Tropic Trail

Tropic Trail is one of the least-traveled front-country routes in Bryce Canyon National Park, and one of the few that works backwards from the usual pattern — instead of starting on the rim and dropping into the amphitheater, it begins in lower-elevation forest near the town of Tropic and climbs steadily up into the park. The trail covers about 1.7 miles one way with roughly 590 feet of elevation change, generally taking 1 to 2 hours.

Trail details

• Passes through juniper and pine forest, following Bryce Creek, which runs dry much of the year
• Connects at its upper end with the Peekaboo Loop, Navajo Loop, and Queen's Garden Trail
• Trailhead: from Tropic, head west on Bryce Way/W 100 N for about 3.2 miles to a dead end with a cattle gate and stairs

As a park-interior trail, standard NPS rules apply — no pets, and backcountry camping elsewhere in the park requires a permit.