Hiking the Fairyland Loop Trail in Bryce Canyon National Park
The Fairyland Loop was one of my favorite hikes in Bryce Canyon National Park for its epic views and fewer crowds. Use this trail guide to plan your day on this must-hike.
Bryce Canyon is a gem of the Southwest region. I think of it as Zion’s underrated sister—less crowded, a bit quirkier, and equally beautiful. With its steep cliffs, stunning hoodoos (gigantic towers of red rock formed by erosion), and exceptional trails, it offers a unique charm. One of the standout trails is the Fairyland Loop: a 7.4-mile trek that provides breathtaking views of the canyon and a good workout.
While Bryce Canyon is famous for the Navajo/Queens Garden Loop and Peekaboo Loop, the Fairyland Loop is less known (for now), which adds to its magic. Its longer length also deters some visitors who don’t have the time or aren’t willing to put in the effort.
I hiked the Fairyland Loop as part of a Bearfoot Theory group tour I organized a few years ago. Everyone on our trip agreed that this trail was well worth the effort!
Here’s everything you need to know about the Fairyland Loop Trail in Bryce Canyon: where to park, when to go, and what to bring. Plus, I’ve included a few tips to make your experience as special as possible.
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Fairyland Loop Trail Overview
If you’re looking for an epic hike in Bryce Canyon National Park, the Fairyland Loop is it. Though it’s not a quick hike, I think it’s the perfect way to experience Utah’s landscape in all its glory. The views are incredible, featuring hoodoos, the Bryce Amphitheater, the “Tower Bridge,” red rocks, twisty trees, and stunning sights in every direction.
Trail Stats
Located in the northern region of Bryce Canyon National Park, this trail offers views of the popular spiraling hoodoos and a variety of stunning landscapes, but with less foot traffic than the Navajo Loop and Queens Garden Trail and Peekaboo Loop.
The Fairyland Loop is well-marked, with a clear and easy-to-follow path, especially since it’s a loop.
Unlike many hikes that start at the bottom of the canyon and take you to the top, The Fairyland Loop Trail starts at the top. I liked the unique perspective of seeing the hoodoos from both above and below, highlighting their immense size. They look big in pictures but feel even more massive in person!
There are good stretches of flat sections, especially at the bottom of the canyon, but the downhill and uphill sections can feel steep, especially on a hot day with little shade. I definitely felt my legs burning!
Most of the Fairyland Loop Trail is exposed with little shade, so be sure to pack even more water than you think you need and be prepared with sun protection.
This is also a hike that you might consider bringing binoculars! The rock formations are so intricate and unique, that you’ll want a close-up look to see the mesmerizing details. Even if you don’t bring them on the hike, it’s nice to have them in your car for afterward.
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Fairyland Loop Trail Details
Here’s a peek at some of the trail highlights (going counter-clockwise, since it’s the more popular choice):
Mile 0 – Fairyland Point & Rim Trail
We started our hike by heading southwest (counter-clockwise) from Fairyland Point on the rim. The initial part of the trail was relatively flat with a few ups and downs. We gained around 300 feet over the first 2.5 miles.
This section gave us a chance to warm up our legs while enjoying views of the canyon’s bowl and hoodoos. It was a good preview of the landscapes ahead.
Tip: Use the restroom at the trailhead. There are no bathrooms on the trail and because there’s very little coverage, there are few spots to go discreetly.
Mile 2.5 – Sunrise Point
After about 2.5 miles, we reached Sunrise Point, one of the most iconic overlooks in all of Bryce Canyon. Take a moment to soak it all in, because soon you’ll begin your descent towards the canyon floor, leaving the crowds on the rim behind.
Over the next 1.5 miles after leaving Sunrise Point, we dropped nearly 800 feet down into the canyon. Along the way, we passed the picturesque Chinese Wall, a stunning formation of red rocks, and I started to notice some beautiful changes in vegetation.
