Bryce Canyon National Park is famous for the thousands of hoodoos – dramatic orange and pink sandstone pillars. If you’re planning your trip to Bryce Canyon, you’ll want to know where to find the best Bryce Canyon views.
The national park is not that big, but there are plenty of things to do and plenty of places with truly breathtaking views of the hoodoos, canyon and surrounding areas.
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The Bryce Canyon lookout points are spread out in three main areas: Fairyland Point, around Bryce Amphitheater and along the Southern Scenic Drive.
If you are planning to visit Bryce Canyon National Park by yourself, make your planning easy and stress free with a detailed itinerary. I have 1-, and 2-day itineraries for Bryce Canyon that include all the park highlights, give you choices based on your preferred activity level, and take all the stress out of planning your trip.
Best Views at Bryce Amphitheater
Bryce Amphitheater, nicknamed the ‘Silent City’, is the centerpiece of the national park. It’s a huge bowl-shaped amphitheater crammed with the largest concentration of hoodoos in the world.
There are four iconic overlooks around Bryce Amphitheater, plus another looking the other direction.
1. Sunrise Point, Bryce Canyon
Sunrise Point is the northernmost of the four major viewpoints that overlook the iconic Bryce Amphitheater. It’s slightly higher than the nearby Rim Trail, so there’s a 360° view. Despite its name, the views here are great any time of day. Or night – it’s also a great place for star gazing.
You have a bird’s eye view of all the hoodoos. You can also see sandstone fins that the hoodoos form from.
This is the start of the Queen’s Garden Trail. Read more details about this other Bryce Canyon hikes.
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Guide to the Best Viewpoints in Bryce Canyon
2. Sunset Point, Bryce Canyon
This is another of the four major viewpoints of Bryce Amphitheater and you will want to take some time to soak in the splendor. The hoodoos are gorgeous colors of pink, purple, orange, yellow, red, and white. Famous formations include Boat Mesa and Sinking Ship.
The Fairyland Loop descends int the canyon and connects the loop with the Rim Trail here. The Navajo Loop Trail also starts here, and if you want a short walk below the rim, head down the Two Bridges Trail just for a bit. This top section (before the switchbacks) has the best view of the famous Thor’s Hammer.
Bryce Canyon Sunset Point, despite its name, is great any time of day and is also a popular spot to see the sunrise.
3. Bryce Point, Bryce Canyon
The view from Bryce Canyon Point is often considered the best view in Bryce Canyon. The Southern Paiutes people call it “Red Rock Standing Like a Man in a Hole”. Looking north, you can see the full length of Bryce Amphitheater’s Silent City. Look out for Inspiration, Sunset, and Sunrise Points.
You can also see the Wall of Windows near Inspiration Point and the flat top of Boat Mesa in the distance. Look east and on a clear day you can see the town of Tropic in the Paria Valley nearly 3,000 feet below.
4. Inspiration Point, Bryce Canyon
This overlook has arguably the best views in Bryce Canyon. Along with Bryce Point, Inspiration Point provides a birds-eye view of Bryce Amphitheater. Soak in panoramic views of the largest collection of hoodoos in the world!
There are actually three viewpoints here over three levels. The views at the top level are the best.
5. Paria View, Bryce Canyon
Paria View is often considered the best place to watch sunset in Bryce Canyon because it faces the sun. There’s a very prominent castle-like hoodoo that is especially photogenic in the Golden Hour before sunset.
Keep an eye for Peregrine Falcons here, too. In late afternoon, you may also see mule deer, elk and even pronghorn antelopes in the nearby meadows.
Best Bryce Canyon Scenic Drive Viewpoints
While Bryce Amphitheater gets most of the attention (and crowds), there are several stunning viewpoints along the 18-mile scenic drive. You can read a full description of the drive here.
There aren’t as many hoodoos, but the views are generally more expansive and there an opportunity to see the many different colored layers of the Grand Staircase.
6. Rainbow Point, Bryce Canyon
Rainbow Point is at the far end of Bryce Canyon, at the end of the road. It’s also the highest point in the park.
There are a few hoodoos, but it’s also a great place to see the pink cliffs that the hoodoos form from. These Pink Cliffs are one of the steps in the Grand Staircase.
7. Natural Bridge, Bryce Canyon
The highlight here is the eponymous red-colored natural arch. This is how hoodoos start – eventually the top of the arch will collapse and the two sides will become hoodoos.
There’s also a small stand of Quaking Aspen in the southern corner of the parking lot.
8. Farview Point, Bryce Canyon
There are great views of the Grand Staircase from here. From north to south, you can see: the Aquarius Plateau (Pink Cliffs), the Kaiparowits Plateau (Grey Cliffs), Molly’s Nipple (White Cliffs), and even glimpses of the Kaibab Plateau/ North Rim of the Grand Canyon.
Keep an eye for Osprey. A pair of them nest at Tropic Reservoir and can often be seen flying here.
9. Swamp Canyon, Bryce Canyon
This is a relatively small canyon bound on both sides by fins and hoodoos. The Canyon gets its name because of the ‘wetland’ created by two tiny streams and a spring. There is water year-round, so grasses, irises, and willows grow there.
Other Best Viewpoints in Bryce Canyon
On the other side of Bryce Amphitheater are the youngest hoodoos in the park. They aren’t as huge or as well formed as some of the older hoodoos, but they are no less dramatic and beautiful. This area is less-visited, but becoming more popular all the time. It’s inaccessible to regular vehicular traffic in winter to provide for winter activities like cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
10. Fairyland Point, Bryce Canyon
This is the northern-most viewpoint in the national park and one of the best spots in Bryce Canyon to get away from the biggest crowds.
It overlooks the beautiful Fairyland Canyon. The young hoodoos will become even more ‘pillar-like’ as they erode more. The viewpoint is surrounded by ponderosa pine forest where you may see wild turkeys, deer and chipmunks.
You can stay at the top, but if you are feeling a little energetic, head down the Fairyland Loop Trail.
If you are planning to visit Bryce Canyon National Park by yourself, make your planning easy and stress free with a detailed itinerary. I have 1-, and 2-day itineraries for Bryce Canyon that include all the park highlights, give you choices based on your preferred activity level, and take all the stress out of planning your trip.
Bryce Canyon’s Best Views Map
Enjoy the Bryce Canyon views!
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Guide to the Best Viewpoints in Bryce Canyon
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About the author
James Ian is a national park, camping and hiking expert.
He has dedicated his life to travel, visiting more than 80 countries, all 7 continents and most of the national parks in the United States. With over 35 years experience in the travel industry, James has worked on cruise ships, at resorts and hotels, and as a travel planner who’s helped hundreds of people plan successful trips to US national parks.
Based on his experience visiting our national parks multiple times, in-depth research and expertise as a travel planner, James has published detailed itineraries for most of the major national parks in the US. These itineraries, as well as in-depth park guides, comprehensive camping and hiking gear reviews and buying guides, and helpful packing lists and gift guides will help you have your own incredible trip to US national parks without stress and hassle.
As a national park expert, James has contributed to many publications, including USA Today, Time Business News, Savoteur, Best Trip, and Wired.
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