Peekaboo Loop Trail

Best Time to Visit

The trail's official season runs April through October. Spring and fall offer the most manageable conditions — cooler temperatures reduce the physical toll of 1,560 feet of cumulative climbing at altitude. Summer mornings are ideal, but afternoon thunderstorms develop quickly June through September; plan to be off the exposed canyon sections well before early afternoon. Winter brings two to fifteen feet of snow to Peekaboo Loop, and the Bryce Point access road can close temporarily after storms. Traction devices and trekking poles are necessary for any cold-season attempt — the switchbacks and steep descents become hazardous on packed snow and ice from October through April. Cell service is limited or absent in the inner canyon, so check conditions before leaving.

Trail Tips

• Bryce Point sits at roughly 8,300 feet — physical exertion at this altitude is noticeably greater than at sea level. Budget more time than the distance alone suggests, particularly on the climb back out.
• Dogs are not permitted on this trail or any other trail within Bryce Canyon National Park. Leashed pets are allowed only in parking areas and on paved surfaces.
• Hiking clockwise is the NPS recommendation and puts you at the Wall of Windows first; counter-clockwise hikers commonly walk past Peekaboo Arch without noticing it.
• The trail passes through marked sensitive plant areas on the eastern half — stay on the designated path to protect the Bristlecone Pine habitat.
• When meeting horses or mules on the trail, step to the downhill side of the path, speak calmly to let the animals know you are there, and wait for the group to pass.

Getting There

The trailhead is at Bryce Point, near the southern end of the park's main road. An entry pass is required for all vehicles entering Bryce Canyon National Park. Parking at Bryce Point is limited and typically fills before 9 AM on busy summer mornings. The park shuttle stops at Bryce Point from April through October, making it the most reliable way to reach the trailhead without circling for a space. There is no water fill station at Bryce Point — fill water bottles at Sunset Point or the visitor center before heading to the trailhead. Pit toilets are available on the western side of the loop during summer only.

What to Expect on Peekaboo Loop Trail

Peekaboo Loop is one of the most immersive trails in Bryce Canyon, taking hikers through terrain that the rim overlooks never reveal. The route begins with a steady descent from Bryce Point, passing through a natural tunnel carved into the rock before reaching the canyon floor. The clockwise loop opens first with the Wall of Windows — two large arches eroded into the cliff face — then climbs a set of steep switchbacks through narrow hoodoo corridors that rank among the best photography positions in the park. The eastern half of the loop shifts character, moving through ponderosa pine and Bristlecone Pine zones before reaching Peekaboo Arch, a formation that frames the surrounding hoodoos and is easy to miss when hiking counter-clockwise. The northern junction connects to Navajo Loop and Queen's Garden trails for hikers who want to extend the outing into a longer Figure 8 route. Throughout, the trail is shared with horses and mules, so expect riders on the western sections and yield to them when you meet.