Summary:
A combination of three of Bryce Canyon’s finest trails, offering close-up views of hoodoos and other formations.

From the trailhead, proceed down either side of the Navajo loop. The right path descends via a series of switchbacks through Wall Street, a narrow track with huge sandstone walls either side; the left passes the Twin Bridges. Both are good, giving close-up views of formations before passing into more open, forested areas, and are pretty much equal distance to the junction.

From the four-way junction, take the 0.3 mile spur to Peekaboo. This 3 mile loop is a horse and hiking trail that travels through the Peekaboo box canyon and past magnificent formations with names such as the Cathedral, the Wall of Windows, the Alligator and Fairy Castle. Set off early and you will find peace and solitude, as well as wonderful views.

On completing the loop, retrace your steps along the spur and take the track leading to the Queens Garden (from this point, it is a little under 2 miles to Sunrise Point on the rim). The trail is level at first but, after about 0.5 mile, the 500 ft climb out of the canyon begins. You pass many wonderfully colored formations and bristlecone pine. A short spur leading to the Queen Victoria formation marks the start of the 0.8 mile Queens Garden Trail to Sunrise Point.

Although beautiful, beware – if you make an early start to enjoy Navajo and Peekaboo without too many others, by the time you reach Queens Garden Trail you will undoubtedly have to share it with a pretty hefty crowd. Queens Garden is the easiest trail for a close look of the hoodoos and lots of people walk down it, or combine it with Navajo to make a 3 mile loop. Consequently it is extremely busy, and quite a shock to the system after the peace and quiet of Peekaboo.

From Sunrise Point, it is a 0.5 mile stroll along the Rim Trail, passing Thor’s Hammer as you go, to Sunset Point.

Directions: From Hwy 89, take SR 12 east for 14 miles, then 63 south for 4 miles.

Trailhead: Continue beyond the Park entrance for just over a mile, then take the short spur road to Sunset Point. The Navajo Trail is a short walk from the parking lot.

Length: 7 miles / 11.2 km

Trail Type: Loop

Elevation Change: 800 ft / 244 m

Duration: 4.5 hours

Trail Condition: Well defined.

Features: Sandstone formations, hoodoos, canyon views.

Climate: Warm days April through October, with thunderstorms in summer. Cold in winter, with snow covering the sandstone formations and far fewer people.

Accommodation: Inside the Park there are two campgrounds and cabins at Bryce Canyon Lodge. There is a motel just outside the Park entrance, but it is often full with tour groups. Plenty of other motels in nearby communities of Hatch, Panguitch and Tropic.

Trail Notes: Be aware of altitude – trail is 7,000-8,000 feet above sea level.

Summary:
Descend into a world of coral pink hoodoos and fantastic sandstone formations.

As you hike the Fairyland Loop, especially if you start at sunrise, you will be taken into an enchanted wonderland that will fill your senses and imagination. As the sun climbs higher in the clear sky the hoodoos change hue and glow. The breathtaking views become almost kaleidoscopic, changing with every step as you pass pinyon-juniper forests and ancient bristlecone pines.

The trail descends from the parking lot into Fairyland Canyon, one of the amphitheaters carved into the Pink Cliffs that make up Bryce Canyon National Park, and loops around a huge sandstone form called Boat Mesa. At one point, you cross a ridge, giving magnificent views into Fairyland Canyon on one side and Campbell Canyon on the other. These other-worldly views, of pink sandstone spires stretching into the distance, continue as you carry on along the trail – views so fantastic you will certainly want to linger.

After 4 miles, a short spur on the left takes you to Tower Bridge. Return to the main trail and continue towards the Chinese Wall to your left. The views, peace and quiet are mesmerizing, and you will not want the trail to end. But your time in the canyon is coming to a close, and soon you start the climb out to the rim. It is pretty hard in the heat of the day, so be sure to take plenty of water. On reaching the top, it is a 2.7 mile/4.1 km hike back along the Rim Trail to the car-choked parking lot at Fairyland Point, enjoying the fantastic views into the canyon as you go.

It is definitely advisable to start this hike early to enjoy it to the full. We began at 7 am, and at that time the trail was practically deserted – we saw barely another person until we reached the Rim Trail. Fairyland Loop gets less use than others in the Park (perhaps because Fairyland Point is before the entrance station, so some people miss it), but given the numbers of people that flock to Bryce Canyon, this still makes for a popular trail in the middle of the day.

Directions: From Hwy 89, take SR 12 east for 14 miles, then 63 south for 3 miles.

Trailhead: Take the road on the left, about a mile before you reach the Park entrance station, to the parking area at Fairyland Point.

Length: 8.3 miles / 13.3 km

Trail Type: Loop

Elevation Change: 900 ft / 274 m

Duration: 5 hours

Trail Condition: Clearly defined.

Features: Sandstone formations, hoodoos, magnificent canyon views, bristlecone pine.

Climate: Warm days April through October, with thunderstorms in summer. Cold in winter, with snow covering the sandstone formations and far fewer people.

Accommodation: Inside the Park there are two campgrounds and cabins at Bryce Canyon Lodge. There is a motel just outside the Park entrance, but it is often full with tour groups. Plenty of other motels in nearby communities of Hatch, Panguitch and Tropic.

Trail Notes: Be aware of altitude – trail is 7,000-8,000 feet above sea level.