Rim Trail

Overview

Rim Trail is a 5.5 mile long trail in the northern parts of Bryce Canyon National Park that goes from Bryce Point to Fairyland Point. It runs on the edge of the canyon and connects together many of the Vista Points on the rim of the canyon that are usually accessed via the park road. South to north, these Vista Points include:

1)Bryce Point
2)Upper Inspiration Point
3)Lower Inspiration Point
4)Sunset Point
5)Sunrise Point
6)Fairyland Point

Net elevation loss from Bryce Point to Fairyland Point is 550 vertical feet. Along its length, the trail goes up and down a number of hills creating a few hundred vertical feet of uphill. You are likely to see big crowds of tourists at the Vista Points but parts of the trail between the Vista Points can become pleasantly quiet.

Rim Trail can be hiked by itself or can be combined with any of interconnecting trails that go into the canyon (Fairyland Trail, Queens Garden Trail, Navajo Trail or Peekaboo Trail).

Map

Getting There

Directions to Bryce Point:

From Bryce Canyon Visitor Center drive 1.5 miles south until you see the sign for Bryce Point. Turn east and follow the road to Bryce Point parking area. Parking is limited. Come early or take the park shuttle.

Route Description

Hike Statistics:

Bryce Point Elevation: 8300 ft
Fairyland Point Elevation: 7750 ft
One Way Hiking Distance: 5.5 miles





At Bryce Point, you will look north into Bryce Canyon.

Bryce Canyon

Bryce Canyon

The trail heads west and goes down in elevation near the park road but soon gets away from the road. Along the length of the trail, to your right, you will see the canyon and to your left a plateau covered by a pine forest.

You can get good views of the big holes under the rim of the canyon.

The trail soon turns north and starts to go up in elevation. To your right, you will see a portion of a formation known as Wall of Windows.

Wall of Windows partly seen

You can also see the connecting trail to Peekaboo Loop Trail descending into the canyon.

The view of the canyon is spectacular.

Bryce Canyon

Bryce Canyon

Bryce Canyon

Upper Inspiration Point will appear as a vista point on top of a white cliff.

Upper Inspiration Point

You can now look back to a full view of Wall of Windows.

Wall of Windows

The dirt in this area turns white making you feel as if you were walking in snow. The trail begins to go downhill until it reaches Lower Inspiration Point.

White Earth

White Earth

You will now be directly to the west of Bryce Canyon.

Bryce Canyon

You can look back south to see Bryce Point in the distance.

Bryce Point

As you approach Sunset Point, you can look into the canyon to see a series of densely packed hoodoos called Silent City.

Silent City

Silent City

The area between Sunset and Sunrise Points is likely to be jam-packed with tourists. As you reach Sunrise Point, You can look east to see Bristlecone Point in the distance.

Bristlecone Point

Continuing north, you will see a series of cream and orange colored hoodoos.

The trail then begins to go uphill to reach the top of a 8155 ft hill. You will find yourself in a beautiful meadow.

The final portion of the trail goes downhill to reach Fairyland Point. The formation known as Sinking Ship will be visible to the east.

Sinking Ship

Sinking Ship

Red Tape

You must pay park entrance fee.

No permits required for day hikes. For all rules and regulations see the official park site:
http://www.nps.gov/brca/index.htm

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Images

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