One of the wonderful things about Bryce Canyon is that even though hiking is the best way to explore it, you don't have to be an advanced backpacker to really get to know the park. There are ample opportunities to experience much of the park on easy walks, and many people see the park from the back of a mule or horse. In the winter, the park's trails open to snowshoers and cross-country skiers.
Remember that all trails below the rim have at least some steep grades, so you should wear hiking boots with a traction tread and good ankle support to avoid ankle injuries, the most common accidents in the park. During the hot summer months, you'll want to hike either early or late in the day. Not only is it cooler at those times, but there are also fewer people on the trails, and the morning and late afternoon lighting on the hoodoos can produce dramatic effects. Bryce's rangers have recently stopped rating hiking trails as to their difficulty, saying that what is easy for one person may be difficult for another. Ratings here are provided by the authors and other experienced hikers, and are entirely subjective.
The Best of Two Great Trails -- A great choice for getting down into the canyon and seeing the most scenery with the least amount of sweat is to combine Navajo Loop Trail with the Queen's Garden Trail. The total distance is just under 3 miles, and most hikers take from 2 to 3 hours to make the hike. It's best to start at the Navajo Loop Trail Head at Sunset Point and leave the canyon on the less steep Queen's Garden Trail, returning to the rim at Sunrise Point, a half-mile north of the Navajo Loop Trail Head.
Beating the Heat -- The lower you drop below the rim, the hotter it gets; so carry water and dress in layers that can be easily removed and carried as the temperature rises.
