As the name hints, this trail at Bryce Canyon National Park is a bit whimsical with geologic wonders around every switchback.
Hiking Fairyland to Tower Bridge Trail was the first hike I did at Bryce Canyon and it made for a great introduction to the park’s unique hoodoos, terrain, and high altitude. This moderate hike descends into the heart of the canyon, ending with views of the impressive Tower Bridge, a natural arch that stands over the landscape.
Here’s some guidance on how to get here, when the best time is to visit, tips while on the trail, and more advice on getting the most of your Utah hiking adventure!
- Level of Difficulty: Moderate
- Elevation Gain: ~900 feet
- Skill Level: Intermediate
- Distance: 3.5 miles (options to extend)
- Cost: National Park Fees
- Dogs are not allowed on this trail.
Driving through Bryce Canyon City, you’ll drive through a forest of Ponderosa pines. Shortly after entering the park, the trees give way to sweeping vistas of the Bryce Amphitheater, a vast basin filled with countless hoodoos.
Access Points for Tower Bridge Trail
Once on the Rim Trail, a paved path that follows Bryce Canyon’s rim, you can get to Tower Bridge along these two paths:
- North of Sunrise Point: This is the most common starting point. Take the Rim Trail north from Sunrise Point for about a quarter-mile (.4 km) until you see the signed trailhead.
- 3.4 miles out-and-back with 826 feet of elevation gain.
- Fairyland Loop Trailhead: This option allows you to hike along Fairyland Loop, a longer trek with more views of rock formations. Find the Fairyland Loop Trailhead on the park map and follow it until you reach the junction with the Tower Bridge Trail.
- 3.5 miles to Tower Bridge. Fairyland Loop Trail is 7.9 miles long with 1,555 feet of elevation gain.
Which Path Should I Take?
You do not have to hike the entire Fairyland Loop. We hiked down Fairyland Loop Trailhead to Tower Bridge and back out the way we came. This was a moderately challenging trek which took us about 2-3 hours and allowed us to descend into the amphitheater, get a feel for Bryce’s hoodoos, and leave without feeling like our legs were going to fall off!
Since this is the path we took, I’ll be recounting my experience on this trail and recommendations for you throughout this article. I’d strongly recommend this route if you’re short on time but want to get the full park experience.
Getting There
From Bryce Canyon’s Visitor Center, it’s a 2 mile or a 10 minute drive to the Fairyland Loop trailhead parking lot. Make a left onto Bryce Canyon Rd leaving the visitor center and drive for 1 mile before making a right onto Fairyland Spur Rd. Plenty of parking spots can be found at the end of the road.
Fairyland Loop is also the first turnoff and trailhead after entering Bryce Canyon National Park. In the winter, this road may be closed so please check with the NPS official site before heading out! If there is snowfall, be careful on the hike and plan to begin at Sunrise Point.
What to Bring on This Hike
- Water – Always hike with plenty of clean drinking water, especially when in the high desert of southern Utah. Better yet, bring a water bottle that has electrolytes and one with plain water so you can replenish minerals lost though sweat. Even in the wintertime, dont hike out without plenty of water.
- Hiking Boots or Sturdy Shoes – Plan to hike with a pair of boots that will give you enough traction and be comfortable for a 2-3 hour trek.
- Sunscreen and Protective Clothing – Hats, sunglasses, long sleeves, and plenty of sunscreen are all good ideas when hiking at Bryce Canyon. The Utah sun can be unrelenting! There is some shade along the canyon floor, however, you’ll be in full sun for most of the hike.
- Trekking Poles – If you normally use these on moderate to hard hikes for extra support, bring a pair for this trek. They’ll be especially helpful along the ascending and descending sections of the trail.
- Offline Maps – Keep in mind, you’ll likely have little to no cell service in this part of the park (and potentially this part of the state!). Downloading an offline map, carrying a compass, and using a printed map you can pick up from the Visitor Center will be helpful.
- Note, this trail is well-traveled and clearly marked, so accidentally going off trail is unlikely.
Hiking Fairyland Loop to Tower Bridge Trail
This area of Bryce Canyon has fewer hoodoos than the more popular Navajo Loop and Queens Garden. However, this area does not disappoint because there are still lots of hoodoos, bright and beautiful contrasting colors, window formations in some of the rock walls, and typically less crowds than other parts of the park!
