Bryce Canyon is a popular park but is often overshadowed by Zion National Park and the majestic Grand Canyon nearby. However, Zion is known for its many backcountry and strenuous hikes which aren’t ideal for younger kids.
Families will love Bryce Canyon National Park hikes for the cool rock formations on the valley floor including hoodoos and towering spires. Plus, walking along the rim of the canyon is the best way to see the spectacular views across the entire park.
Kids can also get involved in the ‘I Hiked the Hoodoos!’ Junior Ranger Program and collect all nine benchmarks dotted around several Bryce Canyon National Park hikes.
This guide will list all the best Bryce Canyon hikes for families starting with the easiest hikes for younger kids. There are also some essential hiking tips for families visiting national parks at the end, so don’t miss those. It includes all the info you need to have the best time at Bryce Canyon National Park!
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Family-Friendly Bryce Canyon Hikes: Interactive Map
Below you’ll find an interactive map that highlights each of the trail recommendations made in this article. You’ll be able to see the relative distance to hikes, as well as other park highlights like visitor centers, etc.
How to Use This Map:
Click on any of the trail recommendations marked with the bed icon in this color. A popup will open discussing the hike in greater detail.
Clicking the star next to the name of the map will save the map to your google account. To access it later on a computer or your smartphone, open google maps and select “Your Places”.
Best Bryce Canyon National Park Hikes for Younger Kids
1. Yovimpa Trail
- Distance: 0.3-mile out and back trail (approx. 15 minutes)
- Difficulty: Very Easy
- Location: Rainbow Point Parking Lot
Let’s begin with the easiest of all the Bryce Canyon National Park hikes. Starting at Rainbow Point, you can hike the Yovimpa Trail via part of the Bristlecone Point Loop Trail in next to no time.
Elevation change is less than 50 ft and it ends at an overlook where you can see the trees covering the valley floor.
Okay, so it’s more of a viewpoint with a short walk rather than an official ‘hike’ but this hiking trail has lots of pros.
The overlook has a barrier and the path is completely paved so it’s ideal for your littlest kids and you can take a stroller. Rainbow has a parking lot and multiple bathrooms too.
2. Paria View Trail
- Distance: 0.35-mile out and back trail (approx. 20 minutes)
- Difficulty: Very Easy
- Location: Paria View Road
Paria View Trail is similar to Yovimpa in that it’s a short, easy hike perfect for little kids. It’s also paved with barriers at the beautiful overlook right on the Canyon Rim. Elevation change is very little and not over 50 ft.
One of the main differences between Paria View and Yovimpa is the location and facilities. Paria View is a short distance down a dirt road with minimal parking and no bathrooms, though the ones at Bryce Point aren’t far away.
3. Farview and Piracy Point Walkway
- Distance: 0.5-mile loop trail (approx. 15 to 30 minutes)
- Difficulty: Very Easy
- Location: Fairview Point Trailhead
Right off the Bryce Canyon Road scenic drive, this is one of the Bryce Canyon National Park hikes that everyone should do!
It’s a short, half-mile hike with only a 50 ft elevation change to the Farview Point and Piracy Point overlooks.
While there are parts of the trail without a fence on the Canyon Rim, both of the overlooks have barriers.
The paths have loose pebbles but they are still flat enough for strollers and little feet. There’s a public bathroom and a larger parking lot at Farview Point than you might expect.
4. Mossy Cave Trail
- Distance: 0.8-mile out and back trail (approx. 30 – 60 minutes)
- Difficulty: Easy
- Location: Mossy Cave Trailhead
This is one of the best and most popular Bryce Canyon National Park hikes for families with kids of all ages and is the first ‘real’ hike on this list. Not only is Mossy Cave Trail a short hike, but the slim canyon, creek, bridges, and waterfall keep it interesting for short attention spans.
Total elevation gain is around 150 ft and it’s not a paved path so you can expect some loose rocks and branches. However, you’re nowhere near the Bryce Canyon Rim so there are few steep drop-offs. At the end of the hike, you’ll all be rewarded with Tropic Ditch Falls, a small yet mighty 15 ft waterfall.
There’s a benchmark on the Mossy Cave Trail for your kids to collect and there’s a public bathroom and parking lot at the trailhead. What more could a parent want in a hike?! Arrive early in peak season because it gets busy.
5. Bristlecone Loop Trail
- Distance: 1-mile loop trail (approx. 60 to 90 minutes)
- Difficulty: Easy
- Location: Bristlecone Loop Trailhead at Rainbow Point
Bristlecone Loop Trail is another winner in Bryce Canyon and one of the best hikes for families in the national park. It’s named after the beautiful bristlecone pines that you’ll pass on this well-marked and well-maintained woodland hike.
This trail is on a hillside so there is around 200 ft of elevation change, but it’s gradual. The trees offer shade during the summer months and although there has been significant deforestation here, it’s still a scenic hike.
Rainbow Point has a parking lot and bathrooms and you can find a benchmark to collect on this trail too!
6. Sunset Point to Sunrise Point Rim Trail
- Distance: 1-mile out and back trail (approx. 30 – 60 minutes)
- Difficulty: Easy
- Location: Sunset Point Road or Sunrise Point Road
The Rim Trail is one of the best trails in Bryce Canyon National Park and the most scenic. It stretches 11 miles from Bryce Point in the south to Fairyland Point in the north via Sunset Point and Sunrise Point in the middle.
As the name suggests, it’s a long trail along the rim of Bryce Canyon with incredible views and a benchmark your kids can collect.
Hiking 11 miles is much too long for most kids, which is why families tend to hike a portion of the Rim Trail.
Sunset Point to Sunrise Point is one of the most accessible Bryce Canyon National Park hikes and is perfect for children and even strollers. It’s paved, has a fence along parts of the trail, and the elevation gain is only 40 ft.
One of the best things about Sunset Point to Sunrise Point is that you don’t have to walk back if your kids are getting tired!
There is a shuttle that runs between Bryce Point, Sunset Point, and Sunrise Point. Both Sunrise Point and Sunset Point have parking lots and there is additional parking at the visitor center nearby.
North Campground and the grocery store are also within walking distance to Sunrise Point. Bryce Canyon Lodge is close to both points too, so you have some parking options if the place is packed!
7. Inspiration Point to Sunset Point Rim Trail
- Distance: 1.4-mile out and back trail (approx. 30 – 60 minutes)
- Difficulty: Easy
- Location: Inspiration Point Trailhead or Sunset Point Road
One of the other parts of the trail along the rim of Bryce Canyon is from Inspiration Point to Sunset Point.
The elevation change is 143 ft, so it’s slightly tougher along this section but still a good choice for kids. If you’re unsure of your kid’s hiking capabilities then you could start with this trail and continue to Sunrise Point if they’re still having a great time!
Inspiration Point Trailhead has a parking lot with bathrooms and a beautiful overlook. Or, you could start at Sunset Point and walk in the opposite direction.
The Rim Trail is one of the Bryce Canyon National Park hikes with the most options as, thanks to the shuttle, you can walk as much or as little as you like.
8. Queen’s Garden Trail
- Distance: 1.8-mile out and back trail (approx. one to two hours)
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Location: Sunrise Point Road
Named after a rock that looks like Queen Victoria, Queen’s Garden Trail is one of the more moderate hikes still suitable for kids in Bryce Canyon.
It’s not long, but there is a 450 ft elevation change and some short switchbacks as you descend into Peekaboo Canyon and the South Hall.
There are lots of really cool hoodoos visible on this trail and a benchmark to collect too. One of the closest, best places with a parking lot is at Sunrise Point or you can take a shuttle there.
You’ll need to walk a part of the Rim Trail before turning onto the Queen’s Garden Trail, but it’s super short.
9. Navajo Loop Trail
- Distance: 1.3-mile loop trail (approx. one to two hours)
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Location: Sunset Point Road
Like Queen’s Garden, Navajo Loop Trail isn’t one of the longer hikes but it does have a 515 ft elevation change. There’s a fairly steep descent on the way into the Bryce Amphitheater and a bit of a steep climb out plus there are two areas of switchbacks which some kids might find tough but you can take breaks.
You can see some of the best places and rock formations in the entire park from this trail like Thor’s Hammer, Wall Street, and the Two Bridges.
