Embark on the Queens Garden Trail or watch the sun rising over Boat Mesa and the Sinking Ship from this favourite destination in Bryce Canyon.
As you might assume from its name, sunrise at Sunrise Point is spectacular. Enjoy stunning views any time of day, spanning some of the most iconic geologic formations in Bryce Canyon National Park.
To catch sunrise in all its splendor, arrive while the morning is still dark. As the sun slowly shows its face, the rocks in the canyon transform into brilliant shades of orange. Bring your camera and some warm layers, as temperatures are quite low in the mornings.
Look northeast from Sunrise Point and pick out the unmistakable shape of Boat Mesa, a large mesa set high above the rocks. Identify the tilting triangular form of Sinking Ship nearby. Bryce Canyon’s sweeping Pink Cliffs provide a stunning backdrop to the views. Hoodoos, towering stalagmite-like rock formations, cover the canyon floor.
Admire the stunning nature on display at Sunrise Point. Look for a resilient limber pine clinging to the canyon rim, its roots exposed by erosion. Geologic forces are still at work within the Bryce Canyon. Geologists have calculated that in approximately 3 million years, it will have completely eroded away.
Sunrise Point acts as the trailhead for the Queens Garden Trail. At 1.8 miles (3.0 kilometers) long, the trail is short but slightly strenuous because of its descent. Hike down into a crop of hoodoos presided over by Queen Victoria, a hoodoo that vaguely resembles the queen in a bustled dress. Explore the rock amphitheater further by continuing along the connecting Navajo Loop Trail. Enjoy stunning aerial panoramic views along the leisurely Rim Trail, which connects many of the favorite viewpoints in Bryce Canyon, including Sunset Point, Sunrise Point, Bryce Point and Inspiration Point. The paved portion between Sunset and Sunrise points is wheelchair-accessible.
Find Sunrise Point just off Bryce Canyon’s scenic route, right on the canyon rim. It is about 1.5 miles (2 kilometers) from the visitor center. Drive here yourself or take a guided tour on the Bryce Canyon Shuttle. Hop aboard the complimentary shuttle at the visitor center.
