Swamp Canyon

Bryce Canyon National Park


The overlook at Swamp Canyon sits in a forested dip between two ridge lines that extend into the canyon as fins, dropping to hoodoo formations. From the turnout, you can take a short walk through the trees and descend slightly to towering pink-orange cliffs of crumbling limestone, one of the more intimate views along the drive. Portions of the canyon burned in a 2010 wildfire.

Trees extend from the rim into the canyon, as does red-barked greenleaf manzanita. Nature lovers like the variety of plant and animal life here; kids like the steep trail into the canyon. This is also the jumping-off point for the scenic Swamp Canyon connecting trail, which drops into the canyon and follows a series of switchbacks for about a mile to the Under-the-Rim Trail (to do this hike, bear right at the fork in the trail below the parking area).


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Bryce Canyon National Park attractions

1. Paria View

2.43 MILES

Three miles north of Swamp Canyon, signs point to the Paria View viewpoint, which lies 2 miles off the main road. This is the place to come for sunsets…

2. Inspiration Point

3 MILES

A short path from the parking lot, off Scenic Drive, leads to jaw-dropping views of the Bryce Amphitheater and Silent City. This is also a top spot for…

3. Bryce Point

3.29 MILES

If you stop nowhere else along the scenic drive, be sure to catch the stunning views from Bryce Point. You can walk the rim above Bryce Amphitheater for…

4. Farview Point

3.51 MILES

A grand view of the tree-studded rises and benches, giant plateaus, blue-hued mesas and buttes that extend from the skirts of Bryce into the Grand…

5. Sunset Point

3.54 MILES

This is the nexus of the park, with easy access to the lodge, trails and other services. Aside from great views of the Silent City, this point is known…

6. Thor's Hammer

3.56 MILES

This tower looks like the hammer of the mighty Thor. It's best viewed from the upper switchbacks on the Navajo Loop Trail.

7. Queen Victoria

3.83 MILES

While many of the hoodoos look like various chess pieces, the Queen Victoria feature at the bottom of the Queen's Garden Trail is one of the more…

8. Sunrise Point

3.9 MILES

Marking the north end of Bryce Amphitheater, the southeast-facing Sunrise Point offers great views of hoodoos, the Aquarius Plateau and the Sinking Ship,…

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