Looking to explore Bryce Canyon National Park’s otherworldly beauty without committing to an all-day hike? You’re in luck! This iconic Utah park is chock-full of short hikes that take an hour or less. To make it easy for you, we’ve rounded up our 7 favorite easy hikes in Bryce Canyon, which are perfect for maximizing those iconic hoodoo views without breaking a sweat.
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Please respect the outdoors and Leave No Trace! Before embarking on your outdoor adventure, review the seven principles of Leave No Trace, which include planning ahead and preparing, traveling and camping on durable surfaces, disposing of waste properly (pack out what you pack in), leaving what you find, minimizing campfire impacts, respecting wildlife, and being considerate of others. Abiding by these principles helps keep these places beautiful so others can enjoy them for years to come!
1. Sunset Point to Sunrise Point (via Rim Trail)
Sunset to Sunrise is Bryce Canyon’s only dog-friendly path, which our dog, Ollie, loved! Its paved surface, with only 85 feet of elevation gain, is great for wheelchairs and strollers, offering breathtaking views over the hoodoos of Bryce Amphitheater. There are also plenty of benches lining this trail for when you need a rest.
Sunrise Point, as the name suggests, is a great spot to watch the sunrise, but in our humble opinion, Sunset Point left a bit to be desired as far as a sunset watching spot. We hiked this trail around 8 AM, and again at 1 PM, and found it to be packed by the afternoon due to its proximity to the Visitor Center—so start early if you want solitude! Overall, this hike is relatively quick, can be hiked in either direction, and offers some amazing views!
Distance: 1.2 miles / 1.9 km
Estimated Time: 1 hour
Type: Out-and-Back
Accessible via Shuttle: Yes, Stop #13 to Sunrise Point or Stop #11 to Sunset Point
2. Rim Trail
Rim Trail is a “choose your own adventure” type of trail when it comes to distance. Although it stretches a total of 11 miles (17.7 km), you can walk as far as you like before turning around. It’s a fantastic way to enjoy continuous, breathtaking views of the hoodoos and the vast amphitheater from above, without committing to a full-day trek.
We decided to hike 0.5 miles (0.8 km) from Sunrise to Sunset as well as 2.5 miles (4.02 km) from the end of the Tower Bridge Trail to Fairyland Point. This section had us looking down on numerous hoodoos, and even passing through a fascinating plateau area full of grasses, which was a cool change of scenery.
💡 Sunrise to Sunset is on the Rim Trail, so you can keep going in either direction for incredible views.
Distance: Up to 11 miles / 17.7 km
Estimated Time: Up to you!
Type: Out-and-Back
Accessible via Shuttle: Yes, Stop #8 (Bryce Point)
3. Paria View
Paria View is another quick, little paved walk over to a viewpoint with panoramic views along the way. Located near Bryce Point, the views from this overlook look south, exposing a whole new set of hoodoos that your eyes can feast on! This paved overlook area would also be comfortable for people using wheelchairs.
🚗 If you have a vehicle over 23 feet, you cannot access Paria View as there is no turn-around point in the parking lot.
Distance: 0.4 miles / 0.6 km
Estimated Time: 15 minutes
Type: Out-and-Back
Accessible via Shuttle: No, but a 3-minute drive from Bryce Point (25-minute walk)
4. Mossy Cave Trail
Mossy Cave quickly became our second-favorite short trail in Bryce Canyon National Park after Bristlecone Loop (up next!). This peaceful hike takes you along the water and over two bridges to two “destinations.” One is a waterfall created by Mormon settlers who trenched the Tropic Ditch for water, and the other is a small cave where icicles are known to form.
This trail is quite popular, as it’s short and located just outside the main fee station, offering rare access to the lower amphitheater. Parking can fill quickly (there’s a small lot as well as an RV overflow lot about 1,000 feet down), so arrive early or be patient, and never park along the roadside to protect plants.
