Night Sky

Be sure to always check the Calendar or stop by the Visitor Center to find the programs that will be available during your visit. Night sky telescope programs are generally offered on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, June through July starting around 9:45 p.m. at Sunset Point. Experience the dark sky of Bryce Canyon with our telescopes! Rangers will guide you on your magical adventure through the celestial ceiling of our amphitheaters of hoodoos. Learn about the science and cultural history of this International Dark Sky Park. Want to stargaze on your own? There are many ways to enjoy the Bryce Canyon night sky on your own! Visit our Stargazing page for more information.

Combine two of our most iconic trails, the Navajo and Peekaboo Loop trails, into a a mini Figure-8 combination loop. Start the hike at Sunset Point, descend down either side of the Navajo Loop (Two Bridges in winter), connect to the Peekaboo Loop (we recommend hiking it in a clockwise direction), and ascend Navajo back to Sunset Point. Trailhead: Sunset Point Parking: At trailhead (check when parking lots are busiest ). Oversized vehicles are not permitted in this parking area when the shuttle is in operation. Distance: 4.9 miles (7.9 km) Approximate Time: 3-4 hours Elevation Gain: 1475 feet (450 meters) Difficulty: Strenuous (rapid elevation gain, longer length) Services: Accessible restrooms available at Sunset Point (year-round). Pit toilets on the west side of Peekaboo Loop (summer only). Water-fill stations available at Sunset Point (seasonally) and the Sunset Point restroom (year-round). Shuttle Service: Yes. In winter, use the Two Bridges side of the Navajo Loop. Pets are not allowed on this trail. Service animals are allowed in national parks. What is a service animal? Hikers will encounter horses and mules on the Peekaboo Loop and should give the right-of-way to these riders. You can hike these two trails individually as the Peekaboo Loop and the Navajo Loop .

The iconic Navajo Loop Trail begins and ends at Sunset Point. Its switchbacks wind between narrow walls of colorful limestone with views of towering Douglas-fir trees and the park's most famous hoodoo: Thor's hammer. The loop has two sides: Two Bridges and Wall Street. The Two Bridges side is open year-round, however, the Wall Street side is closed during the winter months. During this time Two-Bridges can be hiked as an out-and-back trail or combined with other trails. Trailhead: Sunset Point Parking: At trailhead (check when parking lots are busiest ). Oversized vehicles are not permitted in these parking areas when the shuttle is in operation. Distance: 1.3 mile (2.1 km) Approximate Time: 1-2 hour Elevation Gain: 515 feet (157 meters) Difficulty: Moderate (less than 1000 feet elevation gain, moderate length) Services: Accessible restrooms available at Sunset Point (year-round). Water-fill stations available at Sunset Point (seasonally) and the Sunset Point restroom (year-round). Shuttle Service: Yes. Only a loop in summer. During this time, we recommend hiking in a counter-clockwise direction. During winter months, Two Bridges can be hiked as an out-and-back trail or combined with other trails. Pets are not allowed on this trail . Service animals are allowed in national parks. What is a service animal? This trail is commonly combined with Queen's Garden to create a 2.9 mile round trip trail where you can descend Queen's Garden at Sunrise Point and ascend Navajo Loop to Sunset Point. Complete the loop using the Sunset to Sunrise section of the Rim Trail.

