By Michael Lanza
Bryce Canyon’s Navajo Loop/Queens Garden Loop is a popular trail for good reason, with constant views of hoodoos—the multi-colored, limestone, sandstone, and mudstone spires that look like giant, melting candles, including the famous formation called Thor’s Hammer. But once turning onto the Peek-a-Boo Loop, you lose the crowds—and discover the scenic heart of Bryce Canyon while hiking below the Wall of Windows and row after row of towers in fluorescent shades of red and orange.
See the photo gallery below for numerous images from that six-mile dayhike combining Bryce Canyon’s Navajo Loop/Queens Garden Loop and Peek-a-Boo Loop. The trail system in Bryce allows you to shorten the six-mile hike by about a mile by combining only the Navajo and Peek-a-Boo loops.
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Spring and fall are the prime seasons for hiking in the desert Southwest and Bryce Canyon’s trails lie at over 7,000 feet and some up to 9,000 feet, so hiking here is generally cooler than places like Zion Canyon.
Scroll below the gallery for a link to my full story about a trip to Bryce and other southern Utah parks. Share your comments or questions in the comments section at the bottom of this story; I try to respond to all comments.
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Read my story about a trip to Bryce and other southern Utah parks for more pictures from that hike and tips on planning that trip.
See all of my stories about hiking and backpacking in southern Utah or visit my All Trips List and scroll down to Utah.
My wife and and friends loved our 3 trips to Bryce, Zion and Arches, each have their own unique character. My wife has some spectacular “painting with light” nighttime photos of the arches with the Milky Way in the background.
Yes, each of those parks is unique. I can picture the photos your wife took, they must look captivating.
I too did Navajo Loop/Queens Garden/ Peek a boo…………amazing !!!! The beauty of it all brought tears to my eyes many times during this hike.
I completely agree, Bonnielynn.
I loved reading about your experience in Bryce Canyon. Your descriptions really made it come alive for me. Happy travels!
Thank you.
Have you done and/or do you recommend the Under the Rim Trail at Bryce Canyon NP?
Hi Jeff,
No, I haven’t hiked the Under the Rim Trail. I’ve been intrigued and curious, but I’ve read that it’s mostly forested and wonder whether it’s as scenic as the trails in the Bryce Amphitheater, which the hike above is in. Please comment here if you do that hike.
heading to southern utah to dayb hke all 5 national Parks and escalante any suggestions on great day hike and activities would be appreciated
Hi Frank, you will find many ideas on dayhikes in southern Utah at my site. Click on this tag for a menu of stories: https://thebigoutside.com/tag/southern-utah-hiking-backpacking/. Also, see this Ask Me post in particular: https://thebigoutside.com/ask-me-advice-on-dayhikes-in-the-southwest/.
Have fun.
Thanks Tara. Yes, this is a great time to visit Bryce.
Your pictures are fabulous and it really makes me want to head right back to Bryce Canyon. I bet it’s pretty right now.