Explore Deep Into Bryce Canyon on Navajo Loop Trail
For those heading to Utah in search of breathtaking nature, you’re in for a real treat.
This wonderful state is packed full with endless adventure and mind blowing scenery. There’s a reason why it’s one of the most recommended US states to road trip across. Utah is home of the Mighty 5 National Parks.
Bryce Canyon National Park is one of those five amazing parks that you should visit for an undeniably extraordinary experience. Of course, it’s impossible for us to pick a favorite park, but we can say with absolute confidence that the unique landscape of Bryce Canyon is one not to be missed.
Catch of a glimpse of some of the best scenery in the park along Navajo Loop Trail.
🌻 Our content may contain affiliate links. If clicked through to make a purchase, the price remains the same for you and we will earn a small commission. This helps us to continue creating useful and valuable content for you and other visitors. 💜Where is Bryce Canyon National Park?
If you’re taking a road trip along the Mighty 5, then kudos to you! It’s an unforgettable adventure that we feel every person should take at some point in their life.
However, if you only have time to visit one of the national parks of Utah and decide on Bryce, then we have the trail for you.
Bryce Canyon National Park is located in between the popular Zion National Park and Capitol Reef National Park, both being a part of the Mighty 5.
For nightly accommodation, we stayed at the small nearby town of Panguitch. A quaint little town that had everything we were looking for like food, gas, a small grocery store, and a comfy bed. You can also stay at Tropic which is a little closer than Panguitch by about 15 minutes.
There are no large cities near Bryce Canyon NP, with the exception of Cedar City which is about 1.5 hour away. We’re totally okay with that.
Hike Details – Navajo Loop Trail
What’s convenient is that majority of the trails in Bryce Canyon are clustered in and around one main area of the park, known as the Bryce Amphitheater.
Here is where you’ll find the trailhead to one of the most popular hikes of the park – Navajo Loop Trail.
- Length: 1.3 mile loop
- Elevation Gain: 500 ft
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Time to Complete: 1-2 hours
- Trailhead located right next to Sunset Point from the top of the rim
As a loop trail, you can choose to hike clockwise or counter-clockwise. If you want to extend your hike, connect the trail to Queens Garden trail and hike counter-clockwise. Combined with the Queens Garden trail the hike is 3 miles roundtrip.
If you hike clockwise, eventually the trail splits and you would have to choose between staying on Navajo Loop Trail (to the right) or Queens Garden Trail (to the left). See map below for reference.
We did not connect to Queens Garden Trail during our time here (unfortunately!) and only completed Navajo Loop Trail. This post does not cover any further information about Queens Garden Trail.
We chose to hike clockwise and end the trail with the famous Wall Street. But we’ll get to that later!
What The Hoodoo?!
If you have done any prior research to visiting Bryce Canyon, then you can probably guess what this national park is most famous for – HOODOO’S!
Now what the heck is a hoodoo you ask? Sounds like something straight out of a Dr. Seuss book.
Let’s go back a bit to learn how Bryce Bryce Canyon was born.
Did you know that Bryce Canyon is not technically a real canyon. A canyon is created by the erosion of rock from running water. Well with Bryce, it’s actually frozen water that created the magnificent landscape you see today.
For 200 days out of the year, the temperature of the park raises above and below freezing each day. Melt water seeps into rock fractures in the day and freezes at night. And when water freezes it expands by at least 9%!
Over time, this process of ice expanding within the rocks actually breaks and shatters the rock, specifically known as “frost-wedging.”
Furthermore, acidic rain water gradually dissolves the limestone rock creating the odd roundish structures you see today. And they now have a name, the hoodoo!
Starting Navajo Loop Trail
Numerous trails in Bryce Canyon National Park take you past these marvelous hoodoos. Navajo Loop trail included as it’s one of the many trails within the Bryce Amphitheater, where hoodoos are abundant.
Start the trail at the top of the rim near Sunset Point. Since you’re hiking down into a canyon, expect an easy decent and a moderate climb back out.
The beginning of the trail winds you down slowly beside beautiful orange rock walls and along many differently shaped hoodoos.
Definitely not your average walk through the woods. The terrain and scenery at Bryce is a different world, unlike any other national park we have visited.
This unique trail was even featured in a music video, Alive by Empire of the Sun.
It’s easy to hike slow while on this trail since we constantly found ourselves stopping to admire our surroundings. And of course take some incredible photos.
