Bryce Canyon National Park, One View at a Time
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Utah · Bryce Canyon · Vertical video

Bryce Canyon National Park, One View at a Time

By Tyler BarksAbout 4 min read

We walked down the Navajo switchbacks toward Wall Street, returned the same way, and explored the Rim Trail near Bryce Point. The quiet time along the rim was a highlight.
A person on a trail between tall orange rock walls and hoodoos in Bryce Canyon National Park Watch the Reel on Instagram

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We walked down the Navajo switchbacks toward Wall Street, returned the same way, and explored the Rim Trail near Bryce Point. The quiet time along the rim was a highlight.

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We went below the rim at Bryce Canyon, following the Navajo switchbacks from Sunset Point toward Wall Street. We did not have time for the full loop, so we climbed back up the same way. Later, we explored along the Rim Trail near Bryce Point, taking photos and watching a deer make its way up from the canyon.

The tall rock spires are called hoodoos, and Bryce Canyon has the largest concentration anywhere in the world. The photographs here show both the wide landscape and the formations up close. About Bryce Canyon National Park.

Where to start: Bryce Amphitheater viewpoints

For a first visit or a shorter stop, focus on the Bryce Amphitheater rather than trying to see the entire park. Its four main viewpoints are grouped near the beginning of the park road:

  • Sunrise Point: A northern amphitheater view and access to the Queens Garden Trail.
  • Sunset Point: A look across some of the park's best-known hoodoos, with access to the Navajo Loop.
  • Inspiration Point: A higher perspective across dense rows of rock formations.
  • Bryce Point: A broad view across the amphitheater from the south.

These are starting points for planning your own visit. Compare the official viewpoint descriptions when choosing your stops.

Closely packed orange and cream hoodoos with green trees between them in Bryce Canyon
A closer look at the color and layers of Bryce Canyon's hoodoos.

A short rim walk or a hike among the hoodoos

You do not need a long hike to see the formations. The paved Rim Trail between Sunrise and Sunset Points is 0.5 mile one way, or 1 mile out and back. It is an easy option if you want changing views without descending into the amphitheater. NPS hiking information.

For a moderate hike below the rim, consider the Queens Garden and Navajo Combination Loop. NPS lists it as 2.9 miles, usually taking 2 to 3 hours, and recommends hiking clockwise: down Queens Garden and back up Navajo. Review the official loop guide and current closures before choosing it.

Remember that a descent means an uphill return. Pick the option that fits your time, energy, and the conditions that day.

A person leaning on a wooden overlook railing with Bryce Canyon's hoodoos in the background
Taking in the view from the overlook.

Bryce Canyon photography tips

Plan around the light, not just the viewpoint names. Most overlooks face east, so sunrise can light the hoodoos directly. NPS identifies Sunrise Point and Bryce Point as popular sunrise options. At sunset, the sun is generally behind you rather than setting over the amphitheater; Sunset Point's name does not guarantee a sunset-in-the-background photograph. NPS sunrise and sunset advice.

For the photographs themselves, try a few different approaches:

  • Start wide, then look closer. Make one frame that shows the scale, then isolate a smaller group of hoodoos or the color in the rock layers.
  • Use the shadows. Bright rock beside shaded canyon walls creates strong contrast. Check your exposure so the sunlit formations retain detail.
  • Include a sense of scale. A person on a designated trail or at a safe overlook can show how large the formations are. Keep clear of edges and do not leave trails for a composition.

My Reel gives you a quick look at the setting. The photographs are a chance to pause and notice the details.

A person doing a headstand at an overlook with orange Bryce Canyon hoodoos behind them
A different perspective, with the same unmistakable backdrop.

Before you go

Bryce Canyon is a high-elevation park, and weather can change quickly. Bring layers, water, and suitable hiking footwear, even if the day starts clear. Stay on designated trails, keep back from cliff edges, and seek shelter in a building or vehicle if you hear thunder. NPS safety guidance.

Check current park conditions and trail closures before setting out. This post is a starting point for choosing what interests you, not a promise that every route is open.

The Rim Trail was one of my favorite parts of our visit. We parked near Bryce Point but did not walk to the end of that viewpoint; instead, we spent time exploring nearby. There were very few people around, and we got to enjoy the views without feeling rushed.

A Cedar City stay option

If Cedar City is part of your Southern Utah trip, you can check availability at Best Western Plus Cedar City using my link below. This is a Cedar City hotel option, not a stay inside Bryce Canyon National Park, so allow for the drive when planning your visit.

This is an affiliate link. I may earn a commission if you book through it, at no additional cost to you.

Check availability at Best Western Plus Cedar City

For more photo-led trip stories, explore Along the Way.

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