Hiking the Bristlecone Loop Trail in Bryce Canyon National Park
Distance: 1.0 miles / 1.6 km
Of all the trails that branch out from Rainbow Point in Bryce Canyon National Park, the Bristlecone Loop Trail is, without a doubt, the easiest kid-friendly option that visitors can choose!
For this reason, the short Bristlecone Loop Trail is one of my top Bryce Canyon recommendations, whether you consider yourself a hiker or not.
I say this because the easy and mostly flat 1.0-mile (1.6 km) loop is a beautiful hike with stunning panoramic views along the way—especially if you plan the trail for sunset!
U.S. National Park Pass
Did you know that the same America the Beautiful Pass that grants access to all 63 U.S. National Parks can be purchased in advance at REI?
Yes, you can save time when you arrive by purchasing your National Park pass, along with your other outdoor gear, at REI before traveling to the park!
Bristlecone Loop Trailhead Parking
Parking for the Bristlecone Loop Trail is located at Rainbow Point, the southernmost point on Bryce Canyon Road.
That being said, Rainbow Point tends to be one of the more congested parking areas during the mid-morning and afternoon hours of the summer travel season. Therefore, it’s best to get an early start or hike late in the evening, as I prefer, in order to avoid the busyness that typically develops by midday.
Google Maps Directions: Bristlecone Loop Trailhead
Hiking Checklist - Bryce Canyon
Here is a complete list of must-have things that you will want for any hike in Bryce Canyon National Park.
Osprey 3L Water Bladder - The Osprey 3L water bladder is the most universal hiking and backpacking water bladder on the market, and it’s my go-to because of the slide-off seal that allows it to be quickly filled from the top. Additionally, individual parts are easily replaceable, such as the bite valve.
Blister / Heel Protectors - I swear by these cheap, amazing heel protectors to prevent blisters for nearly every kind of hiking and backpacking that I do!
Black Diamond Headlamp - Personally, I recommend the Black Diamond Storm because it is one of the brightest, lightest, and longest-lasting headlamps on the market—and trust me, the weight-to-battery-life ratio really does matter!
Hiking / Trail Running Shoes - Depending on the type of trail, I prefer to use either the Keen Targhee for longer, more rugged hiking or the HOKA Zinal Trail-Running Shoe for lighter, less intense trails. In either case, both have been amazing to me for many years across countless environments, and both can be found in men’s and women’s sizes. - (Men’s Keen / Women’s Keen) (Men’s HOKA / Women’s HOKA)
Waterproof Rain Shell - You never know when it may rain, and I’ve learned over the years that a rain shell is far better than a rain jacket. By this, I mean that it’s best to have something that the water will roll right off of, which is why I recommend the Patagonia Torrentshell 3L available in both men’s and women’s sizes.
Sun Shirt w/ Hood - A quality sun shirt can be your best friend on a trail with minimal shade, which can be found in both men’s and women’s sizes.
High SPF Sunscreen - Packing high-SPF sunscreen is a must for long days outside!
Hiking the Bristlecone Loop Trail
The Bristlecone Loop Trail begins at the joint Rainbow Point Trailhead, which also serves as the starting point for both the Riggs Spring Loop and the Under-the-Rim Trail.
Bristlecone Loop Trail
Then, within the first 0.1 miles (0.2 km), the Bristlecone Loop Trail splits into an outer loop that parallels both the east and west sides of the mesa.
That being said, I chose to go right in the counterclockwise direction, but I personally think hiking in either direction makes no difference in terms of difficulty or enjoying the Bristlecone Loop.
Bristlecone Loop-Yovimpa Point Junction
At the next split, go straight to continue hiking toward Bristlecone Point.
With that in mind, the trail to the right is the path that leads to the Riggs Spring Loop in the counterclockwise direction. To learn more about the full trail, including where I encountered a bear on this less-trafficked trail, I encourage you to read all the details in my separate article.
Read My Separate Post: Riggs Spring Loop Trail
Sun Shirts
If this is your first time in the area, you’re likely unprepared for how strong the sun can be.
For this reason, I recommend picking up a quality, hooded sun shirt if you plan to do any hiking. Protection from the sun cannot be overstated, and in my experience, sunscreen alone has never been enough over a multi-day visit, especially if you’re visiting during the summer season!
As the trail nears Bristlecone Point, the panoramic views to the west begin to open up!
Bristlecone Point
The very southern end of the Bristlecone Loop Trail is Bristlecone Point, overlooking Corral Hollow Canyon and the Riggs Spring Loop down below.
On a different note, Bristlecone Point is also one of the best places along the loop to see the native Bristlecone Pine trees for which the trail is aptly named.
That being said, Bristlecone Pines are known to be one of the oldest tree species on Earth. However, the Bristlecone Loop Trail is not the only place to enjoy them in Bryce Canyon. In fact, Bristlecone Pines can be found on many different trails, including the Fairyland Loop, the Peek-a-Boo Loop, and the Bryce Canyon Rim Trail, to truly name only a few.
