Thinking about hiking the Navajo Loop Trail in Bryce Canyon National Park? You’re in for one of the park’s most iconic and rewarding experiences. This short but stunning trail plunges you down into the heart of Bryce Amphitheater, winding through narrow switchbacks, towering hoodoos, and surreal rock formations like Wall Street (yes, there’s a Wall Street in Bryce Canyon) and Thor’s Hammer.
If you’re looking for trail details, practical tips, and everything you need to know before you go—you’re in the right place.
Many visitors underestimate this trail because of its short distance, but the steep descent (and climb back up) can surprise even experienced hikers. Others miss out on the best views or come unprepared for the high desert conditions.
That’s why I created this guide—to help you avoid common mistakes and make the most of your Navajo Loop adventure. You’ll find a full trail breakdown, insider tips, gear recommendations, and everything you need to hike safely and confidently.
Whether it’s your first time at Bryce or you’re returning for another look from below the rim, this post is for hikers, photographers, and nature lovers who want to see the park’s most dramatic scenery up close. Let’s make sure you’re ready for a hike you’ll never forget.
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Table of Contents
Guided Tours of the Navajo Loop Trail
You don’t need a guide, but having a guide for the whole day can give you piece of mind on finding all the trails, as guides share interesting information about the national park and what you’re seeing.
Small Group Hiking Trip
This itinerary for this full-day small group hiking tour can vary but typically includes at least one side of the Navajo Loop. Double check before booking. Pick up is at the first shuttle stop in Bryce Canyon City.
➡️ Book a small group hiking trip in Bryce Canyon National Park
Private Hiking Trip
If you want to be sure that your guide takes you around the full Navajo Loop, then a private guide is the way to go. This is a full day, and pickup is in Bryce Canyon City, Panguitch or nearby accommodations.
➡️ Book a full-day private guided hiking trip in Bryce Canyon
Bryce Canyon Navajo Loop Trail Details
This is a loop with two sides: Two Bridges and Wall Street. Both sides have steep switchbacks. The Wall Street side is the most famous, with the most dramatic switchbacks. the Two Bridges side has one fo the most famous hoodoos in the park – Thor’s Hammer. You can hike this as a loop, which is what I’m describing here, but most people combine it with either the Queens Garden Trail or the Peekaboo Loop and just hike on side of the Navajo Loop.
Navajo Loop Trail length: 1.3 mile
Type: Loop
Elevation change: 515 feet
Time: 1-2 hour
Difficulty: Moderate (technically – though it may feel more like ‘strenuous’ when you’re climbing those switchbacks!)
Navajo Loop Trailhead: Sunset Point
Highlights: Thor’s Hammer (Two Bridges side) and the switchbacks
Fee: There’s no fee for the trail but it’s inside Bryce Canyon National Park and there’s an entrance fee for the park. Find the latest fees on the NPS website. Note that you do not go through an entrance station to get to the East Mesa Trailhead.
To avoid long lines and save money, if you’re planning to visit more than just Zion National Park this year, it can be great value to purchase an America The Beautiful pass.
➡️ Get an America The Beautiful pass here
Open: The Two Bridges Bryce Canyon side is open year-round. However, the Wall Street side is closed in winter, so in the winter months, you can either hike the Two-Bridges as an out-and-back trail or combine it with other trails, which is what I recommend.
The Navajo Loop Bryce Canyon National Park Description
The NPS recommends hiking the loop in a counterclockwise direction. However, if you combine it with the Queens Garden Trail, they recommend hiking that loop in a clockwise direction.
Starting at the Rim Trail near Sunset Point, the trail starts paved, with a chain link fence.
It hugs the cliff then does one steep u-turn and continues to descend gradually.
After about 0.1 mile, you come to the junction between the two sides of the Navajo Loop. Hiking in a counterclockwise direction, you’ll descend the Wall Street section.
Wall Street, Bryce Canyon National Park
The switchbacks start almost immediately (though they get steeper later).
You can see the fence at the top of the picture, looking back. This gives you a sense of the switchbacks and how quickly you descend.
The walls soon narrow and the switchbacks get shorter.
About 10 minutes into the hike, you pass through a short tunnel carves into a wall that crosses the path.
The switchbacks continue and you can see the canyon narrow at the bottom. It’s not much further to the end of the steep part of the descent.
When you get to the bottom (about 15 minutes into the hike), turn around and look back so you can see the switchbacks and hoodoos.
The trail flattens out, but it still in a slot canyon.
Then there are some steps down (the photo is looking back).
About 20 minutes into the hikes, it starts to open up (this is also looking back towards Wall Street).
The trail is then mostly flat, as it winds around the valley floor, through pine forest.
After about half an hour from the start, you’ll come to the 4-way junction with the Queens Garden Trail, the Tropic Trail (which is the short connector the Peekaboo Loop) and the Two bridges side of the Navajo Loop Trail.
You’ll turn left to continue around the Navajo Loop.
Two Bridges Trail, Bryce Canyon
After leaving the intersection, the trail is mostly flat for 0.2 miles until you come to the Bryce Canyon Two Bridges that give the trail its name. These are two small natural bridges across a narrow slot canyon.
The trail starts to climb on a wide path between a narrow opening with tall colorful limestone cliffs on both sides and past towering Douglas-fir trees for another 0.1 miles.
