Bryce Canyon National Park - Bryce Canyon City, Utah

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“One small crack doesn’t mean that you’re broken, it means that you were put to the test and you didn’t fall apart.” - Linda Poindexter

“The secret, Alice, is to surround yourself with people who make your heart smile. It’s then, only then, that you will find wonderland.” - Lewis Carroll

“Don’t allow what you cannot do to interfere with what God can do.” - Courtney Pray Duke

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Bryce Canyon National Park - Hiking among the Hoodoos

4 min read | Bryce Canyon City, Utah

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The Adventure at a Glance

Distance - 10 miles

Trails Combined - Queens Garden, Navajo Trail Loop, Rim Trail, and Bryce Water Canyon

Key Landmarks - Sunrise Point, Wall Street, Twin Bridges, Thor’s Hammer, Silent City, Sunset Point, Boat Mesa, and Inspiration Point

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Chasing Sunrises and Hoodoos: Our 10-Mile Bryce Canyon Family Adventure

There is something magical about standing on the edge of a canyon before the rest of the world wakes up. When you add a 50-degree temperature drop, a notoriously plump squirrel, and boots caked in thick desert mud, you get a family hiking trip you won’t soon forget. On our recent adventure to Utah, Ginger, Maria, Amelia, Alex, and I decided to tackle a massive 10-mile combination of trails across Bryce Canyon National Park, and it absolutely delivered.

From Scorching Heat to Mountain Chill

Our journey began in Hurricane, Utah, where the thermometer had reached a blistering 104 degrees the day before. Eager to catch the first light hitting the amphitheater, we set our alarms early and hit the road two hours before sunrise. By the time we pulled up to Sunrise Point, we stepped out of the car into a crisp, refreshing 54 degrees. The dramatic shift in weather was an instant wake-up call, and watching the morning sun illuminate the red rock structures was worth every lost hour of sleep.

Navigating the Frozen Crimson City

With the canyon mostly to ourselves, we kicked off the trek on the Queens Garden and Navajo Trail Loop, eventually merging onto parts of the Rim Trail. Descending into the amphitheater felt like entering another world. We found ourselves completely surrounded by massive, towering hoodoos that looked like a frozen crimson army under the morning sky.

Along the way, we made a rather chubby new friend. A local squirrel, who was clearly very accustomed to hikers ignoring the "do not feed the wildlife" signs, popped up to greet us.

As we pressed deeper into the canyon, the trail brought us past some of the park’s most iconic landmarks. We wound through the towering, narrow walls of Wall Street, marvelled at the structural wonder of Twin Bridges, and stood in awe beneath Thor’s Hammer. Looking out from near Sunset Point toward the Silent City, the endless rows of frozen hoodoos framed against the massive backdrop of Boat Mesa offered spectacular, sweeping perspectives of the main amphitheater.

Picnics at Inspiration Point and Muddy Water Canyons

After hours of winding through the labyrinth of stone, we worked up a serious appetite. We made our way up to Inspiration Point to break for lunch. Sitting on the rim, enjoying simple peanut butter and jelly sandwiches while taking in the endless maze of orange and pink spires below, was the perfect mid-day rest.

But our day was far from over. True to our completionist style, we shifted gears after lunch and headed down into the Bryce Water Canyon. The terrain changed completely. Suddenly, we were navigating a landscape filled with even more hoodoos and a hidden waterfall, scaling a few rock formations along the way.

The real challenge, however, was the terrain. The canyon floor was a playground of deep, thick mud. With every few steps, our feet and shoes kept getting stuck in the sludge, turning the final stretch into a hilarious, muddy test of endurance.

An UNO Intermission

Just as we wrapped up our muddy trek, the desert sky darkened, and a sudden summer storm rolled over the rim. We scrambled back to the safety of the car just in time. As the rain poured down against the windshield, we cracked open a deck of UNO to pass the time—the perfect, cozy conclusion to a grueling but incredible 10-mile family expedition.

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Summary Highlights

• Catching the sunrise at 54°F after leaving 104°F weather in Hurricane, UT

• Meeting a notably fat squirrel on the Queens Garden trail

• Observing spectacular views of Wall Street, Twin Bridges, Thor's Hammer, and Silent City

• Scaling hoodoos and wading through deep, sticky mud in Bryce Water Canyon

• Passing the time playing UNO in the car during a sudden desert rainstorm

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