Bryce Canyon Photography: 13 Best Photo Spots in Bryce Canyon National Park

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After visiting many times, we’re happy to be sharing the best spots for Bryce Canyon photography!

Bryce Canyon National Park has a unique array of scenery that’s the essence, and beauty cannot truly be captured in a photograph, but one should certainly try.

I mean, how can you see such a jaw-dropping sight without trying to take a piece of it home with you?

That’s right; you can’t. So here are a few tips on how to get the most out of your Bryce Canyon photography attempts.

Bryce Canyon Photography Spots

Thor’s Hammer

Marvel who? We’re talking about Bryce Canyon’s Hammer.

This unique hoodoo stands out from the forested canyon around it, providing a beautiful contrast between the red rock and the green pines. 

And let me tell you, this makes for a great photo.

This site is located just below the Sunset Point lookout. Explore the trail a little bit to find the right angle and distance for your picture.

📷 Bryce Canyon can be difficult to shoot at sunset because many rock formations in one area can lead to long shadows over the view you’re trying to photograph. Luckily, Thor’s Hammer is pretty isolated from its fellow hoodoos, so taking a pic at sunset isn’t as big of an issue.

Rainbow Point

Rainbow Point is one of the best photo spots in Bryce Canyon. 

Take the park road all the way to the end until you reach a parking lot. You’ll park here to see the Rainbow and Yovimpa Points.

Rainbow Point looks out on a strangely colorful array of hoodoos in Rainbow Canyon, as well as some other notoriously beautiful views, such as the Table Cliff Plateau.

Oh, you can’t believe how a bunch of rock formations can be like a rainbow? It might seem a little far-fetched, but it’s real, and it’s one of the best things about photographing Bryce Canyon. 

📷 This is one of the spots that the sunset will ignite. You won’t want to miss capturing a picture or two here at golden hour.

Paria View

Now, if you’re looking for a real show-stopping view to take a picture of, Paria View at sunset should be at the top of your list.

The enormous rock tiers layer upon each other to create a castle of red rock. Add a layer of warm sunlight rays, and it becomes magical.

To get a truly unique picture of Bryce National Park, come back to Paria Point in the winter. The snow adds another layer to the rocky cliffs, and you may not even recognize the view you gazed upon so fondly just months before.

And yet, it is just as beautiful. 

Natural Bridge

When driving along the park highway, look for the Natural Bridge sign for another Bryce Canyon photography favorite.

This arch, hand-crafted by erosion, stands mightily at almost 125 feet tall, just waiting to be photographed.

And if you look closely, you’ll be able to find mini versions of the Natural Bridge all over Bryce Canyon.

📷 This view is best photographed in mid-morning when the sun is high in the sky. Experiment with different angles to frame your preferred scenery through the arch.

Bryce Point

Bryce Point. The most iconic view in the park, and probably the most taken picture of Bryce Canyon National Park.

This view represents the name well, providing breathtaking views of the hoodoo labyrinth, called Bryce Amphitheater, below at any given time of the day.

And although it is beautiful at any time, Bryce Point should be your number one choice to see a sunrise in Bryce Canyon. The early morning rays flood the Amphitheater, bringing it to life for all those witnessing it.

📷 This is a great photo spot for panoramas, and to see other views like Boat Mesa and Claron Formation.

You can find Bryce Point along the Peek-a-Boo Loop trail.

Wall Street

If you want to take advantage of the views of Bryce Canyon’s Wall Street, be sure to visit the park before Bryce Canyon is veiled by winter precipitation. The trail closes annually due to the ice and snow that covers the hike.

Wall Street is Bryce Canyon’s only slot canyon, and capturing a photo of the towering walls casting an orange glow on everything it touches is an opportunity you won’t want to pass up. 

Wall Street is located on the Navajo Loop Trail. It was one of two choices for proceeding along the path, so when you reach a fork in the trail, head to the right.

