Navajo/Queens Garden Loop, Bryce National Park

Happy Hump Day!

We are still talking about Bryce because it was just that amazing.  If you have time for only one hike while in the park, this is it.  This hike takes you down into the Hoodoos.  See the trail in the picture below?  That is you, walking along and admiring those crazy beautiful hoodoos.  The trail is called the Navajo/Queens Garden Loop.  This hike actually combines two hikes, the Navajo Loop and the Queens Garden trail to create an epic 3 mile hike you will always remember. 

Trails at Bryce Canyon National Park

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The trail stars out at either Sunrise Point or Sunset Point.  Because it is a loop, you can start at either end.  However, looking at the elevation chart above, I highly recommend you start at sunset point.  Why?  Look how steep that is!  If you go down the steep sunset point, you can climb out on the more gradual sunrise point.  

Descent down Sunset Point Navajo Loop Trail, Bryce Canyon National Park

As  you descend into the amphitheater, you have some amazing views of the hoodoos, especially Thor's Hammer.  When you hit the switchbacks, you will see famous "Wall Street" in front of you. 

Navajo/Queens Garden Loop Trail, Bryce Canyon National Park

Navajo/Queens Garden Loop Trail, Bryce Canyon National Park

Wall Street Navajo/Queens Garden Loop Trail, Bryce Canyon National Park

Thors Hammer Navajo/Queens Garden Loop Trail, Bryce Canyon National Park

There are some iconic Hoodoos in this portion of the hike!  Mystic Arches/Thors Windows was my favorite.  I really loved the texture and color of the rock.  This piece looked like a beautiful crumbling sand castle to me. 

Mystic Eyes Arches/Thors Windows

The scenes down in these hoodoos are amazing.  You should feel like you are walking along in a different planet.  Just when you get used to these crazy rocks, you enter a foresty area.  

Mystic Eyes Arches/Thors Windows

Navajo/Queens Garden Loop Trail, Bryce Canyon National Park

Queens Garden Trail, Bryce Canyon National Park

When you hit the forest, you travel along the flat section of the trail that is known at the Queens Garden Trail.  You can finish the Navajo Loop for a shorter hike, or continue on to Queens Garden Trail to ascent up into Sunrise Point. 

Queens Garden Trail, Bryce Canyon National Park

Navajo/Queens Garden Loop Trail, Bryce Canyon National Park

Navajo/Queens Garden Loop Trail, Bryce Canyon National Park

Navajo/Queens Garden Loop Trail, Bryce Canyon National Park

Navajo/Queens Garden Loop Trail, Bryce Canyon National Park

After a beautiful walk among the hoodoos, you start to ascend back out and up to Sunrise Point.  The climb is steep in parts but those views make the effort allll worth it in the end. I promise. 

Navajo/Queens Garden Loop Trail, Bryce Canyon National Park

Eventually you will reach the top of the Queens Garden Trail and you will be at Sunrise Point.  Follow the trail half a mile along the ridge to Sunset Point and you are back where you started. 

End of the loop hike, Start of Queens Garden Trail, Bryce Canyon National Park

This hike has been called the "best 3 mile hike in the world" and although its not official, I might have to agree.  Hiking down between the hoodoos was a top 5 Utah experience.  Bryce Canyon National Park was my favorite park, and ending the day with this hike was the icing on the cake.  If you go to Bryce, PLEASE please PLEASE do this hike!

Happy Hiking!
Katie 

Other posts from this trip:
Capitol Reef National Park
Driving Highway 12
Lower Calf Creek Falls Hike Escalante

Bryce Canyon National Park