Fairyland Loop Trail

The Fairyland Loop Trail begins is an iconic hike in Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah.

FIND THE TRAILHEAD

Plan on this hike to take a good portion of your day if you intend to hike the entire trail.  This hike will take roughly 5 hours and the visual rewards are great.  

GETTING STARTED AT THE TRAILHEAD

The hike begins at Fairyland Point.  This is found at the northern portion of the park, just a short drive from the Visitor’s Center.  

HOODOO CENTRAL

As you make your way into the initial portion of the hike, you’ll soon come across spectacular hoodoos. They are everywhere.  Be prepared to stop often and admire these geological wonders.

TOWER BRIDGE

The scenery along the way is stunning.  You’ll get a nice view of Tower Bridge – not the one in London England, but the Utah version. 

A GREAT HIKING TRAIL

The trail is well maintained, wide enough and generally even without too many rocks to stumble over on the trail itself.

BRYCE CANYON FLOWERS

The terrain is primarily dry, though you’ll be treated to occasional flowers along the walk in spring and summer.

WILDLIFE

Among the caution notices are to be mindful and on watch for snakes.  We did not see any of the slivery creatures during our hike.  We saw, and heard, occasional birds and some chipmunks.  That was about it for wildlife viewing on our venture.

NOT CROWDED AT ALL

Perhaps because of its length and difficulty level, this trail is less travelled as compared to the popular Navajo and Queens trails.  As a result, you’ll likely enjoy much of the hike without a sense of being in a crowd.

VISTAS

There are great vistas along the journey.

CREATURE FEATURES

Some of the landscape features evoke creatures.  What is this one?  E.T., or perhaps an ostrich?

NATURE’S WINDOWS

Some of the views offer views within views within more views.

RIM TRAIL CONNECTION

This loop trail also includes a portion of the Rim Trail from Sunset Point back to the Fairyland Point, completing the “loop”.  

PHOTOGRAPHER WARNING

It is easy to get carried away with photography on this hike.  Everywhere you look, the trail offers something amazing.  One major tip – don’t walk and photo at the same time.  You wouldn’t want to take a step over a ledge anywhere – which could be easier to do than you might think.  Yes, I’m talking to you GoPro folks walking and talking at the same time.  And yes, guilty here too.

HIKE DIFFICULTY – IS THIS FOR YOU?

This hike is rated as strenuous.  You’ll be walking for nearly 8 miles and be logging in roughly 1,545 feet in elevation change along the walk.  You’ll fare better if you are in decent physical shape and have done a similar hike before.  

We are approaching 60 years of age (not quite there yet), but we were able to complete the hike without any challenges.

EQUIPMENT – PREPARE FOR A SUCCESSFUL HIKE

Water: This is essential.  We came with 2 liters a piece on a day where the temperatures were in the low 80s.  We would have needed more if the day was hotter.

Sun screen: You’ll be better off with some of this on the exposed areas of your body.

Hat: Keep the sun off your face.

Trekking Poles: These just make this type of hike easier and more enjoyable.  They also are helpful in mitigating injury risk.

IF WE CAN DO IT

…So can you