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Bryce Canyon: Fairyland Loop and Tower Bridge Trail

Bryce Canyon National Park is open throughout the year drawing over two-million visitors yearly from all around the globe. The majority of people arrive in the summer months, but Bryce is truly a park of all seasons. The park is only 38,385 acres and winding through that small space are fifty-miles of hiking trails. This phenomenal Utah national park is home to the most unusual and literally fantastic erosional forms on the planet. Few places on earth can boast of the stark first impression made as your eyes gaze upon the bizarre and unique land below the rim. Looking down among the vast array of misshapen hoodoos reveals jaw dropping views, but the true beauty of Bryce is found by venturing below the rim and hiking amidst the delicate structures and fabulously weird landscape. During warmer months you can wander through a labyrinth of erect spires positioned perfectly amid the sparse forest dotted with firs, juniper, ponderosa, and even ancient Bristlecone pines. The contrast of multicolored limestone, shaded canyon walls, green vegetation and a deep blue sky makes for some amazing photo opportunities. If winter travel is on the agenda, you will be rewarded with special photographic opportunities since the parks landscape only gets better as this magnificent cragged desert becomes iced with a subtle white layer of snow.

At a Glance
Photo album: Fairyland Loop Pictures
Trail map: Fairyland Loop Trail Map
Day hike: Yes
Distance: 7.6 round trip
Average hiking time: 4-8 hours
Equipment: Wear rugged shoes, sun protective clothing and bring emergency gear to include first aid supplies. Bring a minimum of 2-4 liters of water per person and high energy food and snacks.
Difficulty: Strenuous
Sun exposure: Full sun in most places.
Trail usage: Heavy
Permits: Not required.
Trail conditions: Generally speaking, the trail system is quite gentle, but don't be lured into a false sense of security. Travel can be very hazardous if one becomes lazy. The loose limestone scree on hard packed surfaces can be unstable.
Trailhead: Fairyland Point Trailhead.
Trailend: You will arrive at the rim near the general store, then you will need to walk north on the rim trail back to Fairyland Point.
Trail access: The 1 mile road to Fairyland Point is generally open year-round, however the road may be impassible due to heavy snowfall during winter months.
Best season: Summer, fall, spring.
Elevation: Trailhead: 7770 feet, Lowest Elevation: 7170 feet at Tower Bridge, Highest Point: 8150 feet at the Rim
Off the beaten path: No

Fairyland Loop - The very photogenic Fairyland Loop Trail begins at the Fairyland Point parking area just inside the park boundary or at Sunrise Point near the lodge. If starting the hike at Fairyland Point, it is not necessary to pass the fee booth and pay to get into this part of the park. The loop can be done either counterclockwise by hiking south along the rim toward Sunrise Point and then hiking east off the rim toward Campbell Canyon, or clockwise by hiking east immediately from the Fairyland Point parking area, and dropping down toward Fairyland Canyon. The descent either direction is generally moderate, but keep in mind that after reaching the lowest elevation at Tower Bridge, one must ascend over 1000 feet back to the rim. The sun can be intense and there is little shade on the trail so remember to bring plenty of water and protective clothing. Along the way admire the odd formations and the many windows formed by erosion as well as the delicately balanced spires that make Bryce such a special place. There are some short spur trails that offer fine platforms for photo opportunity along the entire path. Be sure to gaze at the Chinese Wall that can be seen by peering through the larger of the windows present. Be respectful and stay on the trail unless there is a well established path to a viewpoint.

Tower Bridge - If you are hiking from Fairyland Point, Tower Bridge is roughly halfway through the hike, whether hiking clockwise or counterclockwise. There is a shaded area at this structure making for an excellent picnic and rest area before beginning the ascent back up to the rim.

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. Bryce Canyon Road Map - Bryce Canyon Trail Map			Bryce Canyon's Fairyland Loop is an exploration of various types of red rock and hoodoos which connects with other trails within the park including the Navajo Loop trail. The hoodoos are highly photogenic.
	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.

GPS Coordinates WGS84 Datum

Trailhead
37°38.961N
112°08.852W

Tower Bridge Viewpoint
37°37.930N
112°08.649W

Junction with Rim Trail
37°37.914N
112°09.750W

Highest Point on Rim Trail
37°38.558N
112°09.793W

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Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah