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

The Rim Trail

Walk the amphitheater rim from viewpoint to viewpoint — paved, accessible, and always rewarding

The Rim Trail follows the edge of the Bryce Amphitheater for 5.5 miles, connecting every major viewpoint from Fairyland Point in the north to Bryce Point in the south. You do not have to walk the whole thing — most visitors pick a segment, walk between two or three viewpoints, and call it good. The paved section between Sunrise and Sunset Points is the most popular, and for good reason: it gives you Thor's Hammer, the full amphitheater panorama, and two major trailheads in half a mile of easy walking.

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.

Rim Trail questions

Common questions from trip planners.

How long is the Bryce Canyon Rim Trail?

The full Rim Trail is 5.5 miles one way from Fairyland Point to Bryce Point. Most visitors walk shorter segments. The most popular section — Sunrise Point to Sunset Point — is 0.5 miles one way and fully paved.

Is the Bryce Canyon Rim Trail wheelchair accessible?

The paved section between Sunrise and Sunset Points is relatively flat and accessible for wheelchairs and strollers. Other sections of the Rim Trail are unpaved with moderate elevation changes and are not wheelchair accessible.

Can I bring my dog on the Bryce Canyon Rim Trail?

Dogs are allowed on the paved section between Sunrise and Sunset Points, on a leash no longer than 6 feet. They are not allowed on unpaved sections of the Rim Trail or any other trail in the park.

Where is the best place to watch the sunrise at Bryce Canyon?

Despite its name, Sunrise Point works well but so does Bryce Point, which offers a higher vantage and sees the first morning light hit the amphitheater from above. Arrive 30–45 minutes before sunrise for the best color.

Can I combine the Rim Trail with a hike below the rim?

Yes, and most visitors do. Walk the Rim Trail between viewpoints, then descend on the Queen’s Garden or Navajo Loop trail. The Rim Trail connects all the amphitheater trailheads, so you can mix and match rim walking with below-rim hiking.

Stay Here, Walk the Rim Tomorrow

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