Hiking Peek-A-Boo Loop Trail in Bryce Canyon National Park
While the view from the rim of Bryce Amphitheater is spectacular. It is best to view the hoodoos from the canyon rim and then below the rim. The Peekaboo loop trail leads down below the canyon rim and into the world of hoodoos. The trail whines up and down and allows for close up views. The Peek-A-Boo Loop Trail provides some of the best views of the hoodoos in Bryce Canyon National Park.
Peek-A-Boo Loop Hike Details
Starting Location
There are a couple of options for hiking the Peek a Boo loop trail. The trailhead starts at Bryce Point. There is a 1.1-mile hike into the canyon here the loop will start. This trail is shared with pack animals and it is recommended that the trail is hiked in a clockwise direction.
The Peek-a-Boo loop hike can be combined with the Navajo Loop to create a 4.9 loop. The Navajo / Peekaboo Combination Loop starts at Sunset Point
The other option is the Figure-8 Combination. The Figure 8 Combination combines the Navajo Loop with the Queen’s Garden for 6.4-mile loop. This combination can start at either Sunrise Point or Sunset Point.
Parking at all Bryce Canyon Trailheads is limited. Consider using the Bryce Canyon Shuttle bus to access the trailheads.
When to go
Peek a Boo loop trail is open year around. It is best to hike this trail during the Spring and Fall. There is a little shade of the trail so a summer hike can be really hot. It is possible to hike the trail during the winter but be ready to hike in snow and having to do some route finding.
The Peek-a-Boo loop hike is a perfect addition to a Utah National Park Road Trip.
What time of day to hike
The loop is best hiked in the early morning or late afternoon. Peek-a-Boo isn’t the most popular trail in the park. Access to the main part of the loop requires a 1-mile hike into the canyon and as one of the longer loop trails in the park. No matter the season, I would do this hike either in the morning or the afternoon. A good way to do it is to watch the sunrise from Bryce Point and then head off on the hike.
Packing List
Learn more about the best hiking shoes.
Things to Know
- Most of the trail is in the sun. Be prepared for this. Hike with plenty of water, sunscreen, and a hat.
- Hike clockwise
- Safety First.
- Do not hike during thunderstorms. Lighting strikes can occur in the park.
- Trail can be slick during rain.
- Watch for the horseback riders. Don’t get to close to the horses.
- Watch for horse dung on the trail.
- There isn’t a bathroom at Bryce Point but during the summer there is a bathroom about a mile and a half from Bryce Point. This is a vault toilet.
Peek-a-Boo loop Hike
The trail starts at Bryce Point. Bryce Point provides an epic view of the Bryce Amphitheatre. One can see Sunrise and Sunset Point to the northwest and Fairyland Point to the north of Bryce Point. The trail starts at the point and follows the ridge below Bryce Point.
The trail works northeast crisscrossing across the saddle with views of Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. When you seeing a cluster of hoodoos that look like an alligator, you will start down a series of switchbacks. You will have to come back up these switchbacks.
Enjoy the views of the Bryce Amphitheater while you work your way down. At the bottom is a junction, you are welcome to hike the trail in either direction but personally, I think the views are the best hiking clockwise.
Assuming you headed clockwise, you will reach the vault toilets within about a quarter mile. The trail takes one deeper into the Amphitheater and to the Wall of Windows.
Enjoy these spectacular formations as you hike to the Cathedral. These are my favorite hoodoos in the park. You will hike thru several tunnels.
After the Cathedral, you will reach the Navajo Loop junction. If you are combing this trail with another loop take the junction towards Sunrise and Sunset Point.
If not keep hiking around the loop. On this side of the loop, you will pass a few stands of pines and an old sand dune. Enjoy the slow elevation gain on the way back to the alligator.
Now for the best part of the hike. The 500 ft uphill climb back to Bryce Point.
Are you planning on hiking Peek-A-Boo Loop Trail? Do you have any advice for your fellow hikers?
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Jennifer Melroy
Jennifer is a long time national park blogger and the founder of National Park Obsessed. She is a dedicated National Park lover who is working on visiting all 63 US National Parks. She has currently been to 58 of the National Parks. She is dedicated to sharing her knowledge of the Parks with others and helping them learn to love the parks as much as she does.
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16 Comments
Elaine Masters
Loved seeing this post as I’ve wanted to visit for ages. The pictures are inspiring and beautiful. Off now to get the T-shirt for my son in law!
Jennifer Melroy
Good plan. I love this hike.
Carrie
Hah, gotta love these canyon hikes where you have to end with a big climb out! 5.5 miles isn’t too bad though — this seems like a good morning activity. The views are stunning!
Jennifer Melroy
I know, that is the trick with canyon hikes. They are easy to start with but much harder on the way out.
Mansoureh
Such a great informative piece. The Bryce Amphitheater view is amazing. I personally like to take a route with the better view. It makes a hike much more enjoyable
Jennifer Melroy
I am a big fan of taking the routes with the best view.
Janna
This is one of my all time favorite hikes in Utah! We went a couple of years ago and did it around fall season so the weather was perfect. Thank u for sharing your experience and for making me reminisce!
Jennifer Melroy
Fall is the prefect time to visit. I love hiking in the fall.
Ferna Mae
Oh wow! look at those views! so insane, I do the hike but haven’t experienced the same as this or not yet experiencing such different kind of view. Good to hear that the 3-5 hours consists of this beauty, I’d also take this route base on your recommendation if I am to do the hiking here. Also, for me personally (this is just me) when I trek or hike, I usually bring a coke with me just for the sugar rush.
Jennifer Melroy
Intresting. I would worry about the caffeine helping with dehydration.
Indrani
You have covered all essential details needed for this trail. The safety tips are really helpful. Canyon hiking is one of my dream activities. Hope I get to do it.
Jennifer Melroy
Canyon hiking is epic.
Kirstie Saldo
I dont really think I can make it out of this alive, but the photos are stunning, especially the first one! It looked like miniatures that can be placed in the Monopoly! So beautiful!
Jennifer Melroy
It really isn’t that bad of a hike. The elevation change isn’t huge.
Ami Bhat
Those stone formations are just so so unbelievable. They look like ancient palaces. The Peek A Boo Trail is definitely so intriguing that I want to go right away to sort the mystery out. Love the useful tips that you have shared on it. Cheers
Jennifer Melroy
It really does look like a palace in many ways.