You even get to pass through a few rock archways and tunnels along the way!
As you near the bottom of the canyon, you will surprisingly find Douglas Fir trees.
These towering green trees contrast beautifully against the backdrop of orange-ish rock. And add some much needed shade on an otherwise highly exposed hike under the sun.
Wall Street – Bryce’s Epic Slot Canyon
Continue along the trail and through the trees until you approach Wall Street. Not to be confused with the other “Wall Street” on The Narrows Hike at Zion National Park.
WORD OF ADVICE – Wall Street is often closed due to the freezing cold temperatures at night. For a better chance of visiting Wall Street, make sure you visit during the summer or warmer months.
As you walk into Wall Street, the sun rays disappear and you’re immersed deep in between narrow rock walls.
It’s easy to see why this is the most famous attraction of Bryce Canyon National Park.
Amazingly, there are several Douglas Fir trees growing within this snug canyon.
To survive in such a space, the trees are made of narrow trunks and grow very tall. Tall enough for the tips of its branches to extend just past the walls for some much needed sunlight. A truly challenging yet remarkable place to grow!
After a short walk through this tight canyon, you approach the hardest part of the trail. An intimating wall of switch backs. Well, intimidating to me at least!
If you chose to hike counter-clockwise then you would have gone down these at the beginning of the trail, avoiding the climb up at the end.
Obviously you still have to climb out at some point in the hike, but climbing out the other way might be slightly less strenuous.
Overall, the climb isn’t too bad as long as you go at a steady pace and take needed breaks. You won’t be the only one, trust us.
Once you’ve reached the top of the switch backs you’ll be right back on the Rim Trail overlooking Bryce Amphitheater at the start of Navajo Loop Trail.
Other Fun Things To Do at Bryce Canyon National Park
Outside of all the awesome hiking trails, there are actually numerous of other things to do within the park. Everything is conveniently located in one general area, only a few miles from the front gates.
Stop In The Visitor Center
If you haven’t previously, check out the visitor center! This is the first thing you pass on the way in.
Learn more by visiting their free in-house museum, catch the quick film about the park, and check out the gift shop. You can also ask the park rangers any questions you might have about what to do or where to go in the park.
See All The Viewpoints
Enjoy the spectacular views of Bryce Canyon off the Rim Trail. Some of the best viewpoints are one’s you don’t have to hike to.
Sunrise Point, Sunset Point, Inspiration Point, and the further Bryce Point all offer wonderful views of the Bryce Amphitheater. An easy walk not far from the parking lot.
Nearby Beer, Wine, & Food
Maybe you’re hungry after a hike like us. The Lodge of Bryce Canyon National Park is conveniently located in the central hub, about a 7 minute walk from the trailhead of Navajo Loop Trail.
Even if you don’t have a room booked at The Lodge, visitors can still enjoy food at the dining room or grab a drink at the bar. We ourselves enjoyed a couple beers after completing our hike.
Speaking of beer, be prepared for their whopping abv limit of 4%. Yep. You won’t find a beer in Utah over 4% unless you bring it in from out of state. No double IPA’s out here. It is what it is.
Located next door is Vahalla Pizza if you’re wanting other food outside of The Lodge.
Stay Longer & Camp
Last but not least, grab a camping spot if possible! As a popular national park these 2 campgrounds fill up fast especially during peak seasons. So it’s best to find a spot as early as you can.
- Sunset Campground – closed from mid-October to April
- North Campground – during winter one loop is open but no hook-ups available
Hike One of the Best Trails in Bryce Canyon – The Navajo Loop Trail
Those who visit Bryce Canyon National Park leave with positive long lasting impressions. Gazing down on the grand Bryce Amphitheater is rare treat and a memory that will last a lifetime.
If you do have the chance to visit this epic park, be sure to hike the quick Navajo Loop Trail that takes you down into the canyon.
The views above are great but venturing down below is much more rewarding. We especially loved walking alongside the hoodoos and deep within the narrow walls of orange rock.
Ultimately, we left with a much more immersive and personal experience of this special place.
If you’re craving a more quiet, but equally scenic area to relax in, make sure you visit Dixie National Forest. Only 35 minutes west of Bryce. Dixie is a great alternative for camping if the campgrounds at Bryce are full.
Have you hiked this amazing national park? Which hike did you connect with the most? Share with us in the comments below!
Like it? Pin it!
