7 Quick & Easy Hikes in Bryce Canyon with Spectacular Views

Bryce Canyon’s Easiest Hiking Trails

Want to check out the towering hoodoos and crimson cliffs of Bryce Canyon but not sure if you can handle the hike?

The answer is yes, especially with these seven trails. They’re easy on the effort, big on the views, and don’t take too long to finish.

Mossy Cave Trail

At just 0.8 miles round trip, this flat trail starts along Highway 12, far from the crowded main amphitheater. The path follows Water Canyon Creek past soaring orange cliffs until reaching a natural grotto draped with ferns.

The trail’s 200-foot elevation gain is spread so gradually you’ll hardly notice it. Plus, at 6,800 feet elevation, it sits lower than other park trails, making it perfect for visitors still adjusting to altitude.

You’ll also find the surprising sights of a desert fall on the Mossy Cave Trail, where a pioneer-built irrigation canal from 1890s.

Rim Trail (Sunset Point to Sunrise Point)

This paved one-mile section between Sunset and Sunrise Points offers the the most spectacular views for the least effort.

The trail hugs the amphitheater’s edge, offering sweeping panoramas of Bryce’s most famous hoodoo formations, including the famous Thor’s Hammer.

At 8,000 feet elevation, the air is thin but the trail stays mercifully flat. Benches appear regularly, perfectly positioned for photography or simply soaking in the views. The paved surface means you can safely walk during sunrise when the rocks glow like hot coals.

Bristlecone Loop Trail

At Rainbow Point, the park’s highest overlook at 9,100 feet, this one-mile loop takes you through a grove of living history.

Ancient bristlecone pines, twisted by centuries of wind and weather, have watched over this landscape for over 1,800 years.

The trail’s packed dirt surface rolls gently through spruce forest before emerging at viewpoints that stretch clear into Arizona.

On clear days, you can spot Navajo Mountain 80 miles away. The entire loop gains only 200 feet elevation, with switchbacks taking the sting out of any climbs.

Bryce Point Trail

This paved half-mile loop delivers some of the park’s most dramatic overlooks. From its 8,300-foot perch, the entire amphitheater spreads below like a stone city.

The trail begins at Bryce Point parking area and follows the rim to several fenced viewpoints. Recently added handrails and smooth pavement make this trail especially stable. Even the short uphill sections have been graded for easy walking.

Arrive at sunrise to witness the “reverse sunset” when morning light seems to set the hoodoos ablaze from east to west.

Yovimpa Point

This 0.2-mile trail packs serious geological drama into a short walk. From Rainbow Point parking lot, the paved path leads to views of the Grand Staircase, a 100-mile sequence of colorful cliffs stretching toward the Grand Canyon.

The high elevation (9,100 feet) means cool temperatures even in summer, and the wide, flat trail welcomes visitors of all abilities. Regular benches line the route for when you need to rest.

Paria View Trail

Unlike the busy main amphitheater viewpoints, this quiet 0.4-mile round trip offers solitude among the spires.

The trail branches off Bryce Point road to a west-facing overlook perfect for sunset viewing. Here you’ll find the densest concentration of hoodoos in the park: the Silent City.

The trail’s gentle grade and ample railings make twilight walks safe and enjoyable. Since most visitors stick to the main viewpoints, you’ll often have this overlook to yourself.

Queen’s Garden Trail

While many below-the-rim trails demand serious hiking skills, Queen’s Garden offers an easy taste of hiking among the hoodoos.

Starting from Sunrise Point, the trail winds past rock formations including the Queen Victoria hoodoo.

The first mile descends 320 feet through a series of well-designed switchbacks, and you can just turn around here for a moderate 2-mile round trip. Fresh limestone gravel and sturdy steps prevent slipping, while frequent benches make the climb back up manageable.