The Navajo Loop Trail is one of the most popular trails in Bryce Canyon National Park. It is a great hike to give you a taste of being amongst the hoodoos in Bryce Canyon
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🏨Bryce Canyon Lodge (In the park). Additional Lodging Near Bryce Canyon National Park
📍Complete List of Tours for Bryce Canyon National Park
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Navajo Loop Trail
- Distance: 1.4-mile loop trail
- Elevation gain/loss: 515 feet
- Trailhead Elevation: 8000 feet
- Trail difficulty: Moderate
- Time Required: 1-2 Hours
- Trailhead Location: Sunset Point
Preparing for the Navajo Loop Trail
It is extremely important to know your limitations before heading out for a hike in Bryce Canyon National Park. A hike here, like the Grand Canyon, starts off easy as you start off hiking downhill.
It is easy to hike much further into the canyon than walking uphill on your way back out!
You also have to account for the lack of oxygen as this is a high-elevation park.
Weather can also play a big role in Bryce Canyon as summer temperatures easily skyrocket 30 plus degrees during the day.
Make sure to check the NPS website or the park's visitor center between early fall through late spring as the Wall Street portion of the trail may be closed due to snow showers and the risk of rock falls.
Wall Street may very well be closed between November and April, dependent on the weather, making it an out-and-back hike on the Two Bridges portion of the trail.
I personally saw a pretty good snowstorm in Bryce Canyon on Memorial Day Weekend with an accumulation of 3-5 inches of snow!
Before heading out on any hike, make sure you are prepared. Always carry the 10 essentials, know the weather report before heading out, carry plenty of water, and carry sunscreen.
Yes, the sun can be very intense here. This is a well-used trail that is pretty easy to follow and you can get away with wearing tennis shoes. Of course, if you are like me and have had previous knee and ankle injuries or like the ankle support, hiking boots will make your life much better, especially with the uphill and downhill portions.
Hiking the Navajo Loop Trail
I personally started the hike going counterclockwise and dropped straight into Wall Street, one of the several highlights along this trail.
This is by far, the steepest portion of the trail which means hiking down several switchbacks before finding yourself surrounded by the breathtaking hoodoos and massive Douglas Fir trees whose bark seems to glow from the light.
It's funny that when you look down from Sunset Point, the trees don't seem that large but once you are standing amongst them, you can see these are full-grown trees. The trail continues downhill but at a much easier slope into the canyon as you pass by the bright red rock and deep blue skies above that have made the southwest famous!
Like most trails in Bryce Canyon, they cross and intersect with other trails giving hikers numerous options. Trail options include the park's most popular trail combination, the Navajo Loop and Queen's Garden Loop.
You can also take the Peekaboo Loop making a 4.9-mile hike or you can be adventurous and do the Navajo/Queen's Garden Loop and Peekaboo Loop making for a 6.4-mile figure 8 loop trail!
Look at the map above to see all the trail combinations listed.
I continued back uphill on the Two Bridges section of the trail up past perhaps the most iconic rock in all of Bryce Canyon, Thor's Hammer. This impressive Hoodoo stands a staggering 150 feet tall!
After taking numerous photos and soaking in this moment, I continued a short distance up the trail back up to Sunset Point as this is where I had parked.
The benefit of hiking this trail counterclockwise is that it was nowhere as steep hiking out of the canyon as it was hiking down into the canyon.
Is it worth the time to hike the Navajo Loop Trail?
This trail is hands down, one of my favorite hikes in the National Park system! I would also recommend that any visitor take the time to not only explore Bryce canyon from its viewpoints but also take a hike and get into the canyon amongst the hoodoos!
It's like exploring two different parks! The Navajo Loop trail will give you a great perspective of what it is like in the canyon while passing several of the park's iconic locations!
What are Hoodoos?
The Hoodoos that you see at Bryce Canyon National Park were carved out of four different types of rock (Limestone, siltstone, Dolomite, and Mudstone) carved from the Claron Formation, all of which erode at different rates making for very unique formations!
The mudstone erodes the fastest and can run down the sides of the Hoodoos after a good rain creating something similar to stucco and protecting the Hoodoos!
The harder rocks will make a cap on top of the Hoodoos reducing erosion and protecting these incredible spires.
Queen's Garden/Navajo Loop Trail
Those wanting to take a little longer hike should add the Queen's Garden Trail to the Navajo Loop Trail. Incidentally, this is the park's most popular trail so you can expect to see other hikers exploring what the NPS has labeled "The World's best 3-mile hike!"
This 2.9-mile hike begins at either Sunrise Point or Sunset Point and ends at the other trailhead.
To get back to your starting destination, you can take the parks shuttle bus (In Season). This will eliminate the worry about the fact that you start and end at different trailheads as the shuttle bus stops at both Sunset and Sunrise Point.
You can also choose to hike along the Rim trail between viewpoints. This is a great way to slow down and enjoy the view from above the canyon after hiking inside the canyon!
This trail should take 2-3 hours to complete and has an elevation Gain/Loss of approximately 600 feet.
The NPS recommends taking this hike in a clockwise direction but then again I have read books where it says just the opposite. I just recommend going on this trail if you get the chance!
Make sure to check out my Complete Guide to Bryce Canyon National Park. Here you will find everything you need to know including things to do, lodging, and camping options.
Best Bryce Canyon National Park Tours & Activities
Scenic Tour of Bryce Canyon
⭐️ Rating: 4.9 out of 5 Stars (1,139+ reviews) | ⏳ Tour Length: 3 hours | 🚗 Check Rates and Availability
The most popular tour in the park and one of the highest-reviewed on all of Viator, this small-group scenic tour hits every major viewpoint in the park with a guide who brings the hoodoos, history, and local ecology to life. Water and snacks are included, and the air-conditioned coach means you can take in sweeping views without battling parking or crowds. Booked multiple times daily and consistently flagged as likely to sell out. Reserve well in advance, especially for summer and fall visits.
