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Paria View

West-facing canyon views perfect for sunset

(122)

Bryce Canyon City, UT

About

Paria View is one of Bryce Canyon National Park's quieter overlooks, sitting above a 500-foot-deep amphitheater carved by the headwaters of Yellow Creek, which drains southeast toward the Paria River. Unlike the park's east-facing hoodoo bowls — Sunrise and Sunset Points — Paria View faces west, which makes it the rare spot inside the park that rewards sunset visitors rather than sunrise seekers.

What You'll See

The overlook surveys a sweeping landscape of eroded hoodoos, slickrock fins, and canyon walls that give way to the broader Paria River valley in the distance. The color contrasts here can be striking in low afternoon light — the pink and orange limestone stands against dark green ponderosa pines. It's also a solid vantage point for spotting ravens and raptors riding thermals off the canyon walls.

Getting There and Practical Notes

You need a car — the park shuttle does not stop at Paria View. Follow the signs for Bryce Point off the main park road (UT-63) and take the short side spur. A paved path leads from the parking area to the overlook, making it accessible for most visitors. There are no hiking trails departing from this viewpoint itself, though the trailhead for the Paria Loop — a cross-country ski route in winter — is nearby. Arrive at least 30 minutes before sunset and bring layers; the canyon rim sits above 8,000 feet and cools quickly after the sun drops.

Reviews (122)

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4.8

122 reviews

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Ryan Yin Wai Liu

5 months ago

Seems like most people focused on the Bryce Point and Inspiration Point and skipped this one, so much quieter compared to the rest. NPS needs to stop blocking roads and let people queue up for a space!

Eric L

a year ago

Paria View is a beautiful and quieter viewpoint in Bryce Canyon National Park. It’s easily accessible by car and offers stunning views of the park’s signature hoodoos and red rock formations. Compared to some of the more popular spots like Sunrise or Sunset Point, Paria View tends to be less crowded, which makes it a peaceful stop to take in the scenery. It’s also one of the few viewpoints in the park that faces west, making it a great spot to catch the sunset when the light hits the canyon walls just right.

Jeremy Moss

2 years ago

If you have little ones, this is the view to see. Most of the cliff is fenced off, except one small section, so please still be watchful. It's also less busy than some of the more popular viewpoints, but still has some spectacular sights.

ben drivers

9 years ago

Kind of a cool little off the main track canyon. Its smaller and more intimate than the larger Bryce Canyon. Still gorgeous and you can see out towards the Grand Stair Case and Lake Powell in the distance

Gunnar Caya

4 years ago

The views at this overlook are quite nice, though perhaps not as nice as its closest neighbor Bryce Point. Still absolutely worth seeing, especially considering it isn't nearly as far from the entrance as some of the other viewpoints like Rainbow Point and Natural Bridge.