How To Hike The Queens Garden Trail In Bryce Canyon + Tips

Hiking the Queens Garden Trail in Bryce Canyon National Park is an adventure you won’t want to miss. Known for its stunning hoodoos—those iconic, spire-like rock formations—and breathtaking vistas, this trail offers a relatively easy hike that immerses you in the otherworldly beauty of Bryce Canyon.

Whether you’re an experienced hiker or a beginner, the Queens Garden Trail provides an accessible way to explore one of Utah’s most picturesque landscapes. Starting from Sunrise Point, the trail descends into the canyon, weaving through a landscape filled with unique geological formations and ending at the enchanting Queens Garden, where a prominent hoodoo resembles a queen surveying her realm.

Lace up your hiking boots, grab your camera, and get ready to experience the magic of Bryce Canyon on the Queens Garden Trail!

Queens Garden Trail Hiking Stats

Distance – 2.9 kilometers (1.8 miles)

Elevation – 199m

Duration – 1.5 to 2 hours

Type – Out & Back. You can make this a loop by connecting to other trails but at the time of our visit this wasn’t possible due to ice conditions on the other trails.

Level – Easy. This trail is one of the most popular and accessible in the park, providing a relatively easy hike with spectacular scenery.

Parking – You can park your car at Sunrise Point

Best time to visit – Bryce Canyon is at its most spectacular during sunrise when all of the hoodoo’s are lit up.

How to reach Bryce Canyon National Park

Reaching Bryce Canyon National Park involves a bit of travel, but the journey is well worth it for the stunning landscapes that await. Here are several ways to get to Bryce Canyon National Park, depending on your starting point and preferred mode of transportation:

By Car

Driving is one of the most convenient ways to reach Bryce Canyon National Park, allowing you to enjoy the scenic routes and have flexibility with your travel plans.

• From Las Vegas, Nevada:
  • Distance: Approximately 270 miles (435 kilometers)
  • Drive Time: Around 4.5 hours
  • Route: Take I-15 North to UT-20 East, then US-89 South to UT-12 East, and finally UT-63 South to Bryce Canyon National Park.
• From Salt Lake City, Utah:
  • Distance: Approximately 270 miles (435 kilometers)
  • Drive Time: Around 4 hours
  • Route: Take I-15 South to UT-20 East, then US-89 South to UT-12 East, and finally UT-63 South to Bryce Canyon National Park.
• From Kanab, Utah:
  • Distance: Approximately 80 miles (130 kilometers)
  • Drive Time: Around 1.5 hours
  • Route: Take US-89 North to UT-12 East, and then UT-63 South to Bryce Canyon National Park.

💡 TIP – We visited Bryce Canyon National Park as part of our 9 day road trip around Utah and Arizona. We arrived for sunrise and then spent half a day in this gorgeous National Park.

🅿️ PARKING – Park your car at the parking lot at Sunrise Point

By Tour

Hiking the Queens Garden Trail – A step by step guide

Hiking the Queens Garden Trail in Bryce Canyon had been on my bucket list for a long time. Especially when done in combination with the Navajo Loop! Unfortunately during our visit the latter had been closed off due to heavy snowfall and therefore unsafe conditions.

However the Queens Garden Trail in itself is such a beautiful hiking trail in Utah that I still wanted to give you a full guide on it!

The Queens Garden Trail starts from Sunrise Point in Bryce Canyon which is super easy to access since there’s a big parking lot right next to it.

Before you descend down into the canyon make sure to take in the views from the official viewpoint.

💡 TIP – There are restrooms and water fountains at the trailhead, so make sure to use them before starting your hike.

The trail begins with a gentle descent into the canyon. The path is well-maintained and offers fantastic views of the hoodoos right from the start. As you descend, take your time to enjoy the unique rock formations and hoodoos that surround you. The trail is named for a particular hoodoo that resembles a queen, which you’ll see later.

Follow the well-marked signs and trail junctions to stay on the Queens Garden Trail.

This trail offers plenty of opportunities for photography, so have your camera ready to capture the stunning scenery!

After about 0.8 miles, you’ll arrive at the Queens Garden area, where you’ll find the hoodoo that looks like Queen Victoria. This is a great spot to take a break, enjoy a snack, and take some photos.

To return to Sunrise Point, simply retrace your steps back up the same trail. The ascent can be a bit more challenging, but the gradual incline makes it manageable for most hikers.

How to combine the Queens Garden Trail with the Navajo Loop

After exploring Queens Garden, continue along the connecting trail towards the Navajo Loop. Follow signs for the Navajo Loop Trail.

The Navajo Loop Trail offers two main routes back up to the rim: Wall Street and Two Bridges. The Wall Street section is definitely the most beautiful option so if open choose this direction. But no matter which way up you choose, both sections end up at Sunset Point.

From here you simply have to follow the trail along the rim to get back to Sunrise Point.

The best time to hike the Queens Garden Trail

In spring (March to May), hikers can enjoy mild temperatures and blooming wildflowers, making the landscape vibrant. Early spring tends to have fewer crowds, although the weather can be unpredictable, with the possibility of late snow or rain showers, which may leave trails muddy or sometimes even closed off like we experienced.

Summer (June to August) provides long daylight hours and generally stable weather, allowing ample time for hiking and exploration. However, the peak tourist season brings crowds, and daytime temperatures can become quite hot. Afternoon thunderstorms are also common, which can lead to trail closures or safety concerns. For those who prefer a quieter experience, fall (September to November) offers cool and comfortable hiking conditions with fewer crowds after Labor Day. The fall foliage adds a splash of color to the landscape, though the shorter daylight hours and colder mornings and evenings can be challenging.

Extra tips for hiking the Queens Garden Trail

• Before starting your hike make sure to watch the sunrise from Inspiration Point. This was in my honest opinion the most beautiful place in Bryce to do so. Afterwards walk a little along the rim to get different vantage points over the Bryce amphitheater.

• Half a day is more than enough to explore the best of Bryce Canyon. After visiting Bryce it’s a good idea to start driving towards Capitol Reef National Park to continue your Utah road trip.
• Hike in the morning for the best light and fewer crowds.
• Dress in layers – Our morning at Bryce started out freezing cold but by the time we were hiking the Queens Garden Trail the sun was already burning.
• Leave no Trace – Carry out all trash and leave the area as you found it and avoid creating new trails or shortcuts, which can damage the landscape.

Map for visiting Bryce Canyon

🗺️ How to Use This Map: Click the icons on the map to get more information about each point of interest. Click the star next to the title of the map to add this map to your Google Maps account. To view it on your phone or computer, open Google Maps, click the menu button, go to “Your Places,” click Maps, and you will see this map on your list.

If you have any questions about how to visit Bryce Canyon National Park or if you want to share your experience, comment below!

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Charlotte

Hi! We’re Charlotte, Christof & César!

Armed with our cameras & drone we’re always on the lookout for the next adventure!
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