Peek-a-Boo Loop in Bryce Canyon
Bryce, Utah
Details
Distance
4.98 miles
Elevation Gain
1388 ft
Route Type
Loop
Description
Added by Sonja Saxe
Peek-a-Boo Loop combines two scenic hikes in Bryce Canyon National Park for a challenging but rewarding 5-mile hike. Along the way you will be treated to sights of towering hoodoos and sweeping vistas of red rocks.
This 5 mile hike begins at an elevation of 8000' at the Navajo Loop trailhead at Sunset Point. The view from the lookout of Sunset Point is only just a small taste of the sweeping vistas you will see on the hike. From Sunset Point follow the sign for the Navajo Trail and begin descending into a sea of towering spires and pinnacles. You will have great views of the famous Thor's Hammer on the way down. Shortly after passing Thor's Hammer you will descend even further and faster via a series of steep switchbacks.
After the switchbacks you will go straight at the intersection for Queens Garden, Peek-a-boo Loop, and the Wall Street Section of the Navajo Trail. The trail levels out for the next 0.3 miles as you make your way through a wooded area of firs and pines to reach the sign for the Peek-a-boo Loop. The loop can be done in either direction but the views of the Wall of Windows section are better if the loop is done clockwise. The trail rises and falls often as you make your way around the hoodoos. About halfway through the Peek-a-boo Loop (1.3 miles) you will reach a sign for Bryce Point, where you'll continue on the Peek-a-boo Loop by staying to the right. Just past the junction, on the left, are restrooms that are accessible in the summer only.
After passing the restrooms the trail will begin to wind back into the amphitheater, rising and falling again as it did in the beginning. You will have spectacular views of the Wall of Windows as you make your way back to the start of the loop. Once you reach the sign designating the Peek-a-boo Loop, head back in the direction you came, once again making your way through the cover of trees. When you reach the junction you can get back to Sunset Point two ways. You can either take a left and head up through the towering walls of Wall Street (0.7 miles to Sunset Point) or you can use the same trail you took in the beginning (0.6 miles to Sunset Point).
The trails that make up this hike are well traveled and well marked but require proper footwear. Boots in the summer and ice cleats in the winter are highly recommended as the trail is steep.
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Reviews
Started at Sunset Point, took the Navajo Loop down through Wall Street and then branched off on the Peekaboo Loop. It’s all down until you begin Peekaboo, then it’s quite a bit of up and down. If you want to spoil the surprise, watch the faces’ of people coming toward you: if they look happy it means they just had a nice downhill stretch which means you’re in for a climb…if they look sad, then you’re about to get a break. Take plenty of water, it’s unlikely you’ll get any until you return to the rim, and watch for the horses (and horse poop). Keep in mind that you’re around 8k feet so there’s some added challenge to this hike, especially once you’re done with the loop but still have to climb out on the Navajo trail. Regardless, anytime you can get down amongst the hoodoos in BCNP is a good hike and this one is no exception.
5.0
This hike has it all in one. Combining the best hikes in the park this one route takes you through Wall Street, the Navajo section and Queens Garden. Great views of hoodoos throughout as you gain and drop elevation in different areas. Overall a great hike that will take the better part of half a day. After the hike continue on and check out a number of other rim viewpoints.
5.0
A popular hike in Bryce that and a great way to see the hoodoo's. It's especially beautiful in the winter.
5.0
You'll want to put one or two in your pack. I had some trouble with the lighting here in the park, wish I'd done a bit more research. It's absolutely beautiful during winter or summer, although the contrast of the snow is pretty inspiring.
5.0
Still was a great, relatively short hike. Really fantastic way to experience the hoodoos. Wish the horse tours hadn't been in the way so much (for some reason based on pacing and time of day, we crossed paths with horses at least three times). End the loop with Wall Street to get one last experience of the magnificent rock structures.
4.0
I did this hike during the winter and had a few falls due to the slippery snow -- but nothing could beat the views of the snow capped hoodoos. Make sure you have good traction and some hiking polls.
5.0
We rented horses from the lodge and completed this loop that way. It was a fun way to spend the day. The horses are trained to get as close to the edge as possible in order to give you a great view. I love the tunnels that have been cut through the rocks on the trail.
3.0
This is a classic must do in the NP System. It can be busy in the warmer seasons, but go in winter and you'll nearly have it to yourself.
4.0
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Nearby
Navajo Loop and Queens Garden Trail
Navajo Loop Trail
Sunset Point to Sunrise Point
Winter Hike the Navajo-Queens Garden Loop
Winter Camping in Bryce Canyon National Park
Wall Street Loop in Bryce Canyon
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