Bryce Canyon is a national park that’s often overlooked, yet it is one of the most incredible places to visit in the Southwest. If you’re planning a trip to Utah, you’ll want to make sure to check it out!
Hoodoos are a major part of the park’s unique landscape. They are formed by erosion caused by wind, water and ice.
1. Bryce Point
One of the most scenic viewpoints at Bryce Canyon, Bryce Point offers a breathtaking vantage from which to admire the rock formations and hoodoos in the park. This spot is especially popular at sunrise and sunset when the sun’s rays light up the hoodoos with beautiful shades of orange.
These hoodoos are a colorful collection of irregular spires and fins that were formed over millions of years by water, erosion, and thawing and freezing. During winter, snow covers the area and creates a stunning fairyland of photogenic structures.
While most visitors come here to photograph the renowned Natural Bridge, you may also want to explore some of the smaller viewpoints around the park. Several of them offer a unique vista of the canyon, so don’t be afraid to spend some time exploring them.
You can hike down into the hoodoos at Bryce Point to see some of the most famous formations, such as the Wall of Windows and Three Wisemen. There are other hiking trails, as well, that will allow you to view some of the park’s most amazing rock formations.
2. Inspiration Point
Inspiration Point offers a windswept view of the horseshoe-shaped amphitheaters in Bryce Canyon National Park. The view reveals colorful limestone spires and arches, including naturally formed hoodoos.
The views at Inspiration Point are truly spectacular, and they’re perfect for both landscape and wildlife photography. The viewpoint consists of three levels that offer varied perspectives of the main amphitheater, and the surrounding Silent City.
Another great thing about Inspiration Point is the fact that it’s a perfect location to catch an incredible sunrise in Bryce Canyon. This spot is also less crowded than Sunrise Point, so you’ll be able to enjoy a more peaceful experience.
If you’re interested in doing a full hike from Jenny Lake to the Inspiration Point, be aware that it can be a 9+ mile round-trip hike. However, you can opt to take the Jenny Lake boat shuttle across the lake instead and shorten the trail.
3. Sunset Point
If you’re a sunset chaser, Sunset Point is the perfect spot to be. It’s one of the most popular viewpoints in Bryce Canyon and is easy to reach, whether you’re driving or hiking from the park.
The overlook is a short walk from the parking lot and offers stunning views of Silent City and Bryce Canyon’s main amphitheater. Views to the west, including Thor’s Hammer and Three Gossips, are spectacular too.
When viewed from this overlook, the amphitheater looks like it’s on fire, glowing with reds, oranges and pinks. It’s a truly magical experience that should not be missed!
While you’re here, consider hiking a short trail down to Queen’s Garden. This route is often overlooked, but it’s a good way to enjoy a different perspective of the park.
4. Sunrise Point
Sunrise Point is one of the most popular spots to watch the sun rise in Bryce Canyon, and for good reason. It’s a short walk from the parking lot and offers spectacular views of the canyon.
It’s also a great spot to take photographs of the sunrise. You can sit on the benches or rock walls here and wait for the sun to come up over the canyon, lighting everything in a fiery red.
Another way to enjoy the sunrise at Bryce Canyon is by walking along the Rim Trail. Here you can get different perspectives of the hoodoos and other formations at this famous national park.
Inspiration Point is another popular spot to see the sunrise at Bryce Canyon. This viewpoint looks straight down on the central portion of the hoodoo-crowded Amphitheater, so it’s particularly stunning at sunrise. It has three viewing platforms, making it less crowded than other spots.
5. Rainbow Point
As the highest viewpoint in Bryce Canyon National Park, Rainbow Point reaches 9,105 feet (2,775 m) and provides incredible panoramic views of the park’s landscape. It also offers a number of great activities for visitors, including a small visitor center and picnic area.
A visit to this viewpoint is not complete without taking a close look at the formations that make up this national park’s unique landscape. These include pink cliffs, white cliffs, and grey cliffs, as well as spires and hoodoos that have created beautiful amphitheaters.
The best way to photograph these weird and wonderful formations is to capture both distant shots of the entire Bryce Canyon landscape as well as close-up images that highlight specific hoodoos or spires. Using a telephoto lens, you can zoom in to reveal details that are hidden from view otherwise.
Another good place to shoot hoodoos and spires is at Inspiration Point, which is located about 2 miles south of the visitor center. Here you’ll see a real-life diorama of the geologic process that has resulted in the formation of fins, spires, and hoodoos.
6. Navajo Loop Trail
The Navajo Loop Trail is one of the most popular hikes in Bryce National Park and offers a unique experience. It is a short trail that takes you into the canyon from the rim and back up again, which makes it a great choice for those who don’t want to spend too much time hiking or for those on limited schedules.
The first leg of the Navajo Loop is a steep descent along a series of long and short switchbacks to reach the canyon floor. Once on the bottom, the trail straightens out and drops down to Wall Street, a slot canyon that is home to two towering Douglas firs and large hoodoos flanking both sides of the path.
For the most part, the Navajo Loop Trail is a flat and easy trail that offers stunning views of Bryce Canyon. However, it can be quite steep in spots, so make sure to practice caution at all times.
The Navajo Loop Trail is a must-do for anyone visiting Bryce National Park. It offers a great introduction to the iconic landscape of Bryce Canyon and features some of the most famous hoodoo formations in the world, including the Two Bridges, Thor’s Hammer and Queen Victoria rock formations.
7. Queen’s Garden Trail
The Queen’s Garden Trail is one of Bryce Canyon’s most popular trails, and it’s easy to see why. Whether you’re on your first time to the park or you’ve been many times before, it’s a great way to see some of the best hoodoos and rock formations in the park.
This 0.8 mile hike begins at Sunrise Point and descends into the valley below the rim. The hoodoos and other stone formations tower over the canyon floor, giving you a sense of just how big they are.
You’ll also pass through pine forests as you hike. This makes for a nice break from the heat as you get to enjoy some shade.
Once you’ve finished your hike on the Queen’s Garden Trail, you can turn around and return to your car or continue to explore the park. For a longer day trip, you can combine this trail with the Navajo Loop Trail and a portion of the Rim Trail for the ultimate Bryce Canyon hiking experience!
8. Peekaboo Loop Trail
The Peekaboo Loop Trail is one of the most popular hikes in Bryce National Park. It begins from the lower end of the Rim Trail and meanders down into the Bryce Amphitheater. It offers a unique perspective of the park’s main amphitheater, which can be stunning during sunrise.
The first section of the trail passes seasonal bathrooms and climbs up ridges and through switchbacks. It eventually reaches the Wall of Windows, which consists of natural enclosed arches that are shaped like windows.
During this part of the loop, you’ll have some amazing views of bright orange hoodoos and the valley below. You’ll also walk through tunnels and pass through arches.
You’ll find that it’s very easy to get lost on this trail, so if you want to keep up with your family, plan to be on the move! Make sure you have a good map of the area to avoid any mishaps.
If you’re looking for a more challenging hike, the Peekaboo Loop Trail is a great option! It’s not as crowded as the other trails, and you can still take in some of the best views in the park.
