Good for kids, the easiest trail into the canyon makes a gentle descent over sloping erosional fins. The moderate 1.8-mile out-and-back hike passes elegant hoodoo formations but stops short of the canyon floor. The trail is accessed from Sunrise Point, from where you follow signs to the trailhead off the Rim Trail.
Views of the amphitheater as you descend are superb – a maze of colorful rock spires extends to Bryce Point, and deep-green pines dot the canyon floor beneath undulating slopes seemingly tie-dyed pink, orange and white. As you drop below the rim, watch for the stark and primitive bristlecone pines, which at Bryce are about 1600 years old (specimens in California are 5000 years old). These ancient trees’ dense needles cluster like foxtails on the ends of the branches.
After a series of switchbacks, turn right and follow signs to Queen’s Garden. The short spur from the main trail passes through a tunnel and emerges among exceptionally beautiful hoodoo castles in striking whites and oranges amid rich-green pines. After looping around a high wall and passing through two more tunnels, bear right and follow signs to Queen Victoria. The trail’s namesake monarch peers down from a white-capped rock, perched atop her throne, lording over her kingdom.
On your return hike, you can follow the same route back to the rim or link up with the Navajo Loop via the Queen’s Garden Connecting Trail, which drops to the canyon floor.
