TrailBryce Canyon National Park Sunset Point
1.4 miles, ~800 ft gain. Steep canyon switchbacks; Wall Street awaits.
800 ft elev. gain
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Sunset Point to Sunrise Point Hike
Last Updated: June 2026
Distance
1 mi
Elevation Gain
40 ft
Est. Time
1 hour for the full out-and-back at a normal pace. Add 30 minutes if you're stopping for photos or slower movement. You can turn around at any point.
Route Type
Out-and-back
Dogs Allowed
No
Best Season
Year-round. Spring (April-May) and fall (September-October) have the most stable weather. Summer crowds are intense; winter means possible ice, but the paved surface is typically cleared and passable.
Overview
About This Trail
This is the easiest walk in the park: a paved 1.0-mile rim walk with minimal elevation gain (40 feet) along the iconic Bryce Canyon Amphitheater. You'll stare down the hoodoos—the signature colorful sandstone spires Bryce is famous for—the entire way. Paved surface means zero scrambling, no technical skill, no exposure beyond unguarded viewpoints. This is pure payoff for near-zero effort, and crowds prove it.
Highlights
Difficulty Level
Walk in the park. Paved, 40-foot gain, 1 mile. Zero technical challenge.
Trail Highlights
The hoodoos—the colorful sandstone spires rising below the rim—dominate your view the entire mile. This is the park's signature geology on display with zero technical effort. Sunrise Point lives up to its name: golden light hits the eastern hoodoo faces at dawn. Sunset Point captures the western faces in warm afternoon light. You can't miss the payoff—it's front-row the whole walk.
Insider Tips
• Start from Sunrise Point and walk downhill to Sunset Point. Less climbing, more flow. • Best light for hoodoo photos is mid-morning (8-10 AM) when sun hits the eastern faces. Afternoon light is softer on the western faces. • Avoid 12-3 PM midday sun intensity. • If your legs are fried from harder hikes, this is your redemption lap—do it and feel the hoodoo payoff without punishment. • Winter: the concrete holds ice until mid-morning. Wait for the sun to warm it (after 10 AM) before starting.
Best Season to Hike
Year-round. Spring (April-May) and fall (September-October) have the most stable weather. Summer crowds are intense; winter means possible ice, but the paved surface is typically cleared and passable.
Hiking Tips
- Arrive before 8 AM to beat crowds on this most popular rim walk.
- Bring minimum 1L water—sun and altitude on the rim are relentless, even on easy terrain.
- No shade. Wear a hat and reapply sunscreen hourly.
- Tighten your boots. Short sections hit 16.5% grade; boots slip on descent if loose.
- The free shuttle is a game-changer if parking is packed. Use it.
- Winter: wait for 10 AM sun to warm the concrete and melt ice.
Family Info
Safe and easy for families with young children. No scrambling or technical hazards. Watch children closely at rim edges—there are no railings. The paved surface is stroller-friendly if you can push uphill. Older kids love spotting and naming the hoodoos. One-mile length is manageable for short attention spans. Water and restrooms available at both trailheads.
What Hikers Say
Hikers rave about this trail's easy accessibility and front-row hoodoo views. The paved surface means zero technical skill required, and the payoff rivals much longer, harder routes. Most praise the iconic scenery; the consistent complaint is crowds, especially midday. It's the park's signature easy walk—you can't go wrong if you manage sun and expect company.
More at Bryce Canyon National Park
Trail Bryce Canyon National Park
ℹ️ Data Sources
National Park Service — Sunset Point to Sunrise Point Hike (official page) (checked 2026-06-13) National Park Service — Bryce Canyon National Park fees, hours & conditions (checked 2026-07-05) YourNPGuide Editorial
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