The Amazing Fairyland Loop: A Hidden Gem in Bryce Canyon

Tucked away from the park’s busier viewpoints, the Fairyland Loop offers jaw-dropping vistas, towering hoodoos, and a sense of solitude that’s hard to find on more popular routes. It’s a tough hike, but the reward is a scenic walk through one of the most beautiful landscapes in the American Southwest.

The Fairyland Loop is often overlooked by many visitors to Bryce Canyon, and we are no different. On our first visit to Bryce Canyon, we did the uber popular Queen’s Garden and Navajo Loop Trail and visited the many stunning viewpoints along the rim. It was an awesome day and one of our favorites on all of our trips to Utah. But it wasn’t until our second visit that we hiked both the Fairyland Loop and the Peekaboo Loop, and wow, both are amazing!!

The Fairyland Loop is an underrated gem in Bryce Canyon. Many people skip it, as it is a long hike with some challenging climbs, but that does help keep crowds low. When we did this, we saw just a few other hikers on the trail. And the views…incredible!

In this guide, I’ll fill you in on the details of the hike: stats, which direction to go, and what to expect along the way. We’ll also provide our opinion of which one is better, Fairyland Loop or Peekaboo Loop, should you only have time for one of them.

Table of Contents

Fairyland Loop Trail Stats

These stats and the elevation profile below are for the hike starting near Sunrise Point and the North Campground General Store and going in a counterclockwise direction.

These stats also include the short detour to the Tower Bridge viewpoint.

Distance: 7.8 miles (12.5 km)
Difficulty: Moderate to Strenuous
Total Ascent: 1,650 feet (503 meters)
Highest Elevation: 8,127 feet (2,477 meters)
Lowest Elevation: 7,168 feet (2,185 meters)
Time: 3 to 5 hours (our time was 3 hours)

How to Use This Map: Click the icons on the map to get more information about each point of interest. To take this map with you, click the star next to the title of the map which adds it to your Google account. Next, within your Google Maps app, select ‘Saved’ and then select ‘Maps’. This map title will now appear in your list.

Which Direction Should You Go?

Since this hike makes a loop, you can do it in either direction. Where you park can also have an impact on the overall experience.

There are two parking lots and starting points for the Fairyland Loop:

The North Campground General Store
Fairyland Point

We parked at the North Campground General Store, picking this location since it is a relatively large parking lot (we started this hike at 2 pm). Plus, you can buy snacks, water, and sandwiches to bring with you or to fuel up before or after the hike.

By starting near Sunrise Point and going counterclockwise, the hike starts with steep descent, has a few ups and downs in the middle, and towards the end comes a long uphill walk. The final 2 miles is along the Rim Trail, which at times isn’t all that interesting, especially after the views you had earlier on the hike.

If you choose to go clockwise and start and end at Sunrise Point, you’ll hike the somewhat unexciting rim trail first and have awesome views of the hoodoos for the remaining 6 miles of the hike, but end with a massive, steep hike up out of the amphitheater.

Fairyland Point is a much smaller parking lot, so if you arrive late, you risk not getting a parking space. However, I think the ideal route would be to park here and hike the Fairyland Loop in a counterclockwise direction. You will do the Rim Trail first, then get the best views for the rest of the hike. There will still be a climb up out of the amphitheater, just not quite as steep and strenuous as the clockwise direction.

See all of our articles on Bryce Canyon

Step-By-Step Trail Guide

This route is for hiking the Fairyland Loop in a counterclockwise direction, starting and ending near Sunrise Point.

We started this hike at 2 pm in mid-May, which was a gorgeous time to take photos of this trail (the high temperature when we did this was 72°F). In the summer months, when temperatures are warmer, it is better to start this hike earlier in the day, to avoid the hottest temperatures. It’s also good to know that there is very little shade on this trail.

First Descent to Tower Bridge

Distance: 1.7 miles, 40 to 50 minutes

The trail starts off with a long, steep descent down into the amphitheater. The views of the thousands of orange- and coral-colored hoodoos are incredible along every step of this trail. The farther you descend into the amphitheater, the better the views.

We saw a fair number of hikers on this part of the trail. Hiking out to Tower Bridge is a popular thing to do in Bryce Canyon, so this is the most heavily trafficked section of the Fairyland Loop. Judging by the body language and slow, shuffling steps of some hikers, the hike up this trail to the rim looks to be very strenuous.

PRO TRAVEL TIP: The Fairyland Loop ranges in elevation from about 7,200 to 8,100 feet, and at that height, the air gets noticeably thinner, making it harder to breathe. While the trail’s elevation gain isn’t extreme, the higher elevation will make this hike feel more challenging, especially for those coming from a lower elevation.

