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Inspiration Point

4.8 (21 reviews)

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Greg F.

By far the best viewpoint at Bryce Canyon. I felt like I was on another planet. There are 3 levels. I did this stop first then did the navajo loop after. The shuttles come around every 15 minutes.

Just after sunrise - Dec 2020
Lane T.

One of several viewpoints in Bryce Canyon National Park - Inspiration Point is located between Sunset Point and Bryce Point and is connected to each via Rim Trail. Visitors must use the same turnoff for Bryce Point and go left at the Y/fork in the road to reach Inspiration Point's parking lot. Inspiration Point is beautiful any time of day and especially at sunrise and sunset. What sets it apart from other viewpoints is that it has three overlook platforms - each at slightly different elevations. The top platform requires a steep trek to reach - especially in snow - but is well worth the energy to get up there for the views! From Inspiration Point visitors can see Wall of Windows, the Cathedral (both also viewable closer up from Peekaboo Loop Trail), and Silent City. I'm a bit hesitant to share this...I especially enjoyed watching sunset here because we found parking easier, multiple platforms to take in the views, and a less crowded situation than would have likely been the case at the overlook named "Sunset" Overlook. This overlook provided a breathtakingly beautiful beginning and end to our first visit to Bryce Canyon National Park.

Sign leading to the point from the rim trail.
Tony H.

If you have the time I'd recommend hiking the entire rim trail (a little over 4 & 1/2 from what my watch tracked) from Sunrise/Sunset Point to Bryce point just to check out all the views from above. But if you have limited time this is one of the spots I'd recommend driving or taking the shuttle to just to check out the views and get some really good panoramic pictures. Inspiration point is just short of a mile and a half hike to Bryce Point which is another area to get some good views and photos, and Bryce point actual has a trail that leads down to the lower rim where you can get a ground level view of the hoodoos.

Yuko H.

If I have to pick one view point at the Bryce, that will be here Inspiration Point. If your time is limited, I suggest coming close to the sunset time. Hoodoos when highlighted by the sun creates that perfect color for photo shooting. We came back to the park after early dinner for the sunset time photo shooting and the color I saw here became my favorite.

People setting up their cameras for sunrise
TheLuxuryLowdownBlog L.

First time to Bryce Canyon during the winter. Always visited during the summer months so this was all new. We wanted to wake up early one day to take pictures of the sunrise and we're debating on Inspiration Point or Bryce Point. In the end, we chose Inspiration and glad we did. Inspiration Point has three viewpoints: Lower, Middle, and Upper. We went straight to Upper. The hike was short, but steep. Since there was snow and ice on the ground, it was really slippery going up. Once we got there, three other photographers were already there setting up their cameras. Plenty of room for more, but if you want a shot of the main hoodoos, then get there early. We got there around 6:20 a.m. and had no problems. If you're interested, I wrote an in-depth blog post with more details and pictures (https://www.theluxurylowdown.com/bryce-canyon-inspiration-point-at-sunrise/). Overall, totally worth waking up early and watching the sunrise. Warning... it is extremely cold out at the overlook. We didn't account for the wind chill and we were kind of dying. You are out on a ledge and there is nothing protecting you from the wind. Make sure you are wearing enough thermals and wind-resistant outerwear!

Some total a__holes defacing our national parks
Anrana S.

This is probably the most popular view point in the whole park. Accessible via shuttle bus, car, or via the rim trail from the amphitheater. Views here are perfect for both sunrise and sunset photos. There are actually 3 separate viewing platforms here. The highest is a short (in distance, long in time) uphill walk did I mention uphill??? Tons of people. All with a tripod. Trying to get the perfect shot. Pushing you out of their way since they are entitled to the perfect shot and you are not.

Sign off trail
Bill J.

Another great place to view the Amphitheater in Bryce Canyon. We hiked here from Bryce Point, 1.3 miles one way, and it was a good hike with some sections that were a bit narrow with drop offs in both directions. But we were glad to get here and back for the views.

Sunrise at Bryce Canyon
Michael N.

I don't care what you had planned... Wake up, get your camera, and watch the Sunrise at Inspiration Point! The pictures speak for themselves, but the miraculous moment when the sun peeks over the mountain and touches the amphitheater, the hoodoos go from a dull reddish white to a vibrant orange and you realize you are witnessing one of nature's most alluring spectacles. All of Bryce Canyon is ideal for sunrise based on the fact that the amphitheater is facing the east, but the vantage you will have from here is the best in the park! Make sure to come back to Inspiration Point for star gazing, as it is one of the features Bryce Canyon really tries to advertise and for good reason. For many of us that come from light polluted cities, it is a rare occasion to see the stars so vividly.

Patrick W.

