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Sunset to Sunrise

Rating: 
Round Trip Distance: 1 mile
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation: 8000 - 8024 feet
Cellphone: 1-5 bars
Time: 30 mins.
Trailhead: Sunset Point
Fee: $15 individual, $30/vehicle, $35/annual pass
Attractions: Scenic views, paved trail




The Sunset to Sunrise Point trail is located in Bryce Canyon National Park. The half mile long trail is actually a paved section of the 11 mile long Rim trail. This is the only trail in the park that allows pets which must be on a short leash at all times. It is also the only trail in the park that is wheelchair accessible.



The trailhead at Sunset Point is probably the busiest of all trailheads in the park. The parking lot fills up early so the free shuttle might be your best bet for getting there. From the Sunset trailhead you can get access to the Queens Garden trail, the Navajo Loop, the Peekaboo trail, Rim trail and even the Fairyland Loop.


The entire length of the trail borders the canyon rim.


Bryce Canyon, with its beautiful colored hoodoos, spires and canyon walls, is like no other place on Earth.


At 8000 feet above sea level Bryce Canyon can be a lot cooler than the other National Parks in the area. If you are camping it can get fairly chilly at night and a light jacket might come in handy during the early morning and evening hours.


Looking into the canyon you can see some of the wide and well groomed trails that make them a pleasure to hike.


The pavement stops at the base of the Sunrise Point Overlook which sits on a knob that is about 20 feet or so higher than the rest of the trail.


Looking across the canyon on a rainy morning.


If you are able to hike even just a short distance down one of the trails to get closer to the hoodoos you will be able to gain a greater appreciation for this unique place.


With a steady flow of tour buses you would think this area would be more crowded but people seem to spread out quickly along the rim or disappear down one of the trails. Of course, the number of people also seems to dwindle around sunrise and sunset which are prime viewing times at this location. With so much open area along the rim there is plenty of room for everyone to set up their tripods and take all the pictures they desire. If you would like to see it for yourself then all you have to do is 'Take a hike'.