Rainbow Point
Bryce Canyon National Park, UT
Rainbow Point—and neighboring Yovimpa Point—is the highest viewpoint in Bryce Canyon National Park, at 9,115 feet (2,778 meters). Located at the end of the Southern Scenic Drive, it's a top destination if you're looking to see the park's stunning crimson-colored hoodoos (column-like rock formations), plateaus, and canyons while hiking a short loop trail.
The basics
Driving tours through Bryce Canyon often pass through this part of the park where most hoodoos are found. The elevation increases until you reach Rainbow Point at the end of the road. At Rainbow Point, you can walk to Yovimpa Point or hike the 1-mile (1.6-kilometer) Bristlecone Loop Trail starting near the parking lot. This trail is popular for snowshoeing in winter. Plan your clothing and water supply for the high elevation.
Things to know before you go
There are year-round entrance fees for Bryce Canyon National Park. No reservations are needed.
There is no shuttle service in this area of the park.
The parks service sometimes closes a portion of the Southern Scenic Drive after snowfall until the road can be plowed.
Restrooms are available at the Rainbow Point parking lot.
Leashed dogs are allowed in the Rainbow Point parking lot and paved paths—but not on the trails.
How to get there
It typically takes about 40 minutes to drive from the Visitor Center to the end of the Southern Scenic Drive; you must return the way you came as it's the only exit. Driving from the Visitor Center directly to Rainbow and Yovimpa Points and getting out for the views is recommended. Then, visit the other viewpoints as you exit the park, as they will be on your right-hand side and more accessible from the road.
When to get there
Bryce Canyon is busiest in summer and early fall, so plan to arrive before 8am or after 5pm, or you will have trouble finding parking. This timing also helps you avoid the hottest part of the day, which can be unbearable in summer. In winter, the higher elevation viewpoints like Rainbow Point might be inaccessible after snowfall.
Other popular trails in Bryce Canyon
Most visitors hike in the Bryce Amphitheater area as it is close to the Visitor Center and offers some of the best views. The Queen's/Navajo Combination Loop is highly recommended for first-time visitors looking to hike into the canyon to see the hoodoos. The easy-to-moderate Rim Trail is another favorite, as it connects many of the park's top spots like Sunset Point, Sunrise Point, and Inspiration Point (depending on how far you hike).
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