Yovimpa Point Trailhead

This is the backcountry trailhead at the Rainbow/Yovimpa Point parking area, the south end of the 18-mile scenic drive. From here the Riggs Spring Loop heads out as an 8.6-mile route with about 2,200 feet of total climbing, typically hiked counter-clockwise as a single overnight past Yovimpa Pass, Yovimpa Spring, and Riggs Spring. The same trailhead also connects to the Under-the-Rim Trail, which runs roughly 23 miles north to Bryce Point, and to the short, paved Bristlecone Loop for hikers who just want a quick walk rather than a backcountry trip.

Good to know

• A backcountry permit from the visitor center is required for any overnight stay on the Riggs Spring Loop or Under-the-Rim Trail
• Water sources along the way are seasonal and unreliable — carry at least a gallon per person per day
• Bear-resistant food canisters are required
• Snow and ice affect the trail roughly November–April; the elevation here is among the highest in the park