Bryce to Inspiration Point: A Short & Colorful Hoodoo Trek

Mike and I didn’t know much about Bryce Canyon National Park going in. We are attempting to visit all the Utah national park while living in Phoenix this year. This one was first on our list (we already visited amazing Zion about 8 years ago). We were happy to find out that this park is well organized and they have a convenient shuttle which takes you to and from various trails/scenic overlooks within the park. After a long 7+ hour drive, we appreciated the convenient transport.

Our shuttle driver went over some of the hiking/walking options including the Rim trail which is one of the easier paths which does not venture into the canyon. The rim is located on the edge of the amphitheater, so you will still get to enjoy scenic views of the hoodoos without embarking on a super steep ascent and descent.

A portion of the trail is paved and accessible and there are four major overlooks you can enjoy. The Rim is a great place to start your park adventures as you can pick a section based on your current fitness level. After driving all day, we wanted to keep it relatively short and easy for our first morning exploring.

The Rim Trail

If you walked the entire Rim route, it would be a 5.5 mile journey (moderate-hard in intensity). The park estimates it would take about 3-4 hours. The cool thing about this trail is that it starts at Bryce Point and ends at Fairyland Point, taking you past the 4 major scenic viewpoints in the park (Bryce, Inspiration, Sunrise, and Sunset). Don’t worry, you don’t have to hike the entire trail to enjoy the beauty. You can pick a section and take the shuttle right to that specific point.

Our driver told us that most tourists enjoy the easy half mile stroll from Sunset to Sunrise point which is just a half mile with under 100 feet in elevation gain. It is considered the easiest option in the park, but still incredibly scenic. The view are wonderful. It’s also the only wheelchair accessible option in the park. Also, if you have a dog, this is the only trail that permits pets (they must be leashed).

If you are looking to keep it easy, a short stroll along the Rim is your best option. There are several options you can choose amongst depending on how far your want to hike. We started with a more moderate (but still quite easy) trek to Inspiration point.

Bryce to Inspiration: a short, quiet, and scenic trek

We were planning on hiking the more difficult Queen’s Garden trail into the amphitheater later in the day, but also wanted to get in a quick morning workout. We only booked a hotel for the weekend so we had a packed itinerary. I would have liked more days to explore, but we have a lot of national parks to cover this year.

We took the shuttle to Bryce Point and then trekked 1.5 miles to Inspiration. This section is considered moderately challenging with an elevation gain of 556 feet. The incline is gradual, so we didn’t find this one too much of a challenge. This is an unpaved trail with a lot of dirt and loose gravel. You will want to wear proper hiking shoes.

It was early in the morning so the temperatures were pleasantly cool and we even enjoyed a hint of shade on this one thanks to the many douglas fir trees. We started the day with workout pants and a long sleeve and later wore a tank top and shorts (it got really hot and the sun is brutal!). Temps vary drastically in the desert. Dress in layers and prepare for much cooler morning temps. Temps varied from 50 to 80 degrees during our visit.

This trail was super quiet and we did not see more than 5 hikers/joggers total. The views were gorgeous and we got in a moderate, but not totally challenging workout. There are some ups and down but nothing as dramatic as the Queen’s Garden and Navajo Loop challenge (as we later found out!).

There are so many enchanting overlooks along the way. You will see a number of famous rock formations including: Alligator, Cathedral, and Wall of Windows. I was pulling out my camera left and right. Unfortunately, we forgot our fancier camera at home, but our phone took decent enough photos. If you are a photographer, you should enjoy the gorgeous landscapes even more.

Mesmerizing hoodoos

This park is home to the most hoodoos in the world which is part of what makes it so unique. I find these tall spindly rock formations so cool to look at. Truly, a unique sight you won’t find many other places besides the Southwest. On a side note, I also loved Chiricahua National Monument in southern Arizona).

You will start your hike by enjoying the jaw dropping vistas at Bryce Point. We stopped here to enjoy the scenery before continuing on. You will find lots of tourists here so you might have to wait a while to take pictures.

A few pics we took at this overlook:

From here, we hiked about 1.5 miles (enjoying mesmerizing lookouts into the amphitheater) until reaching the Inspiration Point overlook. There are 3 levels here so you can take in the scenery via different viewpoints.

Here are a few viewpoints from this overlook:

We learned during our visit that the hoodoos stand out more in the morning and evening (an hour after sunset or before sunrise) so you may want to plan your visit then for the best photos. During this “Golden Hour,” the low sun illuminates the hoodoos, bringing out more of their red and orange tones. We learned that the color results from the oxidation of iron. Fortunately, most tourists will be at the overlooks at this time, so this is a great time hike.

Here are some more pictures we took of the hoodoos from various overlooks along the trail.

The views are simply incredible here whether you hike, drive, or just enjoy the overlooks. To date, this is one of the best Western National Parks I’ve visited although I have a lot more to explore.

Where to start

We booked a room at the Ruby’s Inn which was really convenient as it is located just a few miles outside of the park. There is also a free seasonal shuttle (service from April to October) so we didn’t have to hassle around with driving (which our shuttle driver said is limited during the busy summer season). Also there was a free breakfast buffet at the hotel so again super convenient. You definitely want to fuel up especially in a high altitude environment as it helps prevent mountain sickness.

We got off the shuttle at Bryce Point and enjoyed the mesmerizing overlook before starting the trail. There were some big crowds here but we were still able to take some great photos. After finishing the hike at Inspiration, we conveniently took the shuttle over to the visitor center where we got our NPS booklet stamped. You can also take your picture by the national park sign, buy souvenirs, and learn more about the park.

From here, we easily took the shuttle back to our hotel. It was a very convenient process which definitely makes the vacation more enjoyable especially after a long drive.

Things to Know:

You need a National Parks pass to enter the park and take the shuttle. Entrance is $35 for one vehicle or $70 for the annual pass.

The shuttle runs from April 3rd-October 18th. Hours are 8-6pm except for May 9th-September 20th when service runs until 8pm. No pets allowed. You must show your park pass. The shuttle arrive every ~15 min.

Pets are not allowed on this trail.

This trail is not wheelchair friendly due to the rocky terrain and hills.

There are no restrooms or drinking water available at this trailhead. You can head to Sunset Point or the visitor’s center first if you need to fill your water bottles. There is also a seasonal restroom at Inspiration. If you are staying at Ruby’s, there is a water bottle refill station near the pool area.

Tips for a great day

Hike in the early morning or evening to beat the heat and also to enjoy more dramatic views of the hoodoos.

Take the shuttle around to avoid the hassle of finding parking in the limited lots.

Bring plenty of water and a few snacks. Dehydration, we were told is a major cause of injuries and hospitalization.

Keep in mind the high altitude. Experts recommend taking it easy for a few days before hiking, drinking extra water, avoiding alcohol, eating more carbs, and not overexerting yourself. Check the park’s tips for more details.

Stay at a property with a free shuttle. It’s super convenient and will save you time, gas money, and stress.

If you are looking for another easy hike, I recommend the Mossy Cave waterfall trek. It’s located outside of the park (no shuttle service) but is so worth it.