Utah is a state where you’ll see landforms not found anywhere else in the world. The best place to view these strange mars-like hoodoos and deep sun-kissed canyons is in Bryce Canyon National Park!
Located in Southern Utah, this massive national park is home to vast caves, large pillars of orange rock, and canyons that dig deep into the surface of the earth. With countless viewpoints and miles of hiking trails, there are so many different ways to explore the beauty of Bryce Canyon.
The views in Bryce Canyon National Park are nothing short of breathtaking. But with dozens of viewpoints, hundreds of sights, and miles of trails, choosing where to kick off your adventure is easier said than done.
Now you can find all of the best things to do in Bryce Canyon National Park in one place. With our list, you’ll be able to find the top sights in the park in as quick as 1..2..3!
Get ready for the trip of a lifetime, your adventure to Bryce Canyon National Park starts here.
Don’t leave home without your own: Lonely Planet USA’s National Parks (Travel Guide)
15 Top Things to Do in Bryce Canyon National Park
Table of Contents
1. Bryce Canyon Scenic Drive
To start off your adventure in Bryce Canyon National Park, the scenic drive is the best way to see the most breathtaking sights in the area on full display. With everything from hoodoos to the canyon itself, you can see much of the park right from your window.
The Bryce Canyon Scenic Drive is a total of 38 miles round trip and has 13 viewpoints along the way. Even though the drive itself usually takes less than an hour to complete, be prepared to frequently stop and take pictures.
Tours we love in Bryce Canyon National Park:
2. Fairyland Canyon
Anyone can view the breathtaking canyons from the road, but if you really want to get a feel for how absolutely stunning the Fairyland Canyon is, you’ll have to hit the trails. The Fairyland Canyon is full of, as the name suggests, towering hoodoos that seem as if they have popped out of a storybook.
In order to visit Fairyland Canyon, you’ll have to hike the Fairyland Canyon Loop. This trail is considered a bit strenuous and stretches a total of 8 miles. Most travelers take about 4 and a half hours to complete the trail.
3. Bryce Point
With a handful of different viewpoints to choose from in Bryce Canyon National Park, you may find it difficult to pick just a couple to visit while exploring the park. Topping the list of best spots to view the canyons is the scenic Bryce Point.
Located right by the main road, tourists will find no problem hiking from their car to the viewpoint. Especially during the morning hours, the hoodoos are particularly beautiful with their colors turning a fiery red. There are also several trails such as the Peek-a-boo Loop trail that starts from Bryce Point.
4. Inspiration Point
Often competing with Bryce Point for being visitors’ favorite viewpoint in the park, Inspiration Point has scenery that will make you ooh and ahh.
Looking out over the collection of hoodoos known as the Silent City and with Boat Mesa in the background, this view couldn’t be any more perfect if you tried painting it.
Inspiration Point is easily accessed by shuttles coming from the visitor center. If you’re looking to continue the adventure from this viewpoint, there is also a short trail that leads to Sunset Point.
Tours we love in Bryce Canyon National Park:
- Ruby’s Horseback Adventures Half Day Ride
- Full-Day Horseback Riding Experience through Red Canyon with a Guide
5. Navajo Loop Trail
Are you getting a bit fed up with all the viewpoints and want to immerse yourself in the natural beauty of Bryce Canyon National Park? The Navajo Loop Trail is perfect for visitors who have some extra time to spare to go deep down into the base of the canyon.
The Navajo Loop Trail is not long, stretching only 1.4 miles in length. Although short, you’ll still find tons of breathtaking scenery such as Wall Street and the Twin Bridges. The entire hike takes around 1.5 hours to complete but be sure to give yourself some extra time for picnics and pictures.
You can also combine it with the Queens Garden Trail. If you have time for no other hikes, do this one. It was our favorite in the park!
Have more time? Check out Hiking at Bryce Canyon: 15 Amazing Trails To Explore
6. Sunset Point
Just a short walk away from Inspiration Point is one of the best spots in the entire park to catch the sunset! This viewpoint is rightly named Sunset Point. From Sunset Point you’ll be able to get a new perspective on some of Bryce Canyon’s most breathtaking landmarks such as the Silent City.
One of the things that bring hikers to Sunset Point is its proximity to Inspiration Point. After a short 0.75 mile hike, you’ll find yourself looking over all the beauty of the canyon.
