HIKE BRYCE CANYON’S BEST IN ONE DAY

Traveling
Written By Cindy Brown
View of the canyon before the descent into Wall Street: Bryce Canyon National Park

The color palette here is breathtakingly vivid.

Start this hike early enough to catch the sunlight as it creeps into the canyon, contrasting the evening’s shadows with morning’s vibrant hues.

We have everything you need to fully enjoy the colorful spirit of Bryce Canyon. Let’s go!

WHAT TO BRING

  • Water - LOTS, it’s hot and a high elevation

  • Snacks - Trail mix, power bars and, if you’re us, candy

  • Gatorade or Coconut water - for extra nourishment

  • Charging Battery - for your phone/camera

  • Headlamp - highly recommend if starting early or late

Map of our custom route through Bryce Canyon, traveling from sunset point through Navajo Loop, Peekaboo Loop, Bryce Point and out at Sunrise Point

Credit: AllTrails

Directions

  1. Park at Sunset Point and walk down Wall Street

  2. Wall Street will exit to Navajo Loop, head South.

  3. Peel off right 0.8 miles at the Navajo Loop Benchmark and enter Peek-a-boo Loop trail, head South then right at the fork to start this loop.

  4. If feeling bold, 2.8 miles in take the offshoot up to Bryce Point and back down to resume Peek-a-boo Loop

  5. Continue back and be sure to hang left where you entered Peekaboo back to Navajo Loop, turn right and follow signs to Queens Garden Trail

  6. Follow Queens Garden Trail up to Sunrise Point

  7. Walk along the rim back to Sunset Point

Specs:

  • Distance: 7.4 miles (11.9 km)

  • Elevation Gain: 1,444 ft (440m)

  • Type: Loop

  • Difficulty: Moderate

THE TRIP

Colorful view from inside an arch along Peekaboo Loop in Bryce Canyon National Park

Get there early, as it’s always worth getting up in the wee hours of the morning to get in first; nothing rivals the feeling of having all that gorgeous scenery and space to yourself.

You’ll feel like a kid alone with the gorgeous playground. Catching sunrise in a place like Bryce makes you privy to spectacular colors and wildlife that are more active around dawn.

A limestone cathedral towers over Navajo Loop in Bryce Canyon National Park
Unique hoodoos near The Alligator and Bryce Point. Bryce Canyon, UT

We’ve linked two loops - Navajo and Peekaboo - with Bryce Point to provide the most spectacular route. Navajo Loop, winds through Wall Street and down into the canyon with stunning views of its famous hoodoos like Thor’s Hammer.

Roughly halfway through (see our map) link it with Peekaboo, which carries you up along the canyon walls and closer to those signature towering formations of Bryce.

Max's silhouette stares out over Bryce Canyon against a backdrop of blue sky

At the most southern point of Peekaboo, a trail leads off to the south to Bryce Point.

The climb looks daunting from down below - we debated doing it for a bit - but it is well worth the extra effort to step out on a catwalk over the impressive scenery you’ve been touring.

View from Bryce Point: a maze of hoodoos wind through the canyon

Sweating it yet? If you’re out in the summer, mid-day is hot. The trail has many breezy shaded sections, but there are also long exposed stretches. Be sure to dress accordingly and bring along lots of water.

After Peekaboo Loop you’ll pick up where you left on Navajo, climb through Queens Garden, marvel at the Silent City, and top out at Sunrise Point. Your car will be a short walk away with a fantastic view of all you’ve just conquered.

Colorful canyon walls of Bryce Canyon National Park.

A FEW MORE Tips:

  • Check for seasonal closures due to weather - especially in winter months.

  • If 1500ft in a day is a bit much, simply round Peekaboo Loop without the offshoot to Bryce Point and you’ll save yourself 600ft

  • Hydrate plenty the day before you go, as well as along the trail.

Bryce Canyon hoohoos with the backdrop of a clear blue sky
Cindy Brown
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