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Visitors walking the paved Rim Trail at Bryce Canyon with hoodoos visible below the railing

Le Rim Trail

Marchez le long de la crête d’un belvédère à l’autre - pavé, accessible et toujours gratifiant

Le Rim Trail suit le bord de l’amphithéâtre de Bryce sur 5,5 miles et relie tous les grands belvédères, de Fairyland Point au nord à Bryce Point au sud.

Vous n’êtes pas obligé de faire tout le sentier - la plupart des visiteurs choisissent un segment, marchent entre deux ou trois belvédères, puis s’arrêtent là.

La section pavée entre Sunrise et Sunset Points est la plus populaire, et pour une bonne raison: Thor’s Hammer, le panorama complet et deux grands départs de sentier se trouvent à portée d’une courte marche.

Trail overview

Full distance
5.5 miles one way (Fairyland Point to Bryce Point)
Popular segment
0.5 miles one way (Sunrise Point to Sunset Point, paved)
Elevation change
34—40 ft on the paved section; up to 550 ft over the full trail
Difficulty
Easy (paved section) to moderate (full trail)
Accessibility
Paved Sunrise-Sunset section is wheelchair and stroller accessible
Dogs
Allowed on the paved section only, on a 6-foot leash

Segment breakdown

Walk as much or as little as your group wants. Each segment connects two viewpoints with different character.

Sunrise Point to Sunset Point - 0.5 miles, 34 ft, 20-45 minutes. Paved and nearly flat. The most popular section and the easiest walk in the park. Views of Thor's Hammer, the Queen's Garden, and the full amphitheater. Accessible for wheelchairs and strollers. Dogs allowed on leash.

Sunset Point to Inspiration Point - 0.7 miles, 100 ft, 20-30 minutes. Unpaved but well-maintained. Moderate grade with expanding views of the amphitheater from a higher angle. Quieter than the paved section and connects to the Shared-Use Path for cyclists.

Inspiration Point to Bryce Point - 1.5 miles, 200 ft, 45-75 minutes. The longest amphitheater segment. Trail narrows and the views shift to a wider panorama. Bryce Point is considered the best overall viewpoint in the park. Some rocky sections — good footwear helps.

Sunrise Point to Fairyland Point - 2.8 miles, 250 ft, 1.5-2.5 hours. The quietest section of the Rim Trail, heading north from the amphitheater. Passes above the Fairyland Canyon with views of Tower Bridge and the Chinese Wall. Fairyland Point has its own parking area and is before the fee station.

Accessibility and families

The paved Sunrise-to-Sunset segment is the most accessible trail in the park. It is wide, mostly flat, and has railings at the viewpoints. Wheelchairs and strollers handle it fine. Restrooms are available at both Sunrise and Sunset Points.

For families with young kids, this section is ideal. The hoodoos are right there at the railing, the viewpoints are dramatic enough to hold attention, and the walk is short enough that nobody gets tired. Older kids who want more can drop down to the Queen's Garden trail (the gentlest below-rim option) from Sunrise Point.

Sunrise and sunset tips

Despite the viewpoint names, both spots work for both events. The amphitheater faces east, so sunrise lights up the hoodoos with warm, direct light — this is the best time for photography. Arrive 30—45 minutes early for the color to build. Sunset creates silhouettes and long shadows that give the formations depth. Bryce Point is slightly better for sunset because of its higher, more southerly angle.

If you are staying at Duck Creek, sunrise at Bryce means leaving before dawn — about a one-hour drive. Plan this for a day when you want to maximize park time anyway. For sunset, you can arrive mid-afternoon, hike the amphitheater trails, walk the Rim Trail, and stay for the show before driving home in the twilight.

Combining the Rim Trail with below-rim hikes

The Rim Trail is the natural connector between trailheads. A great day plan from Duck Creek:

  1. Park at Sunrise Point (or take the shuttle).
  2. Descend Queen's Garden, connect to the Navajo Loop, and ascend to Sunset Point — the classic 2.9-mile combo.
  3. Walk the Rim Trail from Sunset Point to Inspiration Point and Bryce Point for additional views from above.
  4. Walk the Rim Trail back to Sunrise Point, or take the shuttle from Bryce Point.

This gives you the best of both worlds: the hoodoos up close below the rim, then the panoramic views from above. Total walking distance is about 5—6 miles with roughly 600—700 ft of elevation, and it takes a comfortable half day.

Stay planning

A Rim Trail morning pairs well with the scenic drive south to Rainbow Point in the afternoon. Or combine it with a rest day back at Duck Creek — a morning at Aspen Mirror Lake, an evening at a village restaurant, or a quiet afternoon on the property. Check our rooms and cabins to build the stay around the trip.

Why trust this guide

We recommend the Rim Trail to nearly every guest at Duck Creek Village Inn — it works for all fitness levels and shows you the amphitheater at its best. Conditions and pet rules are current as of our last review; always verify with the NPS.

Questions sur le Rim Trail

Les questions qu’on nous pose souvent avant d’explorer la crête.

Quelle est la longueur du Rim Trail à Bryce Canyon ?

Le Rim Trail complet fait 5,5 miles aller simple de Fairyland Point à Bryce Point. La section la plus populaire entre Sunrise et Sunset Points mesure 0,5 mile aller simple et est entièrement pavée.

Le Rim Trail de Bryce Canyon est-il accessible en fauteuil roulant ?

La section pavée entre Sunrise et Sunset Points est relativement plate et accessible aux fauteuils roulants et poussettes.

Peut-on emmener son chien sur le Rim Trail de Bryce Canyon ?

Oui, sur la section pavée entre Sunrise et Sunset Points, en laisse de 6 pieds maximum.

Quel est le meilleur endroit pour voir le lever du soleil à Bryce Canyon ?

Sunrise Point fonctionne bien, mais Bryce Point offre souvent un angle encore meilleur. Arrivez 30 à 45 minutes avant le lever pour la meilleure lumière.

Peut-on combiner le Rim Trail avec une randonnée sous la crête ?

Oui. Le Rim Trail relie les principaux départs de sentier et se combine naturellement avec Queen’s Garden ou Navajo Loop.

Stay Here, Walk the Rim Tomorrow

Book your room or cabin at Duck Creek Village Inn — quiet mountain base between Bryce, Zion, and Cedar Breaks.

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