Past Bristlecone Point, the Bristlecone Loop Trail continues around the east side, which, in my opinion, had much better views through the trees than the west side shown above.
Bristlecone Loop Gazebo
After only 0.1 miles (0.2 km) from Bristlecone Point, the loop passes by the Bristlecone Loop Gazebo, which I highly recommend stopping in to read and learn about some of the history of Bryce Canyon, including the construction of the park’s longest trail, the 22.9-mile (36.9 km) Under-the-Rim Trail.
Bristlecone Loop-Under the Rim Junction
After the gazebo, the Bristlecone Loop meets with a junction that leads down to both the Under-the-Rim Trail and Riggs Spring Loop Trail.
This is the route that most hikers typically take when hiking either trail, but if you’re interested in learning more about the full Under-the-Rim Trail, I encourage you to read my thoughts about why I think that hiking the trail from north to south, Bryce Point to Rainbow Point, is better than beginning the hike here.
Read My Separate Posts: Under-the-Rim Trail / Riggs Spring Loop Trail
Bristlecone Loop Junction
This is where the Bristlecone Loop Trail completes the short loop around the southernmost part of Rainbow Point.
Here, go straight (right) to return on the fastest route back to Rainbow Point.
Rainbow Point
Overall, the Bristlecone Loop Trail is one of Bryce Canyon National Park’s best trails to see amazing panoramic views, learn about the history of the park, and have the opportunity to see numerous stands of Bristlecone Pines.
For these reasons, I think that the Bristlecone Loop Trail makes for a great day hike and an even better sunset hike, should you choose to stick around for sunset at Bristlecone Point!
In any case, catching sunrise or sunset from either Bristlecone Point or a number of different viewpoints along the Rim Trail is easily one of the best things to do within the park, which is why I highly recommend arriving with a quality headlamp before visiting Bryce Canyon.
More Bryce Canyon Adventures
If you’re interested in reading about some more amazing adventures within Bryce Canyon National Park, check out my separate posts below!
Best Way to Find Places to Stay!
Wherever I travel, I love to start my search for places to stay on VRBO.
Even if I don’t end up booking through them, I think it’s one of the best ways to see what’s in the area!
Washington
Best Way to Book Rental Cars!
I travel quite a bit, and I know firsthand that finding a good rental car deal can be a challenge, but that’s why I recommend comparing all of your options with Discover Cars.
In short, Discover Cars is a well-known, reputable business that allows you to search for the best deal across companies, and they have the best full-refund cancellation policy I’ve ever seen, valid up to 72, or sometimes even 48, hours prior to your reservation!
Book Here: Discover Cars
Discover Cars!
Safety
One of the most notable safety concerns in Bryce Canyon National Park is inadequate footwear, especially in the winter. For this reason, it’s important to bring micro-spikes when you expect there to be snow and ice throughout the park, which leads to the next most notable concern: falling, both on trails and along the canyon rim.
This is because Bryce Canyon National Park is primarily composed of soft sedimentary rocks, making off-trail exploring significantly more dangerous than in other parks, such as the nearby Zion or Arches National Park.
Finally, wildlife and summer heat/ dehydration are the last major concerns in Bryce Canyon. Be mindful that mountain lions can be found during the cooler times of the year, and there is one venomous snake in Bryce Canyon National Park: the Great Basin Rattlesnake.
As always, find the most up-to-date information and conditions on the official National Park website.
National Park Service: Bryce Canyon National Park
U.S. National Parks Pass
Did you know that the same America the Beautiful Pass that grants access to all 63 U.S. National Parks can be purchased in advance at REI?
Yes, you can save time when you arrive by purchasing your National Park pass, along with your other outdoor gear, at REI before traveling to the park!
More U.S. National Parks
If you’d like to read more about some of my best recommendations when visiting other U.S. National Parks, check out some of my other posts below!
Disclaimer
All information provided on this blog is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for information or advice from qualified professionals or managing agencies.
Noah Lang Photography LLC makes no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy or completeness of the information provided here, and readers should use their own discretion, judgement, and seek professional advice where it is appropriate.
Furthermore, Noah Lang Photography LLC shall not be held responsible for any injuries, lost individuals, or legal issues arising from the use of information provided on this website, and if applicable, the above safety disclaimer should be referenced to provide a generic overview of the risks involved.
All said, the content on this blog is for the sole use of Noah Lang Photography LLC, and unauthorized use or reproduction of this content is strictly prohibited.
Disclosure
This post is not sponsored.
However, some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means that I may earn a small commission if a purchase is made through one of those links. This commission comes at no additional cost to you, and I only recommend products that I personally use and believe will add value to my readers. Thank you for your support, which enables me to continue creating more!
To read the full privacy policy, click here.
About This Blog
Noah Lang Photography, also known as @noahawaii, is 100% reader-supported!
I do not accept guest articles or sponsored content of any kind on my blog, which is why, if you enjoy the outdoor and travel content I create, please consider buying me a coffee!
I appreciate your support, which helps me continue to keep this blog alive!
