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Bryce Canyon is one of the many National Parks you just have to see on your trip in Utah. The park is most famous for its geological formations, like the tall hoodoos. The bright orange colors and amazing amphitheater lookouts, makes Bryce Canyon a park that’s worth your visit. The Queens garden/Navajo Loop trail is the most popular trail in Bryce Canyon. It’s relatively short and has a surprising and jaw-dropping end: wall street. We will give you all the information you need to get ready for this popular trail.
Article contents
The highlights of the Navajo Loop trail
What to expect of the Navajo Loop trail
What to bring and wear on your hike
Potential dangers on the trail
General information
Distance: 2.9 mi / 4.6 km
Duration: 2-3 hours
Classification: Moderate
Elevation gain: 600 ft / 183 m
Best time to hike: Year round. Wall Street is closed during the winter months.
The highlights of the Navajo Loop trail
- Thor’s Hammer
- Queen Victoria at the bottom of the Queens Garden trail
- Wall Street
- The lookouts (sunset point, sunrise point)
What to expect of the Navajo Loop trail
The Navajo Loop trail is the most popular trail in Bryce Canyon, so you can expect a good amount of people on the trail. We visited Bryce Canyon during the covid-19 pandemic, so the park wasn’t as busy as usual. Still, there were lots of people on the Navajo Loop trail.
The start of the trail
The trail starts at Sunset point, where you will hike a short distance to Sunrise point. From there you will make the descent to the Queens Garden trail. The Queens Garden trail is one way to enter the canyon from the rim. You will see lots of hoodoo’s, which can all look like a garden (use your imagination!). Also, you can spot Thor’s hammer on this part of the trail!
The Queens Garden trail is all downhill, so this won’t be too difficult. You will find shaded parts on the trail and nice spots for some good photo’s. Look out for Queen Victoria at the bottom of the trail. Unfortunately, we did not see her on our hike!
Wall Street
After the Queens Garden trail, you will enter Wall Street. And WOW! This is the highlight of the Navajo Loop trail in Bryce Canyon. Wall Street is a slot canyon, a long and narrow channel with rock walls. Wall Street is so narrow, that direct daylight only shines through the canyon when it’s midday. Did we mention that Wall Street is the only slot canyon in Bryce Canyon?
The temperature immediately feels cooler and you might hear echo sounds from the voices of all the visitors in the slot canyon. You are guaranteed to make amazing pictures on this part of the Navajo Loop trail.
Steep switchbacks
Finally, you will walk a steep way up on sandy switchbacks. I definitely had to stop several times on the switchbacks, but the views are incredible as you catch your breath! You will encounter people that descend from Sunset point to Wall Street, which is possible. However, the National Park Service does not recommend taking this route when hiking the Navajo Loop trail. It is supposedly less safe and less scenic as compared to hiking down the Queens Garden trail and hiking up Wall Street.
You will end the trail at your starting point, which is Sunset Point. You will most likely need a small break after walking up the switchbacks! It doesn’t hurt to have another look at the views at Sunset Point.
Are you heading out to Zion National Park after Bryce Canyon and loving the switchbacks? Check out our Angels Landing trail experience!
What to bring and wear on your hike
- Enough (electrolyte) fluids! Denny and I brought 4 liters of fluids on this trail for the both of us.
- A light daypack
- Sunscreen. The trail has exposed parts of which the desert sun is shining away on your precious skin!
- Sun protective clothing. Think of a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses and UPF+50 clothing.
- Snacks and food. We brought nuts, sandwiches, licorice and cliff bars.
- Small medical kit. You never know!
Potential dangers on the trail
We all want to have more adventures in all of the other National Parks, so safety is important! Here are some things to look out for and think about when you hike in Bryce Canyon.
Navajo Loop trail no-no’s
- Heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Don’t over exert yourself and stay hydrated. We always bring one or two cold packs on hikes with lots of sun exposure and heat. Denny has a tendency to feel woozy and lightheaded, as he sweats while walking on the hike. Electrolyte drinks are also a must-have for us on hikes with heat and sun exposure.
- Underestimating the extreme weather differences. Hey, it’s the desert! It can get really hot, but also really cool! Check the weather before you hike to be better prepared.
- Lightning! There is a year-round possibility for lightning in Bryce Canyon, especially during the summer storms. Click here for more information about what to do when lightning strikes in the park.
- Climbing or sliding. The rocks and cliffs in Bryce Canyon are crumbly and with gravel. Beware as a sturdy looking rock, will not be as sturdy as you think. By the way, climbing rocks and sliding slopes is illegal.
- Do not leave the trail. You can get a map of all the trails in Bryce Canyon at the visitors center. We do not think it’s likely that you will get lost on the Navajo Loop trail, as the trail is popular and therefore populated.
- Aggressive animals. You will see cute chipmunks on the Navajo Loop trail and perhaps you will see more wildlife! It’s not advised to feed the animals. If you do, they might become aggressive and start chipping away at… you.
Let yourself be heard!
Do you see yourself hiking the Navajo Loop in Bryce Canyon? Also, let us know if you did see Queen Victoria if you have hiked this loop before. I can’t believe we missed her… oh well! Guess we have to go back to Bryce Canyon!