The most distinguishing feature of Bryce Canyon National Park are its hoodoos. From the rim of the canyon, the many hoodoos below look like an amphitheater. You can drive right to each lookout point. Of course, it is the most popular way to see the park. When it is busy at the park and you do not get there early enough or are not lucky, there is a shuttle around the park you can take to each spot. The first point shortly after the entrance of the park is Sunrise Point. In terms of driving, the lookout points are close together. After Sunrise Point, you will pass Sunset Point, Inspiration Point, and finally Bryce Point. Sunrise and Sunset Points are very close to each other. Accordingly, you can park at either lot to walk to and see both spots. If you wanted to walk or run the full trail to each point and back, it would be 11 miles round trip. However, time and effort is better spent hiking into the Canyon. Nevertheless, it is definitely worth stopping by each lookout point to view the Amphitheater from different elevations and angles at the rim. Naturally, there is not a bad lookout point. Bryce Point is the highest of the four at an elevation of 8,296 feet. Nevertheless, most people will attest that Inspiration Point is the best lookout point. I agree with that opinion. You are directly over the bulk of the hoodoos as they are immediately below you. It truly is an inspiring point in the park that allows one to soak in the beauty. It absolutely earns its name. f you can wake up in the morning, sunrise is the more majestic experience. The sun will ascend above the mountains in the distance then light up the Amphitheater as if a light switch was turned on for a show. Not surprisingly, most visitors were at Sunrise Point when I went to see it. That spot has a more direct line of sight to the sun as it rises above the mountains. A few people and I positioned ourselves at Inspiration Point. I walked a little bit left of it to place myself directly above a lot of the hoodoos. I preferred that spot. At Sunrise Point, you are actually in front of all the hoodoos. You are viewing the still beautiful but less scenic area east of the canyon with the hoodoos behind you. At Inspiration Point, you get a view of the hoodoos and the sun rising all in one sight line. If you are visiting and planning a trip to Bryce Canyon and looking for recommendations, feel free to message me for my itinerary. You can also find the electronic copy through the link my profile.

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So Purdy. Definite must see at some point in your life. Great spot for photos.

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Review Highlights - Inspiration Point

Bryce Canyon has only one entrance/exit so from the Visitor Center this would be the third point of interest.

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Fairyland Loop Trail - Fairyland Canyon looking southeast at north end of the hike

Fairyland Loop Trail

(21 reviews)

Beautiful view of Bryce Canyon. We came here around sunset to take a first look at Bryce Canyon…read more There's a nice path along the rim with trails down to the valley below. We walked part of the way down.

This Fairyland Loop Trail is simply epic!!! Well, the sights and surroundings of Fairyland Trail…read morewithin Bryce Canyon NP are just fantastic! And if this Fairyland Loop Trail is the only hike you do at Bryce Canyon...it'll definitely be good enough. Alright, lol...I'll stop my gushing about being here in Fairyland...let me give you some details. The first time I visited Bryce Canyon NP a few years back...my most memorable moment came from a pair hiking trails that combined into one round trip loop. At the time, I highly considered it my favorite trail of all time!!! This path is known as...the Queen's Garden Navajo Loop Trail for 3 miles! The combination of the Queen's Garden and Navajo Loops are symbolic of the wondrous terrain that makes Bryce Canyon NP so famous. But...now here for my 2nd visit to Bryce...the Queen's Garden Navajo Loop was closed because of raining and flooding that had been going on this past summer of 2021. But not to fret, lol...here comes Fairyland! At the Visitors Center in the front of the park...I asked park rangers what other hikes they would recommend as a substitute and the consensus was this Fairyland Loop Trail. And the park rangers were precise. In fact, when I compare Queens Garden/Navajo Loop and this Fairyland Trail...they're almost copycats of each other exploring around the one of a kind hoodoos landscape. Fairyland Loop Trail is 8 miles round trip with an elevation gain of about 1500 feet. Though once you descend into the canyon...the trail has small little ups and downs until you finally decide to trek back up and out of the Amphitheater to the Overlook Rim area. It's only really at this point heading uphill where the pathway gets difficult. You don't have to hike all of the 8 miles of Fairyland Loop. I only went about halfway, but I promise you...along just 4 miles of the hike...I stopped a countless number of times for pictures! I was so in awe of the setting here in the heart of Bryce. Honestly, lol, I think I had chills the entire way. I was thinking, it's really hard for me to pinpoint and describe what I was looking at...so I'm going to paraphrase briefly from the website utah.com/hiking/bryce-canyon-national-park/fairyland-loop-trail..... "The Fairyland Loop Trail in Bryce Canyon National Park takes hikers from Fairyland Point on the rim, down into the amphitheaters and labyrinths, among the hoodoos and spires, and through deep, stone canyons of pink, white, and tan". Couldn't have said it better myself! Just some last points about this 5 star hike.... - When I first started hiking into the canyon, the trail was packed with visitors and it was difficult to grab pictures by myself. But...once I sauntered past the Tower Bridge section...the pathway cleared out and I had the sights mostly to myself. - ***Here's a real terrific hidden gem....During my explorations at Bryce I discovered a secondary/under the radar trailhead area for accessing this Fairyland Loop Trail. When you first drive into Bryce NP between the entrance sign and the fee station, there's a road you can turn onto which will lead you 1 mile towards Fairyland Canyon and Point. It is here where you can also pick up this Fairyland Trail (or even catch the Rim Overlook path if interested). But what's best about finding this 1 mile road right near the entrance...is that you can park right up at the trailhead! And there were plenty of available spaces when I arrived (btw, parking is extremely congested in the popular areas of Bryce). I'd definitely suggest keeping this in mind. You will not be disappointed the setting is perfect and it smacks you in the face real fast! You hardly have to hike to feel rewarded! - I found that checking out all the different overlooks and observation points throughout the park wasn't worthwhile. To understand Bryce...you have to do hiking!!! It's imperative!!! If you simply drive to every vista point, you're doing yourself a disservice and won't get the most out of your Bryce Canyon experience. Finally, I can't recommend this Fairyland Loop Trail enough! Actually, I'd insist on hiking both Queens Garden Navajo Loop and Fairyland. You'll be guaranteed to be immersed in colorful hoodoo mania! And I believe you'll fully grasp why I rank Bryce Canyon in my Top 5 of prettiest national parks in the United States.

