Fairyland Loop

Best Time to Hike the Fairyland Loop

Timing this hike means working around two separate hazards. Snow and ice linger on the rim sections of the Fairyland Loop roughly November through April. Then, from July through September, afternoon monsoon storms bring lightning risk to the trail's exposed stretches, so an early start and a clear turnaround plan matter during those months.

Fairyland Loop Trail Tips

• Hike the Fairyland Loop counter-clockwise, as the park suggests, so the steep climb comes at Tower Bridge rather than partway through the descent
• No pets are allowed — the entire route is inside Bryce Canyon National Park
• Treat this as a full below-rim commitment rather than a quick overlook walk; plan water, sun protection, and a firm turnaround time before descending into Fairyland or Campbell Canyon

Getting to the Fairyland Loop Trailhead

Access the loop from Fairyland Point or the Tower Bridge trailhead, both on the Rim Trail north of Sunrise Point. Fairyland Point has no shuttle service, so hikers need their own vehicle to reach that trailhead, and its access road closes to vehicles in winter to allow for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Because this trail is entirely inside Bryce Canyon National Park, an entry pass is required to visit.

What to Expect on the Fairyland Loop

The Fairyland Loop is an 8-mile hike through the least-crowded corner of Bryce Canyon's hoodoo country. The route combines rim walking near Boat Mesa with a long descent into Fairyland and Campbell Canyons below. The National Park Service rates the hike strenuous, with about 1,716 feet of elevation change over 4-5 hours. One distinguishing feature: the hoodoos along this loop are younger than those in the main amphitheater further south, giving the canyon a different, rawer texture than Bryce Canyon's more-photographed formations.