It’s best to walk from a counter-clockwise direction as the Two Bridges is open year-round whereas the Wall Street section is closed in winter.
The closest parking lot to this hike is at Sunset Point, but you can always take a shuttle to the trailhead. And yes, there is a benchmark your kids can collect on this trail!
10. Queen’s Garden/Navajo Loop Trail
- Distance: 2.9-mile loop trail (approx. two to three hours)
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Location: Sunrise or Sunset Point Road
Combine the Queen’s Garden Trail with the Two Bridges side of the Navajo Loop and you’ve got the most popular hike in Bryce Canyon National Park. Although it’s on the tougher side with a 625 ft elevation change, the incredible views, cool hoodoos, and other rock formations already mentioned are worth it for many families.
You can begin the hike either at Sunrise or Sunset Point, and remember you can use the shuttle if you can’t find a parking spot at either point. Walk on the Rim Trail to either the Queen’s Garden or Navajo Trailhead to start your hike.
Best Bryce Canyon National Park Hikes for Older Kids
11. Sheep Creek Trail
- Distance: 2.1-mile out and back trail (approx. one to two hours)
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Location: Sheep Creek Trailhead or Swamp Canyon Trailhead
One of the best Bryce Canyon National Park hikes for older kids (roughly pre-teen age) is Sheep Creek Trail. It stretches from Swamp Canyon Trailhead to Sheep Creek Trailhead across Short Canyon and Mud Canyon with around 581 ft of elevation change.
It’s one of the less busy Bryce Canyon National Park hikes so it might be a good choice if you’re visiting on a weekend in peak season. While there aren’t as many hoodoos here, you can see an area of the valley floor with views of Mud Butte and Swamp Butte and the pink cliffs in the distance.
While you might feel compelled to begin the hike at Sheep Creek Trailhead, it’s down a dirt road with no amenities. Parking at Swamp Canyon Trailhead just off the scenic drive might make more sense and the closest bathrooms are at Inspiration Point.
12. Tropic Trail
- Distance: 3.5-mile out and back trail (approx. one to two hours)
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Location: Tropic Trailhead (on Bryce Way)
Sheep Creek Trail might be one of the lesser-visited Bryce Canyon National Park hikes, but Tropic Trail is the quietest out of all the front country trails. You get a unique perspective of the canyon by hiking in from this direction that you can’t get from any other trail!
With an elevation change of 500 ft, it’s far from the toughest Bryce hike and begins below the rim. It begins in the town of Tropic rather than the Bryce Canyon City side of the park and you’ll need a 4WD to get to the trailhead. There aren’t any amenities at the trailhead and you can park at Bryce View Camp.
13. Tower Bridge Trail
- Distance: 3-mile out and back trail (approx. two to three hours)
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Location: Sunrise Point Road
Tower Bridge is one of the coolest rock formations in Bryce Canyon, so it’s worth the 760 ft elevation change. This is a spur trail that starts at Sunrise Point and continues onto the Fairyland Loop Trail along the Chinese Wall.
Eventually, it veers off onto a different trail which offers the best views of Tower Bridge in the entire park.
You and your kids will be walking in between trees and on rocky unpaved paths for most of the trail with almost no steep drop-offs.
The descent is also fairly gradual, although the climb back up will no doubt drive many complaints! If you can’t find parking at Sunrise Point, you can always find a spot elsewhere and take the shuttle.
14. Swamp Canyon Loop Trail
- Distance: 4-mile out and back trail (approx. two to three hours)
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Location: Swamp Canyon Loop Trailhead
This is one of the only backcountry Bryce Canyon National Park hikes on this list and one of the few that older kids could manage. It has a 775 ft elevation change and some areas of steep, open hillside.
However, there are lots of trees for shade. The path also seems fairly well-trodden and clear for a backcountry hike. You’re able to walk into the heart of Bryce Canyon via this trail and you’ll feel like you’re on a real adventure!
Luckily, you only need a backcountry permit in Bryce Canyon if you are camping overnight. You can easily park at the Swamp Canyon Loop Trailhead/Overlook and the closest public bathrooms are at Inspiration Point. Check in at the visitor center for a map as there aren’t many trail markers.
