Hiking

Navajo Loop and Queen’s Garden

Down among the hoodoos of Bryce Canyon, past Thor’s Hammer and through the narrow slot of Wall Street.

Utah
4.6 km
2 min read

Photo: King of Hearts · CC BY-SA 4.0

Distance: 4.6 km · 2.9 mi
Elevation gain: +180 m · 600 ft
Difficulty: Moderate
Time needed: 1.5–2.5 hours
Route type: Loop
Permit: Not required
Best season: April–October; in winter with traction devices

Navajo Loop and Queen’s Garden guide in Bryce Canyon: Sunset Point, Thor’s Hammer, Wall Street, Two Bridges, Queen Victoria, Sunrise Point, altitude, ice, distance, time and the best season.

Overview

The most popular hike in Bryce Canyon joins two short trails into a loop of about 4.6 kilometers that drops below the rim into the amphitheater of orange and white hoodoos. It starts at Sunset Point, at about 2,440 meters, so the climb back up of 180 meters feels harder than it looks.

The Navajo Loop has two branches. The Wall Street side zigzags down tight switchbacks into a narrow slot between tall cliffs, where Douglas firs grow toward the light, while the Two Bridges side passes Thor’s Hammer, the most famous hoodoo in the park. The Wall Street side often closes in winter and spring because of ice and rockfall.

At the bottom, a connecting trail leads to Queen’s Garden, where a hoodoo resembles Queen Victoria seated on her throne, and then climbs gently to Sunrise Point. Walk the rim trail back to Sunset Point to finish the loop.

Navajo Loop: stops along the way

1

Sunset Point

The start on the rim, with a view over the amphitheater and Thor’s Hammer.
2

Thor’s Hammer

A slender spire topped by a block of harder rock, the symbol of the park.
3

Wall Street

A narrow slot between high walls, reached by steep switchbacks.
4

Queen Victoria

A hoodoo shaped like the queen on her throne, in a garden of white spires.
5

Sunrise Point

The end of the climb, with the best view of the amphitheater at dawn.