Best Easy Hikes in Bryce Canyon National Park

Description:

Short and sweet, this hike is accessed from outside the Park proper, from Highway 12. Watch for the signage about 1.2 miles west of the east entrance to Bryce. This is a great way to experience some of Bryce without going all the way into the Park. Note that the water in the canyon is not in a natural flow; early pioneers settlers rerouted stream water to irrigate their crops in nearby towns. Also take note that you will have stream crossings, which are usually passable by rock-hopping. Beware of possible heavy early spring run-offs. In the wintertime, you can see amazing icicle formations at Mossy Cave itself.

Our Local Expert Says:

A classic that shows off the best of Bryce.

Description:

Another shortie that still reveals a lot of that amazing Bryce scenery, the Navajo Loop is great April through November; winter snows make it impassable. Start at Sunset Point and head down. At the bottom of the switchbacks, look for the two towering Douglas fir trees that have been stretching up toward the sun for over 750 years! Toward then end of this trail, peel your eyes for the hoodoo Twin Bridges as well as the descriptive Thor's Hammer. The Navajo Loop is popular; go early in the day or the evening if you want to avoid hordes of hikers.

Our Local Expert Says:

Keep the air cleaner and your parking dilemmas to a minimum during the busy season (May-October) by riding the free shuttle.

Description:

You're not required to take the Bryce Shuttle. But let us sing its praises anyway. 1) Its use is included in your entrance fee or annual pass. 2) No parking headaches for you. 3) Cleaner air in a gorgeous, remote national park. 4) Riding it means they don't have to enlarge existing parking lots. 4) It has 14 stops, and they cover the most popular trailheads and viewpoints in Bryce. 5) For extra karmic points, you can leave your car outside the park and board at the shuttle "staging area" by Ruby's Inn.

Our Local Expert Says:

An astounding amount of classic scenery for such a short hike

Description:

A short one if you lack time or desire to tackle longer hikes. The best time of year to see the Queens Garden is from April through October. Winter renders it impassable due to snow. Start at either Sunrise Point or Sunset Point. If you start at Sunrise, keep an eye out early on for views with fanciful names such as the Sinking Ship and Boat Mesa. If you peer off to the northeast, you'll see the rise of the Aquarius Plateau, the highest one in North America. Note: unless you backtrack, you'll need to shuttle at the end of your hike.

Our Local Expert Says:

Seeing some of the oldest living things on earth is an experience you won't want to miss if you can do it.

Description:

Another short trail that allows a rich experience of Bryce. This trail features more bristlecone pines, up to 1,800 years old, than other trails. You'll be way up there at over 9,100 feet, so check your ability to suck in oxygen while hiking! Keep an eye out for ravens and the croak-y Stellar's Jays-but please don't feed them. The vistas from this trail are spectacular, as the Four Corners area of the southwest is displayed in breathtaking splendor from the Bristlecone Loop. Not a good winter trail, as snow makes it impassable.