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Rim Trail

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate
 4.6 (52)
  1. Areas
  2. UT
  3. …Southwestern Utah
  4. …Bryce Canyon National Park
  5. Ampitheater
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“An excitement-producing, heartbeat-inducing trail that has to be seen to be believed. ”

Mike Harcarik
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Map Key

5.7

Miles

9.2

KM

Point to Point

8,363' 2,549 m

High

7,780' 2,371 m

Low

445' 136 m

Up

982' 299 m

Down

5%

Avg Grade (3°)

23%

Max Grade (13°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Views

Family Friendly With multiple access points and movie-like scenery, the Rim Trail's easy grades, info markers and lookout platforms may just have kids trying to calm parents down instead of the other way around.

Dogs are only allowed on the paved section from Sunset to Sunrise Point.

Overview

Empty your memory cards and get your selfie-sticks ready! With trail stops like Inspiration, Sunset, Sunrise and Fairyland Point, it's easy to imagine why this will become one of your all-time favorites. No lie.

The Rim Trail in Bryce Canyon connects several parking areas, restrooms, other trailheads, and the park's best viewpoints, so most visitors hike along the Rim Trail without even knowing it. Relatively few people bother to hike the whole thing, opting to descend into the canyon instead. Insider Tip: do the whole thing, it's worth it!

The trail can be traveled in either direction and started from half a dozen different parking areas. End to end it measures just shy of 6 miles, so you'll need to either use the free park shuttle, which travels every 15 minutes or so between Sunrise and Bryce Point, or prime your legs for a longer hike if going out and back.

Description

South-to-North (Bryce Point to Fairyland Point) - the less-traveled, but preferred route for scenic buildup and planning. Park at the visitor center and hop on the free shuttle to Bryce Point. From here, absorb the semi-distant view of the main amphitheater to which you'll be heading and that constitutes the bulk of Bryce Canyon. Once ready to hike, enjoy a couple of miles of downhill to warm up the legs as you head ever-closer to the surreal Inspiration Point.

Continue along the trail, which turns to pavement and becomes more popular as you approach Sunset Point and the real crowds. Though relatively flat, the next mile will likely be the slowest of your day as you drain the batteries of your cameras and cellphones, and stop for "just one more look!" Passing Sunrise Point, you may be tempted to hike backwards, but rest-assured, the views up ahead are just as nice. After reaching the well-earned Fairyland Point overlook, relax and soak it in. When ready, return to Sunrise Point and the shuttle back to the visitor center.

North-to-South (Fairyland Point to Bryce Point) - someone once said going south always seems like you're going downhill...not the case with this hike. Though it starts flat as you meander along the well-traveled rim and enjoy staggering views of Sunset and Sunrise Point, the trail soon starts a rigorous climb as you arch around Inspiration Point and try to spot distant hikers winding through the hoodoos below.

Contacts

Land Manager: National Park Service - Bryce Canyon National Park

Shared By:

Mike Harcarik
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.6 from 52 votes

#5

in Ampitheater

#216

Overall
  4.6 from 52 votes
5 Star
65%
4 Star
29%
3 Star
6%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#5

in Ampitheater

#26

in Utah

#216

Overall
9 Views Last Month
3,641 Since Sep 3, 2015
Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate
28%
4%
62%
4%
2%
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Photos

Park visitors get up close and personal with the surrounding canyons.
Mar 8, 2016 near Panguitch, UT
Bryce Canyon National Park!
Oct 29, 2016 near Panguitch, UT
Nice view.
Jul 6, 2016 near Panguitch, UT
Rim Trail somewhere in between Sunset and Sunrise Points.
Jan 6, 2016 near Panguitch, UT
Boat Mesa from Rim Trail
Oct 17, 2017 near Panguitch, UT
Catching the sun rising over the Hoodoos at Bryce Canyon NP.
Sep 3, 2016 near Panguitch, UT

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Weather

Current Trail Conditions

All Clear 71 days ago
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Oct 18, 2024
Anonymous
Hiked with mom over the Wall Street. Nearly died at the altitude.
Jun 24, 2024
Karla Taff
4h 30m
Jun 15, 2024
Bruno Dutour
Oct 2, 2023
Kevin Armour
Fairyland to Bryce uphill 5.7mi — 2h 35m
Jul 9, 2023
Christa Finer
Absolutely stunning! 9.3mi
Jun 7, 2023
Stephanie Liu-Kuan
May 14, 2023
George Vogel
May 8, 2023
Wendy Stewart

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