This is also a great option if you’re seeking a more strenuous hike as Fairyland Loop and Peekaboo Loop are considered by many to be the most challenging treks in the park. You can hike the loop clockwise or counter-clockwise.
Again, this hike is well-traveled and the trail is generally wide, clearly marked, and easy to follow. There is little chance of veering off-trail accidentally.
Contrasting Colors
Heading out, bear left to begin clockwise and descend into the amphitheater. Almost immediately from the trailhead, the greens and browns of the pines and bristlecones disperse. In their place, Bryce’s terrain is colored by the vibrant Claron Formation rock.
Sandy knolls, hoodoos, and switchbacks in bright orange, coral, and pink hues are found throughout this trail. There will be some gentle switchbacks along this route as you continue descending. Remember, it is essential to stay on the trail to protect the area and delicate hoodoo formations.
Within the first mile and a half, you’ll pass Oastler Castle on your left and Chinese Wall on your right. The hoodoos in this area have an otherworldly vibe, These rock formations were sculpted by millions of years of erosion, leaving behind pillars, fins, and spires in mesmerizing displays.
Since this trail is far less traveled than others in the park, you can find moments of solitude even during peak times. We didn’t see other hikers for 10-20 minute blocks at some points while on this hike. It was a nice gift that you don’t usually receive at a National Park.
The trail does level out as you near the canyon floor and then holds a consistent gentle decline you’ll hardly notice.
Crescent Castle and Tower Bridge
You’ll pass by Crescent Castle on your right, a landmark characterized by spire rock formations grouped together at an elevation of about 7,600 feet.
The trail culminates at a viewpoint of Tower Bridge, the namesake landmark accessed by a short spur trail. This natural arch, formed by wind and water erosion, stands proudly against the backdrop of the amphitheater’s red rock formations.
My Experience Seeing Tower Bridge
Earlier that day, we had already hiked Angels Landing at Zion. Since that is a physically and mentally tough hike, I wasn’t exactly up for another strenuous workout.
I was enjoying the descent throughout the beginning of this hike along Fairyland Loop but at the same time acknowledging that what goes down must come back up. Babying my legs at this point, I decided I’d make it as close as I wanted to Tower Bridge, just so I could see it.
As I slowly made my way past Cresent Castle, I saw the high spires and windows of Tower Bridge. I took a few moments to appreciate it from a distance, respecting how far I’d already pushed my body. Then, content with what I’d accomplished, I turned around and headed back to Fairyland Loop Trailhead.
So, what’s the moral of the story? You don’t need to get too up close and personal with any of the rock formations in this park to truly appreciate their magnificence. It’s not always about getting the most Instagram-worthy pic. Sometimes it’s about respecting your body and knowing your limits.
What is Campbell Canyon?
Campbell Canyon is a side canyon located at the north end of Bryce Canyon National Park. It’s not as famous as the Bryce Amphitheater, but it offers stunning scenery of its own with unique hoodoos and formations.
There isn’t a designated trail into Campbell Canyon itself, but you can get views of it from the Fairyland Loop Trail.
Unique Rocks with Even More Unique Names
Fairyland Loop delivers great viewpoints of formations like Boat Mesa, Sinking Ship, Crescent Castle, Oastler Castle and Tower Bridge. It’s wise to familiarize yourself with where these formations are on a map before your hike so you can be sure to spot them while on the trail!
I wasn’t sure what the names were for what I was exactly looking at (except for Tower Bridge) until well after my hike. I was surprised the hoodoos and walls of spires were named, and it makes them have even more importance as actual landmarks along the path.
When to Visit Tower Bridge Trail
If you’re planning a trip to Bryce Canyon, it’s a good idea to try to visit between April and November. Winter can be unpredictable because of the park’s high elevation. There is a high likelihood of snow and trail and road closures during the colder months.
We visited during mid-August, and although summer is the hottest time to visit the area, we did not feel that the temperatures were overwhelmingly hot. In fact, because of the elevation, the summer temperatures actually feel quite nice in this part of the state. Especially if you’re coming from Kanab or Zion, Bryce’s weather will feel like a relief (generally 5-10 degrees cooler in the summer than in those areas of the state).
