Visiting The Breathtaking Hoodoos In Bryce Canyon In 2026
We have been to a lot of national parks, but the hoodoos in Bryce Canyon are some of the most otherworldly features we have ever seen. The alien landscape consists of an earthy desert palette with reds, oranges and yellows that jut towards the brilliant blue sky in bulbous towers and spires. Although the geology and monuments of Utah seem to change by the mile, the hoodoos in Bryce Canyon certainly top the list as some of the most unique. The word “hoodoo” literally means to bewitch and you will most definitely be bewitched by this jaw dropping natural wonder.
Hoodoos In Bryce Canyon
Bryce Canyon is part of the National Park system and is located in Utah in the Grand Staircase area. The hoodoos of Bryce Canyon are iconic, just as arches are the poster child for Arches National Park, so are the hoodoos of Bryce Canyon.
The park is open 8am-8pm May-September, 8am-6pm April-October and 8am-4:30pm November to March. You can purchase a 7 day vehicle pass which covers all parties in your car for $35 or if you are making the rounds to other national parks I would highly recommend getting the America the beautiful pass which you can find out more about on our resources page under the camping section.
The park offers a free shuttle that runs every 15 minutes to help get you from A to B faster and avoid having to find parking in the smaller lots. One thing to remember, pets are not allowed on the shuttle so if traveling with a furry friend you will need to park in one of the lots and walk.
Best Hoodoos Tour
If time is limited and you want to get the most information about the park you possibly can, I would suggest taking a guided tour. There are only so many signs with information you can read along the way and the guides are very knowledgeable and can offer a much more in-depth explanation of the geology, flora and fauna and also offer tips for hiking or other options to explore the park that you won’t get from placards alone.
A guided tour gives you a behind the scenes look at this incredible park. It is very reasonably priced and is conducted in a small group style which gives a more personal feel. There are several time slots to choose from, I would suggest the earliest you can handle, the better to avoid crowds in the park itself.
Click Here To Book A Bryce Canyon Tour
3 Best Spots To View The Hoodoos
So what are the best spots to view the hoodoos in Bryce Canyon, the can’t miss places you have to hit? Let’s review the options here so you can plan the perfect trip.
1. Sunrise Point
As mentioned before, hitting the park early, as close to opening time as possible is always a good move to help to avoid the crowds. Sunrise point is a perfect first stop as an early riser.
You can take in your first glimpse of the hoodoos at the parks northern most observation point and enjoy a morning cuppa (coffee, tea, whatever you like).
2. Inspiration Point
This is one of two bird’s eye viewpoints and it offers sweeping views of an entire amphitheater of hoodoos for your viewing pleasure.
Inspiration point can be reached by taking the shuttle from Sunrise point or you could check out an e-bike tour and cycle your way through all the best views with a guide.
Click Here To Book An E-Bike Tour
3. Sunset Point
Sunset point is at the opposite end of the rim walk from Sunrise point and is of course a wonder to behold at Sunset. Another place with a stellar rim walk is the Grand Canyon which we loved exploring in mid April on the same trip that we visited Bryce Canyon.
Both Sunrise and Sunset points are beautiful no matter the time of day and are easily walkable. Pets are welcome along the rim walk which is paved, and in all other paved areas of the park, on leash of course and please remember to clean up after your furry friends.
Know Before You Go
As you can see in the photos, there is snow on the ground in some places even in April, but it does get quite warm still. Planning what to bring/wear is important to consider before embarking on your trip.
Must haves include a day pack, layers like a long sleeve shirt or a packable puffy coat is always a great option.
There is a general store in the park but it can’t hurt to bring your own water, snacks, sunscreen and chapstick.
If you are planning to do any hikes the water and snacks are very important and you will also want to remember your favorite hiking shoes or boots as well.
Where To Stay Nearby
Depending on your preferred style of lodging there are lots of options to choose from. If you want to be as close as possible to Bryce Canyon National park, check out the budget option below which is located on National Park property. If exploring other parks and monuments, the mid range or luxury spots below are more centrally located so as to explore a larger region.
📍Best Budget Spot – Bryce Canyon North Campground: it is only $30 a night and has sites for RV’s or tents. It’s located close to the visitor center, the general store and hiking trails right IN the park.
📍Best Mid-Range Spot -Mountain Ridge Cabins: These cute air conditioned cabins are 24 miles from Bryce Canyon and 48 miles from Zion National Park if hitting up a few of the “big parks”Mighty 5” while in Utah.
📍Best Luxury Spot -Under Canvas glamping: Dining on site, daily s’mores, yoga, live music and more. It is centrally located with easy access to not only Bryce Canyon but also Capitol Reef National Park, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument and the Red Canyon Hoodoos.
FAQs
Let’s explore a few common questions about Bryce Canyon, the hoodoos-how they are formed and what the hiking situation is like.
What are hoodoos in Bryce Canyon?
So what is a hoodoo? The most basic description of a hoodoo is: a rock formation, generally in a column or pinnacle shape. These particular rock formations can be seen in Bryce Canyon and other places as well such as the Badlands or Goblin Valley State Park.
The stone monoliths are created mostly by ice and rain. Bryce Canyon is situated at an elevation that facilitates freezing 170 nights out of the year, that’s almost half the year that it dips below 32 degrees!
The ice and rain cause erosion of the rock walls, as the water seeps into the cracks and then freezes it then expands eroding the rock around it. The holes this process creates form windows and then full spires and eventually columns which result in the iconic “hoodoo” shapes.
Can you see Bryce Canyon without hiking?
Yes you can. All three lookout spots noted above require no hiking. Additionally there is an 18 mile scenic drive through the park which affords you many photo ops if you are unable to hike or just don’t enjoy it.
It will take about 40 minutes to drive all the way to the end of the scenic byway, and then on the way back all of the lookout stops will be on your right hand side.
If you do like to hike I would suggest the Queens Garden/Navajo trail which is 2.9 miles and you can begin from either sunrise or sunset point and descend into the canyon to view the hoodoos up close and personal. This is a moderate hike and will take 2-3 hours. Check out our return trip post for the details on an epic 3-day Bryce Canyon itinerary.
Where is the best place to see the hoodoos in Bryce Canyon?
The most centrally located and overall most expansive viewpoint is Bryce Point. The three lookout points we explored above Sunrise, Inspiration and Sunset point can all be seen from this vantage point and this is another “no hike” view point.
The Wrap Up
Whether you are on a National Parks tour or a trip to just one park, the hoodoos of Bryce Canyon should definitely make the list.
There are hiking, biking, or driving options to view the natural beauty of this magical place. You can enjoy camping within the park or glamping in nearby locations in one of the most beautiful states in the U.S.A.
What could be better than seeing breathtaking otherworldly hoodoos while learning about the geology, plant and animal life that thrives in this exquisite landscape?
If you have been thinking about diving into the National Parks I would highly recommend Bryce Canyon as your first stop, it will surely prove to be a bewitching experience.