Sunrise Point

Sunrise Point lives up to the name for some excellent sunrise Bryce Canyon photography.

The sunrise illuminates the scenery like no other, but this point also doubles as a great sunset spot as well.

And if you’ve got a high-quality camera, this is one of the best photo spots in Bryce Canyon for night photography.

Sunrise Point marks the beginning of Queen’s Garden Trail and the end of the Navajo Loop Trail.

Besides the beautifully contradictory combination of the pines and hoodoos, Sunrise Point is a good spot to see views like The Sinking Ship as well.

Yovimpa Point

From the joint parking lot for Rainbow Point and Yovimpa Point, you can take a paved trail to Yovimpa Point to see the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. 

This is a staple for Bryce Canyon photography. Yovimpa Point provides an undefeatable view at 9000 feet, the highest view in the park, of the Staircase and the “steps” that led to the epithet.

The paved trail runs past a picnic area, so after you capture the stunning view of the Grand Staircase, you can stop here for some lunch or a snack.

Sunset Point

Unlike Sunrise Point, Sunset Point is not properly named and a little bit deceptive.

Don’t get me wrong, it still has awe-inspiring views, sunset is just not the best time to get them on camera.

📷 Early morning will allow you to capture these infamous hoodoos in all their glory.

The area is littered with hoodoos and was coined The Silent City.

Sunset can be found above the beginning of the Navajo Loop trail, and you’ll be able to see Thor’s Hammer from the overlook.

Queen’s Garden Trail

After taking a few pictures of the sunrise at Sunrise point, follow Queen’s Garden Trail 320 feet down into the canyon. 

This hike concludes at just under a mile but provides the best opportunities for up-close shots of the hoodoos. 

The forest of rock and pine envelops you for the short hike and allows for some of the best Bryce Canyon photography. This is your chance to be amidst the captivating views you’ve been capturing from afar. 

Inspiration Point

To get the most bang for your buck, Inspiration Point should be your first stop.

Looking out over Inspiration Point gives you the broadest view of the park.

The Silent City is fortified by Boat Mesa, with layers and layers of hoodoos speckled with greenery.

📷 Each time of the day, Inspiration Point highlights different colors across the scenery, so if you have time, return to Inspiration Point to capture all the pinks, reds, oranges, and yellows you can imagine.

This is a great location for panoramic pictures, but there is a plethora of unique hoodoos that you might want to zoom in on, too.

Inspiration is located just a mile and a half from the visitor section; just look out for the sign to the parking lot.

Fairyland Point

As one of the lesser-known viewing points in the park, Fairyland Point is, first of all, absolutely beautiful and, second of all, generally free of too many other visitors.

It is the first viewpoint as you drive into the park and is often overlooked.

You can stop at the point and take pictures of the fortress-like hoodoos at Fairyland Point or venture down the trail to get some different angles.

📷 These hoodoos are best captured at sunrise. That adorning early morning glow brings these hoodoos to their fullest potential.

Mossy Cave Trail

Mossy Cave Trail is one of my favorite photo ops at Bryce Canyon National Park.

It is another place that can be easy to miss as it is located just outside of the park’s entrance on Highway 12.

Mossy Cave Trail is just a bit of paradise amidst the rocky hoodoo towers. A snow melt stream cuts through the red rock, and you can even find a waterfall called Tropic Ditch if you continue on the trail. 

📷 Mossy Cave Trail is a must for memorable photos of Bryce Canyon. Early morning to mid-morning is the best time to capture this beauty.

Bryce Canyon photography will grant you some of the most unique and bewitching pictures of the diverse Utah landscape.

There is pretty much no bad time to go view the scenery with your own eyes, but unfortunately, that doesn’t always translate directly to our cameras, so now you are well equipped to bring those mental images right home with you.

Be prepared to tell everyone who sees these pictures your Bryce Canyon itinerary; they’re going to want to see it for themselves!

FAQs: Bryce Canyon Photography