Where to Hike: Bryce Canyon National Park
COVID-19 has drastically changed the way we play and travel . If you’re anything like me, you might have found yourself very thankful over the last few months that hiking is an inherently socially distant pastime.
I'm sure that global tourism will open up again one day soon. In the meantime, however, perhaps one of the best things we can do to help our economy is to ‘think globally and act locally’. And that includes travelling within our own county, state or country.
I’m pleased to be sharing my latest blog series to help you plan “Where to Hike” in the US. I’ve reached out to local tourism destinations, outfitters, accommodations, and more, to put these together (as well as used my own experience in some cases), so please consider clicking on the links and checking them out when you plan your next backpacking trip!
Garfield County, Utah is a lucky place. It's home to some of the most beautiful and iconic landscapes that Utah is known for. But because Utah has so many dang options, sometimes this slice of sandstone paradise gets a touch overlooked.
Road Trip Route 12
Utah is a place that’s near and dear to my heart. I’ve had many adventures in this part of the country. And while there are five national parks in Utah alone (Zion, Arches, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef and Bryce Canyon), there is still so much more to explore and see. Luckily, Route 12 is one of the finest scenic highways on earth and is the best place to start for the lesser visited areas of Utah.
While the highway itself is not terribly long, it links up so many incredible places and it makes for a hell of a road trip.
On this route you'll find Kodachrome Basin which offers towering sandstone chimneys in the red and white rock that is uniquely Utah’s. Red Canyon is full of a crimson red clay and is spotted with Ponderosa pines and other vibrant green trees that clash brilliantly against the soil. And one of my favorite places, Grand Staircase Escalante, is also on this route (...but more on that later!)
Bryce Canyon National Park
With all that said, no trip along Highway 12 is complete without a stop to Bryce Canyon National Park. It's one of the strangest landscapes, and it can feel a bit alien. It's a fascinating place. But "canyon" is a bit of a misnomer, as it's actually a plateau that is eroding in fascinating ways, leaving behind towering 'hoodoos' that just have to be seen.
There are more trails that take you deeper into the hoodoos than what's outlined below, and I totally recommend them. Just be aware that Bryce Canyon is surprisingly high, at 9,000 feet of elevation. There's little to no water option in the park, so it can be very hot in the summer with little relief. Or very cold and snowy in the winter!
Of course, there is plenty of camping in the area. But for those looking for lodging along Route 12, Ruby's Inn is an iconic option. It's located at the entrance of Bryce Canyon National Park and has been popular among hiking guides and weekend warriors alike for over 100 years. Some of the trails, including the Rim Trail, start right on its property.
Where to Hike
The Rim Trail
For easy, accessible hiking options in Bryce Canyon, check out the Rim Trail, offering a spectacular overview of the hoodoos of Bryce Canyon. It's especially good at sunrise or sunset.
The Rim Trail winds around the edges of Bryce Canyon National Park and allows you to look down into the valley of hoodoos for a birds-eye view of the park known as the Main Amphitheatre. The trail is dotted with towering Ponderosa Pines that provide much appreciated shade during the heat of the day.
There's a couple of options for this trail:
Sunset Point to Sunrise Point
This easy, 1-mile (return) trail offers two great lookout points, Sunset and Sunrise Point, which aptly got their names for their spectacular vantage points which are – you guessed it – best at sunrise or sunset. This is the only section of the Rim Trail that dogs are allowed on, however, they must be on a leash and you need to stoop n' scoop.
The Rim Trail (Continued)
For those looking for a longer hike, you can continue past the paved sections (and the crowds) of the Rim Trail and continue on to Fairyland and Bryce points, about 5.5 miles (one way). Keep in mind that you'll need to stop and get a day pass for Bryce Canyon National Park if you decide to go past these points to tackle some of the longer hikes.
How to Get There
You have a couple of options on where to start this hike, Ruby's Inn is an option, or you can park at the trailhead (Coordinates: 37.649463, -112.147767.)
