Moderate · 1.5–2.5 hours
Bryce Canyon — Queen's Garden / Navajo Loop
The single best loop in Bryce — through Wall Street's switchbacks, past Thor's Hammer, into the Silent City of hoodoos.
The Mighty Five & Beyond
Bryce — Fairyland Loop
The locals' choice — the same hoodoo fantasy as Navajo Loop but with 80% fewer people, finishing at Tower Bridge.
Photo: Ken Lund · CC BY-SA 2.0
- Difficulty
- Hard
- Duration
- 4–5 hours
- From the lodge
- ~1 hr 50 min
- Type
- Long day hike
Most Bryce visitors do Queen's Garden / Navajo Loop and call it done. The Fairyland Loop is for the second day — or for the visitor who wants a Bryce experience without the crowds. 8 miles, 1,500 feet of elevation gain, an out-and-back along the lesser-known Fairyland Trail with a turn-around at Tower Bridge that's worth every step.
The trail starts at Fairyland Point at the north end of the park (most cars stop at Sunrise Point and miss this entirely). You descend into a quieter amphitheater of pink-and-cream hoodoos, traverse the China Wall ridge with views back toward Boat Mesa, and arrive at Tower Bridge — twin natural arches in salmon-colored sandstone — with maybe two other groups in sight.
It's a longer, harder day than Queen's Garden / Navajo, but it's a real backcountry-feeling Bryce experience without leaving the park. Pair with a sunrise stop at Sunrise Point on the way in (15 minutes from Fairyland) so you've still seen the famous amphitheater before hitting the quiet route.
Before you go
- 8 miles with 1,500 ft of elevation — start early and bring 2L+ water per person
- Altitude (8,000+ ft) affects pace — pace yourself, hydrate, take breaks
- Limited shade on the ridge sections — sun protection essential
Pair it with
← Back to all experiences 
Easy · 3–5 hours
Cedar Breaks National Monument
10,000-ft amphitheater of crimson, cream, and lavender. A Certified Dark Sky Park.
Hard · 3–4 hours
Thunder Mountain Trail (Red Canyon)
The most cinematic mountain bike ride in Utah. Hand-built berms through orange hoodoos at 8,200 ft.
Ready for your bryce day?
Book your cabin and discover the area at your own pace. The trails start at the door.