Peek-a-boo & Spooky Slot Canyon - Desert Skies

Peek-a-boo & Spooky Slot Canyon

(16 reviews)

Let me set the record straight, slot canyons are my jam! I will go anywhere there is an opportunity…read moreto walk, shimmy, or rappel into a slot canyon. I just think they are the most interesting Mother Nature created places to explore. We came here on a July 4th holiday with some friends of my husbands. The road out here can be rough in spots and does require a 4X4 to get out here, but we made it safely to the canyon. These slot canyons are located within the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument in the beautiful state of Utah. This land is run by the BLM. Talk about beautiful! The canyon walls with their orange/red colored Navajo sandstone just envelopes you as you walk through this slot canyons. So many twists and turns with lots of crevices to peer or climb into. Be sure to pack plenty of water, sunscreen, good trail shoes (not Skechers HA! HA!), a hat and a small pack so you can move through the slot canyons comfortably. Both of these canyons are so worth the drive and the time. Most of all remember to Leave No Trace. Happy Adventuring!

We couldn't get into Peek-a-book Slot Canyon. The entrance is close to 15 feet up and a near…read morevertical approach in three pitches. The rock is slippery with just a hint of footholds. I probably could have gotten up, but don't think I could make it back down safely. The picture attached shows about 20 feet vertically. And not wanting to do Spooky I would have had to come back down that way. A long drive and a bit of a hot hike to find that out. There was a third slot canyon nearby that is easy to access, though not nearly as spectacular as, say, Antelope Canyon near Page, Arizona.

Willis Creek - My kid is at the top lying on his stomach after making his own path.

Willis Creek

(3 reviews)

This review is for the Willis Creek Slot Canyon Trail. I've heard of them but never been to one,…read moreand we decided to stop here on the way home to our rental. To get to the trail head, you have to drive in on an unpaved five or so mile road which is scary at times. Make sure you have clearance for your car like the sign says before coming. Our Toyota 4Runner made it through without any problems. After what seems like an eternity because you can't go fast, we got to the head. There's a sign-in book for names, where you're from, and if you're a day or evening/overnight group. Now off to the Slot Canyon! This trail is marked as easy. It's mostly gravel rocks and little steps. My son the adventurous one wanted and did make his own excursion from what others surely have done before. Since it was late afternoon, we decided on a half hour in and then a turn around. The major slot canyon is pretty close to the start of the trail, and it's rather epic. The rocks are so smooth and it can be peaceful in there. I believe because of the remoteness of the canyon, it never seems to be crowded. I would recommend honking shoes, not sneakers, and appropriate clothing for the sun that will bear down on you. Bring lots of water. Watch out for the horse poop! If we weren't so exhausted after a long day, we probably would have hiked along the trail much longer than a half hour, but we definitely got the flavor we were looking for. Have you ever been to an amusement park like Disney where they create mountains and rocks? I can say I've been to the real deal and it's much better.

Beautiful and special place. Watch out for horse poop up and down the creek. Hike is short and…read moreeasy. The drive up was sketchy, I wouldn't attempt in a 2 wheel drive. We drove an all wheel drive suv and made it. We loved it.

Inspiration Point - hiking - Updated May 2026

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