Where does the Peekaboo Loop Trail start?

The Peekaboo Loop Trail starts at Bryce Point, located at the far end of the Bryce Canyon National Park main road. The trail begins at the end of the parking lot.

How long is the Peekaboo Loop Trail?

The Peekaboo Loop Trail is approximately 5.5 miles round trip if you include the descent from Bryce Point. It features steady ups and downs throughout.

Is the Peekaboo Loop Trail difficult?

Yes, the trail is moderate to strenuous due to the elevation and rolling terrain. Expect significant elevation changes and a climb out of the Bryce Amphitheater at the end.

What is the best direction to hike the Peekaboo Loop?

The National Park Service recommends hiking the Peekaboo Loop clockwise. This helps with trail flow and makes the climbs more manageable.

Is the Peekaboo Loop Trail open year-round?

Not always. The trailhead sits at 8,300 feet and can be covered by 2–15 feet of snow in winter. Bryce Point may be closed when conditions are bad. Check with the park before visiting.

Can I take the shuttle to the Peekaboo Loop Trail?

Yes, in summer you can take the Bryce Canyon shuttle to Bryce Point, which is the starting point for the Peekaboo Loop Trail.

Is there parking at Bryce Point for the Peekaboo Loop?

Yes, there are about 30 parking spaces at Bryce Point. Parking fills up quickly during peak times, so consider using the park shuttle.

What gear do I need for the Peekaboo Loop Trail?

Wear proper hiking or fitness gear, and bring at least 1–2L of water depending on the weather. In winter, use micro-spikes and trekking poles. A trail map is also helpful.

Can I see horses on the Peekaboo Loop Trail?

Yes, Peekaboo Loop is one of the few trails shared with horses and mules. Give animals space if you encounter them on the trail.

What can I see on the Peekaboo Loop Trail?

You’ll pass through arches, see the Wall of Windows, Peekaboo Arch, and possibly spot Thor’s Hammer. The trail offers some of the best hoodoo views in the park.

PLAY VIDEO

Peekaboo Loop Trail

By Cris Hazzard, Professional Hiking Guide
Updated August 16, 2025

Hike Stats

Total Distance: 5.2 miles
Time: 3-4 Hours
Total Climbing: 1500 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Crowds: Moderate
Dogs: No Dogs
Gear: What I Use
Weather: Latest Report
Park: Bryce Canyon National Park

The Peekaboo Loop Trail takes you away from the crowds and into some of the most dramatic hoodoo scenery in Bryce Canyon. This scenic, up-and-down loop is a great way to explore the Bryce Amphitheater from below, with fewer people and nonstop views. In this guide, I’ll show you how to hike and get the most out of the Peekaboo Loop.

Where is the Peekaboo Loop Trail?

Peekaboo Loop Trail Start Map — The Peekaboo Loop Trail starts at Bryce Point, at the end of the main area of the park.

Trailhead Address:

Bryce Pt Rd, Tropic, UT 84776

Fees:

$20+ Park Entry Fee

Get your America the Beautiful pass to enter.

There's a parking lot at Bryce Point with roughly 30 parking spots. In the summer Bryce Canyon NP usually runs a shuttle bus, and if you're staying in Bryce Canyon City you can easily take the shuttle here and avoid the hassle.

Peekaboo Loop Start Point — The hike starts at the end of the parking area.

Bring water with you before getting to Bryce Point; there's no water fill station here.

Best Time to Do the Hike

Bryce Canyon Snow Plow — Check the conditions on the park website before heading to do the hike, the trailhead may be closed in the winter.

Month

Jan

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Snow

Best

Maybe Snow

The start of the Peekaboo Loop Trail is at 8300 feet. In the winter snow can cover the trail, from 2-15 feet of it, and the road to Bryce Point might be closed. The Peekaboo Loop is a great summer hike.

