Hiking Bristlecone Loop at Bryce Canyon National Park
The Bristlecone Loop sits at the southern end of Bryce Canyon National Park, offering a distinct experience compared to the famous hoodoos found elsewhere. This 1 mile loop meanders through the forest at the park’s highest elevations, reaching over 9,100 feet. It is a high altitude hike that provides a mix of dense woodland and expansive geological views.
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Bristlecone Loop Trail Stats
Trailhead: Rainbow Point
Trail Type: Loop
Difficulty: ⚪ Easy; based on OK Which Way’s rating system
Distance: 1 mile
Elevation: about 9000 feet
Planning Your Visit
Location: Bryce Canyon National Park, about half an hour drive south from the visitor center
Time Zone: Mountain Time
Seasonal Closures: Temporary road closures may occur after snow storms
Parking: Rainbow Point Parking Lot
Park Pass Needed: Standard Entrance Pass or NPS America the Beautiful Pass
Entrance Fee: $35/car, Non US Citizens pay an additional $100/person, check the NPS website for current fee pricing
Park &Trail Maps: Link to NPS park maps
Pets: Only service animals allowed
Trailhead to the Viewpoint
The hike begins near the north end of the parking lot, with a trail sign pointing the way. Heading to the right, the trail enters a forest dominated by Blue Spruce, Douglas Fir, and White Fir. The path is firm and easy to navigate, making for a steady walk through the trees.
Viewpoint
About half a mile into the loop, the forest opens up to a viewpoint overlooking Grand Staircase-Escalante. The vista is fantastic and serves as a sharp contrast to the wooded section of the trail. This area is where you can see the Great Basin bristlecone pines. These trees are known for their twisted, weathered branches and an ability to survive extremely harsh conditions. Their slow growth results in dense wood that is naturally resistant to pests and rot.
FUN FACT: Bristlecone Pines are extremely resilient and can live thousands of years. At least two living trees are currently around 5000 years old.
Viewpoint back to the Trailhead
From the viewpoint, the trail continues a short distance before sweeping back toward the parking lot. The return trek leads to a multi-trail intersection. At this junction, the two paths to the right are the Bristlecone Loop and Riggs Spring Loop, both of which connect back to the initial section of the Bristlecone trail.
The path to the left is also part of the Riggs Spring Loop, but it intersects with the Yovimpa Point Overlook Trail. At this final intersection, there is an option to visit the Yovimpa Point Overlook or return directly to the parking lot via the paved Yovimpa Point path.
Final Thoughts
I find bristlecone pines fascinating because of their twisted, weathered, and almost skeletal appearance. Having seen them previously, I was excited to get back on a trail where they grow. I had expected them to look similar to the ancient trees in Great Basin National Park. While the oldest trees at Great Basin range from 2,000 to over 4,000 years old, the oldest specimen at Bryce Canyon is around 1,600 years old. Because they are younger, the ones at Bryce Canyon aren’t as gnarly or dramatic, but they are still impressive to see in person. Overall, I’m glad we hiked this trail. It was a great excuse to drive to the southern end of the park and enjoy an easy walk with a spectacular view.
Hike the Hoodoos Challenge
The Hike the Hoodoos challenge at Bryce Canyon is a fun and engaging way to explore the park. To participate, you find at least 3 of the 9 specific benchmark survey markers located along various trails. Once you locate a marker, you can either take a selfie with it or create a rubbing of the medallion. Present the photos or rubbings to a park ranger at the visitor center to earn a reward.
LEAVE NO TRACE
Optional Items to Bring
More Locations to See Bristlecone Pines
- Inyo National Forest in California
- Death Valley National Park in California
- Spring Mountains National Recreational Area near Las Vegas
- Great Basin National Park in Utah
- Cedar Breaks National Monument in Utah
- Dixie National Forest near Zion
- A small bristlecone can be seen at Hoyt Arboretum in Portland, Oregon
Where we Stayed
During our time at Bryce Canyon, we camped at Kodachrome Basin State Park. It’s about a 35 minute drive from Bryce Canyon and I highly recommend it. One of the most unique hikes I’ve experienced was at Angel’s Palace Trail within this park. The path leads to the top of a butte filled with out of this world rock formations and sand spires. It truly felt like walking on another planet. Navigation was a challenge with virtually nonexistent signage and a maze of spur trails, so we mostly just wandered aimlessly around and enjoyed it tremendously.
Our Stats
Date: May 2025
Distance: 1 mile
Start: Rainbow Point Parking Lot
End: Rainbow Point Parking Lot
Hiking Time: 38min*
*A quick note on our hiking style – We stop and smell the roses. When I go for a run, speed is a consideration. While hiking, it is not. We take photos, watch the chipmunk, find geocaches, and simply enjoy the adventure. So, typically a hike can be completed in a shorter time than we log.
International Dark Sky Park ✬彡
Bryce Canyon National Park has exceptional starry nights and is a designated International Dark Sky Park.
Thinking About Hiking the Bristlecone Loop at Bryce Canyon?
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Hikes to Enjoy at other National Parks
This trail review is based only on Jennifer’s experience. Hike at your own risk with the understanding that individual scenarios in a natural environment will be variable.
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