We arrived after dark in Bryce Canyon on Oct 1, 2020 and settled in as we were planning on hiking in the morning. We were going to hike the Navajo and Peek-a-Boo trails. As a result of hiking the Peek-a-Boo and Spooky Slot canyon in Escalante earlier in the afternoon, we were ready for some rest.
After some breakfast we decided to get started on the trails. The morning was pleasant so we did not need much layering with our clothes. Although, because this is a canyon/desert area, we packed plenty of water, electrolytes, salt tablets and trail food.
Location
Bryce Canyon National Park is in Southern Utah.
Our Hiking Plan
The decision was made to hike the Navajo Loop Trail and the Peek-A-Boo Loop Trail. Our plan was to hike them in a figure eight. We would start by descending to the right on the Navajo Trail down the area called Wall Street. Once we connected to the Peek-A-Boo Trail we would go to the left and circle around clockwise to the Wall of Windows. After that, it was back to the Navajo Trail. Once at the Navajo Trail we would turn right and climb up the Twin Bridges side back to our starting point.
Navajo Loop Trail – Wall Street
The Navajo Loop Trail starts just off of Sunset Point which you will find on the Bryce Canyon Rim. You will follow a group of switchbacks down to the bottom of the canyon. Wall Street itself is a large slot canyon.
Once through Wall Street, you can follow the trail back up which makes the 1.3 mile Navajo Loop. If you prefer, you can follow the sign to Queen’s Garden. Consequently, this makes for a longer loop. Or you can follow the connecting trail to Peek-A-Boo Loop. Peek-A-Boo Loop is a 3 mile loop. When added with the connecting trail and the Navajo Loop it is about a 5.75 mile hike.
Peek-A-Boo Loop Trail
Peek-A-Boo Loop Trail is amazing. The start of this trail is a lot of hiking up hill, in addition it is fairly steep. Suddenly you will be exposed to amazing rock formations and hoodoos every where you look and turn. By definition, a hoodoo is a natural pillar or column of rock. This trail has a lot of ascends and descends but otherwise is an easy trail to hike as there are no technical areas on it. Additionally, the path is dirt/rock, easy to follow and easy to walk on. Although there are inclines. In my opinion the most amazing area is the Wall of Windows, which was created by dew and condensation repetitively freezing in the cracks of the rocks.
Navajo Loop Trail – Twin Bridges
Following the Navajo Loop Trail up involves several switchbacks. Although this side is not as steep or has as many switchbacks as on the other side. Two landmarks to see on this side are the Twin Bridges and Thor’s Hammer. When done, you will end up where you started!
Where We Stayed
We stayed at the Lodge at Bryce Canyon which was inside the park and a perfect place to stay after hiking. The Cabin was very comfortable and cozy and just a short walk from the rim. Overall, it was perfect for us.
Conclusion
In Conclusion, we loved Bryce Canyon National Park and it is on our list to return to for more hiking. We loved that the area was not as busy as some National Parks and in addition, we loved the beauty of the canyon.
Resources
While planning for our trip to Bryce Canyon I referred to the Falcon Guide Book, Hiking Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks. If you click on the link you can buy it through Amazon. Usually I also buy a map, but with being there only one day I just used the map I picked up from the lodge and it worked fine.
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Sunrise and Sunset at Bryce Canyon, Oct 2020
Peek-A-Boo and Spooky Slot Canyon Escalante, Oct 2020
Mesa Arch at Canyonlands National Park, Sept 2020
Sunset at Arches National Park, Sept 2020
Ten Great Arches at Arches National Park, Aug 2016
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Spectacular scenery of Bryce Canyon!!! Looks amazing!! I’d love to hike & photograph that area – until then, I thank you for sharing such wonderful images!
Great for both hiking and photography!
So beautiful!!
One of our favorite hikes!
It’s very nice to see this amazing place through your eyes after being away for eighteen years. A quick question: Can you still hike through Wall Street? The sign on the chain link fence made me wonder since I don’t recall the fence.
We followed the arrow down and that was the only reference that I saw.
It looks amazing! I may have said the same thing last time, but it really does! I think the first picture is my favourite though and it’s even before the hike begins.
It was so hard not to snap pictures the entire time as everywhere we looked was a photo op!
Like you, we also did the “Double Peek-A-Boo” a few days apart. Interestingly, it was hot in Escalante, and then on our two hour drive to Bryce it snowed. Utah is amazing that way.
Shameless plug, if you care: https://daringdayhikes.home.blog/2020/05/01/navajo-and-peekaboo-loops-bryce/
Escalante was much warmer than Bryce but we did not see snow. I bet it would be pretty there!
These look like hikes that I would enjoy! The landscape is just so surreal. Adding them to my itinerary for when I can finally visit!
Hope you can go soon!!
Fabulous walks. We loved them when we were there in January 2018. SO glad we managed to hike there. Thanks for sharing your experience and photos. Allan
We really loved this park!! On our list to go back and hit a couple more trails..someday!!