Gear Recommendations

The Peekaboo Loop Trail is a bit off the beaten path compared to the more popular hikes like the Navajo and Queens Garden Trail. If you have hiking gear, wear it. If you don't, go with fitness gear and sneakers. Bring the essentials and be prepared for conditions to change.
There's a lot of ups and downs; trekking poles can be helpful.
Even if it's not deep under snow, in the winter the trail can be icy and slippery. When this is the case, the rangers recommend using micro-spikes, which are like mini snow chains for your shoes. They allow you to dig into the snow and ice and not slip. They work well with trekking poles to keep your balance.
Bring at least 1L of water (a water bottle) for the loop, 2L if it's really hot.
I recommend picking up a National Geographic trail map for Bryce Canyon. It's helpful to see trail distances and landmark names.

Essentials I’m Using Now

Garmin inReach Mini 2: Reliable SOS Everywhere on Earth
Sawyer + CNOC Water Filter: Easy & Reliable Safe Water
Nitecore NU25 Headlamp: Running late? Get home safe
Altra Olympus 275: Favorite trail shoes right now, no blisters and very comfy.
AllTrails Plus: Offline maps on your phone with the Plus level
Full November 2025 Gear List →

Peekaboo Loop Trail Maps

Peekaboo Trail Loop Sign — There are signs at all the major trail junctions.

Click to activate map

Print Map, Work With It Yourself

View Hike on CalTopo

Bring the Guide to Any GPS

Download the GPX File

Peekaboo Trail Loop Climb — This trail can seem a little tougher than it looks on paper. In addition to having to climb back out of the Bryce Amphitheater, the main loop has lots of ups and downs.

My trail guide follows the Bryce Canyon NP's recommendation to do the Peekaboo Loop clockwise.

Peekaboo Loop Trail Directions

Peekaboo Loop Trail Directions 4 — At the junction for the Under the Rim Trail, stay left on the Peekaboo.

Peekaboo Loop Trail Directions 5 — The trail winds downhill.

Peekaboo Loop Trail Directions 6 — The downhill is very scenic and there's an arch or two to go through.

Peekaboo Loop Trail Directions 7 — At around 1.1 miles you'll come to the loop part of the hike. Make the left to do the loop clockwise.

Peekaboo Loop Trail Directions 8 — You'll pass a horse pen. The Peekaboo is shared with horses, and if you see them, give them lots of room.

The Peekaboo is one of the only shared use trails (humans, horses, mules). You can bring your own horse or mule with you, or you can book a ride with the park's official concessioner. The are also other 'horse-only' trails that are closed to humans.

Peekaboo Loop Trail Directions 9 — Just past the pen you'll see a trail off to the left, which goes to the pit toilets. They are only open in the summer.

Peekaboo Loop Trail Directions 10 — You'll hike past the "Wall of Windows" - these are hoodoos in the making.

Once you pass the Wall of Windows, you go from Peekaboo Canyon into Bryce Canyon.

Peekaboo Loop Trail Directions 11 — You'll have some switchbacks to climb. This trail is a bit of an engineering marvel, and many of the trails here were built in 1929.

Peekaboo Loop Trail Directions 12 — And then a nice descent with some trails below.

If you want to connect to the Navajo Loop or Queens Garden Trail, you can do it at the bottom of this climb. See my guide for the Figure 8 Trail for more information.

Peekaboo Loop Trail Directions 13 — At the bottom of the hill you'll be on the top of the loop, halfway through. Make the hard right.

Peekaboo Loop Trail Directions 14 — As I mentioned earlier, the junctions, including the sign from that last image, are well marked.

Peekaboo Loop Trail Directions 15 — After the sign there's another climb. Once you're over the top, you leave Bryce Canyon and re-enter Peekaboo Canyon.

Do hoodoos fall down? They sure do, but usually it happens over a period of thousands of years, but given the amount of hoodoos at Bryce, it could really happen whenever. An iconic hoodoo called The Sentinel tumbled between 1980 and 2016.
The Sentinel Hooddoo Bryce Canyon

Peekaboo Loop Trail Directions 17 — You'll pass through the namesake Peekaboo Arch.

Peekaboo Loop Trail Directions 18 — And then after another climb, you'll reach the beginning of the loop. Make the left and hike back up to Bryce Point.

Originally published August 11, 2025