About 2 hours from St. George, Bryce Canyon is like a whole different world from Zion National Park or even Snow Canyon State Park. Full of magical Hoodoos, Silent Cities, and translucent ampitheaters, it is a wonderland where kids imaginations can soar. During the hotter summer months, Bryce Canyon is still pretty cool, there in the higher elevations.

Bryce Canyon National Park Kids Activities

Become a Junior Ranger!

When you arrive, come to the Visitor Center to find out how to become a Junior Ranger. Kids between the ages of 3 and 9 years old -- and older! -- can become Junior Rangers.

Junior Rangers can be thought of as potential Park Rangers in training. This nationwide program is designed to not only familiarize children with the duties and responsibilities of a park ranger, but also to spark an interest in the whole family for the resources and stories each National Park Service area preserves.

Where: The Bryce Canyon Visitor's Center. Then...

• Attend a presentation by a Park Ranger and ask for the activity booklet.
• Work through an activity booklet completing an age appropriate number of activities.
• Pick up some litter in an overlook parking lot or while hiking a trail.

Upon completing these requirements, Junior Ranger candidates must return to the Visitor Center where they will be inducted as Junior Rangers and receive a free badge. Upon receiving the badge, a unique patch can be purchased from the bookstore for one dollar.

These special patches and badges issued cannot be purchased or otherwise obtained except through the dedication of the child and the support of his or her parents or guardians.

Kid Fun Hikes in Bryce Canyon

Choosing the Right Trails for Kids

Since Bryce appears to be a magical wonderland full of castles and mythical stone creatures it would not seem to be hard to choose trails that are kid friendly, but in Bryce many of the trails head downhill quickly making the return steep, which for most younger kids, is miserable. Although this can be trying for kids it can be more difficult for parents that end up carrying kids.

Click on trail name to view a large image

Rim Trail - 11 mile round trip
The Rim Trail is an easy and well-traveled hike. It traverses the rim, from Fairyland Point to Bryce Point, connecting all the scenic overlooks for these two points. The section between Sunrise and Sunset Points is where baby strollers and wheelchairs can be used.

Mossy Trail - 1 mile round trip
The Mossy Trail is an easy hike without significant elevation change. The entire mile-long round trip is different from the rest of Bryce Canyon National Park. To locate the trail, drive past the Bryce Canyon entrance and keep going north until you see a small trailhead sign to your right. This is a nice stream-side walk to a small waterfall and a small mossy overhang or cave. The Mossy Cave Trail is a wonderful hike to take kids or to find solitude away from the main amphitheater.

Bristlecone Pine Trail - 1 mile round trip
This hike is a fun one for kids who are often delighted to find out just what is the oldest living thing on the earth.

Navajo / Peekaboo Combo - 2.9 mile round trip
This hike is a good choice if you are short on time and will only be able to hike one trail. The path combines Navajo and Peekaboo and begins at Sunset Point.

Queens Garden Trail - 1.8 mile round trip.
This is a short trail and although there is a climb, it is considered to be the least difficult trail leading below the rim.