Mile 4.0 – Tower Bridge
At 4.0 miles, we reached the lowest point of the hike, where we found ourselves at a very cool rock formation aptly named the “Tower Bridge.” It’s about 0.2 miles off the trail and well worth the visit, especially if you’ve never been to Arches National Park. We hung out for a bit at the base of the tower and enjoyed some snacks before continuing on.
Past Tower Bridge, for the next 2.5 miles, we encountered some gradual uphill and downhill sections as we wove through the forest and around giant hoodoos, also known as “fairy chimneys” and “tent rocks.”
Mile 6.6 – Begin your Ascent
Over the final 1.3 miles of the Fairyland Loop, we gained just over 600 feet as we climbed up and out of the canyon, back to Fairyland Point. As we ascended to the tops of the hoodoos, we once again enjoyed sweeping views of Bryce Canyon and the landscapes surrounding the park.
Mile 7.9 – Return to Fairyland Point
We ended right back where we started! Once we got back to your cars, we headed straight to the Bryce Canyon General Store for a cold beverage and a well-deserved treat.
Frequently Asked Questions
The trail can be hiked either clockwise or counter-clockwise. Generally, it’s recommended to hike it counter-clockwise to avoid a steep climb at the end (about 850 feet over 1.6 miles). This way, you’ll start with a steep downhill and finish with a more gradual uphill trek. If your knees don’t handle steep downhills well, you might prefer going clockwise.
You have a few parking options for the Fairyland Loop. There’s a very tiny parking lot at the official Fairyland Point trailhead, which is where I started. If you can’t find a spot there, or if it’s closed for the winter, you can start your hike at Sunrise Point, which connects to the Fairyland Loop.
If you’re visiting Bryce Canyon during a busy season and don’t want to deal with finding a parking spot, you can park at the visitor center inside the park’s gate and take the park’s shuttle to Sunrise Point. The shuttle is also convenient if you’re camping in or near Bryce and want to leave your vehicle at your campsite. Note that the shuttle doesn’t operate in the winter.
I recommend giving yourself at least four hours to complete the loop. Could you do it faster? Absolutely. But if you want to fully enjoy the experience, take photos, and appreciate the stellar views, you’ll need about a half day for the hike.
Short on time? Consider starting at the Tower Bridge Trailhead and hiking the first quarter of the Fairyland Loop. Once you reach “Tower Bridge,” you can head back the way you came for an out-and-back hike. This will give you a taste of the scenery in half the time. Alternatively, you can hike the shorter Peekaboo Trail or one of the other fantastic trails in Bryce Canyon.
Tip: Start the Fairyland Loop hike early in the morning to get beautiful sunrise views. You’ll also beat the mid-day summer heat.
In terms of difficulty, I consider the Fairyland Loop a moderate trail with a few challenging sections due to its 7.9-mile length and 1,500 feet of elevation gain. If you are coming from sea level, you might notice the altitude and find yourself more out of breath than usual.
The trail signs warn of loose rock, but I wouldn’t say it’s overly slick. Most of the trail is gravel or eroded sandstone, so as long as you have hiking shoes with good traction, you shouldn’t be too worried. I found trekking poles to be helpful for additional stability on the steeper sections.
The Fairyland Loop can generally be hiked year-round, and each season offers its own unique experience. Personally, I love visiting Bryce in autumn to see the vibrant fall foliage shades of red, yellow, and orange—it’s truly magical.
Fall and spring are usually a bit less busy compared to summer. However, hiking in Bryce Canyon is relatively comfortable in summer compared to Utah’s other national parks. With an elevation of about 7,000 feet, summer highs are typically in the 70s and 80s. However, there isn’t much shade, so remember to stay hydrated, wear sunscreen, and bring a hat.
If you’re visiting Bryce Canyon in the winter, you can still hike the Fairyland Loop, but you’ll need to start at Sunrise Point since the Fairyland Rd. to the trailhead is closed during the winter months. The cold weather also means you’ll likely deal with fewer crowds.
More Bryce Canyon Tips
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Have you hiked Fairyland Loop in Bryce Canyon? Did you go clockwise or counter-clockwise? Let me know any of your favorite trail tips in the comments!