The Figure-8 Combination combines three amphitheater hikes, Queen's Garden, Navajo Loop, and the Peekaboo Loop, into one ultimate hike! We recommend a clockwise direction descending Queen's Garden, connecting to the Peekaboo Loop (we recommend hiking it in a clockwise direction), and ascending either side of the Navajo Loop (Two Bridges in winter). From there you can complete the trail by hiking back to Sunrise Point along the Rim Trail. Trailhead: Sunrise Point or Sunset Point Parking: Available at both Sunrise and Sunset Points (check when parking lots are busiest ). Oversized vehicles are not permitted in these parking areas when the shuttle is in operation . Distance: 6.4 miles (10.3 km) Approximate Time: 4-5 hours Elevation Gain: 1575 feet (480 meters) Difficulty: Strenuous (rapid elevation gain, longer length) Services: Accessible restrooms available at Sunset Point (year-round) and available at the General Store near Sunrise Point (seasonally). Water-fill stations available at Sunset Point (seasonally), the Sunset Point restroom (year-round), and the General Store (seasonally). Pit toilets on the west side of Peekaboo Loop (summer only) Shuttle Service: Yes. This trail may be inaccessible during mid-winter due to snow depths ranging from 2-15 ft. (.7-5 m) Pets are not allowed on this trail. Service animals are allowed in national parks. What is a service animal? Hikers will encounter horses and mules on the Peekaboo Loop and should give the right-of-way to these riders. You can hike these trails individually as the Peekaboo Loop , Queen's Garden , and the Navajo Loop .

Our most popular hike in the park and the one we most recommend to first-time visitors. The Queen's/Navajo Combination Loop combines the open views and unique hoodoos of the Queen's Garden Trail with the iconic switchbacks and towering canyon walls of the Navajo Loop Trail. Descend Queen's Garden at Sunrise Point, ascend the Navajo Loop to Sunset Point, and then complete the loop back to Sunrise Point via the Rim Trail, enjoying views into the Bryce Canyon Amphitheater below. Trailhead: Sunrise or Sunset Point Parking: Available at both Sunrise and Sunset Points (check when parking lots are busiest ). Oversized vehicles are not permitted in these parking areas when the shuttle is in operation. Distance: 2.9 miles (4.6 km) Approximate Time: 2-3 hours Elevation Gain: 625 feet (191 meters) Difficulty: Moderate (less than 1000 feet elevation gain, moderate length) Services: Accessible restrooms available at Sunset Point (year-round) and available at the General Store near Sunrise Point (seasonally). Water-fill stations available at Sunset Point (seasonally), the Sunset Point restroom (year-round), and the General Store (seasonally). Shuttle Service: Yes. Use the Two Bridges side of the Navajo Loop in winter when Wall Street is closed. We recommend hiking this loop in a clockwise direction. Pets are not allowed on this trail . Service animals are allowed in national parks. What is a service animal?

Be sure to always check the Calendar or stop by the Visitor Center to find the programs that will be available during your visit. Evening programs, typically offered from Memorial Day through Labor Day, offer topics that go beyond the rim! Check the calendar for daily times and locations. This is a Ranger’s Choice program offering an exploration into compelling stories, interesting themes, and unique resources that make Bryce Canyon special. A schedule of daily topics is available in the Visitor Center.

The lesser used Permian Reef Trail leads to sheltered campsites and spectacular views into McKittrick Canyon, making a great destination of a one night, two day backpacking trip into the Wilderness. Distance: 9.0 miles (14.5 km) round-trip, out and back Elevation Change: 2,000 feet Time Estimate: 3-4 hours to reach the campsites Difficulty: Strenuous Duration: Minimum of one night, two days. Trailheads: Start and end at the McKittrick Canyon Trailhead.

The South Rim Drive is a scenic paved road that follows the canyon rim for 7 miles from Tomichi Point to High Point and features 12 overlooks. Most overlooks are reached by hiking a short trail. There are three handicap-accessible overlooks: Pulpit Rock, Chasm View, and Sunset View. Allow 2-3 hours to view several overlooks. Those with limited time should consider stopping at Gunnison Point, Chasm View, Painted Wall and Sunset View. The South Rim Visitor Center, which features exhibits on the canyon, is located at Gunnison Point. The visitor center is open daily throughout the year. In winter and early spring, the South Rim Drive is closed to vehicles just past the visitor center. During this time, the drive is open only for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.

