zion National Park!
Sample Itinerary: Day 4
- Arrive late morning and stop at the Visitor Center
- Head to Sunrise Point where you’ll get your first views of Bryce Amphitheater
- Continue south on the Rim Trail enjoying the top-down views until you reach Sunset Point
- Head down into the amphitheater via the Wall Street portion of the Navajo Loop, and complete the loop back up to Sunrise Point via the Queen’s Garden Trail (3.2 miles RT)
- Break for lunch
- Take the Rim Trail north to the junction with the Fairyland Loop Trail then complete a portion of that trail (1.5. miles to reach Tower Bridge)
- Walk or drive back over to Sunset Point for sunset
- Finish the day with dinner at one of Bryce Canyon City’s restaurants
Sample Itinerary: Day 5
- Head back into the park early for a sunrise at Sunrise or Inspiration Point
- Take the Southern Scenic Drive down to Rainbow Point
- Complete the 1.3-mile loop that includes Bristlecone Loop, Rainbow Point, and Yovimpa Point
- Stop at the scenic overlooks on the way back toward the park’s entrance
- Hike the 5-mile Peek-A-Boo Loop (bring your lunch and take a break half-way through)
- Head back to Bryce Canyon City and rent a bike or grab some ice cream and souvenirs
- Go back to Bryce Amphitheater one final time for another hallmark sunset
- Have dinner at the park’s lodge located near Sunset Point
- Wrap up the day by admiring the night sky and lit up hoodoos from the Rim Trail
Where to Eat
- Pizza Place (pizza, burgers, salads)
- i.d.k. barbecue (classic bbq)
- Route 12 Grill (burgers, burritos, finger food)
- Bryce Canyon Coffee Co. (coffee and baked goods)
- Bryce Canyon Pines Restaurant (American fare, breakfast-dinner)
- Stone Hearthe Grill (steak, salad, wine)
- Cowboy’s Smokehouse Cafe (bbq, omelettes, burgers, steaks)
Where to Stay:
- Sunset Campground (inside park)
- The Lodge at Bryce Canyon (inside park)
- North Campground (inside park)
- Best Western Plus Ruby’s Inn (< 1 mile)
- Best Western Plus Bryce Canyon Grand Hotel (< 1 mile)
- Bryce Canyon Pines Motel and Campground (7 miles)
- Bryce Canyon Log Cabins (11 miles)
- Bryce Canyon Inn (11 miles)
