Hiking the Navajo Loop Trail in Bryce Canyon + Peekaboo Loop

When we arrived at Bryce Canyon, we didn’t really understand just how unique this landscape would be. Photos don’t quite prepare you for it. Standing at the rim, looking out over thousands of hoodoos rising from the canyon floor, felt completely different in person.

The next day, we wanted a hike that would take us down into the amphitheater, not just admire it from above. After looking at the options, we chose the Navajo Loop Trail and decided to combine it with the Peekaboo Loop Trail to create a longer loop.

It turned out to be one of the most memorable hikes of our entire Utah trip.

If you’re visiting Bryce Canyon for the first time, this is the hike we would recommend starting with.

Quick Answer

The Navajo Loop Trail in Bryce Canyon is a 1.3-mile loop, but many hikers combine it with the Peekaboo Loop Trail for a 2.5–3 mile hike. The trail is considered moderate due to steep switchbacks, especially climbing out of the canyon. It typically takes 2–3 hours to complete.

Note: This hike combines the Navajo Loop Trail with the Peekaboo Trail to create a longer and more immersive route through Bryce Canyon.

Why We Chose This Hike

With limited time in Bryce Canyon, we wanted to choose a hike that would give us more than just a quick loop. The Navajo Loop Trail immediately stood out because of its location in the heart of the Bryce Amphitheater and its reputation as one of the park’s most iconic hikes.

But instead of keeping it short, we decided to extend the experience.

Many hikers combine the Navajo Loop with the Queens Garden Trail, which is a great option for a first visit. For us, we wanted something a little longer that would take us deeper into the canyon and away from the heavier crowds along the main routes.

That’s what led us to add the Peekaboo Trail.

By combining Navajo Loop with Peekaboo, we turned a shorter hike into a more immersive experience, moving through multiple sections of the canyon and seeing a wider variety of hoodoos and formations along the way. It gave us a better sense of just how vast and unique Bryce Canyon really is.

Parking and Shuttle Information

Parking can be one of the biggest challenges at Bryce Canyon, especially during the busy summer months. We arrived early and were able to find a spot in the designated RV parking area near Sunset Point. The lot was much larger than the standard parking lots, but it filled up surprisingly quickly as the morning progressed.

Although the RV parking area is not as close to the rim as the standard vehicle parking lots, it is still within easy walking distance of Sunset Point and the Navajo Loop Trailhead. For us, the extra walk was a small price to pay for having a place to park Alice without worrying about tight spaces or vehicle length restrictions.

If the parking lots are full when you arrive, Bryce Canyon’s seasonal shuttle system is an excellent alternative. The free shuttle stops at many of the park’s most popular viewpoints and trailheads, including Sunset Point and Sunrise Point. Using the shuttle can save time, reduce congestion, and eliminate the frustration of searching for a parking space during peak visitation periods.

Our recommendation is simple: arrive early if you plan to drive directly to the trailhead. The early morning light is beautiful, temperatures are cooler, and you’ll have the best chance of securing a parking spot before the crowds arrive.

Wall Street Closure Note

One of the highlights of the Navajo Loop Trail is the famous Wall Street section, where the trail winds between towering canyon walls before climbing a series of steep switchbacks back to the rim. However, hikers should be aware that Wall Street is not always open.

During the winter months, the National Park Service often closes the Wall Street section because of ice, snow, or the potential for falling rocks. When this happens, hikers can still complete the Navajo Loop using the nearby Two Bridges route, which reconnects with the main trail.

Before your visit, check current trail conditions on the Bryce Canyon National Park website or stop by the visitor center for the latest updates. A temporary closure won’t ruin the hike, but it may change your route and the scenery you’ll experience along the way.

What to Bring

Even though the Navajo Loop and Peekaboo Trail combination is not an all-day hike, it is more demanding than it appears from the rim. Bryce Canyon sits at over 8,000 feet in elevation, and the dry desert air can leave you dehydrated more quickly than expected.

We recommend bringing:

• Plenty of water – There is very little shade on much of the route, especially on Peekaboo Trail.
• Good hiking shoes – The trails are well maintained, but loose gravel and steep switchbacks can make footing slippery in places.
• Sun protection – A hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen are essential, particularly during the summer months.
• Snacks or a light lunch – The Peekaboo extension adds both distance and elevation gain, making this more than a casual stroll.
• Camera or smartphone – The hoodoos, towering canyon walls, and panoramic viewpoints provide some of the best photo opportunities in Bryce Canyon.
• Trekking poles (optional) – Helpful on the steep climb back to the rim, especially for hikers with knee concerns.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the Navajo Loop Trail?

