Switchback through narrow limestone walls past Thor's Hammer and 750-year-old Douglas firs on Bryce Canyon's signature canyon-floor loop.
Trail data courtesy of OpenStreetMap contributors, US Geological Survey and Wikidata.
Navajo Loop Trail drops from Sunset Point into the Bryce Amphitheater and returns to the rim in roughly 1.3 miles. The trail splits near the top into two legs. Wall Street descends through tight switchbacks between sheer limestone walls. Two Bridges follows a wider route on the east side of the loop. Both legs meet on the canyon floor before climbing back to the rim.
The Wall Street side is the draw. Switchbacks wind between vertical walls that narrow to 25 inches at their tightest point. Partway down, two Douglas fir trees tower overhead from the canyon floor, their roots anchored in soil that rarely sees direct sunlight. These trees have survived here for more than 750 years. The slot-like corridor is the only formation of its kind in Bryce Canyon.
Two Bridges, on the east side, passes through a broader section of hoodoos. Twin Bridges sits about a mile into the hike on the right side of the trail. Look north on the final switchbacks for a clear view of Thor's Hammer, probably the most photographed rock formation in the park.
The trail starts on a paved section with safety railings. Within 100 feet, the pavement ends and the path splits. Going right (south) takes you down the Wall Street switchbacks first. Going left (east) takes you down the Two Bridges side. NPS recommends hiking counter-clockwise when both sides are open, starting with Two Bridges.
Wall Street closes every winter due to rockfall and ice risk. When it is closed, Two Bridges functions as an out-and-back or connects to Queen's Garden Trail and the Peekaboo Loop for longer routes. Check with visitor center staff before heading down.
Sunset Point has restrooms year-round, seasonal water-fill stations, and parking. Lots fill before noon in summer. The free park shuttle stops at Sunset Point from April through October and runs every 10 to 15 minutes. Parking at the shuttle station in Bryce Canyon City and riding in avoids the congestion entirely.
The elevation at the rim sits near 8,000 feet. Even a short hike at this altitude can leave you winded, especially on the steep climb back up.
Bring water, take your time on the switchbacks, and watch for loose footing on sandy sections.
Morning light reaches the canyon floor later than you might expect, and the Wall Street corridor stays cool even on warm days.
Late spring and early fall — roughly May and September — offer the most comfortable temperatures and the best footing on the switchbacks. Summer brings high visitor volume and afternoon thunderstorms that can develop quickly; plan to be back on the rim well before early afternoon during July and August, as the open canyon offers little shelter from lightning. The inner canyon trail can be dangerously icy from October through April. Traction devices such as microspikes are strongly recommended for any descent below the rim during this period, particularly on the Wall Street switchbacks, which shade quickly and hold ice long after the rim clears.
The trailhead sits at Sunset Point on the park's main road and is served directly by the park shuttle, which runs April through October. An entry pass is required for all vehicles entering Bryce Canyon National Park. Parking at Sunset Point is limited and fills well before midday in summer and fall — arriving before 8 a.m. or taking the shuttle from Bryce Canyon City are the most reliable ways to secure access. Wall Street, the western leg of the loop, closes seasonally due to rockfall and ice hazard; confirm current conditions with visitor center staff before heading down.
Navajo Loop packs an unusual amount of variety into 1.3 miles. The Wall Street leg channels you through a corridor of vertical limestone where the walls press close and block most of the sky — a fundamentally different experience than the open hoodoo terrain of Two Bridges on the east side of the loop. That contrast is the trail's defining quality: one leg feels subterranean, the other expansive. Both legs converge on the canyon floor, where the scale of the Bryce Amphitheater comes into full view before the trail begins its sustained climb back to the rim. Throughout, the footing shifts between compacted switchback trail, sandy flats, and loose stone; trekking poles help on both the descent and the climb.
119 reviews
3 months ago
A definite highlight of the park! It is a pretty steep trail. You can pair it with Queen's Garden or Wall Street and make a loop. In the winter we hiked it by going down via Queen's Garden and up via Navajo (Wall Street was closed due to icy conditions). I think that I prefer going down Navajo and then up via Wall Street.
2 months ago
I have done this hike dozens of times throughout my life. Never have regretted it. The uphill can be tough, but the views are spectacular nonetheless matter how hard you are trying to catch your breath. I love Bryce Canyon.
7 months ago
There is so much hiking in this area. It's all connected, and you can get lost, so plan well and know where you are going. It is a good place for runners. But otherwise, I thought the hike was pretty modern, but again, it can be long, so make sure you have enough time, water, and snacks. But it's all worth it. Come prepare and take a hike in this amazing natural place.
a year ago
Absolutely stunning hike! The Navajo Loop Trail is a must-do at Bryce Canyon. Starting at Sunset Point, you descend into the canyon through dramatic switchbacks (Wall Street is incredible if open!) and walk among towering hoodoos like Thor’s Hammer and Two Bridges. The trail is short (1.5 miles), but the steep climb back up can be challenging—bring water and wear sturdy shoes. Best time to hike is early morning for cooler temps and fewer crowds. Don’t miss the views looking back as you ascend—unforgettable!
a year ago
The trail is GORGEOUS but, DAMN. We started out with the Queen's Garden Trail and followed up with this one. I wish we would have done it the other way around! The switchbacks nearly killed me. I have exercise-induced asthma and although I am pretty athletic, the climb along with the 100° temp was rough! It's a super short trail, but it requires endurance! It took me 40 grueling minutes to get to the top--moving nearly the whole time. I'd still do it again. The views were worth it! Luckily, there's more shade on this trail than others.