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Bryce
Canyon Forum
The Ultimate Southwest Vacation includes Bryce Canyon!
Stay in Mount Carmel Junction, the heart of the parks, and
visit the treasures of the Southwest.
Mileage from Mt. Carmel Jct.
Bryce Canyon 60 miles
Zion National Park 12 miles
Grand Staircase 9 miles
Sand Dunes 11 miles
Dixie Forest 22 miles
Cedar Breaks 45 miles
Red Canyon 47 miles
Coyote Butte 57 miles
North Rim 85 miles
Toroweap 90 miles
Plan your Bryce Canyon
vacation with our Utah
maps and information
In these pages you will find insiders information on Bryce
Canyon adventures and hiking. This detailed guide includes road maps, park maps,
pictures, trail beta, backpacking, history, fees, geology, flora, fauna, campgrounds,
things for kids to do and even information on Bryce Canyon's hidden treasures.
Making summer memories in the Utah National Parks and National
Monuments.
Utah!
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Bryce
Canyon Map
Directions to Bryce Canyon
From Salt Lake City travel south on Interstate 15 past Beaver
to UT 20. Exit on UT 20. Turn south on UT 89 and travel past Panguitch. Follow
UT 89 to UT 12. Travel along UT 12 through Red Canyon to Bryce Canyon. Turn south
on UT 63 to enter the park.
From Las Vegas: Travel Interstate 15 past St. George to Exit
16. Drive through Hurricane, Utah. Follow Hwy 9 through Hurricane and to the
only stop light in LaVerkin. Turn right at the stop light. Continue on Hwy 9
to the south entrance of Zion Park. Drive through Zion to the junction of UT
9 and UT 89 at Mt. Carmel Jct. Turn north on UT 89, then exit on UT 12.
Follow UT 12 through Red Canyon, turning south on UT 63 to enter
Bryce Canyon.
Bo Beck hiking past a lone hoodoo along the Fairyland Loop.
GPS Coordinates
WGS84 Datum
Trailhead
37°38.961N
112°08.852W
Tower Bridge Viewpoint
37°37.930N
112°08.649W
Junction with Rim Trail
37°37.914N
112°09.750W
Highest Point on Rim Trail
37°38.558N
112°09.793W
Beta: Coordinates and other trail and canyoneering information by Zion Park search and rescue veteran team member Bo Beck and www.zionnational-park author, Tanya Milligan.
Suggested Gear: A sturdy pair of shoes are recommend for canyoneering in Zion . Quality shoes will help grip the rocks and prevent injury. Experienced Zion hikers and canyoneers like the Sportiva Exum Ridge. This shoe is great for hiking, bouldering and canyoneering.
To offer corrections, updates, etc... or for more information please visit the Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon Forum
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Fairyland Loop and Tower Bridge Trail
Bryce Canyon
Bryce Canyon National Park is open throughout the year drawing over two-million visitors yearly from all around the globe. The majority of people arrive in the summer months, but Bryce is truly a park of all seasons. The park is only 38,385 acres and winding through that small space are fifty-miles of hiking trails. This phenomenal Utah national park is home to the most unusual and literally fantastic erosional forms on the planet. Few places on earth can boast of the stark first impression made as your eyes gaze upon the bizarre and unique land below the rim. Looking down among the vast array of misshapen hoodoos reveals jaw dropping views, but the true beauty of Bryce is found by venturing below the rim and hiking amidst the delicate structures and fabulously weird landscape. During warmer months you can wander through a labyrinth of erect spires positioned perfectly amid the sparse forest dotted with firs, juniper, ponderosa, and even ancient Bristlecone pines. The contrast of multicolored limestone, shaded canyon walls, green vegetation and a deep blue sky makes for some amazing photo opportunities. If winter travel is on the agenda, you will be rewarded with special photographic opportunities since the parks landscape only gets better as this magnificent cragged desert becomes iced with a subtle white layer of snow.
See our vacation planning section for suggested Bryce Canyon National Park trails. The shuttle in Bryce Canyon is voluntary.
Fairyland Loop at a Glance
Photo Album: Fairyland Loop Pictures
Trail Map: Fairyland Loop Trail Map
Day Hike: Yes
Distance: 7.6 round trip
Average Hiking Time: 4-8 hours
Equipment: Wear rugged shoes, sun protective clothing and bring emergency gear to include first aid supplies. Bring a minimum of 2-4 liters of water per person and high energy food and snacks.
Difficulty: Strenuous
S un Exposure: Full sun in most places.
Trail Usage: Heavy
Permits: Not required.
Trail Conditions: Generally speaking, the trail system is quite gentle, but don't be lured into a false sense of security. Travel can be very hazardous if one becomes lazy. The loose limestone scree on hard packed surfaces can be unstable.
Trailhead: Fairyland Point Trailhead.
Trailend: You will arrive at Bryce Point then you will need to walk the rim trail back to Fairyland Point.
Trail Access: The 1 mile road to Fairyland Point is generally open year-round, however the road may be impassible due to heavy snowfall during winter months.
Best Season: Summer, fall, spring.
Elevation: Trailhead: 7770 feet, Lowest Elevation: 7170 feet at Tower Bridge, Highest Point: 8150 feet at the Rim
Off the Beaten Path: No
Bryce Canyon - To get to Bryce from Zion, exit the park at the east entrance and drive to the junction of SR-9 & U-89 at Mt. Carmel Junction, it's 60 miles to Bryce Canyon from the junction. Follow U-89 north and turn east when arriving at U-12. Follow U-12 through Red Canyon. Bryce Canyon is located 9 miles from Red Canyon. Pass through Red Canyon and continue on U-12 to U-63, turning south on U-63.
Fairyland Loop - The very photogenic Fairyland Loop Trail begins at the Fairyland Point parking area just inside the park boundary or at Sunrise Point near the lodge. If starting the hike at Fairyland Point, it is not necessary to pass the fee booth and pay to get into this part of the park. The loop can be done either counterclockwise by hiking south along the rim toward Sunrise Point and then hiking east off the rim toward Campbell Canyon, or clockwise by hiking east immediately from the Fairyland Point parking area, and dropping down toward Fairyland Canyon. The descent either direction is generally moderate, but keep in mind that after reaching the lowest elevation at Tower Bridge, one must ascend over 1000 feet back to the rim. The sun can be intense and there is little shade on the trail so remember to bring plenty of water and protective clothing. Along the way admire the odd formations and the many windows formed by erosion as well as the delicately balanced spires that make Bryce such a special place. There are some short spur trails that offer fine platforms for photo opportunity along the entire path. Be sure to gaze at the Chinese Wall that can be seen by peering through the larger of the windows present. Be respectful and stay on the trail unless there is a well established path to a viewpoint.
Tower Bridge - If you are hiking from Fairyland Point, Tower Bridge is roughly halfway through the hike, whether hiking clockwise or counterclockwise. There is a shaded area at this structure making for an excellent picnic and rest area before beginning the ascent back up to the rim.
This article by Bo and Tanya was published in the Today in Dixie Magazine
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