The Queen's Garden and Navajo Loop combination is the walk most first-time visitors to Bryce Canyon are steered toward, and the National Park Service describes it the same way: a moderate, 2.9-mile loop that drops from the rim into the amphitheater and climbs back out. From Provo the park is roughly a four-hour drive, so the hike is usually the centerpiece of an overnight rather than a stop on the way through. Our Bryce Canyon guide covers the drive and the rest of the park.
Quick facts
| Item | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Combination loop | 2.9 miles, 2 to 3 hours, 625 feet of gain | NPS |
| Queen's Garden | 1.8 miles round trip, 450 feet of gain, from Sunrise Point | NPS |
| Navajo Loop | 1.3 miles round trip, 515 feet of gain, from Sunset Point | NPS |
| Rim Trail link | 0.5 mile, easy | NPS |
| Difficulty | Moderate | NPS |
| Dogs | Not allowed (service animals are) | NPS |
| Entrance | $35 per vehicle, $20 on foot or bike, no cash | NPS |
The route, step by step
The NPS recommends hiking clockwise whichever trailhead you start from. Start at Sunrise Point and descend Queen's Garden, which the NPS lists at a typical grade of 11% and a maximum of 25%. At the bottom you join the Navajo Loop and climb to Sunset Point by one of its two sides, Two Bridges or Wall Street. Then walk the 0.5 mile of Rim Trail back to your car at Sunrise Point. The NPS says Thor's Hammer is visible from the Rim Trail near Sunset Point and that you can see it closer by walking a few switchbacks down the Two Bridges side.
The Navajo Loop on its own has a typical grade of 14% and a maximum of 30%, on firm native sediment, and the NPS says plainly that it is not an accessible trail.
Wall Street and winter
This is the detail that changes plans most often. The NPS says Two Bridges is open year-round, while Wall Street closes during winter months when precipitation combines with freezing overnight temperatures. In winter you can hike Two Bridges out and back or pair it with other trails. The NPS also strongly recommends traction devices in winter. The conditions page we read did not list any closure for these trails, and it directs visitors to the park's Alerts section and the visitor center for trail updates, so check there the morning of your hike. If your drive includes mountain passes, see our winter driving and traction law guide.
Altitude
The NPS puts the park at roughly 8,000 to more than 9,000 feet, and warns that altitude sickness can affect even mild exertion. Utah Valley sits near 4,500 feet, so the climb out of the amphitheater will feel harder than the same gain at home. Go slowly, carry water, and wear hiking boots with ankle support and good traction, as the NPS advises.
Parking, shuttle and facilities
Both viewpoints have lots that fill quickly, and the NPS says oversized vehicles are not allowed there during shuttle hours and that vehicles over 20 feet are restricted in the amphitheater area. The free shuttle runs April through mid-October; the 2026 schedule on the NPS shuttle page ends Oct. 18, with Sunset Point as stop 11 and Sunrise Point as stop 13. Sunset Point has year-round accessible restrooms and a year-round water fill at the restroom.
Cost
A private vehicle is $35, a motorcycle $30, and a person on foot or bicycle $20, with youth 15 and under free. An America the Beautiful annual pass is $80 for US residents. Non-US residents 16 and older pay an extra $100 per person unless they hold an annual pass. The park does not accept cash. Neither trail has a separate fee or reservation.
Who should skip it
Anyone whose doctor has limited exertion at altitude should decide before descending, since the climb is sustained. People with dogs need another plan, because pets are not allowed on these trails. Families with small children can walk the rim viewpoints and a short stretch of Two Bridges instead of the full loop.
Related on Provo.com
- Bryce Canyon from Provo
- The Utah national parks from Provo, ranked
- Capitol Reef from Provo
- Zion in winter: what's open
- Utah winter driving, traction law and chains
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the Queen's Garden and Navajo Loop combination?
Which direction should I hike it?
Is Wall Street open in winter?
How hard is it?
Are dogs allowed on these trails?
Do I need a reservation or a separate permit?
Does the shuttle run in November?
Where are the restrooms and water?
Sources
The facts in this guide were checked against these sources. Hours, fees and rules change, so confirm anything time-sensitive with the source before you go. How we make Provo.com.
- Queen's Garden & Navajo Combination, National Park Service. Checked November 3, 2026.
- Navajo Loop Trail, National Park Service. Checked November 3, 2026.
- Queen's Garden Trail, National Park Service. Checked November 3, 2026.
- Fees & Passes, Bryce Canyon, National Park Service. Checked November 3, 2026.
- Shuttle, Bryce Canyon, National Park Service. Checked November 3, 2026.