The Navajo Loop Trail by itself is approximately 1.3 miles long. Our route combined Navajo Loop with the Peekaboo Trail, creating a hike of roughly 5 miles that took us about four hours to complete, including time for photos and breaks.

Is the Navajo Loop Trail difficult?

Most hikers consider the Navajo Loop Trail moderately difficult. The descent into the canyon is relatively easy, but the climb back to the rim includes steep switchbacks that can be challenging, especially at Bryce Canyon’s elevation of over 8,000 feet.

Can you combine Navajo Loop and Peekaboo Trail?

Yes. That’s exactly what we did. After descending into the canyon on Navajo Loop, we connected to the Peekaboo Trail for a longer and more immersive hike through Bryce Canyon’s hoodoo-filled landscape. The combination adds both distance and elevation gain but provides a more complete canyon experience.

Where do you park for the Navajo Loop Trail?

Most visitors park near Sunset Point, which is the primary trailhead for the Navajo Loop. Bryce Canyon also provides a designated RV parking area within walking distance of the trailhead. During busy periods, the park’s shuttle system offers convenient access to Sunset Point and other popular locations.

Is Wall Street open year-round?

No. The Wall Street section of the Navajo Loop Trail is often closed during winter because of ice, snow, or falling rock hazards. When Wall Street is closed, hikers can typically use the Two Bridges route as an alternate path.

What is the best time to hike the Navajo Loop Trail?

Early morning is the best time to hike. Temperatures are cooler, parking is easier to find, and the morning light creates beautiful colors on the hoodoos and canyon walls. Starting early also helps avoid the crowds that build throughout the day.

Is the Navajo Loop and Peekaboo combination worth it?

Absolutely. While many visitors choose the popular Navajo Loop and Queens Garden combination, we enjoyed adding Peekaboo Trail because it took us deeper into the canyon and away from some of the heavier crowds. It required more effort, but the scenery and solitude made it one of our favorite hikes in Bryce Canyon.

Who Is This Hike For?

The Navajo Loop and Peekaboo Trail combination is a great choice for hikers who want to experience more than just the viewpoints along Bryce Canyon’s rim. By combining two of the park’s most scenic trails, you’ll spend several hours exploring the canyon floor, winding through towering hoodoos, and climbing back to the rim via the famous Wall Street switchbacks.

This hike is a good fit for:

• First-time visitors who want a deeper Bryce Canyon experience
• Active hikers looking for a moderate challenge
• Photographers who enjoy dramatic rock formations and changing light
• Families with older children who are comfortable hiking several miles
• Travelers who want to escape some of the crowds found on the rim trails

This hike may not be the best choice for:

• Visitors with limited mobility
• Anyone uncomfortable with steep climbs or switchbacks
• Travelers who are not accustomed to Bryce Canyon’s high elevation
• Families with very young children who may struggle with the distance and elevation gain

We found the biggest challenge wasn’t the distance but the steady climb back to the rim. The combination of steep switchbacks and Bryce Canyon’s high elevation can leave hikers more winded than they expect.

Final Thoughts on the Navajo Loop and Peekaboo Trail

Of all the hikes we completed in Bryce Canyon National Park, the combination of Navajo Loop and Peekaboo Trail stands out as one of our favorites. It offered everything we hoped to experience during our first visit: towering hoodoos, winding canyon trails, dramatic viewpoints, and enough distance to feel like a true adventure without becoming an all-day commitment.

The famous Wall Street switchbacks were certainly a highlight, but what surprised us most was how much we enjoyed the quieter sections of Peekaboo Trail. Once we left the more heavily traveled areas near the rim, the crowds thinned and we had more opportunities to appreciate the scale and beauty of Bryce Canyon at our own pace.

If you’re looking for a hike that goes beyond the typical overlook experience, this route is well worth the effort. Just bring plenty of water, start early, and take your time on the climb back to the rim. The views along the way make every step worthwhile.

If you enjoy unique desert landscapes, you may also enjoy our hikes to Zebra Slot Canyon, Buckskin Gulch, and Delicate Arch in nearby Devil’s Garden in Arches National Park.

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If you’re planning a trip to Bryce Canyon or have already hiked the Navajo Loop, we’d love to hear your experience. Did you take the Queens Garden route or go straight down Wall Street? Drop a comment below and share your thoughts.