Looking for an unforgettable way to spend your time at Bryce Canyon? Check out the I Hiked The Hoodoos Program at Bryce Canyon National Park. The program provides visitors with the opportunity to experience the park’s incredible views and terrain in an engaging way as they set out to find hidden benchmarks along the trails.
How Does The Hike The Hoodoos Program Work?
The Hike The Hoodoos Program is part hiking, and part scavenger hunt and is perfect for all ages. Throughout the park, there are 8 different benchmarks hidden that you must find. They’re all along hiking trails and get you really being observant about the trails since you’re never quite sure where you’ll find a benchmark. We love that it’s easy enough for kids to do, but also engaging enough for adults to participate in as well.
The goal is to get visitors out on more of the incredible trails in Bryce Canyon so that they can experience the park beyond just the viewpoints.
What Are The Hike the Hoodoos Requirements?
To get a prize for the Hike The Hoodoos Program, you must hike at least 3 miles on certain hiking trails and find the benchmarks along the way. To provide proof, you can take a rubbing of the benchmark, or you can simply take a photo of it (best with you in it as well).
How Many Miles Is the Hike the Hoodoos at Bryce Canyon Program?
While only 3 miles are required to get a prize for the hike the Hoodoos challenge, many people often try to get all 8 of the benchmarks. If you hike all of the trails in the program, you will have hiked 18.4 miles.
What Trails Are In the Hike the Hoodoos Program?
There are 9 different trails in this Bryce Canyon Program, and 8 different benchmarks you can find (there are some trails that share a benchmark). Here are the trails that are included at Bryce Canyon.
Mossy Cave 0.8 mi, 1 Medallion
This short trail is approximately 0.8 miles round trip and leads to a small waterfall and moss-covered alcove, providing a refreshing and unique experience within the park’s otherwise arid landscape. The trail is suitable for hikers of all skill levels and is a popular destination for families and those seeking a shorter hike.
Bristlecone Loop 1.0 mi, 1 Medallion
This 1-mile loop trail is moderately difficult and winds through a dense forest of bristlecone pine trees, some of which are over 1,800 years old. The trail offers beautiful views of the surrounding landscape and is a popular destination for hikers interested in the area’s unique flora and fauna.
Queen’s Garden 1.8 mi 1 Medallion
This 1.8-mile moderately difficult Bryce Canyon hiking trail descends into the canyon and offers stunning views of the park’s famous hoodoo rock formations. The trail passes through Queen’s Garden, a natural amphitheater with unique rock formations that resemble chess pieces, before ascending back up to the canyon rim. This is often done in combination with the Navajo Loop trail.
Navajo Loop 1.3 mi, 1 Medallion
This 1.3-mile loop trail is a moderately difficult Bryce Canyon hike that descends steeply into the canyon and passes through narrow slot canyons and past towering rock formations known as hoodoos. The trail includes a section known as Wall Street, a narrow slot canyon with towering walls that provide a stunning and unique hiking experience. This is often combined with the Queens Garden Loop to create a 3-mile hiking trail and is perfect if you want to complete the Hike The Hoodoos program all at once!
Tower Bridge 3.0 mi, 1 Medallion
This 3-mile round trip trail takes hikers through a picturesque canyon and past unique rock formations before reaching Tower Bridge, a natural arch formation that resembles a bridge. The trail offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape, including views of Bryce Amphitheater and Boat Mesa. The Tower Bridge Trail is a popular destination for hikers looking for a longer, more challenging hike in Bryce Canyon National Park.
Swamp Canyon Loop 4.0 mi, 1 Medallion
The Swamp Canyon Loop will take you to some of the least visited areas of Bryce Canyon. It’s a great place for you if you want a difficult hike without the crowds. This difficult Bryce Canyon hike descends over 600 feet to the canyon floor and provides access to the Under The Rim Trail.
Peekaboo Loop 5.5 mi 2 Medallions
This is a challenging hike in Bryce Canyon and is a 5.5-mile loop that takes visitors through a series of stunning rock formations, including hoodoos, arches, and natural amphitheaters. Hikers can expect to encounter a variety of terrain, including sandy paths, rocky outcroppings, and narrow passages. Along the way, hikers will encounter several notable landmarks, including the Wall of Windows, the Cathedral, and of course, the Peekaboo Loop itself.
Fairyland Loop 8.0 mi, 2 Medallions
Fairyland Loop is an 8-mile round-trip hike that takes visitors through a landscape of towering hoodoos, natural arches, and sweeping vistas.
The trail begins at Fairyland Point and descends into the canyon, passing through a variety of terrain, including forests, meadows, and rocky outcroppings. Along the way, hikers will encounter several notable landmarks, including Tower Bridge, the Chinese Wall, and the Boat Mesa.
The highlight of the trail is undoubtedly the towering hoodoos! This trail is longer, so take plenty of water, but as just a moderately difficult trail, most hikers can accomplish this trail if they’re prepared!
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