Mossy Cave Trail

Overview

Mossy Cave is Bryce Canyon’s quick-hit crowd-pleaser: a short, easy out-and-back with running water, a small waterfall, and a spring-fed grotto—rare sights in this hoodoo country. The hike is about 0.8 miles total (round trip) with roughly 120–150 feet of gentle gain. It’s family-friendly and a great add-on when you don’t want the steep climbs of the main amphitheater.

What You’ll See

The path follows the Tropic Ditch—an 1800s irrigation diversion whose flow carved this side canyon—so you get the novelty of bridges, pools, and Bryce’s only named waterfall in a desert park. Hoodoos loom above as you walk the canyon floor, a bottom-up perspective you won’t get from rim viewpoints. The “cave” is really a spring-fed grotto: mossy and damp in warm months, often decorated with icicles come winter.

Route Snapshot

From the small lot off UT-12, a well-defined dirt-and-gravel path tracks the flowing ditch up-canyon with brief steps and easy grades. At a signed fork: right leads to the waterfall; left continues to the Mossy Cave alcove at the headwall. Expect a maintained surface and a short, rewarding turnaround at both spurs.

Best Time to Hike

It’s open year-round. Spring–fall are popular for flowing water and green moss; summer is especially refreshing by the creek. Winter can be delightful and quieter, with ice formations in the grotto—just be ready for icy patches. This is a high-traffic spot; early morning or late afternoon are your best bets for cooler temps, softer light, and easier parking.

Know Before You Go

Parking is limited and fills fast; there’s overflow across the highway. Stay on the established trail and resist climbing into the grotto or onto the waterfall—both fragile and slippery. Bring your own water; the stream isn’t for drinking. No pets are allowed on this trail. A park pass is required even though the trailhead sits off UT-12 on the park’s far north side.