Bryce Canyon Hiking Challenge
⭐️ Rating: 5.0 out of 5 Stars (92+ reviews) | ⏳ Tour Length: 4 hours | 🚗 Check Rates and Availability
For visitors who want to get down into the canyon rather than just admire it from the rim, this small-group guided hike is the standout choice. Guides lead groups through the amphitheater along trails like Queen's Garden, Navajo Loop, and Mossy Cave, sharing stories about hoodoo formation, local wildlife, and the canyon's history along the way. Snacks and water are provided to keep energy up. A perfect 5.0 rating across 92 reviews speaks for itself.
Bryce Canyon National Park Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour
⭐️ Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Stars (75+ reviews) | ⏳ Tour Length: Self-paced | 🚗 Check Rates and Availability
A GPS-triggered audio tour covering 17 stops across Bryce Canyon's 18-mile scenic drive, from Fairyland Point and Sunrise Point to Bryce Amphitheater, Inspiration Point, and beyond. Priced per vehicle rather than per person, it is one of the best value options in the park for families and groups who prefer to explore on their own schedule. Reviewers appreciate the historical depth and the flexibility to stop and linger wherever the views demand it.
Make sure to click here for a complete list of tours available at Bryce Canyon National Park!
Additional Lodging Options if Bryce Canyon Lodge is Full
⭐️ 4.3 of 5 Stars - Best Western Plus Ruby's Inn - Click here for Rates and Availability.
A legendary Bryce Canyon institution operating since 1916, sitting just 1 mile from the park entrance and offering one of the most complete resort experiences of any hotel near any national park in America!
Ruby's Inn is far more than a place to sleep, with horseback rides through the canyon, bicycle rentals, guided ATV tours, an on-site art gallery, general store, gift shops, laundromat, and an RV and tent camping area all on the property. Amenities include a free hot breakfast buffet, two on-site restaurants, indoor and seasonal outdoor pools, hot tub, fitness center, business center, EV charging stations, free WiFi, and free parking. Pet friendly and open year-round!
⭐️ 4.9 of 5 Stars - Bryce Canyon Inn - Click here for Rates and Availability.
A beautifully crafted log cabin inn just 3 miles from the Bryce Canyon entrance, rated Exceptional by guests and one of the highest-rated properties in all of Southern Utah!
Choose from rustic log cabin rooms, cottage suites with fireplaces and leather sofas, and family cabins, all featuring free WiFi, air conditioning, and charming Western decor. The peaceful grounds are surrounded by towering pines and red rock views, making it the perfect base for hiking the Navajo Loop, Queens Garden, and Fairyland trails. Free parking included!
⭐️ 4.3 of 5 Stars - Stone Canyon Inn - Click here for Rates and Availability.
An upscale boutique inn perched right on the rim of Bryce Canyon in Tropic, with stunning views of the canyon and Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument from every room and patio!
Choose from freestanding king bungalows with private porches, two-bedroom cabin suites with full kitchens and private jacuzzi hot tubs, perfect for stargazing after a long day on the hoodoo trails. Amenities include the Stone Hearth Grille restaurant serving dinner on-site, a sauna, steam room, hot tub, free WiFi, and free parking. Horseback riding and Bryce Canyon hiking trails are accessible directly from the property. No pets allowed.
Click on this link or the map below for additional hotels and vacation rentals near Bryce Canyon NP including the Bryce Canyon Lodge!
https://www.stay22.com/embed/6200823deef6800015169af5Bryce Canyon National Park Entrance Fee
Park entrance fees are separate from camping and lodging fees.
Park Entrance Pass - $35.00 Per private vehicle (valid for 1-7 days from the date of purchase)
Park Entrance Pass - Motorcycle - $30.00 Per motorcycle (valid for 1-7 days from the date of purchase)
Per-Person Entrance Pass - $20.00 Visitors 16 years or older who enter on foot, bicycle, or as part of an organized group not involved in a commercial tour.
Annual Park Entrance Pass - $70.00, Admits pass holder and all passengers in a non-commercial vehicle. Valid for one year from the month of purchase.
$50.00 for Commercial Sedan with 1-6 seats and non-commercial groups (16+ persons)
$50.00 for Commercial Van with 7-15 seats
$60.00 for Commercial Mini-Bus with 16-25 seats
$150.00 for Commercial Motor Coach with 26+ seats
Learn more about National Park Passes for parks that have an entrance fee.
$80.00 - For the America the Beautiful/National Park Pass. The pass covers entrance fees to all US National Park Sites and over 2,000 Federal Recreation Fee Sites for an entire year and covers everyone in the car for per-vehicle sites and up to 4 adults for per-person sites.
Buy your pass at this link, and REI will donate 10% of pass proceeds to the National Forest Foundation, National Park Foundation, and the U.S. Endowment for Forestry & Communities.
National Park Free Entrance Days -Mark your calendars with the free entrance days the National Park Service offers for US citizens and residents.
Must Do Hikes Near Bryce Canyon National Park
- Zion National Park Narrows
- Zion National Park Emerald Pools Trail
- Arches National Park Devil's Garden Hike
Parks to visit Near Bryce Canyon National Park
- Kodachrome Basin State Park-Utah
- Cedar Breaks National Monument
- Zion National Park
- Capitol Reef National Park
- Goblin Valley State Park-Utah
- Canyonlands National Park
- Arches National Park
Check out all of the Utah National Parks along with neighboring National Parks in Wyoming, National Parks in New Mexico, National Parks in Nevada, Idaho National Parks, Colorado National Parks, and Arizona National Parks.
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