Calf Creek Falls
Between the towns of Escalante and Boulder lies Calf Creek Falls. Popular amongst Instagrammers, and those looking to cool down without having to hike a massive distance, Calf Creek is an easy classic. There are two hiking options - Upper or Lower. Both are beautiful, each with a trail boasting a spectacle view of Ponderosa Pines, fantastical pink and white canyon walls, and historic remnants to see along the way...the 'crown jewel' of each being the waterfalls.
Lower Calf Creek Falls
Photo courtesy of Ruby's Inn
Lower Calf Creek Falls is a moderate, six mile roundtrip that draws hikers back in time as they pass the relics of ancient Fremont and Anasazi people. At the end of the trail, they will find an oasis of crystal-clear water pooled at the bottom of a cascading 130-foot waterfall, a perfect to cool off from the Utah heat.
Upper Calf Creek Falls
Photo courtesy of Ruby's Inn
It's an easy, 2-mile hike to see Upper Calf Creek Falls, a beautiful 88-foot waterfall upstream from Lower Calf Creek Falls. The trail winds its way uphill to a secluded, beautiful waterfall tucked into the red, pink and white canyon walls.
How to Get There
The trailhead for both Falls is on an unmarked trailhead that lies between mile markers 80 and 81 on the west side of Scenic Byway 12. If travellers aren’t paying attention, the stop is easy to miss. While Scenic Byway 12 is paved, the 200-300 yards of road leading to the entrance of the Calf Creek Falls trailhead is not paved, and having a 4WD vehicle is helpful.
Grand Staircase Escalante
Not the most famous place in Utah (in fact, many people don't know the first thing about it), but Grand Staircase Escalante is one of my favorite places on earth. It's wild and beautiful, and an incredibly geologically diverse landscape. It's full of canyons, springs, wildlife, and Native American history.
Explore an easy (and very squeezy) slot canyon by checking out the Peek-a-boo and Spooky slots.
Doing both these slot canyons is technically easy and can be done in a 3.5 mile loop hike. Neither requires ropes. But they get very, very narrow (like walking sideways narrow!) So don't bring a large bulky backpack, or I can tell you, it will get shredded!
How to Get There
Access Grand Staircase Escalante by taking Hole In the Rock Road south off Route 12 just outside the town of Escalante.
To get to Peek-a-Boo and Spooky Slots, take Hole in the Rock Road 27 miles south until you hit Dry Fork Road. Go east on Dry Fork Road and stay left at the fork. Here you'll see a turnout towards Peak-a-Boo Gulch parking lot and the Dry Fork Trailhead.
Know Before You Go
COVID Considerations
Currently, Garfield County is considered ‘Green’ in the risk of COVID-19 Risk Phases. That being said, they are still asking visitors and locals to continue to practice social distancing, wear masks in public locations, stay home if you are sick and avoid large gatherings. Always check for the most up-to-date COVID-19 guidelines for the area you plan to visit: https://www.brycecanyoncountry.com/more/alerts-and-updates/
Fido Friendly?
Like all National Parks, dogs are not allowed in most places in Bryce Canyon except for the paved trails, and there's not many of them.
Leave the pooch at home if you’re considering visiting Bryce Canyon for more than a day trip to see the hoodoos.
Dogs are allowed in Grand Staircase National Monument. But please know that slot canyons typically require some scrambling and may not be the best place for your dog.
Hazards
Bryce Canyon National Park is at a high elevation (9,000 feet) and you may feel the effects of that while hiking. Also… Don't fall off of cliffs.
Rattlesnakes are also common in this area – stay on the trails and keep an eye out.
Grand Staircase is typically hot and dry. Bring lots of water. Hole in the Rock Road is unpaved, but is usually manageable except when wet.
Want More From the Southwest?
Excited about Bryce Canyon, but want to explore more of the Southwest? I've got you covered.
Check out my blog post about the Southwest's Top Canyon Hikes for even more inspiration.
Happy trails!