The switchbacks then start. Though they aren’t quite as famous as the Wall Street switchbacks, they’re still tight and steep. I was definitely out of breath, but fortunately, they’re only about 0.1 miles long.
About 15 minutes after the Two Bridges formation (0.4 miles from the intersection at the bottom), the switchbacks end. Soon after, you can see Thor’s Hammer. This is one of the most famous hoodoos in the park and can only be seen from this trail.
It’s a very cool hoodoo and even if you decide to only hike the Wall Street side of the Navajo Loop, I recommend hiking down at least this far so that you don’t miss it.
You can also see a fin with some holes starting to separate the fin into pillars – which really helps demonstrate how the hoodoos are formed in different stages.
The trail flattens out – it still climbs, but more gradually.
There are really nice views of Bryce Amphitheater from here.
The trail soon arrives at the junction with the Wall Street section and then ends back at Sunset Point on the rim of the amphitheater.
Bryce Canyon Navajo Loop Trail Map
This Navajo Loop Trail Bryce Canyon map clearly shows both sides of the loop.
Tips for Hiking the Navajo Trail Bryce Canyon National Park
⚠️ Afternoon thunderstorms with hail and lightening are common in summer, so be prepared.
⚠️ I recommend doing this hike early in the summer, as it can get crowded and hot.
⚠️ Unless you get a very early start, I recommend taking the shuttle (get off at the Sunset Point stop), because parking is limited.
⚠️ Check at the Visitor Center before heading out – sometimes the trail, or part of the trail, is closed due to a rockfall.
⚠️ The NPS recommends hiking the loop in a counterclockwise direction, so you hike down Two Bridges and up Wall Street. However, if you combine it with the Queens Garden Trail, they recommend hiking that loop in a clockwise direction, so you get to enjoy the more expansive views in Queens Garden on the way down.
What You Need to Take/ Wear on The Bryce Navajo Loop Trail
The two main things you need are a good pair of hiking shoes or boots and I strongly recommend hiking poles, because of the elevation change.
➡️ get my favorite hiking poles here
FAQS about the Navajo Loop Trail Bryce Canyon National Park
When does Wall Street open in Bryce Canyon?
The Wall Street side of the Navajo Loop Trail is typically open from Memorial Day to November and then closed in winter. however, these dates can vary slightly depending on current conditions.
How long is the Bryce Canyon Wall Street Trail?
The entire loop is o1.3 mile. The Wall Street section from the trailhead to the four-way intersection at the bottom is only 0.7 miles.
How hard is the Navajo Loop Trail in Bryce Canyon?
The trail is rated as moderate because it’s not surer long. The switchbacks sections on both sides are not that ling – but they are very steep, so it may feel ‘strenuous’ when you’re hiking them.
Which side of the Navajo Loop is better?
The Wall Street side is more famous because it’s narrower, so more dramatic. However, the Two bridges side is also narrow with switchbacks, has the Two Bridges that give the side its name and has views of Thir’s Hammer. So, I actually prefer the Two Bridges side.
Travel Insurance for the Navajo Loop Trail, Utah
You should definitely get travel insurance. Whenever you travel, but especially when you hike. The Bryce Canyon Wall Street hike is steep and there is loose dirt, so you just never know when something can happen. Maybe you slip or twist an ankle and need some medical help.
Good travel insurance can protect you not only against medical and emergency repatriation, but can also cover things like trip cancellation, loss and/ or theft of property, etc.
A great insurance option is Travelex. It has coverage for all you’ll need. However, you should make sure that the coverage you get covers hiking. You can choose the best travel insurance plan for your trip here or get a quote right now:
Enjoy the Two Bridges – Wall Street Navajo Loop Trail!
Additional Planning Resources for Bryce Canyon National Park
⭐ 7 Mistakes to Avoid When Planning a Trip to Bryce Canyon National Park
⭐ Best Things To Do In Bryce Canyon National Park
⭐ The 10 Best Bryce Canyon Viewpoints
⭐ The Best Hikes In Bryce Canyon National Park
⭐ Easy Hikes in Bryce Canyon
⭐ The Bryce Canyon Scenic Drive: A Complete Guide
⭐ 10 Tips for Visiting Bryce Canyon National Park
⭐ How Long Do You Need in Bryce Canyon?
⭐ How To Get To Bryce Canyon National Park
⭐ What’s the Closest Airport To Bryce Canyon National Park
⭐ The Airports Near Bryce Canyon National Park
⭐ When Is The Best Time To Visit Bryce Canyon National Park?
⭐ Visiting Bryce Canyon National Park: What To Expect Throughout the Year
⭐ 10 Fun Facts About Bryce Canyon National Park
⭐ Bryce Canyon Itinerary
Do you have any tips for hiking the Navajo Loop Trail Wall Street – Two Bridges or questions about the Two Bridges – Wall Street Trail: Bryce Canyon? I’d love to hear about them. Join my private Facebook group National Parks Collectors and comment and let me know (you can also pick up extra planning tips, share your photos and stories with other national park lovers and more).
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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 many of the major national parks in the US. These itineraries, as well as in-depth park guides, and other resources 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, Newsweek, Time Business News, Savoteur, Best Trip, and Wired.
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