Hiking the Swamp Canyon Loop Trail in Bryce Canyon National Park
Distance: 4.5 miles / 7.2 km
The Swamp Canyon Loop Trail is an adventure not often hiked by most who visit Bryce Canyon National Park.
Nevertheless, I personally think that the Swamp Canyon Loop makes for a great day hike if you’re interested in seeing the Under-the-Rim Trail without committing to all 22.9 miles (36.9 km) that extends from Bryce Point in the north to Rainbow Point in the south.
This way, visitors can explore just a small section of Bryce Canyon’s longest trail, while returning to the same trailhead where the hike began.
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!
Swamp Canyon Loop Trailhead Parking
The parking area for the Swamp Canyon Loop Trail is located at the Swamp Canyon Overlook, directly off Bryce Canyon Road, about 5.1 miles (8.2 km) south of the visitor center.
That being said, the parking lot for the overlook is small, but finding a spot is usually not too much of an issue, as most people tend visit the overlook for a short time before driving elsewhere.
Google Maps Directions: Swamp Canyon 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 Swamp Canyon Loop Trail
When looking at a map of the Swamp Canyon Loop, the trail names may seem a little confusing, as the Swamp Canyon Loop Trail is really three different trails, which the National Park Service collectively calls the Swamp Canyon Loop Trail.
These three trails are the Swamp Canyon Trail, the Under-the-Rim Trail, and the Sheep Creek Trail, which together make up the 4.5-mile (7.2 km) loop, beginning here at the Swamp Canyon Overlook.
Swamp Canyon Loop Trail
After 0.1 miles (0.2 km), the Swamp Canyon Loop Trail splits into both the Swamp Canyon Trail that descends Swamp Canyon to the right and the Sheep Creek Trail that descends Sheep Creek Canyon to the left.
With that in mind, hikers typically prefer to go right here because the Swamp Canyon Trail appears to be the shorter and steeper of the two.
However, since about half of the Sheep Creek Trail traverses a flat meadow, the Sheep Creek Canyon ascent actually climbs more than the Swamp Canyon ascent, making the loop in the clockwise direction easier in terms of elevation gain.
In any case, I chose to go right on the Swamp Canyon Trail to hike in the direction that most visitors go, which descends about 500 ft. (152 m) from the Swamp Canyon Loop junction above to the point where the loop meets the Under-the-Rim Trail down below.
Similar to a number of other Bryce Canyon trails, like the Fairyland Loop, the Riggs Spring Loop, and the Under-the-Rim Trail, the Swamp Canyon Loop enters the Bryce Canyon Wilderness Area shortly after beginning the descent.
Right Fork Swamp Canyon Campsite
Once near the Under-the-Rim junction at the bottom, the Swamp Canyon Loop Trail passes by the Right Fork Swamp Canyon campsite, the only campsite on this small portion of the Under-the-Rim Trail.
Swamp Canyon-Under the Rim Junction
Then, the Swamp Canyon Loop Trail connects with the Under-the-Rim Trail after 1.0 mile (1.6 km) from the beginning of the loop below the overlook.
Here, go left to begin the Under-the-Rim Trail portion that extends for the next 1.1 miles (1.8 km) until the Sheep Creek junction to the north.
On a different note, I recommend checking out my full Under-the-Rim Trail article, whether you’re interested in a long hike or not. The Under-the-Rim Trail is like Bryce Canyon’s version of the Rim-to-Rim Trail in the Grand Canyon, which can make for a great adventure to add to your bucket list for a future visit!
Read My Separate Post: Under-the-Rim Trail
The lack of shade in Bryce Canyon’s Ponderosa forests can be one of the most challenging aspects about hiking in southern Utah on a hot summer day!
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!
These sections below the cliffs of the Swamp Canyon Overlook are my favorite parts of the Swamp Canyon Loop Trail.
Sheep Creek-Under the Rim Junction
After 1.1 miles (1.8 km), the Under-the-Rim Trail portion of the Swamp Canyon Loop ends where the Sheep Creek Trail begins.
At this junction, go left to begin the 2.3-mile (3.7 km) climb back up the Swamp Canyon Overlook.
Read My Separate Post: Under-the-Rim Trail
This beginning section of the Sheep Creek Trail climbs roughly 600 ft. (183 m) in 1.0 mile (1.6 km) to the point where the trail levels off significantly in the meadow shown below.
Now, compared to a 500-ft. (152 m) ascent in 1.0 mile (1.6 km) on the Swamp Canyon Trail, the difference is truly minimal; so it’s a bit of a toss-up regarding which is the better direction to hike the loop.
Sheep Creek
On the climb out, the Swamp Canyon Loop crosses Sheep Creek a few times.
However, Sheep Creek did not appear to be a reliable water source in my experience in the middle of May, but if you're interested, I have taken photos of all of the water sources available on the Under-the-Rim Trail in my separate article.
Read My Separate Post: Under-the-Rim Trail.
This is where the Sheep Creek Trail leaves the Bryce Canyon Wilderness Area.
After 1.0 mile (1.6 km) from the Under-the-Rim junction, the climbing on Sheep Creek Trail abruptly comes to an end where this flatter section begins and continues until the trail returns to the start of the Swamp Canyon Loop.
Swamp Canyon Loop Junction
This is the end of the Sheep Creek Trail and the Swamp Canyon Loop.
Here, go right to return back to the Swamp Canyon Overlook Trailhead, about 0.1 miles (0.2 km) up the trail.
In all, the Swamp Canyon Loop Trail is not nearly as popular as other Bryce Canyon day hikes, like the Navajo Loop Trail in the Bryce Canyon Amphitheater, but I think that it makes for a nice alternative option to some of the park’s busier areas, especially if you’re interested in seeing a small portion of the Under-the-Rim Trail.
In comparison, this short 1.1-mile (1.8 km) portion of the Under-the-Rim Trail is much easier to reach than the sections near either the northern or southern terminus of the trail.
I say this because both trailheads at either Bryce or Rainbow Point descend well over 1,000 ft. (305 m) each, and neither have as close of a connector trail as the Swamp Canyon Loop. This means that the next shortest possible adventure on the Under-the-Rim Trail would be connecting the Swamp Canyon Trail to the Whiteman Trail to the south, for a total distance of 3.7 miles (6.0 km), not including the 2.8-mile (4.5 km) walk on Bryce Canyon Road because they both descend from different trailheads.
Therefore, the Swamp Canyon Loop Trail truly is the best and easiest choice to explore some of Bryce Canyon’s most remote wilderness!
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
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