Discover a rare source of water in the desert along the Dripping Springs Trail! It is a year-round water source that is great for spotting wildlife. The trailhead is found at a pullout along North Puerto Blanco Drive, a high clearance, 4-wheel drive recommended road. This short trail winds through a beautiful flat basin area between mountains until it hits a series of switchbacks near its end that climb to Dripping Springs. Saguaro, organ pipe, agave, and other Sonoran Desert plants surround the trail year-long, and ephemeral wildflowers such as lupine and phacelia carpet the area in springtime. Distance: 1 mile (1.6 km) roundtrip Difficulty : Moderate Elevation change : 100 feet (30.5 m)

Colorado National Monument is the eastern gateway into the Colorado Plateau. Across the mesas or in the hanging canyons, your peaceful night will be shared with coyotes, stars, and the smell of sagebrush. The Milky Way can be seen on dark, clear nights. The natural soundscape can be loud with crickets, frogs, and birds, and still be one of the quietest nights of your year. The monument has 46 miles of trails to explore. Choose one of the several backcountry trails for your overnight. We recommend Monument Canyon, Ute Canyon, Black Ridge, Upper Liberty Cap on Monument Mesa, or for the most experienced travelers, No Thoroughfare Canyon. Stop at the visitor center to register for a free backcountry permit. A ranger can give you updates on current trail conditions. Come to Saddlehorn Visitor Center for your free backcountry permit. Backcountry Camping Regulations A backcountry use permit must be in your possession while traveling in the backcountry. Did we mention that you should get your permit from the visitor center? Permits are free and must be picked up at the visitor center. Regulations are in effect to protect park resources and reduce visitor impacts. Backcountry campers should find remote location where they can neither be seen nor heard. It is the responsibility of all trip participants to know and obey the following regulations (we know there are a lot, but stick with us) while in the backcountry: Groups Group size is limited to 7 people. Bicycles, motorized equipment, and other intrusive devices such as radios, generators, etc., are not allowed in the backcountry. Drone use in the monument is prohibited. Where/How to Camp Campers must camp 1/4 mile or more from any road or developed facility and 100 feet or more from any trail or water source. Camping is not permitted in any streambed. All items, including trash, must be packed out. Campsites should be left in the natural condition as they were found. Campers must carry out solid human waste in sanitary disposal bags or dispose of it in a hole 6-8 inches deep, and at least 300 feet from any water source. Pack out all toilet paper. In any calendar year, backcountry campers are limited to 14 overnight stays, whether accrued consecutively or in any combination of separate visits. Single trips are limited to 7 nights. Camping on Independence Monument is prohibited. Camping on cryptobiotic soil crusts is prohibited. Water Water is not available in the backcountry. Springs, streams, and seeps are unreliable and in some years may be completely dry. Visitors are not allowed to filter water that you may find - this ensures what little water there is will be enough for the animals and plants that call this place home. Springs, streams, and pools may contain harmful substances like selenium or bacteria like Giardia . Backpackers must pack in their own water. One (1) gallon (4 liters) per person is recommended per day in the summer months. A water refilling station is located outside the visitor center and is open 24 hours per day. Fire No fires , with the exception of gas or alcohol camp stoves, are permitted in the backcountry. Charcoal fires are not permitted. Animals Pets are not permitted on any park trails or on backcountry trips. Horses and pack animals are not allowed overnight in the backcountry. Wildlife may be attracted to food and other items with an odor, such as soap, lip balm, or deodorant. Storing food in a bear can or other secure container is recommended. Don't store food or items with an odor in your tent. Scorpions and the midget faded rattlesnake can be found in the Monument. Sightings are rare, as they are mostly nocturnal. Don't put your hands or feet anywhere that you can't see them! Environment Be aware of temperatures in the summer, which can be in the low 100s. Hiking and camping in the bottom of the canyons can be extremely hot as heat radiates from the rocks. Plan trips for cooler weather to avoid heat injuries. Please remember to Leave No Trace , and enjoy your trip! We love hearing from visitors, so feel free to come back to the visitor center and tell us about how your overnight went!