Bryce Canyon: Down Queens Garden, Up Two Bridges

Descend from Sunrise Point on Queens Garden, climb out by the Two Bridges side of Navajo Loop, then walk the rim back from Sunset Point. This gives you Bryce Canyon’s hoodoos from below as well as above, with a clear return to the starting viewpoint. Keep Wall Street out of the plan: the park’s September 29, 2026 alert closes that branch until further notice.

Follow the circuit clockwise

The NPS combination route links the open views of Queens Garden with Navajo’s steeper switchbacks. Beginning at Sunrise puts the broad amphitheater ahead on the descent. Follow the signed combination toward Navajo and take Two Bridges uphill to Sunset Point.

The hike is not finished at Sunset if you began at Sunrise. The 0.8 km (0.5 mi) Rim Trail section closes the circuit. The park’s total is 4.6 km (2.9 mi), 191 m (625 ft) of elevation gain and approximately 2–3 hours, including that rim connection. Add time for pauses and the approach from parking or the shuttle stop.

The climb comes after the descent. That matters if you are comparing it with a level rim stroll: looking into the amphitheater first does not remove the uphill work later. Elevation gain explains why returning to your starting height still involves a real climb.

Wall Street is not today’s alternative

The normal route description allows either side of Navajo when available. The current park conditions and alerts take priority: Wall Street is closed, and other trails are described as muddy. Ask the visitor center for the latest condition of Queens Garden and Two Bridges before descending. Do not follow the older seasonal description as permission to enter the closed branch.

If the descent does not suit the group, stay on the paved Sunrise–Sunset rim section and retrace it. That is a different outing, with views down among the formations rather than walking between them. Thor’s Hammer can be seen from the rim near Sunset.

Parking and the seasonal bus

Use permitted parking at Sunrise or Sunset, or ride the park shuttle when it runs. From the Sunrise shuttle stop, the viewpoint is another 0.3 km (0.2 mi). Return to your chosen stop or car after completing the rim connection.

The published 2026 shuttle season ends October 18. Its autumn last-round table lists Sunrise Point at 6:26 pm; do not treat the general 6 pm operating headline as a departure from every stop. Finish earlier rather than relying on the final round. After October 18, arrange access without assuming this bus continues.

For vehicles 7 m (23 ft) or longer, follow the shuttle page’s current parking restrictions during shuttle hours and use its designated alternative lots. The older route page gives a different size threshold, so check with the park if your vehicle falls near that boundary. Pets are prohibited below the rim on this combination trail.