Perfect One Day in Bryce Canyon (5 Things You Can’t Miss)

I start my day at the Rim Trail whenever I visit Bryce Canyon National Park.

The Rim Trail goes along the edge of the canyon and you get to see the jaw-dropping Bryce Canyon Main Amphitheatre from above.

What you need to know is that the entire Rim Trail is about 10.4 miles long. It starts at Fairyland Point and goes all the way to Bryce Point. The elevation change is 1,177 feet and starts to change as you approach Bryce Point.

However, you can shorten this hike any way you want!  My recommendation is to start at Sunrise Point and walk to Sunset Point.

The distance is no more than 0.5 miles from Sunrise Point to Sunset Point with very little elevation change making it a perfect starting point for one day in Bryce Canyon. 

Plus, the trail in this section is paved and pretty even, making it easy for strollers and wheelchairs. On top of that, there are benches along the way. So, it is perfect if you need to slow down and just pause for a moment to admire the views.

Whenever I take pictures of the Main Bryce Canyon Amphitheater, I always find myself trying to capture the entire area. And, it is actually not possible to convey the vastness of Bryce Canyon in just one landscape image.

So, zoom in! Include some elements in the foreground of your phots to give them more dimension.

As you are walking from Sunrise Point towards Sunset Point, you will be able to see the famous rock formation called Thor’s Hammer.

Notably, Thor’s Hammer is a big boulder sitting on top of a hoodoo and looking like it might topple at any moment.

Next, hike below the rim to see the famous hoodoos up close!

Did I say hoodoos? Yes!

GOOD TO KNOW: Hoodoos are jaw-dropping rock formations typically between 50 and 150 feet high. They are often called fairy chimneys, tent rocks, or earth pyramids depending on where in the world they are.

Though they may look like they were man-made, they are formed completely through the process of natural erosion.

Needless to say, you cannot leave Bryce Canyon National Park unless you see hoodoos up close!

So, right now, you finished your walk from Sunrise Point to Sunset Point and you should be standing right at Sunset Point, which is the trailhead leading to Navajo Loop Trail and Queens Garden Trail. 

Navajo Loop Trail and Queens Garden Trail are two of my favorite hikes in Bryce Canyon!

What you need to know is that Navajo Loop Trail and Queens Garden Trail will take you about 550 feet below the rim and along some of the most famous hoodoo formations in Bryce Canyon National Park.

Let’s go!

INTREPID’S PRO TIP: If you are visiting in winter, then keep in mind that the western section of the Navajo Loop Trail (Wall Street) might be closed. If it is closed, then take the eastern side of the Navajo Loop Trail along the Two Bridges Hoodoo Formation. 

The trail starts with a series of switchbacks that will lead you down a cool ravine to the main valley of Bryce Canyon. Although the trail is steep in some parts, it descends gradually.

It is a lot of fun!

This narrow ravine resembles a slot canyon.

This is a famous section of the Navajo Loop Trail and it is known as Wall Street, due to the high, vertical cliffs and narrow passages.

Being so close to hoodoos makes you realize how huge they are!

Once you exit the Wall Street section of the Navajo Loop Trail, the trail levels off and starts meandering through a wooded area.

In addition, you will notice that it starts warming up.

When I visited last time in winter, it was fairly cold at the rim. However, once I started descending into the canyon, the temperature started to rise. It was great. Moreover, this is a perfect place to spot some wildlife.

After about a mile, you reach a junction. Here, you have a couple of options.

First, you can continue along the Navajo Loop Trail, which will take you along another famous hoodoo formation called Two Bridges. And, then back up, through a series of switchbacks, to the top of the rim, to Sunrise Point, where you originally started.

The second option is to take Queens Garden Trail.

My recommendation for this one day in Bryce Canyon itinerary is to continue along Queens Garden Trail to the famous hoodoo formation called Queens Garden.

Queens Garden is a beautiful semi-circular ridge of phantom-like rock spires.

At the center of Queens Garden is a swirling, elevated hoodoo formation thought to resemble Queen Victoria.

Next, Queens Garden Trail will take you along some more hoodoo formations. And, I assure you, you will be taking pictures all the time!

Soon enough, you will start climbing back up to the rim. The switchbacks will gradually guide you back up to the rim and you will end up at Sunrise Point.

Once you make it to Sunrise Point, you will be greeted again by magnificent views. Thousands of chiseled pinnacles extending to Fairyland Point are simply incredible. In addition, you will be able to see the Aquarius Plateau and the Sinking Ship, a sloping mesa that looks like a ship’s stern rising out of water.

Next, on the itinerary for one day in Bryce Canyon National Park is Bryce Canyon Scenic Drive.

Scenic Drive in Bryce Canyon is an out-and-back drive that spans the length of the Bryce Canyon National Park and hits all the park highlights.

My recommendation is to drive to the end of Bryce Canyon Scenic Drive and then make a few stops on the way back. I like to do it this way because the views just get better as you are driving back.

Once you drive to the end of the Bryce Canyon Scenic Drive find a parking spot at Yovimpa Point and take Bristlecone Loop Trail.

Bristlecone Loop Trail is one of the easy hikes in Bryce Canyon National Park that covers a distance of about 1 mile with little elevation change. It usually takes about 40 minutes to complete the loop.

What I like about Bristlecone Loop Trail is that it meanders to several good viewpoints at the top of the cliffs.

Once you are done with Bristlecone Pine Loop Trail, jump back in the car and stop at any of the viewpoints along the way. The views are awesome and constantly changing.

One of my favorite stops along Bryce Canyon Scenic Drive is Natural Bridge Viewpoint.

Natural Bridge is one of the best-known natural arches in Bryce Canyon National Park. It is a massive formation of eroded, red-hued limestone jutting from the edge of the overlook.

Finish your visit to Bryce Canyon National Park by watching the sunset.

Head to Inspiration Point, it is a great place to catch some awesome sunsets!

GOOD TO KNOW: The best light happens just after sunset. It is known as the Golden Hour. The light is warmer and softer and there are no sharp shadows during the Golden Hour.

In Bryce Canyon, during the Golden Hour, the hoodoos produce even warmer colors. To capture these colors you will need to use a long exposure selection on your camera.

How do you do a long exposure? Simply, turn your camera’s mode dial to Manual and use a slow shutter speed (5-30 seconds) for a longer exposure. Additionally, use your camera self-timer to take a photo.

Are you up to one last activity to be added to your one day in Bryce Canyon?

How about stargazing?

Bryce Canyon National Park offers about 100 astronomy programs per year, presented by its Astronomy Rangers and volunteers on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, during spring, summer, and fall.

Wall Street and Sunrise Point are some of the best spots for stargazing and nighttime photography in Bryce Canyon National Park. Another place that is great for stargazing is Fairyland Point.