One Day in Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah

Home to the highest concentration of hoodoos on the planet, Bryce Canyon is frequently touted as one of the most beautiful parks in the United States. Bryce is located in southern Utah and easily accessible by car, making it a great addition to any southwestern road trip.

This itinerary highlights our tips on how to see Bryce Canyon National Park in just one day to make the most out of your trip.

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1. Drive Along the Lookout Points

Before you step foot onto a trail, take a free map from the Bryce Canyon Lodge on your way into the park, then continue driving until you reach the end of the road. You will find yourself in the southern most area of the park, and here you can begin your lookout tour at the Rainbow Point (mile marker 18).

When you are done, get back into your car and start your way back towards the Bryce Canyon Lodge, stopping at each lookout point along the way. You’ll be glad to have started at the end of the road instead of the beginning as each lookout point is located towards the inner side of the park, so you should be able to easily pull off on the right side of the road and park. Each stop will also likely be less crowded with this strategy as you will be moving in the opposite direction of other visitors.

The next lookout point, Black Birch Canyon, is located around the 16.5 mile marker.

Around mile marker 14.8, you’ll find Ponderosa Canyon. This lookout is a great spot to see the hoodoos (natural and uniquely shaped rock columns) from a closer vantage point.

Next is Agua Canyon around mile marker 13.5. Beyond the rock towers, here you will also be able to see the Navajo Mountain batholithic in the distance.

Around mile marker 12.5, you’ll come to one of the most widely photographed lookouts: The Natural Bridge. Stunning in its shape, the Natural Bridge is framed with Aspen trees that make its brightly colored rock pop.

Next you’ll come across Farview and Piracy Points, from which you can see the transition between the Ponderosa Pine and the Spruce Fir forests. These stops are around mile marker 10.5.

The last stop on your drive comes up around mile marker 6: Swamp Canyon. Once you’re done taking in the views, continue driving back towards the park’s entrance. This is where most of the popular walking trails begin.

2. Choose a Hiking Trail

Depending on how much time and energy you have left to spend at the park, choose one of the many walking trails to explore the rocks up close! Based on your personal hiking skill level, you can choose from the following:

Easier Trails:

• Mossy Cave: 0.8 miles & 200 ft elevation gain
• Sunset to Sunrise: 1 mile & 34 ft elevation gain (popular)
• Rim Trail: up to 11 miles & up to 1177 ft elevation gain
• Bristlecone Loop: 1 mile & 200 ft elevation gain

Intermediate Trails:

• Queen’s Garden: 1.8 miles & 357 ft elevation gain (popular)
• Navajo Loop: 1.3 miles & 550 ft elevation gain
• Queen’s/Navajo Combination Loop: 2.9 miles & 600 ft elevation gain
• Tower Bridge: 3 miles & 802 ft elevation gain
• Sheep Creek/Swamp Canyon: 4 miles & 647 ft elevation gain

Advanced Trails:

• Hat Shop: 4 miles & 1075 ft elevation gain
• Fairyland Loop: 8 miles & 1716 ft elevation gain
• Peekaboo Loop: 5.5 miles & 1571 ft elevation gain
• Navajo/Peekaboo Combination Loop: 4.9 miles & 1581 ft elevation gain
• The Figure-8 Combination: 6.4 miles & 1631 ft elevation gain
• Bryce Amphitheater Traverse: 4.7 miles & 1010 ft elevation gain

Some of the more popular trails tend to be the Queen’s Garden & Sunset to Sunrise trails since they allow you to see the famous Bryce Amphitheater with relative ease. All of the photos below were taken from the Queen’s Garden trail.

Whichever trail you choose to explore on your day in Bryce Canyon, we hope you enjoy all of the beautiful views! Let us know what your favorite thing to do was in the comments below!

Where To Stay

For accommodations nearby Bryce Canyon, you can check out the below based on your preferred travel style!

• Popular Pick: Ruby’s Inn
• Luxury Resort: The Bryce Canyon Hotel
• Budget Stay: Bryce Canyon Pines Lodge

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About the Author: Hi, I’m Jill! I am a biomedical & mechanical engineer who loves traveling during my free time. My hope is to help make it easier for others to plan their dream trips by providing firsthand experience from the places I’ve been! Read More.