Under-the-Rim Trail

Best Time for the Under-the-Rim Trail

The listing description doesn't specify a preferred season for this trail, so there's no source-backed guidance to give on timing here. What is established is that this is a multi-day backcountry route through forest and meadow country, at elevations running 8,000 to 9,000-plus feet across the park - altitude that can affect hikers regardless of fitness level or when they go. Treat any specific seasonal recommendation as unconfirmed until stated otherwise.

Trail Tips for the Under-the-Rim Trail

• A backcountry permit from the visitor center is required for any overnight stay on this trail - it's not optional
• Bear-resistant food canisters are required on overnight trips and can be borrowed free of charge at the visitor center
• No pets are allowed on this or any trail in Bryce Canyon National Park
• Elevation across the park runs 8,000 to 9,000-plus feet, so pace yourself for altitude even if you're an experienced hiker elsewhere

Getting to the Under-the-Rim Trail

The Under-the-Rim Trail runs between two points inside Bryce Canyon National Park: Bryce Point on the north end and Rainbow Point on the south end. Hikers who don't want the full traverse can instead pick up the trail partway via one of three connector trails - at Agua Canyon, Whiteman Bench, or Swamp Canyon - to reach a shorter section directly. Because this is a park interior trail, an entry pass is required.

What to Expect on the Under-the-Rim Trail

The Under-the-Rim Trail is Bryce Canyon National Park's serious backcountry route, running roughly 22.9 miles one-way along the base of the Paunsaugunt Plateau from Bryce Point in the north to Rainbow Point in the south. Rather than tracking the famous hoodoo overlooks, it stays well below the rim through forest and meadow country, so expect more solitude and tree cover and fewer of the dramatic amphitheater views the park is known for. Eight designated backcountry campsites are spaced along its length, and most hikers treat this as a multi-day backpack rather than a single-day outing.