Bryce Canyon National Park: Hiking Queen’s Garden & Navajo Loop Trails
Last Updated: 3/29/2024
“You’ll miss the best things if you keep your eyes shut.”
Every year people flock to Bryce Canyon National Park to experience the unique rock formations called Hoodoos and other worldly beauty of the park. So we flocked to Bryce Canyon to hike two of the most popular trails, the Navajo Loop Trail and the Queen’s Garden Trail. Together these trails form a 2.6 mile loop where you can get up close with hoodoos, see Thor’s Hammer, and walk through canyons and arches.
To support the National Parks efforts to keep parking lots from growing any larger and to keep the pure air as clean as possible, we decided to use the free shuttle service. So we drove to the Shuttle Station located outside the park, near Ruby’s Inn.
At the shuttle station you can pay your entrance fee (or show your pass) and get maps/info. Then we boarded the bus and headed into the park to Stop #6, which is the Sunset Point Stop. There is also parking available at Sunset Point if you choose to drive.
Looking out at Sunset Point before heading out on our hike.
Navajo Loop Trail
We began our hike at Sunset Point, which is one of the most beautiful viewpoints in Bryce Canyon. As the name suggests, this is a great place to watch the sun set on the hoodoos, turning them red and orange.
From Sunset Point, look for the Navajo Loop Trail sign to begin your hike. You will begin your descent into the hoodoos on a crazy set of switchbacks, with towering Douglas fir trees growing along the trail. We chose to go down on the Two Bridges side of the loop. The trail provides outstanding views of the much-photographed Thor’s Hammer!
After passing through the Two Bridges, the trail opens up to the canyon floor and instead of looking down on the hoodoos, you are now standing at the bottom looking up. From Sunset Point to the end of the Navajo Loop portion of the hike is 0.7 miles.
Thor’s Hammer
Hiking down the switchbacks.
Queen’s Garden Trail
As you hike along the bottom of the canyon on the Queens Garden Trail, you will notice there aren’t as many hoodoos along this stretch of the trail. But the landscape is so beautiful and diverse.
After 0.8 miles, you’ll have the chance to be welcomed into the Queens Garden. Using your imagination you may be able to see Queen Victoria (well her doppelgänger hoodoo anyway!), at the end of a short spur trail overseeing the garden.
Backtrack down the side trail you took to see the Queen, and continue hiking along the main trail. Take time to enjoy the view while gradually working your way 0.9 miles up to the top of the rim.
Once you reach the top you will now be at Sunrise Point. From here you can catch a shuttle on to your next destination. Or you can take the easy 0.5 mile walk South along the Rim Trail back to where your car is parked at Sunset Point. We took the walk back to Sunset Point and enjoyed a picnic before hopping back on the shuttle to our car.
Queen Victoria’s HooDoo Doppelganger
Lessons Learned Hiking Queen’s Garden & Navajo Loop Trails:
Avoid the heat of the day! We were up and out early to get to the park before it got hot and crowded. I highly recommend this approach, especially during the summer months. I would also recommend hats. There are some areas that don’t have much, if any, shade.
Bring plenty of water! We always hike with Hydration Packs and/or refillable water bottles. There is a water bottle refill station by the restrooms at Sunset Point.
Always pack a First Aid kit in your backpack!!! We had one mishap during our hike at Bryce Canyon. Our daughter Ava slipped and cut her knee pretty badly, and I forgot to pack the first aid kit in the backpack (it was still in the car)! While I was trying to bandage her up with whatever I could find in our bag, a wonderful couple stopped and offered us what they had. We were so thankful that they stopped and offered to help. After some water and a snack, we were able to keep going. So always pack a first aid kit, and then maybe you won’t need to use it. And you won’t feel like the worst parent ever:)
I would suggest Hiking Poles! Especially if you do this hike starting at Queen’s Garden Trail. They would be very helpful going up the steep switchbacks.
Don’t miss out on the Queen’s Garden and Navajo Loop hike. And if you are in Utah for a bit, you should also definitely check out Capitol Reef National Park and Goblin Valley State Park. Have fun questing for adventure!