It’s a really impressive landscape, I’m happy to see that there are still many visitors.
It is quite spectacular!!
Wow, the colors of the canyons are beautifully rustic! Also love the dramatic peaks and depths of the views you captured, especially from Sunset Point Area. Bryce Canyon is a fantastic part of the West, and your post jogged my memory of when I went over a decade ago. Looks like I’ll have to return to remind myself of the details! Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Thanks for reading! We are already wanting to return!!!
We have a trip planed for next May (rescheduled from last May) to the Utah parks. And we are also staying at the Bryce Canyon Lodge! We are not super hikers, but we will do our share of exploring and enjoying. Beautiful photos!!
There is a lot to do there if you aren’t super hikers either!! We ran out of time to completely explore the other areas of the park!!
Wow! So pretty, I wish I lived in America to explore all the beautiful places you go to.
We do have a lot of beautiful places in the States! I live in Iowa so there is always a bit of driving involved to get to these places!! Worth it though!
Amazing scenery – I love the colours!
I do too!! A very unique place!!
Those orange Hoodoos are amazing!!
I loved the different colors in this park!
Absolutely awesome! Thanks so much for the “virtual” tour! Man, we’ve got to get there sometime.
Thanks for reading! We really did love this park!!
the beauty of Bryce is stunning! I loved the Wall of Windows and Thor’s Hamer. Thanks for sharing all those photos!
Thanks for reading! Those were my favorite areas too!!
Great Post … Mrs Bear was nursing a broken leg, from her one and only time mountain biking, so we were limited to the rim. I looked down and thought the hiking looked great as long as I could carry enough water
I always worry about carrying enough water. We both take a camelback and then additional reusable bottles with water and electrolytes depending on the heat, difficulty and length of trip. Thanks for reading. Too bad about her broken leg!!!
Thanks for sharing, seeing somewhere else is nice during this time 😊 the trail and the rock faces look stunning!
Thanks for commenting!!! It is a very stunning park!!
I think we did the same hikes. It was 10 years ago but they look familiar. We went in the early summer though. It was cold at night but still quite warm in the day
I bet it can get pretty hot there in mid summer! Love the cooler nights.
Natural view that I love😂
It is a beautiful view!
I really enjoyed coming along for the walk with you. I can imagine how magnificent this landscape was, it seems filled with a mystical and ancient spirituality…would love to go there one day!
Thanks for coming along! Bryce Canyon is really unique!!
Great pictures
Thank you!!
Beautiful!
We loved the area!!
That switchback trail looks awesome. Think I’d rather go down than up though!
Down was much better!!
This is incredible! Your photos are beautiful. I’m so jealous, I’ve always wanted to go!
Thanks! We loved it here.
We loved our trip to Bryce, and we, too, stayed at the Lodge — a lovely, convenient place to be. But we did not hike the trails you mentioned. I’d love to return and do just that. Your photos are gorgeous, and I’m sure we would be spellbound by the views. Thanks for a great post.
I thought the lodge was very nice and cozy! We will definitely stay there again next time we go!! Bryce Canyon really amazed us!!
I love several of the lodges at national parks — massive beams, open lobbies, fireplaces. So neat.
I agree!
We have stayed at several and they are always in the middle of the parks so great accessibility!!
one of my now favorite National Parks!! Thanks for teeing it up for me on insta! Your lodging looks really cozy – that is good to know. I do want to go back – maybe in the winter time? Would love to see all of those hoodoos covered in snow 🙂
We are definitely going back! We loved this park! I think it would be amazing in snow! We would stay at the lodge again. It was perfect for us!! Are you doing OK are you getting a lot of smoke? Wish we could send all the snow and rain we’ve gotten this week out to you guys!!! I saw pics of Estes on the news, how terrible! Take care!!
Lots of smoke. It’s so awful. I am actually in Oregon right now to check on my house up here. Poor Sean is holding down the fort. I got freaked out last week and packed some evacuation bags. The fire in boulder was blowing East….super scary. But it shifted.
Oh wow! I have been calling my son frequently, their new home in Lafayette will be ready for move in on the 30th and that will get them further from Boulder, but not sure if that will make a big difference with the smoke. Glad you are in Oregon, too bad for Sean though!
Your pictures turned out beautiful.
Thank you!!
Cool
😎
beautiful photos – looks like you had a great time! 🙂
We did!!
These pictures and your story is incredible! Keep it up :))
Thank you!
Is there any way to climb up on the top of those tall structures? They look really amazing!
I’m not sure if there is or not! It would be amazing!
Wow!! this place looks so exhilarating.Thanks
It was a lot of fun!
The formations look beautiful. I also like the names of the trails, such as Peek-a-boo. Did you hike on any steep trails?
We hiked down into the canyon and back up but that was about it. We loved this area!