Bryce Canyon National Park: Hiking the Navajo Loop

The Navajo Loop in Bryce Canyon has to be one of the most gorgeous short hikes I’ve done in the United States. It’s only 1.5 miles, but within that distance, you get expansive views over Bryce Canyon’s hoodoos, you’ll walk down onto the canyon floor, and you’ll see some of the park’s most famous formations: Thor’s Hammer, Two Bridges, and Wall Street.

It’s a brilliant introduction to Bryce Canyon National Park. The trail gives you a real feel for the place in a short amount of time, mixing the classic lookout experience with the much more immersive perspective you get on the canyon floor. If you’re short on time or visiting for the first time, this is a perfect way to see why Bryce is so special.

Navajo Loop hike logistics

Start/Finish: The Navajo Loop starts and ends at Sunset Point in Bryce Canyon National Park.

How to get there: There is parking at Sunset Point, although the spaces can fill up. Alternatively, you can take the free shuttle bus directly to Sunset Point.

Distance: 2.4km (1.5 miles).

Time: 1 – 2 hours.

Elevation Gain: 515ft (157m)

Difficulty: Moderate; the trail is easy to follow but does have some steep sections.

Best for: First-time visitors; people looking for a quick but scenic hike

Navajo Loop map

Here’s a map of the Navajo Loop Trail so you can get a feel for the route before you go. The loop is straightforward to follow, but it helps to see where the key sections sit — Two Bridges, the quieter middle section on the canyon floor, and the tight switchbacks at Wall Street. You don’t need navigation for this hike, but checking the map is useful for choosing which direction you want to walk in, and for spotting nearby viewpoints.

Entry fees and permits

You don’t need a permit to hike the Navajo Loop Trail, but you do need to pay the standard Bryce Canyon National Park entrance fee. At the moment, that’s $35 per vehicle, $20 per person on foot, or free with an America the Beautiful Pass.

There’s nothing you need to book in advance for this hike. Once you’ve entered the park, you can go straight to Sunset Point and start the trail whenever you’re ready.

Getting to the trailhead

The Navajo Loop Trail begins at Sunset Point, one of the most popular viewpoints in Bryce Canyon. It’s easy to reach, whether you’re driving or using the park’s free shuttle.

If you’re driving, follow the main park road past the visitor centre and continue until you see the signed turnoff for Sunset Point. There’s a decent-sized car park here, but it fills quickly in peak season. Arriving before 9am or later in the afternoon usually gives you a better chance of finding a space.

If you’d rather skip parking altogether, the free Bryce Canyon shuttle drops you directly at Sunset Point. It runs regularly from April to October and starts in Bryce Canyon City, stopping at hotels, the Shuttle Station, and the visitor centre before entering the park.

You can check the current shuttle timetable on the National Park Service website.

Once you’re at Sunset Point, the trail is clearly signed. The loop starts right by the viewpoint and heads straight down into the canyon. There are restrooms nearby, but no drinking water, so fill up before you arrive.

Hiking the Navajo Loop

As I mentioned, the Navajo Loop might be relatively short, but it packs in a lot of variety.

Once you reach Sunset Point, you’ll spot a sign pointing you onto the Navajo Loop Trail. The path starts gently, gradually taking you below the rim with panoramic views over the hoodoos. You’ll soon come to a fork where you choose between Wall Street and Two Bridges. You won’t miss out on anything by picking one over the other; you’ll still see both landmarks no matter which direction you hike. It’s simply a case of deciding whether you’d rather walk the loop clockwise or counterclockwise.

If you hike the loop clockwise (which I did), you begin on the Two Bridges side. This section has wide views, tall rock formations, and a mix of open slopes and tighter turns. Shortly after starting the descent, you’ll get a clear view of Thor’s Hammer, one of Bryce Canyon’s most famous hoodoos. It’s close to the rim, so this is the best place on the loop to see it.

As you continue downward, the trail winds between clusters of hoodoos and sandstone fins. The path is straightforward and well-maintained, and you’ll notice the canyon walls rising higher around you as you lose elevation. Once you reach the canyon floor, the trail levels out and becomes calmer, quieter, and more sheltered, surrounded by formations that feel far larger from below.

