Rainbow Point
The scenic drive's high point, 9,115 feet up
About
Rainbow Point marks the end of Bryce Canyon's 18-mile scenic drive and, at 9,115 feet, the highest point reachable by car in the park. The drive climbs more than 1,000 feet to get here, and on a clear day visibility can stretch 100 miles across some of the cleanest air in the country. Rainbow Point sits right next to Yovimpa Point, so both overlooks are typically visited together at the road's southern end.
Good to know
- Reached by a short, wheelchair-accessible paved path from the parking lot — no hiking required for the view itself
- Two trails start from here: the easy, mile-long Bristlecone Loop through 1,800-year-old trees, and the strenuous 7.5-mile Riggs Spring Loop connecting to Yovimpa Point
- At this elevation, expect cooler temperatures and quicker-moving weather than at the park entrance
- Afternoon thunderstorms are a real lightning risk on exposed viewpoints roughly July through September
Best Time to Visit Rainbow Point
At this elevation, Rainbow Point runs cooler and its weather can turn faster than what you'll find down at the park entrance. Afternoons are the main thing to watch for in summer: thunderstorms bring a real lightning risk to this exposed overlook roughly from July through September, so an earlier-in-the-day visit is the safer bet during those months.
Trail Tips for Rainbow Point
- The overlook itself requires no hiking — a short, paved, wheelchair-accessible path leads from the parking lot directly to the view
- For an easy walk, the Bristlecone Loop is about a mile long and passes trees as old as 1,800 years
- For a serious outing, the Riggs Spring Loop is a strenuous 7.5 miles and connects to Yovimpa Point
- Pets aren't permitted on either trail, as with all trails inside Bryce Canyon National Park
Getting to Rainbow Point
Rainbow Point is the final stop on Bryce Canyon's 18-mile scenic drive. The drive climbs more than 1,000 feet along the way, so plan for a longer, higher-elevation trip than a visit to overlooks closer to the entrance. Because Rainbow Point is within Bryce Canyon National Park, an entry pass is required. Yovimpa Point sits right alongside it, so both are easy to see on the same stop.
What to Expect at Rainbow Point
Rainbow Point sits at the far southern end of Bryce Canyon's 18-mile scenic drive and, at 9,115 feet, is the highest point in the park reachable by car. On a clear day, visibility can stretch 100 miles across some of the cleanest air in the country. Rainbow Point sits right next to Yovimpa Point, and the two overlooks are typically visited together at the road's southern end.
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