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## Explore This Park

## Explore the National Park Service

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Trip Idea

# 1 to 3 Hour Hikes

Multiple Parks

| Duration   | Half Day                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            |
|------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Topic(s)   | Birds, Photography, Forests and Woodlands, Coniferous Forests, Geology,Farming and  Agriculture, Freshwater Springs, Canyons and Canyonlands, Night Sky, Astronomy, Trails, Rock Landscapes and Features, Scenic Views, Plateaus and Mesas*more »*  |
| Activities | Front-Country Hiking                                                                                                                                                                                                                                |
| Type       | Kid Friendly, Active, Educational, Inspirational                                                                                                                                                                                                    |
| Parks      | Bryce Canyon National Park                                                                                                                                                                                                                          |

Bryce Canyon National Park

## ** Tags

                -  bryce canyon national park 
                -  easy hikes 
                -  amphitheater 
                -  mossy cave trail 
                -  sunset to sunrise 
                -  rim trail 
                -  bristlecone loop trail 
                -  queens garden trail 
                -  navajo loop trail 
                -  queens navajo combination 
                -  tower bridge trail 
                -  moderate hikes 

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NPS Photo

#### Visiting for 1 to 3 hours but still want to do some hiking?

If you're a first time visitor, we recommend spending the majority of your time in the Bryce Amphitheater. This iconic area is located along the first three miles of the main road and is home to some of the most popular trails in the park, including Queen's Garden and Navajo Loop. These hikes offer an up-close and intimate look at the highest concentration of hoodoos in the world!Scroll down to find easy and moderate hikes that can be completed in 3 hours or less!

#### Getting Around

free shuttle*During shuttle hours, vehicles over 23 feet (7 meters) are restricted from parking in the Bryce Amphitheater area. Instead, park at the shuttle station and use the free shuttle.*

#### Safety

Hiking at High Altitudes

              -  Bryce Canyon National ParkBristlecone Loop Trail  - Activity Fee:  No (Entrance fees may apply)
- Reservations:  No
- Activity:  Front-Country Hiking
- Pets:  No
- Location:  Bristlecone Loop Trailhead
- Duration:  30–60 Minutes
- Season:  Spring,  Summer,  Fall

The Bristlecone Loop, an easy 1 mile hike, meanders through the forest atop this highest portion of the park, reaching elevations over 9,100 feet (2778 m). Here you will pass by bristlecone pines up to 1,800-years-old and experience vistas reaching into the Four Corners area.
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              -  Bryce Canyon National ParkMossy Cave Trail  - Activity Fee:  No (Entrance fees may apply)
- Reservations:  No
- Activity:  Front-Country Hiking
- Pets:  No
- Location:  Mossy Cave
- Duration:  30–60 Minutes
- Season:  Winter,  Spring,  Summer,  Fall

Mossy Cave trail is one of the lowest elevation hikes in the park as well as one of the only hikes that begins with a climb and ends with a descent. This trail provides access to Water Canyon in one direction and to a sheltered overhang known as Mossy Cave in the other. This area is filled with mosses in the summer and icicles in the winter. Please stay on the main trail and respect all posted signs. Pets are not permitted on this trail.
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              -  Bryce Canyon National ParkSunset Point to Sunrise Point Hike  - Activity Fee:  No (Entrance fees may apply)
- Reservations:  No
- Activity:  Front-Country Hiking
- Pets:  Yes
- Location:  Sunset Point
- Duration:  20–60 Minutes

The Rim Trail hike meanders along the rim of the iconic Bryce Canyon Amphitheater, giving you views of the hoodoos below. This portion of the Rim Trail, from Sunset Point to Sunrise Point, is the only paved section of this trail and is the easiest walk in the park. Pets are allowed on this trail but must remain on paved surfaces.
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              -  Bryce Canyon National ParkThe Rim Trail  - Activity Fee:  No (Entrance fees may apply)
- Reservations:  No
- Activity:  Front-Country Hiking
- Pets:  Yes with Restrictions
- Location:  Bryce Point
- Duration:  1–7 Hours

The Rim Trail stretches from its beginning in the south at Bryce Point 5.5 miles (8.9 km) north to Fairyland Point. As it follows the edge of the Bryce Amphitheater area of the park, it connects to the park's most popular viewpoints: Inspiration Point, Sunset Point, and Sunrise Point. This relatively easy hike (depending on how much of it you do) offers spectacular views of the park's most popular area.
View Details 

              -  Bryce Canyon National ParkQueen's Garden Trail  - Activity Fee:  No (Entrance fees may apply)
- Reservations:  No
- Activity:  Front-Country Hiking
- Pets:  No
- Location:  Queen's Garden Trail
- Duration:  1–2 Hours

The Queen's Garden Trail is the least difficult of the trails descending from the rim into the Bryce Canyon Amphitheater. Hike this out-and-back trail to the Queen Victoria hoodoo at the end of a short spur trail and experience the splendor of hiking amongst the hoodoos. This trail is commonly combined with the Navajo Loop to create a 2.9 mile round trip trail where you can descend at Sunrise Point and ascend at Sunset Point.
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              -  Bryce Canyon National ParkNavajo Loop Trail  - Activity Fee:  No (Entrance fees may apply)
- Reservations:  No
- Activity:  Front-Country Hiking
- Pets:  No
- Location:  Navajo Loop Trailhead
- Duration:  1–2 Hours

The iconic Navajo Loop Trail begins and ends at Sunset Point. Its switchbacks wind between narrow walls of colorful limestone with views of towering Douglas-fir trees and the park's most famous hoodoo: Thor's hammer. The loop has two sides: Two Bridges and Wall Street. The Two Bridges side is open year-round, however, the Wall Street side is closed during the winter months. During this time Two-Bridges can be hiked as an out-and-back trail or combined with other trails.
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              -  Bryce Canyon National ParkQueen's/Navajo Combination Loop  - Activity Fee:  No (Entrance fees may apply)
- Reservations:  No
- Activity:  Front-Country Hiking
- Pets:  No
- Location:  Queen's Garden Trailhead
- Duration:  2–3 Hours

Our most popular hike in the park and the one we most recommend to first-time visitors. The Queen's/Navajo Combination Loop combines the open views and unique hoodoos of the Queen's Garden Trail with the iconic switchbacks and towering canyon walls of the Navajo Loop Trail. Descend Queen's Garden at Sunrise Point, ascend the Navajo Loop to Sunset Point, and then complete the loop back to Sunrise Point via the Rim Trail, enjoying views into the Bryce Canyon Amphitheater below.
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              -  Bryce Canyon National ParkTower Bridge  - Activity Fee:  No (Entrance fees may apply)
- Reservations:  No
- Activity:  Front-Country Hiking
- Pets:  No
- Location:  Tower Bridge Trailhead
- Duration:  2–3 Hours

The Tower Bridge hike consists of the southern portion of the Fairyland Loop trail. This is an out-and-back trail that descends to a shady 1/4-mile spur trail leading to the Tower Bridge hoodoo. From there, hikers can return the way they came or continue to hike the entirety of the Fairyland Loop Trail.
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