Hike Sunrise to Sunset at Bryce Canyon National Park

At Bryce Canyon National Park, hiking from Sunrise to Sunset can sound like quite a challenge. Lucky for you, I’ve got a way for you to accomplish this in less than 2 hours! All you have to do is stop thinking so literally and continue reading.

One of the best adventures to have in Bryce Canyon is to hike from Sunrise Point to Sunset Point through the way of the Navajo Loop and Queen’s Garden Trails. Hopefully, this trail doesn’t take you all day to hike because it’s only around 3 miles, but even if it did its time well spent on arguably the best trail in the park.

Thors Hammer, The Queen’s Victoria, The Sinking Ship, all can be viewed along the trail but honestly, it’s really difficult to identify them if you don’t know exactly where each one is. If you would like to be able to spot each one, go to the visitor center before attempting this hike and either speak with a ranger or buy a topographical map.

Sunset Point at Bryce Canyon

We are actually going to do this trail in reverse. This trail is a big loop so the goal here is to be like water and move downhill. When you see the stairs to hell you’ll thank me. Your starting point is the most well-known spot in all of Bryce Canyon National Park. Walk into the Visitor Center and you will see this view plastered on posters, postcards, and t-shirts. You can take the park shuttle or drive to Sunset Point to begin your hike. Be prepared to fight the crowd but not to worry once you get going the herd will thin. The Sunset Point gives you an aerial view of the thousands of dark orange rock spires known as Hoodoos, rising from the canyon floor in an area known as the “Silent City.” Take time to get some pictures and then proceed to the Navajo Loop and the switchbacks that never seem to end.

Wall Street

Much like the stock market in the Great Depression, the trail takes a head dive and plummets to the bottom of the canyon. This is why you do the trail in reverse to avoid having to tackle this as an uphill struggle. Don’t be fooled though, eventually, you will have to make a climb back up the canyon. Let’s forget about that for now and just enjoy the sights as the walls become higher the deeper you descend. You’ll also find joy in knowing you took the advice of this article as you see the buckets of sweat and hopeless eyes of the hikers passing you in the opposite direction.

Continue through the narrowing canyon until the sunlight bursts onto the canyon floor. The trail is easy to follow so continue to take in your surroundings until you get to a fork.

Queens Garden

Similar to what peasants must have thought when seeing the king’s castle for the first time, you’re simply dumbfounded by how incredible the scenery is. Bryce Canyon can almost make you angry with how dang beautiful it is. Mother Nature really outdid herself.

At this point, the crowds should have thinned and you can really take a second to appreciate where you are at. Continue along the trail on your way to Queens Garden. As you tread deeper into the garden you will be surrounded by Hoodoos that tower over you like turrets on a medieval castle.

The trail gradually begins to climb as you pass through Queen’s Garden and will constantly surprise you around every corner. You’ll pass through rock doorways, forge dry river beds, see trees that grow sideways and occasionally pass a friendly chipmunk.

Sunrise Point

Remember when you were supposed to forget how far you descended? Unfortunately what goes down must come up (that’s how that expression goes right?). The climb is short but is no joke. Your hard effort is rewarded with the view from Sunrise Point. Look over Queen’s Garden and where you have just traveled and let your chest swell with pride because you made it! Well almost… the hard part is done but you still need to make your way back to your car or shuttle. This part is easy though, just follow the paved path back to Sunset Point. There are also plenty of benches along the way if you’re so exhausted you need a breather. Just make sure you have enough energy to get back up.

The hike from Sunrise to Sunset (or the reverse) offers you the most variety from any hike in Bryce Canyon National Park. The journey allows you to see many of the famous Hoodoos from above and below. If you had to pick only one hike to do in Bryce Canyon, make it this one.

Trail Tips

• The trail gets toasty very quickly, remember to bring water and sunscreen.
• Take your time and enjoy the sights, there is a lot to see on this hike.
• You can do this hike in the winter as well, the snow turns everything into a magical wonderland.

Chad Albright

Chad can be summed up by his idea of a perfect day: Waking up early to watch the sunrise over the mountains, warm cup of coffee in hand then grabbing his camera and fly rod, hitting the trail to explore some uncharted territory followed by cold beers and campfire steaks. Chad is often joined on his adventures by his wife, Tori, and their dog, Kona.