Bryce Canyon Viewpoints

Difficulty: Accessible

Length: 0.3 mi 

Elevation Gain: 39 ft

Approximate Hiking Time: 15 min

It’s worth placing a visit to Bryce Point high on your must stop list.  If you’re an early riser this trail is amazing for a sunrise view of hoodoos below.  Possibly offering one of the most impressive views of the Bryce Canyon Amphitheater, the point offers an unobstructed view of both the Amphitheater and Peekaboo Loop below.  To access the viewpoint, park in the Bryce Point parking area and follow the signs to the trailhead.  The trail itself is paved to Bryce Point with a gradual decent.  As it’s accessible, short, and easy, it’s a great one to visit with the whole family.

Difficulty: Easy

Length: 0.5 mi 

Elevation Gain: 39 ft

Approximate Hiking Time: 20 min

Take a short walk to see a different side of Bryce Canyon National Park and maybe get a little bit of peace while you’re at it.  Piracy Point trail begins at Farview Point heading north for about 0.25mi.  The trail is wide and hard packed making it relatively easy to push a stroller over if you’re travelling with kids.  Once you reach the viewing area, you are treated with an incredible east facing landscape view.  While there may be some people out here enjoying the view, most folks tend to visit Farview Point and not venture down this path.

Difficulty: Accessible/Easy

Length: 0.2-0.6 mi 

Elevation Gain: 5-134 ft

Approximate Hiking Time: 20 min

Try this trail out for 3 levels of inspiration!  Inspiration Point offers amazing views of the Bryce Amphitheater below.  To access the trailhead, follow signs from the main road to the Inspiration Point parking area.  Inspiration Point is separated into 3 levels.  The lowest level of Inspiration Point is accessible and can be accessed by a paved path leading from the parking area to the viewpoint.  From the lower viewpoint the trail heads up to a middle and upper level by way of a hardpacked path that is somewhat steep.  The climb up is worth it though as you’ll get a higher, more direct view of the Bryce Amphitheater below.

Difficulty: Accessible

Length: 0.3 mi 

Elevation Gain: 78 ft

Approximate Hiking Time: 15 min

Paria View offers a unique perspective of Bryce Canyon with a south facing view of the park.  To get to the parking area follow the road from the main park road towards Bryce Point.  The road to Paria Point is signed as you are returning from Bryce Point to the main road, but can be accessed on the way in by taking the opposite fork to that of Bryce Point.  From the parking area, the path heads to the southern Paria Point which is about 0.15 miles away.  It is paved the entire way making it a great accessible trail.  The trail ends at a viewing platform offering views of the surrounding landscape to the east and the south.

Difficulty: Accessible

Length: 1.1 mi 

Elevation Gain: 82 ft

Approximate Hiking Time: 30 min to 1 hr

Each of these view points can be accessed from the nearby parking areas bearing their namesake.  This area of Bryce Canyon is massively popular so don’t expect much solitude here.  Per their names they get a tremendous amount of love during sunrise and sunset as the hoodoos towering below literally glow during these times of day.  A 0.5 mile trail connects the two viewpoints.  It is paved for the entire length and offers views into the Bryce Amphitheater below.  Take a break on one of the benches and relax enjoying the sweeping landscape views.  For more detailed information on the Sunrise- Sunset Point trail, check it out here.

Difficulty: Accessible

Length: 0.4 mi 

Elevation Gain: 6 ft

Approximate Hiking Time: 15 min 

Yovimpa Point provides southerly views of the Grand Staircase for as far as the eye can see.  In fact, looking south west from here Zion National Park is only about 75 miles away.  The parking area for Yovimpa Point is located 18 miles from the Visitor Center on the main park road.  Park at Rainbow Point and follow the paved path to Yovimpa Point for 0.2 miles.  Check at the Visitor Center for the Ranger Talk times, if you’re lucky you might be able to catch one while you’re out here.  For more detailed information on this trail check it out here.