The Queen's Garden Trail leads hikers past wonderful rock formations, including Gulliver's Castle, the Queen's Castle and many that are unnamed. Man-made bridges are scattered throughout the trail. At the end is Queen Elizabeth's garden and the Queen herself, standing on a backward facing camel, calling out orders to the ships in the garden. The queen can also be seen from Sunrise Point.
At a Glance Photo album:Queen's Garden Pictures Topo map:Queen's Garden Trail Map General map:Bryce Canyon Trail Map Day hike: Yes Distance: 1.8 miles round-trip Average hiking time: 2.5 hours Difficulty: The easiest trail that goes below the rim, but its considered to be a moderately difficult trail by the NPS. Sun exposure: Full Sun Permits: Not required. Trail conditions: Wide sandy trail. Trailhead: Sunrise Point Trailend: Same as trailhead Trail access: Limited due to winter snow Best season: April to October Elevation gain: Steady 320' descent and 320' climb back out. Water availability: None, bring your own.
Queen's Garden Trail - The trailhead is .4 miles past the Bryce Canyon Visitor Center. Ride the shuttle or park in the Sunrise Point parking area and hike up to Sunrise Point. From Sunrise Point look out in the distance at the sloping group of hoodoos. This unique canted plateau is called the Sinking Ship. Violent tectonic activity, 15 million years ago, rose the Paunsaugunt Plateau and drug sections of rock along the faults. Also, in the distance is the Aquarius Plateau, the highest plateau in North America, 2000' higher than the Paunsaugunt Plateau. Begin at Sunrise Point and follow the wide trail down below the rim. The Sinking Ship and Aquarius Plateau are seen in the distance. The path will wind through man-made tunnels, past the junction with the Navajo Loop Trail, to the Queen's Garden. Sit in the shade of the trees at the trails end and make out the shape of the queen's dress as it billows, and gently touches the rocks below.
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 Utah Highway 9 through Hurricane and to the only stop light in LaVerkin. Turn right at the stop light. Continue on Highway 9 to the south entrance of Zion National Park. Drive through Zion to the junction of UT 9 and US 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.
Queen's Garden Trail in Bryce Canyon is perhaps the most popular trail in the park, and as you can see from this sign, it intercepts with other Bryce Canyon hikes. The path passes along a multitude of magical design and nature has left behind rock formations that boggle the mind with their stature and originality.
Lodging and services are available on the gorgeous east side of Zion National Park, where guests are close to Zion National Park (12 miles), Bryce Canyon National Park (60 miles), Cedar Breaks National Monument (45 miles), Coral Pink Sand Dunes (12 miles), and the North Rim of the Grand Canyon (85 miles). It's where city traffic is absent and the skies are bright and clean.
Queen's Garden Options - Begin at Navajo Loop and descend the steep trail into Wall Street. Climb back out via the Queen's Garden Trail. 3.5 miles one way for the combined trails.
Connecting Trails - Queen's Garden, Navajo Loop and the Peekaboo Trail interconnect.
Mileage from
Mt. Carmel Jct.
Zion National Park 12
Bryce Canyon 60
Grand Canyon 85
Cedar Breaks 45
Grand Staircase 9
Dixie Forest 22
Sand Dunes 11
Coyote Butte 57
Red Canyon 47
Tuweep 90
Stay in the heart of the parks, Mount Carmel Junction, and visit the treasures of the Southwest and Utah.
This is my new favorite quote:
"I don't know who Mary Cisneros is, but I mean zionnational-park.com
It's a better site than the NPS's anyway."
Written by the authors of the book: Favorite Hikes in and around Zion National Park
Contact Mary to report errors: