Navajo Loop, Utah
Total Distance: 1.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 515 feet
Trail Type: Loop
Difficulty: Moderate
The Hike: This is easily the most iconic hike within Bryce Canyon National Park, as well as home to some of the most photographed scenes in Utah. The Navajo Loop brings hikers deep into the canyon to be surrounded by the park’s famous hoodoos. The trail twists and turns through the canyon, and gives hikers an up close and personal experience with the unique rock formations. Although the rim of the canyon gets hot in the summer months, once on the canyon floor, many hikers opt for jackets and a warmer layer as the temperature difference can sometimes be extreme.
No matter which direction you hike this loop, you’ll have a steep climb up out of the canyon. Each side has switchbacks built into the trail to assist hikers with the climb, and the top of each set of switchbacks makes for a great photo opt.
The Details: Start your hike at the Sunset Point parking area, and follow signs towards the Navajo Loop. There is a split in the trail about .25 miles in – feel free to pick either direction you’d like as you will be walking back up the opposite side.
Once going down your first set of switchbacks, the trail will walk along the canyon floor for a few minutes – this is where things sometimes get chilly, so plan accordingly. After a short walk at the bottom of the canyon, the trail will then bring hikers to the base of a second set of switchbacks. This time however, you will be hiking upward. Take your time and drink plenty of water during this section as the trail is steep and exposed to the sun on both sides.
Once you reach the fork in the trail again, continue hiking up until you reach the parking lot again.
Gear: For this hike, we recommend bringing along either the Winter or Summer Day Hike Essentials, depending on the season. Micro-spikes or Snowshoes are strongly advised in the winter.
*The information in this article is for planning purposes only. Actual trail conditions may vary depending on environmental factors. It is always advised to get the latest trail information from a park office or ranger before you begin your hike.