Distance: 0.9 miles / 1.4 km
Estimated Time: 1 hour
Type: Out-and-Back
Accessible via Shuttle: No
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5. Bristlecone Loop
Bristlecone Loop was hands-down our favorite short hike in Bryce Canyon! Located on the park’s southern side, this trail boasts the highest elevation in Bryce and is part of the park’s Hike the Hoodoos Program. It offers truly incredible views of the vast Grand Staircase, and on a clear day, your view spans all the way to the Grand Canyon!
Along the loop, you’ll find a small hut and a lookout point complete with informative placards explaining the geology of the Grand Staircase. As its name suggests, the trail is filled with ancient Bristlecone Pines—trees known for their resilience in weathering windy, cold conditions.
🥶 During our visit in April, we experienced snow and wind that made this part of the park the coldest in all of Bryce Canyon.
Distance: 1.2 miles / 1.8 km
Estimated Time: 30 minutes – 1 hour
Type: Loop
Accessible via Shuttle: No
6. Yovimpa Point & Rainbow Point
Located at the very southern end of Bryce Canyon’s scenic drive, Yovimpa Point and Rainbow Point sit right next to each other, making for a perfect combined hike. We recommend exploring them along with the previously mentioned Bristlecone Loop in the Yovimpa Point, Rainbow Point, and Bristlecone Loop Trail that combines all three of these spots in one 30-minute trail.
These points offer some of the park’s most expansive views, showcasing the geological layers of the Grand Staircase stretching far into the distance. Rainbow Point, in particular, is the highest elevation viewpoint accessible by paved road in the entire park!
Distance: 1.3 miles / 2.1 km
Estimated Time: 30 minutes
Type: Loop
Accessible via Shuttle: No
🎫 Consider investing in the America the Beautiful pass for $80 like we did if you’re planning on travelling to several parks within the year.
7. Bryce Point
Bryce Point is another overlook that requires just a bit of walking, and is easily the best overlook in all of Bryce Canyon National Park! If you can swing it, we highly recommend that you visit Bryce Point during sunset to see the afternoon light play with the colors of the hoodoos.
This paved overlook has 300-degree views of Bryce Amphitheater and is a great option for people in wheelchairs or with small children. One thing to note is that this overlook gets super busy in the summer. So, although there is a small parking lot here, we recommend riding the shuttle as the lot fills up quickly during peak season.
Distance: 0.2 miles / 0.3 km
Estimated Time: 15 minutes
Type: Out-and-Back
Accessible via Shuttle: Yes, Stop #8
🗺️ Map of Easy Trails in Bryce Canyon
Here’s a map showing the general location of all 7 of the top easy hikes in Bryce Canyon featured in this guide. It’s meant to give you a quick sense of where each trail is within the park, which can be super helpful for planning your route and minimizing drive or shuttle time. For detailed trail navigation, though, we still recommend using AllTrails or a dedicated GPS app.
How to use this map: We have saved the locations from this guide on this map. You can save this map to your Google Maps by pressing the star icon. In your Google Maps, click the menu icon and then Saved Maps, where this map will appear.
🌤️ When To Visit Bryce Canyon National Park
Choosing the best time to visit Bryce Canyon often depends on your preferences for weather, crowd levels, and facility access, as each season offers a unique combination of these factors. Here’s a breakdown of each:
- Summer in Bryce Canyon – While most people visit during the summer for pleasant days (60s-80s F), be prepared for frequent afternoon thunderstorms in July and August and more crowds.
- Spring and Fall in Bryce Canyon – The shoulder seasons of spring and fall (we visited in late April) offer a fantastic balance of fewer crowds and comfortable temperatures, though snowstorms aren’t unusual as early as October, and nighttime temperatures fall below freezing from October through May.
- Winter in Bryce Canyon – For a truly magical, quiet experience, winter transforms the hoodoos into a snowy wonderland, but some roads and facilities may be closed. Always check the current forecast and road conditions before your trip.
🥾 What to Pack for Hiking in Bryce Canyon
Here’s everything we recommend packing if you plan to tackle some of the hikes mentioned above! If you plan on exploring only the overlook trails, which have relatively smooth, paved paths, more serious gear like sturdy hiking boots or a GPS can be left at home.
Hiking Essentials
Read next: Hiking Gear for Beginners!
Sun Protection
Safety Essentials
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