As I hiked this late in the afternoon, the canyon walls were already blocking most of the direct sun, making it a really pleasant temperature to walk in. I also felt that, despite it being peak summer, the trail didn’t feel too busy. This could be because we hiked in the late afternoon, rather than earlier in the day.

You reach Wall Street near the end of the loop when walking clockwise. This is the narrowest and most atmospheric part of the trail, with tall orange walls and a pair of famous Douglas fir trees growing out of the canyon. It’s a memorable section to finish on, though the switchbacks here are fairly sharp and can feel like a bit of a workout. The views open back up as you approach the rim, giving you a good sense of how much the landscape has changed over such a short distance.

After you’ve made it up the switchbacks at Wall Street, you’ll rejoin the same fork you passed earlier. From here, it’s a simple walk back up to Sunset Point. If you time your hike well, you can finish at the viewpoint for sunset, which really does live up to its name.

❄️ Keep in mind that Wall Street usually closes during the winter due to ice and rockfall. When this happens, the loop becomes an out-and-back via the Two Bridges side. You can check for closures on the National Park Service website.

FAQs

Is the Navajo Loop hard?
The Navajo Loop is short and well-maintained, but the final climb can feel steep, especially in the heat. Most people with average fitness will find it manageable. The biggest challenge is the lack of shade, where even in spring and autumn, the sun can feel intense. I recommend starting early or walking later in the day. I hiked the Navajo Loop at around 4pm in August and found it manageable.

Should you walk clockwise or counterclockwise?
If you want the best views early on, walk clockwise. You’ll pass Thor’s Hammer almost immediately and enjoy a steady descent before tackling the steeper switchbacks at Wall Street near the end. Going counterclockwise means you’ll still climb out of Two Bridges, but it’s not as steep as Wall Street. Both directions work well, so it mainly comes down to preference. I chose clockwise because my knees don’t love steep descents, so I’d always rather climb up the steeper section than walk down it.

Is the Navajo Loop slippery or rocky with loose gravel?
The trail is mostly packed dirt with some loose gravel on the descent, but it’s never technical. As long as you take your time on the steeper sections, the footing should be straightforward. I hiked in Nike trainers rather than hiking shoes, and it was fine. Although if I did this trail during the winter, I’d definitely choose shoes with better grip.

Best time to hike the Navajo Loop?
Early morning is the calmest and coolest time to hike. If you go later in the day, the Wall Street switchbacks can feel very exposed. In winter, Wall Street often closes due to ice, so you’ll need to hike the loop as an out-and-back via Two Bridges. Traction devices are also recommended if hiking the trail in winter.

Is the Navajo Loop safe for kids?
Yes, but keep a close eye on them near exposed sections on the switchbacks. The trail is wide and well-maintained, but there are drop-offs.

BONUS: More hikes in Bryce Canyon

If you have extra time in Bryce Canyon, there are a few other trails that pair really well with the Navajo Loop.

Queen’s Garden Trail: An easy, scenic trail that links perfectly with the Navajo Loop if you want to combine them. It’s gentler than the switchbacks and gives you long, open views as you walk among the hoodoos.

Peekaboo Loop: A tougher option with more elevation change, but it’s one of the best ways to explore the heart of the amphitheatre. Expect rolling ups and downs, fewer crowds, and some brilliant viewpoints.

Rim Trail: A relaxed, choose-your-distance walk along the top of the canyon. You can start from Sunset Point and follow the rim as far as you like. The views are fantastic the whole way.

Mossy Cave Trail: A short, easy walk located a little outside the main amphitheatre. It feels different to the central trails and includes a small waterfall, which is a nice surprise in such a dry landscape.

These hikes are all well-marked, easy to reach, and offer something a bit different depending on how much time and energy you have.

More southwest national park hiking

• Visit my Hiking Hub for all my hiking content
• The Grand Canyon’s Bright Angel Trail
• The Grand Canyon’s Rim Trail
• Zion’s Emerald Pools Trail

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