Everything You Need to Know About Visiting Sunrise Point

Sunrise Point picture in Bryce Canyon National Park

Sunrise Point 2 picture in Bryce Canyon National Park

Sunrise Point 3 picture in Bryce Canyon National Park

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Key Info

Official Website

Details

Hiking, Recreation, Sightseeing Type
1 to 2 hours Time to Spend

4.7

Overall

Scorecard

Value

5.0
Facilities

3.0
Atmosphere

5.0

Read about how we rank Things to Do.

This scenic point offers not only amazing views but some of the more fancifully named formations in the park. Visitors have views of the Boat Mesa and the Sinking Ship, which are set against the Pink Cliffs of the Aquarius Plateau. Boat Mesa is topped by the resistant rock called "The Conglomerate at Boat Mesa" and rises above the hoodoos of Fairyland Canyon to 8,073 feet. Don't worry; these names make sense when you see the formations.

Sunrise Point is the trailhead for the easy 1.8-mile Queens Garden Trail that descends into a section of hoodoos, which are naturally ruled by the Queen Victoria hoodoo (hence the name). Sunrise is also the end point of the Navajo Loop and Queen Victoria combination, one of the most popular hikes in the park. Past visitors said this is a superb lookout with spectacular sunrises. However, if you can't make it for sunrise, rest assured the beauty and colors are incredible at all hours of the day, according to recent travelers.

Access to Sunrise Point is included in park admission. Sunrise Point is the No. 8 stop on the free park shuttle. From April through October, the Bryce Canyon General Store is open here, which has a snack bar, restrooms, drinking water and showers. Additional information can be found on the NPS website.

Hotels Nearby

Thing to Do
Hotel

Best Western Plus Bryce Canyon Grand Hotel ...

3.3 Miles Away
2.5-star Hotel Class

Bryce View Lodge ...

3.2 Miles Away
2.0-star Hotel Class

Best Western Plus Ruby's Inn ...

3.1 Miles Away
2.5-star Hotel Class

See all hotels in Bryce Canyon National Park »

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#1 Inspiration Point For diverse perspectives of the main amphitheater, head to Inspiration Point, which is home to three levels of viewpoints. From here, visitors can look toward the Silent City (near Sunset ... Read more » Sumiko Scott / Getty Images

#2 Bryce Point One of the most popular viewpoints in the park, Bryce Point offers stunning sunrises for those willing to get up early. As the sun rises, it looks like the tops ... Read more » Apexphotos / Getty Images

#3 Sunrise Point This scenic point offers not only amazing views but some of the more fancifully named formations in the park. Visitors have views of the Boat Mesa and the Sinking Ship ... Read more » littleting/Pradthana Jarusriboonchai / Getty Images

#4 Scenic Drive The park's 38-mile (round-trip) scenic drive features 13 viewpoints along the route. The northern overlooks have the most hoodoos, but the southern overlooks offer the most expansive views. If ... Read more » Daniel Grill / Getty Images

#5 Rainbow Point and Yovimpa Point Located at the southern end of the park, Rainbow Point offers expansive views of the entire park back to the north. Yovimpa Point, which is also located here, is where ... Read more » VW Pics / Getty Images

#6 Fairyland Canyon This scenic overlook, which sits 1 mile north of the park entrance station, is a great place to see hoodoos up close. The trailhead for the strenuous 8-mile Fairyland Loop ... Read more » David H. Carriere / Getty Images

#7 Visitor Center According to recent travelers, starting your Bryce Canyon experience at the visitor center is a must. Here, you'll find a ranger help desk, exhibits on the area, interactive consoles ... Read more » Al_HikesAZ / Flickr

#8 Sunset Point Sunset Point is home to some of Bryce Canyon's most famous hoodoos, including the Silent City, a maze of hoodoos and fins concentrated in a tight formation, and Thor ... Read more » Don & Melinda Crawford/UIG / Getty Images