At the bottom of the first big descent, about 1.5 miles into the hike, comes the detour to Tower Bridge. This short spur trail leads to a view of Tower Bridge, a rock formation that resembles Tower Bridge in London, with a little imagination.

We didn’t think this was worth the detour, as you can still see Tower Bridge from the Fairyland Loop Trail, without adding on a little extra mileage. However, this is one of the few shady spots along the trail, and this could be a nice place to take a break before the final big climb, should you be doing this hike in a clockwise direction.

Mid-Section of Fairyland Loop: The Best Part of the Hike

Distance: 3.3 miles (5 miles total), 1 to 2 hours

From the Tower Bridge viewpoint to mile 5 of the hike, the trail wanders past clumps of brilliantly colored hoodoos, to overlooks of the amphitheater, and through short, sheltered canyons with a tiny bit of shade.

This is the most beautiful part of the hike, and most likely this is where you will leave the crowds behind. We saw just one other person on this part of the trail, which was amazing, given it was midday in May, one of the busiest months to visit Bryce Canyon.

There are a few ups and downs here, but nothing overly strenuous, which also makes this part of the hike so enjoyable.

Here it is in photos.

The Hike to Fairyland Point

Distance: 0.8 miles (5.8 miles total), 30 minutes

At mile 5, the ascent out of the amphitheater begins. Be mentally prepared for a 0.8 mile hike up to Fairyland Point. This part of the hike can feel tough because of the altitude, but once at Fairyland Point, your reward is another stunning view of Bryce Canyon National Park.

Fairyland Point

Fairyland Point to Sunrise Point

Distance: 2 miles, 45 minutes to 1 hour 15 minutes

The Fairyland Loop ends with a 2-mile hike along the Rim Trail back to Sunrise Point. However, there is still some uphill work to do.

The Rim Trail flattens out for just a little bit, running through a short stretch of Ponderosa forest, before starting another climb. This climb doesn’t last too long, but coming towards the end of the hike, feels worse than it really is. There also isn’t much of a view along this part of the trail.

But once through the final climb, the Rim Trail makes a turn and runs along the top of the amphitheater, providing the classic views of the thousands of hoodoos that Bryce Canyon is famous for.

What to Bring on the Hike

Hiking Shoes. Hiking shoes are ideal, but when the trail is dry, you can do this hike in a sturdy pair of walking or running shoes. I did this hike in running shoes (I was recovering from plantar fasciitis and hiking shoes still bothered my foot). The trail, when it is dry, is compacted dirt. If it’s wet or muddy, wear hiking shoes.

Water and snacks. At least 2 liters of water in the summer.

Sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses. There is very little shade on this trail.

Camera. Even a smartphone will do.

Jacket and Extra Layers of Clothing. Bryce Canyon, since it sits at a high elevation, is cooler than the other national parks in Utah. In the mornings, it can be downright cold. On the day we did this, it was 40°F at sunrise and 72°F midday (mid-May). If you start the hike in the morning, dress warm, but wear layers, so you can shed some clothing as temperatures warm up.

Hiking Gear Guide

Essential Hiking Gear: What Should You Bring on a Day Hike?

If you are new to hiking or are curious about what you should bring on a hike, check out our Hiking Gear Guide. Find out what we carry in our day packs and what we wear on the trails.

Which is Better: Fairyland Loop or Peekaboo Loop?

We did both the Fairyland Loop and the Peekaboo Loop trails, one day apart.

If you only have one day in Bryce Canyon, want to hike down into the amphitheater, and include the famous Queen’s Garden Trail and Wall Street, do the Peekaboo Loop as a figure eight. This 6.2 mile trail includes several of the park’s top sights and it is a gorgeous hike every step of the way. But be prepared for big crowds, as these trails are extremely popular.

The Fairyland Loop has the advantage of much lower crowds. The Peekaboo Trail is a little more scenic, but the Fairyland Loop is still amazing. It is one of our favorite hikes in the National Park system, which is saying a lot, because we have done a ton of hikes in the US National Parks.

So, the Fairyland Loop is perfect for those with a second day in Bryce Canyon, or for those who prefer a quieter, less trafficked hiking trail.

Please practice the seven principles of Leave No Trace: plan ahead, stay on the trail, pack out what you bring to the hiking trail, leave areas as you found them, minimize campfire impacts, be considerate of other hikers, and do not approach or feed wildlife.

If you have any questions about how to hike the Fairyland Loop Trail in Bryce Canyon National Park, let us know in the comment section below.

More Information for Your Trip to Bryce Canyon

We have TONS more information about Utah and the Mighty 5 in our Utah Travel Guide.