Most of the popular hikes in Bryce canyon are intense workouts… with switchbacks, big elevation losses and then gains, and plus, the altitude that makes it extra difficult. So what hike should you do when you have a crowd that doesn’t want to be out of breath?

The Mossy Cave Trail

The Mossy Cave Trail is a hike that’s just hard enough to get your heart racing and blood pumping, but not so much that it feels difficult. It’s perfect for the audience I described, and also very enjoyable for those who are more into the difficult hikes, because the views are worth every second. You hike through hoodoos (that’s what these types of rock formations are called) and at the top, get to see a small cave covered in green moss.

It’s a gorgeous trail and also very a very unique hike, giving you all of the best of Bryce Canyon while not taking too much out of you. This hike is .8 miles round trip and there’s only a 150-ft elevation gain throughout the hike.

But, what if you want to see the best of Bryce Canyon but don’t want to hike at all?

What to see in Bryce Canyon without Hiking

Bryce Canyon is a great national park because while the hikes that get you down and in the ampitheatres are stunning, you’re actually able to enjoy a lot of the same things without hiking at all, just at a different angle.

There are so many look out points along the highway through Bryce Canyon. All you have to do is pull over and step outside your vehicle. There’s a few spots where you have to walk less than 50 feet on a paved walkway to see the best views, but even those are optional. It’s well worth the effort, in my opinion, to check out all that the park has to offer in terms of lookout viewpoints!

The National Park Services website has a list of possible viewpoints and stops you can make along the way, and they’re all on the map that you recieve when entering the park.

My personal favorite lookout point is Inspiration Point, where you overlook what is seen from below by the Queen’s Garden Trail. The hoodoos there are stunning, and if you’re there in the winter time the snow adds an extra touch of magic to it all!

Of course, you can always make a stop at the Visitor’s Center as well, which proves to be a fun activity. They have a gift shop (like many of the other visitor’s centers) and have a mini museum to look around and learn more about the National Park you’re visiting.

If you want to read about my experience visiting Bryce Canyon and doing these viewpoints and trails, check out my post where I talk about visiting all 5 Utah National Parks in 5 days.

If you want to read about a hike of similar difficulty which is my favorite in the world, check out this post of mine about my favorite hike in France.

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