Agua Canyon Connector Trail

Best Time to Hike the Agua Canyon Connector Trail

The trail can be impassable in mid-winter under deep snow, given its steep, rim-to-canyon grade, so conditions from late fall through spring should be verified directly with the park before you go. Because Bryce Canyon is a high-elevation park, weather and trail conditions can shift quickly regardless of season, so it's worth checking current conditions no matter when you plan to visit.

Tips for Hiking the Agua Canyon Connector Trail

• No pets are allowed on this trail — it's inside Bryce Canyon National Park, where park rules apply.
• The trail's stated elevation numbers describe the way down; the return hike back up to the rim is the harder half of the out-and-back, so pace yourself and leave enough time for the climb out.
• If you're using this connector to reach the Under-the-Rim Trail, remember it's just one of several points hikers use to get on and off that longer backcountry route, so settle on your turnaround point or destination before you start down.

Getting to the Agua Canyon Connector Trailhead

When the trail is open, the trailhead is at the Ponderosa Point parking area, 13.7 miles south of the visitor center along the park road. This trail sits entirely within Bryce Canyon National Park, and the park requires an entry pass, so normal park entrance requirements apply. Because the trail is currently closed due to storm damage, confirm its status and any trailhead access changes with the park before driving out. Hikers planning to continue onto the Under-the-Rim Trail should also check current backcountry permit requirements, since overnight use of that trail requires a permit.

What to Expect on the Agua Canyon Connector Trail

As of recent reporting, this trail is closed due to storm damage, so check current NPS conditions before planning a visit. When open, the Agua Canyon Connector Trail is a strenuous 1.6-mile route that drops steeply from the rim down to the Under-the-Rim Trail below, descending about 1,201 feet while climbing 428 feet along the way. Day hikers use it as an out-and-back for views over Agua Canyon and the Paria Valley beyond, while backpackers use it as one of several access points onto the 23-mile Under-the-Rim Trail. Because it connects rim to backcountry trail rather than looping to a summit or overlook, most of the elevation change is packed into a short distance.