From the rim, Bryce Canyon is a masterpiece – a painted canvas of red, orange, and cream. But the real magic begins when you step into the canyon itself. On the Figure 8 Trail, the hoodoos don’t just look like formations; they rise around you like ancient guardians, towering above the sandy path. What seems still and quiet from above becomes alive below, every corner revealing another window, arch, or wall carved by time.
WHAT IS THE FIGURE 8 TRAIL?
The Figure 8 Trail is the ultimate is the ultimate way to experience Bryce Canyon in a single hike. Instead of choosing between the iconic Queens Garden, Navajo Loop and Peekaboo Loop, you link them all together to form one continuous loop.
- Distance: ~6.4 miles
- Elevation: Steep descents/ascents, especially on Navajo Loop
- Difficulty: Strenuous
- Time Needed: 4-5 hours depending on pace and photo stops.
- Trailhead: Start from Sunrise Point or Sunset Point
It’s considered the park’s signature hike because it combines every highlight of Bryce – sweeping amphitheater views, winding trails among hoodoos, natural arches, and dramatic switchbacks.
TRAIL HIGHLIGHTS
Queens Garden
The adventure begins with a descent through Queens Garden – the least steep way to drop below the rim. Here, the trail winds among smaller hoodoo formations, easing you into a taste of the magic ahead.
Wall of Windows (Peekaboo Loop)
Farther along, the trail links to the Peekaboo Loop, where you will find one of Bryce’s most unique features – the Wall of Windows. Here, natural arches cut into the hoodoo walls frame slices of sky and canyon beyond. It feels like walking through nature’s own cathedral.
Hoodoo Forest
In the heart of the Figure 8, you’re surrounded on all sides by towering hoodoos. This is where the canyon feels most otherworldly – tall, jagged spires glowing in shifting light. The formations feel endless, like a stone maze carved over millennia.
Navajo Loop & the Ascent Out
The final stretch takes you up through the Navajo Loop, one of Bryce’s most famous trails. Steep switchbacks carve through narrow rock corridors, creating dramatic, unforgettable views as you climb back toward the rim.
TIPS FOR HIKING THE FIGURE 8
- Start Early: Beat the crowds and the midday heat. Morning light is also best for photography
- Bring Water: There’s little shade inside the canyon, and the elevation makes it more draining than you expect.
- Wear Good Shoes: Trails are sandy and steep in places – hiking shoes are much safer than sneakers.
- Plan 4-5 Hours: The Figure 8 is no longer and tougher than it looks. Build in time for breaks and photos.
CLOSING NOTE
The Figure 8 Trail is Bryce Canyon’s crown jewel – a way to experience the park from every angle. From the gentle descent of Queens Garden to the dramatic Switchbacks of Navajo Loop, with the magical arches of the Peekaboo Loop in between, it’s the most complete adventure you can take there.
From the rim, Bryce Canyon is breathtaking. But within the hoodoos, it/s humbling.
Want more Bryce Canyon inspiration? Stay tuned – we’ll be sharing trail-by trail guides soon to help you plan your own adventure through the hoodoos.