Queen's Garden Trailhead

About

Queen's Garden Trail starts at Sunrise Point and is widely considered the easiest maintained trail that goes below the rim into the Bryce Amphitheater — a good first below-the-rim hike for visitors who haven't hiked among hoodoos before.

Trail Details

The trail descends about 320 feet from the rim, switchbacking down through a series of hoodoos before reaching its namesake formation, a hoodoo cluster resembling a royal court. Hiked one-way back up to Sunrise Point, it's a relatively short, moderate outing. Most visitors combine it with the Navajo Loop Trail (starting/ending at Sunset Point) for the full Navajo Loop-Queen's Garden combination — about 2.9 miles round trip with roughly 600 feet of total elevation change, taking 2 to 3 hours.

Practical Details

Because it's the least strenuous below-the-rim option, Queen's Garden gets busy — starting early avoids both crowds and the worst midday heat in summer. The trail isn't paved and involves uneven, sometimes sandy footing, so real hiking shoes are worth it even though the grade itself is gentle by Bryce standards.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Queen's Garden Trail hard?

It's considered the easiest maintained trail that goes below Bryce Canyon's rim — a good first below-the-rim hike. It descends about 320 feet from Sunrise Point with switchbacks, but the grade is gentle compared to other Bryce trails.

Where does Queen's Garden Trail start?

At Sunrise Point, one of the four main viewpoints in the Bryce Amphitheater, an easy walk from the Visitor Center.

Can I combine Queen's Garden with another trail?

Yes — most visitors connect it with the Navajo Loop Trail (starting at Sunset Point) for the full Navajo Loop-Queen's Garden combination, about 2.9 miles round trip with roughly 600 feet of elevation change, taking 2 to 3 hours.