15. Peekaboo Loop Trail
- Distance: 5.5-mile lollipop loop trail (approx. three to four hours)
- Difficulty: Strenuous
- Location: Bryce Point Trailhead
Let’s get this out of the way first: don’t hike the entire Peekaboo Loop Trail with your kids! With a 1,560 ft elevation change, it’s one of the tougher and longer Bryce Canyon National Park hikes.
However, it’s included on the list because it is one of the trails that has a benchmark that your kids may want to collect. It’s called the ‘Wall of Windows’ benchmark which is close to Bryce Point. It’s a beautiful, rippled limestone and sandstone fin so it’s well worth visiting.
Hiking from Bryce Point to the Wall of Windows should only be around two miles out and back. Bryce Point has a parking lot and it’s also a stop on the shuttle route. There are public bathrooms en route so this section is one of the more kid-friendly Bryce Canyon National Park hikes.
Bryce Canyon National Park Hikes That Aren’t Ideal for (Most) Kids
You might have heard about other Bryce Canyon National Park hikes and are wondering whether they are suitable for kids. If these trails aren’t listed above, it’s likely those Bryce Canyon National Park hikes are too strenuous.
However, the exception is if you’re traveling with older teens who have been hiking since they could walk. They might love the challenge of long, strenuous hikes! Here are some of the best hikes.
- Hat Shop Trail: This is a four-mile back trail from Bryce Point into the canyon. You might not think it sounds tough but it has a 1,380 ft elevation change and takes up to four hours to hike! It offers views of the Grand Staircase.
- Fairyland Loop Trail: Out of all the strenuous Bryce Canyon National Park hikes, this is the most popular trail. It’s an 8-mile loop with a 1,900 ft elevation change which can take five hours to complete. Hike in a counter-clockwise direction from Fairyland Point for the best views over Bryce Amphitheater.
- Bryce Figure 8 Loop Trail: One of the best full-day hikes in Bryce Canyon is the Figure 8 Loop which is a whopping 15.5 miles, with over 2,000 ft of elevation change. It can take up to eight hours to complete but it’s the best option to see the entire park.
Tips for Families on Bryce Canyon National Park Hikes
- Visit the Bryce Canyon Visitor Center: It’s good practice to check in at the visitor center to find out about trail closures and weather conditions. The park rangers at the National Park Service always have the most up-to-date safety information.
- Pack the Family Hiking Trip Essentials: Bring plenty of water for everyone, lots of hiking snacks, and sun protection (even in the winter months). If you are camping in Bryce Canyon, bring a bear canister to store food.
- Prepare for High Altitudes: Bryce Canyon averages between 8,000 ft and 9,000 ft above sea level. If your family isn’t used to hiking at a high elevation, take it easy and return to a lower altitude if anyone feels sick.
- Follow the Leave No Trace Principles: Visiting national parks is a great way to teach your kids not to leave trash or remove stones, plants or other materials from the natural landscape. See the NPS video below for more information about Leave No Trace:
- ‘I Hiked the Hoodoos’ Medallion Program: You can find all nine benchmarks on the Mossy Cave Trail, Bristlecone Loop Trail, Queens Garden Trail, Navajo Trail, Tower Bridge Trail, Sheep Creek Trail, Rim Trail, and Peekaboo Loop Trail. Your kids only need a rubbing or a photo with three benchmarks to get a medallion from the Bryce Canyon Visitor Center.
- Visit the Mighty Five National Parks: Taking a road trip through Southern Utah with your family to visit Bryce Canyon? You might want to check out the state’s other four national parks, too! Zion, Capitol Reef, Canyonlands, and Arches all have something to offer.
Family-Friendly Hikes in More Amazing National Parks
Looking for more information about Bryce NP, or family-friendly hiking in more amazing US national parks? Be sure to check out these articles, too:
- 14 BEST Hikes in Capitol Reef National Park for Kids
- Best Hikes in Zion National Park, Utah (For Families)
- 15 Best Canyonlands National Park Hikes for Families
- 14 Best Arches National Park Hiking Trails for Families
- 16 BEST Grand Teton National Park Hikes for Families
- 11 Best Hikes in Crater Lake National Park Oregon
- 8 Best Easy Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park
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