Hiking the Fairyland Loop Trail in Bryce Canyon National Park
Distance: 8.0 miles / 12.9 km
The Fairyland Loop Trail is a favorite in Bryce Canyon National Park because it not only is one of the most beautiful day hikes within the park, but the Fairyland Loop is also one of the only trails you can hike without paying the National Park entrance fee!
This is because Fairyland Road, the road that leads to the trailhead, is located outside of the park entrance station near the Bryce Canyon Visitor Center. Therefore, the Fairyland Loop Trail, along with the Rim Trail that leads to popular places like Sunrise Point and the Navajo Loop Trail, can all be enjoyed for free, making them great options if you don’t have a lot of time to spend in Bryce Canyon National Park!
Fairyland Loop Trailhead Parking
Parking for the Fairyland Loop Trail is located at very end of Fairyland Road, the first road on the left upon entering the National Park.
That being said, the parking lot for Fairyland Point can be one of the more congested areas within Bryce Canyon during the busy summer travel season, which is one reason why I recommend hiking the Fairyland Loop Trail early in the morning.
Google Maps Directions: Fairyland 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.
Hiking the Fairyland Loop Trail
The Fairyland Loop Trail begins at Fairyland Point, which serves as a joint trailhead for both the Fairyland Loop and the Rim Trail that traverses the Bryce Canyon Rim from here to Bryce Point, about 5.4 miles (8.7 km) away.
That being said, the Fairyland Loop Trail utilizes about 2.5 miles (4.0 km) of the Bryce Canyon Rim Trail to complete the loop, meaning that you can either go right or left at Fairyland Point shown below.
Read My Separate Post: Rim Trail
Fairyland Point (Fairyland Loop-Rim Junction)
At Fairyland Point, I chose to go left because, in my opinion, this is the most beautiful and also the most popular direction to hike the Fairyland Loop Trail.
This is where the Fairyland Trail enters the Bryce Canyon Wilderness Area, which continues until the loop reaches the Rim Trail on the southern side.
Initially, the Fairyland Loop descends about 630 ft. (192 m) from Fairyland Point to the bottom of Fairyland Canyon, located at the end of this first descent.
This is roughly where the low point is located on the Fairyland Loop Trail, but the ascent isn’t very noticeable until the climb out of Campbell Canyon near Tower Bridge.
Then, the Fairyland Loop Trail traverses a number of rolling hills around the beautiful hoodoos of Boat Mesa until the Tower Bridge junction, about 2.6 miles (4.2 km) away.
When I hiked the Fairyland Loop in mid-May, wildflowers were blooming here and everywhere across Bryce Canyon National Park!
For any photographers out there, be sure to hike with a polarizer in order to cut through some of the harsh desert light in your photos.
This next section of rolling hills facing Boat Mesa was one of the more scenic and photogenic spots on the entire Fairyland Loop!
This is where Tower Bridge starts to become visible for the first time, which, in my opinion, is best viewed from the Fairyland Loop as opposed to the short spur trail shown below.
Fairyland Loop-Tower Bridge Junction
The Tower Bridge junction is the only split on the Fairyland Loop Trail below the Bryce Canyon Rim, which I recommend checking out because it only takes a few minutes to see off the main loop.
Tower Bridge
Depending on where you stand, Tower Bridge can get more or less obstructed, which is why I said previously that some of the best views are located on the Fairyland Loop prior to the junction.
Fairyland Loop-Tower Bridge Junction
Once back at the Tower Bridge junction, go straight (left) to begin the ascent back up to the Rim Trail junction, located about 1.5 miles (2.4 km) away.
Campbell Creek
From the bottom of Campbell Canyon, the Fairyland Loop Trail climbs about 760 ft. (232 m) to the Rim Trail junction, where the hike significantly levels out from there.
Whenever a trail in Bryce Canyon National Park enters a sensitive plant habitat, be sure to look out for the Bristlecone Pines, which are known to be the oldest tree species on Earth!
In regard to my comment above, please do not leave the trail to see the Bristlecone Pines, as they can be found growing directly alongside a variety of trails throughout Bryce Canyon.
Fairyland Loop-Rim Junction
After 1.5 miles (2.4 km), the Fairyland Loop Trail reaches the southern Bryce Canyon Rim junction.
Here, go right to continue on the Fairyland Loop, or if you are interested, Sunrise Point, along with the Navajo Loop Trail, can be found just 0.2 miles (0.3 km) to the left.
Read My Separate Post: Rim Trail
Rim Trail (Fairyland Loop)
Following the junction above, the Fairyland Loop portion of the Rim Trail extends for 2.5 miles (4.0 km) along the rim, which is generally the least-trafficked portion of the Rim Trail compared to everything south of the junction.
Whenever the Rim Trail comes to a trail leading away from the rim, stay to the right to continue toward Fairyland Point.
If you look closely from this viewpoint, the south side of the Fairyland Loop, the section following Tower Bridge, can be seen off in the distance.
Fairyland Point
Overall, the Fairyland Loop Trail is a very beautiful and less-crowded day hike compared to a number of others Bryce Canyon National Park.
That being said, shade is minimal on the trail, which is why I recommend an early start because the constant exposure and heat during the summer can make what would be a nice hike much more difficult if you are unprepared.
Therefore, bring plenty of water, and strongly consider buying a hooded sun shirt before coming to Bryce Canyon, as it can be one of the most essential items you hike with at any time throughout the year.
