Pros & cons
PROS
- Rare running water and the park’s only named waterfall in a short walk
- Bottom-up hoodoo views without the steep descents common elsewhere
CONS
- Small lot and heavy foot traffic during peak hours
- Winter ice can make steps and bridges slick
Small trailhead lot directly off UT-12 on the park’s north side; overflow parking is across the highway. Arrive early—spaces turn over but fill quickly.
Stay on trail and do not climb into the grotto or on the waterfall; surfaces can be icy in winter. The stream is not potable. No pets. A park pass is required.
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.
Elevation
0.8 mi · 30 minWhere it starts
37.6657, -112.1103Near Mossy Cave Trail
All places →All trails →
0 mi awayMossy CaveEasy walk to a mossy grotto and rare waterfall in hoodoo countryTrailhead · Parking
2 mi awayThe Sinking ShipTilted ridge you spot from the quieter Fairyland Loop
2.3 mi awayFairyland PointQuiet hoodoo overlook and gateway to the Fairyland LoopTrailhead · Parking
2.3 mi awayFairyland LoopOtherworldly hoodoos, big views, and far fewer crowds.Challenging · 8 mi · 4.5 hr
2.3 mi awayRim TrailNonstop hoodoo views along the rim—choose your distance.Moderate · 5.5 mi · 3 hr
2.6 mi awaySinclair Gas StationClosest fuel and RV services at the park’s gatewayGas Station · Store
3.8 mi awayTropic TrailQuiet bottom-up gateway into Bryce’s amphitheater from TropicModerate · 1.8 mi · 1.5 hr
3.9 mi awayQueen's Garden - Navajo LoopBryce’s signature hoodoo loop with tunnels and tight switchbacksModerate · 2.9 mi · 2.5 hr
