A unique summer is upon us during the current COVID-19 pandemic. After months of homeschooling, working from home, coupled with new found stress and uncertainty, now more than ever is a perfect time to take a much needed escape to Bryce Canyon National Park. With gorgeous scenery and countless trails, the park offers a wide array of trails and activities for people of all abilities. 

Family-Friendly Hikes

If you are planning a trip with young children, or family members who have issues with mobility, Bryce Canyon National Park has hikes that are accessible to all. 

The following hikes are some of the “easier” hikes that Bryce Canyon has to offer:

Rim Trail

This hike makes its way across the canyon giving hikers a majestic view into the main amphitheater. The entire trail path, extending from Fairyland Point to Bryce Point, is an 11-mile round trip hike. The hike has many steep elevation changes that might be difficult for those with mobility issues or those with strollers. The ½ mile part of the trail, starting from Sunset Point and ending at Sunrise Point, is a flat piece of terrain that is accessible to those in wheelchairs, and those with strollers. This shorter part of the trail still provides a great view of the canyon. 

Mossy Cave Trail

This trail is a riverside walk that is .8 miles round trip. This trail is situated in the Water Canyon, which was made by the early Mormon pioneers during the 1890s. Taking a left at the fork on the trail will lead you up to the Mossy Cave. The “cave” is more of a shelter cave than a cavern. During these summer months, the cave tends to be covered in large, overhanging moss. At the same fork that was mentioned before, if you take a right instead of a left, the trail will lead you to a waterfall. The stream is being partially delayed by a layer of Dolomite, which is a special kind of limestone that is strengthened by magnesium. No matter what direction you take on this trail, both options will lead you to a unique view that only Bryce Canyon National Park can offer. 

Hikes for the more experienced

If you are looking for a more rigorous hike, Bryce Canyon has great hikes that not only provide stunning views, but also a challenging hike. Many of these hikes go down into the canyon itself, giving an incredible access to enjoy the beauty that is Bryce canyon. 

Some of these more challenging hikes include:

Swamp Canyon Trail

This hike is located in a relatively smaller canyon. This smaller feel gives hikers a more intimate experience with the geography of Bryce Canyon. This trail is 4.3 miles roundtrip, and it connects with a trail that connects with the Under the Rim Trail. While this is classified as a “moderate” hike by Bryce Canyon National Park, this can be dangerous if hikers don’t have the necessary items. These include water, snacks, and wilderness trek items. 

Tower Bridge Trail

The trail that leads to the Tower Bridge starts at the northeastern part of the Fairyland Trail Loop. There is a drop in elevation from the rim to the Tower Bridge site. This is a 3-mile hike that lasts about 2-3 hours depending on the abilities of the hiker. For this trail sunglasses, sunscreen, and water are highly recommended items to take. Animals are prevalent on this trail, and park officials remind visitors to not feed the animals. 

Staying Safe While Hiking

No matter what hike you choose to do, it is extremely important to keep yourself safe and healthy. During summer, Bryce Canyon and its surrounding areas’ temperatures reach the mid-nineties. Spending hours in the park, it’s easy to get dehydrated. You must bring a water bottle. There are hydration stations scattered all over the park, where guests can refill their water bottles for free. 

Another thing that visitors need to be mindful of is their limitations. Don’t exhort yourself on a trail just to see a view. If you know you have mobility issues or other limitations, there are plenty of trails, like the ones mentioned above, that provide the same beautiful views of the other hikes. Bryce Canyon has an elevation of 9115 feet. This can make some visitors feel short of breath since visitors aren’t used to the thinner oxygen levels in the park. 

No matter your level of expertise or physical abilities, Bryce Canyon National Park offers sites to see for the whole family. With its iconic hoodoos structures, Bryce Canyon is the perfect destination to kick off your summer!