Hiking the Rim Trail in Bryce Canyon National Park
Distance (One Way): 5.4 miles / 8.7 km
The Rim, also called the Bryce Canyon Rim Trail, is one of the most frequently hiked trails in Bryce Canyon National Park, but it is not often hiked in its entirety by most visitors.
By this, I mean that the Rim Trail is the connection to a number of the most popular viewpoints and trails in Bryce Canyon, including Queen’s Garden (Sunrise Point), the Navajo Loop Trail (Sunset Point), and even the Peek-a-Boo Loop Trail (Bryce Point).
In fact, the North Rim Trailhead at Fairyland Point can be hiked all the way to Rainbow Point at the far southern end of Bryce Canyon via the Under-the-Rim Trail for a very long 28.3-mile (45.5 km) adventure, extending the entire length of the park.
At any rate, the Rim Trail is most commonly hiked in smaller sections, allowing park visitors the opportunity to see some of the best and most popular viewpoints without having to drive from parking area to parking area, which can get quite congested during the busy summer travel season.
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!
Rim Trailhead Parking
Parking for the Rim Trail is located at either Fairyland or Bryce Point, depending on which direction you’d prefer to hike.
That being said, there are countless different parking areas over the course of the 5.4-mile (8.7 km) trail, which generally correspond to the many viewpoints and trails previously mentioned.
Google Maps Directions: Fairyland Point / Bryce Point
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 Rim Trail
Even though I previously mentioned that the Bryce Canyon Rim Trail is not often hiked in its entirety as shown here, this article, at the least, can help you decide which portions of the 5.4-mile (8.7 km) trail you’d prefer to prioritize.
With that in mind, the Rim Trail is also the best trail in Bryce Canyon National Park to utilize the Bryce Canyon shuttle, so that you can hike one way from point to point, returning on the shuttle instead of having to re-hike the Rim Trail to get back to where you started.
Fairyland Point (Rim-Fairyland Loop Junction)
Beginning from Fairyland Point, go right to begin the Rim Trail from north to south.
That being said, the path to the left is the most common direction that visitors hike the Fairyland Loop Trail, which you can learn more about in my separate article linked below.
Read My Separate Post: Fairyland Loop Trail
As the Rim Trail heads south from Fairyland Point, it simply traverses the side of Bryce Canyon, which is also the same section of the Rim Trail that the Fairyland Trail utilizes to complete the loop for the next 2.5 miles (4.0 km).
In my experience, this first section to the north of Sunrise Point and the Bryce Canyon Amphitheater is the least-trafficked part of the entire trail, as most visitors tend to concentrate on the trails and viewpoints to the south of the Queen’s Garden Trail.
The very far viewpoint in the photo below is Bryce Point, which is the southern terminus for the Rim 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!
Along the hike, the Rim Trail will pass by a number of alternate paths that lead away from the rim, which can be very useful, as many of the stops along the hike have places to fill up your water as you go!
Rim-Fairyland Loop Junction
After 2.5 miles (4.0 km), the Rim Trail meets the southern Fairyland Loop Trail junction, which is one of my personal favorite day hikes that I recommend checking out while visiting Bryce Canyon.
In any case, go straight to continue on the Rim Trail to Sunrise Point, located about 0.2 miles (0.3 km) away.
Read My Separate Post: Fairyland Loop Trail
This is the view looking back toward the Boat Mesa, where the Rim Trail began at Fairyland Point.
Rim-Horse Junction
Shortly after the Fairyland Trail, the Rim Trail reaches the next junction with the Horse Trail.
That being said, the Horse Trail is open to foot traffic, contrary to what the name might have you think, as it is commonly connected with the Queen’s Garden Trail to create a loop instead of an out-and-back hike.
Read My Separate Post: Queen’s Garden Trail (Horse Loop)
Here, go left to continue on the Rim Trail to Sunrise Point, or go right to bypass Sunrise Point, which is typically a very busy location on the trail.
Sunrise Point (Rim-Queen’s Garden Junction)
When the Rim Trail reaches Sunrise Point, the hike generally gets busier from here to the end, as it starts to pass a number of the best and most popular viewpoints and trails in the Bryce Canyon Amphitheater, beginning here with the Queen’s Garden Trail.
That being said, go right at the trailhead for both Sunrise Point and to continue along the Rim Trail.
Read My Separate Post: Queen’s Garden Trail
In regards to everything said above, Sunrise Point is the beginning of the Bryce Canyon Amphitheater, which continues from here until Bryce Point at the end of the hike.
In short, the Amphitheater is generally regarded as the most beautiful section in all of Bryce Canyon National Park! Trails like the Navajo and Peek-a-Boo Loop can be found within, and the Amphitheater also has a number of the park’s favorite sunrise and sunset points along the rim!
After Sunrise Point, the Rim Trail continues for another 0.3 miles (0.5 km) to Sunset Point, and the Navajo Loop Trail.
Sunset Point (Rim-Navajo Loop Junction)
Across the entire 5.4-mile (8.7 km) Rim Trail, no location is as popular as Sunset Point, due in large part to it also serving as the trailhead for the Navajo Loop Trail, the most popular day hike in Bryce Canyon National Park.
That being said, I highly recommend checking out my separate article to learn more about the trail, including my thoughts at the end when it comes to combining the Navajo and Peek-a-Boo Loop Trail into one hike.
Read My Separate Post: Navajo Loop Trail
After Sunset Point, the Rim Trail continues for another 0.8 miles (1.3 km) to the first of two lookouts at Inspiration Point.
This is the view looking back across the Bryce Canyon Amphitheater.
Lower Inspiration Point
Inspiration Point has two main overlooks, with the upper generally being regarded as the better of the two.
To see both, go left at the split to continue along the Rim Trail, where the upper viewpoint can be found just 0.2 miles (0.3 km) ahead.
Rim-Upper Inspiration Point Junction
At the Upper Inspiration Point junction, go left for the overlook or right to continue south on the Rim Trail.
Upper Inspiration Point
This is Upper Inspiration Point, and what may not be obvious is that it, along with Bryce Point to the south, are two of the best places in Bryce Canyon National Park to watch the sunset!
Once back along the rim, the trail continues for another 1.4 miles (2.3 km) to Bryce Point, the end and southern terminus of the Bryce Canyon Rim Trail.
This area just before Bryce Point can make for one of the best, uncrowded locations of anywhere in Bryce Canyon National Park to catch the sunset!
Bryce Point
After 5.3 miles (8.5 km), the Rim Trail finally reaches Bryce Point, with the Bryce Point parking area and shuttle stop located just another 0.1 miles (0.2 km) past the viewpoint.
This photo from Bryce Point was taken at sunset.
My Print - Bryce Point (Sunset)
Bryce Point Trailhead
Overall, the Rim Trail is truly about making your own adventure and utilizing the Bryce Canyon shuttle to make a one-way hike, which is one of my favorite ways to maximize my time in the park.
Nevertheless, this is all without saying that the Rim Trail may end at Bryce Point, but the hiking doesn’t have to end here, as the Bryce Point Trailhead serves both the Peek-a-Boo Loop and Under-the-Rim Trail.
With that in mind, I highly recommend checking out my separate Under-the-Rim Trail article, regardless if you’re considering the hike or not. The Under-the-Rim Trail is Bryce Canyon’s longest hike, and it can make for a great adventure to add to your bucket list for a future trip!
Read My Separate Posts: Under-the-Rim Trail / Peek-a-Boo Loop Trail
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!
