Pros & cons
PROS
- Reliable solitude even in peak season once past the initial junction
- Distinctive caprock hoodoos you won’t see on the amphitheater loops
CONS
- No loop option—mandatory climb back the way you came
- Limited shade and no water make the return sloggy on warm days
Park at Bryce Point; the lot fills early. The park shuttle stops here in season; services are at Bryce Point, not on the trail.
Steep, exposed grade with loose sections; limited shade and no water. Can be icy/slick in winter. Shared corridor with stock below the rim.
Overview
If you’re craving Bryce Canyon’s hoodoos without the amphitheater crowds, the Hat Shop Trail delivers. Starting at Bryce Point, this out-and-back drops below the rim along the first stretch of the Under-the-Rim Trail to a pocket of slender orange spires capped with gray boulders—the “hats.” Expect solitude, big horizons, and a real workout on the way back.
Trail Stats & Difficulty
It’s 4.0 miles total (out-and-back), typically 3–4 hours. You descend to the destination and pay it back on the return with roughly 1,380 feet of elevation regain over 2 miles. The grade is steady and exposed in places, with dirt/sandy tread and some loose gravel—strenuous for most hikers.
What You’ll See
As you drop from Bryce Point, classic amphitheater formations quickly give way to a quieter, open forested landscape with sweeping views east over the upper Paria River valley toward the Kaiparowits and Aquarius Plateaus. The finale is the Hat Shop itself: slim orange hoodoos wearing broad gray caprock “hats,” a geologic oddity formed where tougher rock protects the softer column beneath.
Trail Experience & Navigation
From Bryce Point, you’ll briefly share the corridor with traffic headed toward Peekaboo before the Hat Shop route quiets down. The main path is signed and well maintained, but the Hat Shop cluster isn’t specifically marked—keep an eye out for the distinctive capped hoodoos below the rim. There’s no loop option; you’ll return the same way.
Best Time to Hike
Spring through fall is prime. Start early for cooler temps and softer light—this route has limited shade and can cook by midday. In winter, snow and ice can turn the steep, exposed sections into a no-go unless you’re well prepared and equipped.
Tips
- Water is unavailable on trail; carry more than you think you need. Trekking poles help on the sustained climb back.
- Footing is generally good but can be loose—sturdy shoes or boots recommended.
- The Bryce Canyon shuttle serves Bryce Point in season, and the parking lot fills early.
Is It For You?
Choose this if you want solitude, panoramic vistas, and unique hoodoos you won’t see on the amphitheater loops. If you prefer a loop with constant hoodoo immersion and less sustained climbing, consider sticking to the amphitheater circuits (like Peekaboo) instead.
Where it starts
37.6044, -112.1565Near Hat Shop Trail
All places →All trails →
0 mi awayPeekaboo Loop TrailHoodoo playground beneath Bryce Point, with tunnels, windows, and sweat.Challenging · 5.5 mi · 3.5 hr
0 mi awayBryce PointBest sunrise panorama over a sea of hoodoosTrailhead · Parking
0 mi awayUnder-the-Rim TrailBryce’s quiet 22.9-mile backpack beneath hoodoos, pines, and big skiesChallenging · 22.9 mi · 14 hr
0.5 mi awayWall of WindowsSandstone windows and hoodoos deep in the amphitheater
0.8 mi awayThe CathedralPhotogenic hoodoos on Peekaboo Loop between Two Bridges and Wall of Windows
0.9 mi awayInspiration PointMulti-level overlook with sweeping views of the Bryce Amphitheater hoodoosTrailhead · Parking
1.4 mi awayNavajo Loop TrailShort, steep dive into Bryce’s hoodoos with iconic switchbacksModerate · 1.3 mi · 1 hr
1.4 mi awayTropic TrailQuiet bottom-up gateway into Bryce’s amphitheater from TropicModerate · 1.8 mi · 1.5 hr