7. Queens Garden Trail
Often paired with the Navajo Loop Trail, the Queens Garden Trail is one of two hikes that lead down into the canyon and take you up close to the park’s hoodoos. Along the way, you’ll be dazzled with unique scenery that you can’t find anywhere else on the planet.
Even if you’re not an experienced hiker, you can still make the trip down to the canyon along the Queens Garden Trail. The trail itself is only 1.8 miles long and takes most visitors just around an hour and a half to complete.
8. Mossy Cave Trail
Taking you a little off the beaten path, Mossy Cave Trail will have you leaving all the charter buses and tour groups behind. Mossy Cave Trail leads to more stunning hoodoos as well as natural grottos and deep caves.
Following a calm bubbling river, Mossy Cave Trail is an easy hike that can be done by experienced travelers and beginners alike. The entire trail is only a 1-mile round trip journey and can be completed in just around an hour.
Do you have the right hiking gear? No worries we have put together 40 Hiking Essentials items that every hiker should have when hiking any of the trails in Bryce Canyon National Park.
9. Rainbow Point
Rainbow Point is often paired with the nearby Yovimpa Point, both of which will give you a different perspective on the park. Located at the southern end of the canyon, these viewpoints showcase the beauty of the Grand Staircase and the White Cliffs to name a few.
Rainbow Point is often used as the starting point for visitors looking to take the Bryce Canyon Scenic Drive. Located just 20 minutes away from the visitor center, this spot is easily reached by car.
Tours we love in Bryce Canyon National Park:
10. Peek-a-Boo Loop
After the views from Bryce Point knock your socks off, why not fully immerse yourself in the great outdoors by hiking the Peek-a-boo Loop? This hiking trail not only is one of the most famous in the entire park, but it is also the perfect way to escape some of the crowds.
The Peek-a-boo Loop is considered difficult for novice hikers due to some of the steep parts of the trail. The entire trail is a total of 5 miles in length and takes travelers around 6 hours to complete. Even though the hike is a challenge, you’ll be blown away by the scenery.
11. Bryce Canyon Visitor Center
Regardless of whether you’re looking to get information on the trails or wanting to pick up some souvenirs to take back home, the Bryce Canyon Visitor Center is the place to go to get everything you need to start your adventure.
Other than up to date information and gifts, the visitor center also has its very own museum. It is simply not enough to just view the hoodoos and mesas, you’ll also need to know how exactly they were formed. With everything from videos to exhibits, the visitor center has it all.
12. Sunrise Point
You’ve already been to Sunset Point, which means you’ll have to also check out Sunrise Point. Located right off the Queens Garden Trail, Sunrise Point is noted as having some of the most breathtaking scenery in the entire park.
With views of the Boat Mesa and the Sinking Ship, you’ll be able to see Bryce Canyon’s good side.
Even if you don’t head to Sunrise Point early in the morning, you can still enjoy the view. In order to get to Sunrise Point, you’ll have to take an easy 1.8-mile trail leading from the Queens Garden Trail.
Don’t be disappointed with your photos you took of Bryce Canyon National Park, here’s what camera gear we used to capture our photos with.
13. Tower Bridge
Located on the Fairyland Loop hike, Tower Bridge is one sight you won’t want to miss! Named due to the likeness of its twin over in London, Bryce Canyon’s Tower Bridge is a natural arch formation that stands tall over the treeline.
Tower Bridge is easy to reach, and the hike is only considered moderately difficult. The entire Fairyland Loop Trail is 7.4 miles, but if you just want to see Tower Bridge and go back, you’ll only have to hike 3.4 miles.
Tours we love in Bryce Canyon National Park:
14. Rim Trail
Anyone can take their car along the Bryce Canyon Scenic Drive, but if you’re looking for a real adventure, why not hike to each of the viewpoints? The Rim Trail does just that by linking all of the best spots to view the hoodoos of the canyon together!
Being such a long trail, you’ll want to be sure to give yourself ample time to check out all of the sights. The Rim Trail is a total of 11 miles in length, but you can always pick and choose which viewpoints you want to start and stop at.
15. Natural Bridge
The Natural Bridge is another one of those sights that you’re sure to miss if you’re not looking out for it. Located in the southern part of Bryce Canyon National Park, this natural arch formation is just 12 miles south of the visitor center.
The best way to visit the Natural Bridge is to simply stopover on the side of the road while on your Bryce Canyon Scenic Drive. Located slap bang in the middle of the visitor center and Rainbow Point, be sure to keep your eyes open for this miracle of nature.
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