Standing at Inspiration Point looking out over Bryce Canyon’s main amphitheatre is properly memorable. Thousands upon thousands of orange and red hoodoos — those impossibly tall, thin rock spires — stretch out before you in neat, almost symmetrical rows like some vast stone army frozen mid-march. The scale and bizarre geometry of it all tend to mess with your perception. This isn’t just another pretty viewpoint — many visitors and rangers reckon Inspiration Point offers the single best panoramic view in the entire park. The viewpoint consists of three separate levels (Lower, Middle, and Upper), each offering different perspectives on the amphitheatre, and all reached via an easy 0.6-mile walk with just 137 feet of elevation gain. Early Utah settlers named it Inspiration Point, and once you’re standing there watching dawn light up the Silent City formation, you’ll understand exactly why.
The amphitheatre contains the world’s largest collection of hoodoos, formed over millions of years through freeze-thaw weathering that cracks and sculpts the soft Claron Formation limestone.
Getting to Inspiration Point
Inspiration Point is accessed via Bryce Point Road, off the main park road (Highway 63) in Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah. From the park entrance, drive south on the main road and turn left onto Bryce Point Road. The well-signposted turn-off for Inspiration Point is the first road on the left after entering Bryce Point Road.
From the Bryce Canyon Visitor Centre, it’s about a 10-minute drive (4 miles) to Inspiration Point.
By shuttle: During the shuttle season (May-September), the free park shuttle stops at Inspiration Point. The shuttle runs from multiple locations including Ruby’s Inn, Bryce Canyon Lodge, and various viewpoints throughout the park. Check current schedules at the visitor centre.
Why book the Bryce Canyon daily tour?
- See Bryce Canyon’s best viewpoints: Visit key overlooks such as Sunrise Point, Sunset Point and Inspiration Point.
- Expert local guide: Learn how Bryce Canyon’s hoodoos formed, along with practical insight into the park’s geology and history.
- Easy transport between stops: Travel comfortably without worrying about driving, parking or navigating park roads.
- Plenty of time for photos: Stops are planned to allow unhurried views and clear photo opportunities.
- Ideal for first-time visitors: A straightforward way to understand the layout and highlights of Bryce Canyon National Park.
Parking at Inspiration Point
The Inspiration Point car park is medium-sized with angled parking spaces for roughly 30-40 vehicles. It’s adequate most of the time but fills up during peak visiting hours — typically mid-morning through early afternoon during summer and on autumn weekends.
Top tip: Arrive before 8.00am or after 4.00pm for easier parking, or use the free shuttle during shuttle season. Sunrise visits are magical and surprisingly uncrowded.
The car park includes vault toilets but no other facilities.
Admission fees for Inspiration Point
Inspiration Point is included with your Bryce Canyon National Park entrance fee: $35 per vehicle (valid for 7 days), $30 per motorcycle, or $15 per person for pedestrians and cyclists. Children under 16 enter free.
Annual passes: A Bryce Canyon annual pass costs $70, whilst an America the Beautiful Pass ($80 annual) covers all US national parks.
There are no additional fees for visiting Inspiration Point — it’s all covered by your park entrance pass.
Bryce Canyon is open 24 hours daily, year-round. You can visit Inspiration Point any time, though sunrise and sunset are the prime times.
Exploring Inspiration Point
From the car park, the paved path leads to three separate viewpoints, each offering unique perspectives:
Lower Inspiration Point (0 miles from car park): This is where most visitors stop. The viewpoint offers spectacular views of the northern section of the amphitheatre, with the famous Silent City formation visible — rows of hoodoos that look like a frozen metropolis. From here, you can see Sunset Point in the distance and Thor’s Hammer, one of Bryce Canyon’s most photographed formations.
Middle Inspiration Point (0.1 miles): A short uphill walk brings you to the middle viewpoint, positioned towards the centre of the amphitheatre. This offers more balanced north-south views and is particularly spectacular at sunrise when the light floods into the canyon. Many photographers rate this as the best of the three viewpoints.
Upper Inspiration Point (0.3 miles from car park): The highest viewpoint requires a moderately steep uphill walk on a well-maintained path with handrails. The climb is absolutely worth it — from here, you’re at eye level with some incredible rock formations, you can see deep canyon gulfs, and the views extend to Boat Mesa and the Paunsaugunt Plateau beyond. The walk takes about 15-20 minutes from the car park.
Total visit time: Most people spend 45 minutes to 1 hour at Inspiration Point, walking to all three viewpoints and taking photographs. Photographers often linger longer.
Connecting to the Rim Trail
Inspiration Point sits on Bryce Canyon’s famous Rim Trail, which runs 5.5 miles from Bryce Point in the south to Fairyland Point in the north. From Inspiration Point, it’s:
- 1.5 miles south to Bryce Point (note: this section is closed in winter due to narrow trails and snow cornices)
- 0.7 miles north to Sunset Point
- 1.2 miles north to Sunrise Point
The Rim Trail sections near Inspiration Point offer lovely forested walking and additional viewpoints.
Accessibility at Inspiration Point
Lower Inspiration Point is partially accessible. The paved path from the car park is relatively level, though it’s not officially designated as wheelchair accessible. The walk to Middle and Upper Inspiration Points involves uphill grades and stairs, making them inaccessible for standard wheelchairs.
For fully accessible Bryce Canyon viewpoints, consider Sunset Point, Sunrise Point, or Bryce Point.
Best time to visit Inspiration Point
Sunrise: Absolutely spectacular. The eastern sun lights up the hoodoos in brilliant orange and red, creating long shadows that emphasize their three-dimensional forms. Middle Inspiration Point is particularly stunning at sunrise. Expect 10-30 people rather than hundreds. Arrive 30-45 minutes before sunrise.
Late afternoon and sunset: Beautiful golden light bathes the canyon in warm tones. More crowded than sunrise but genuinely magical. The hoodoos seem to glow from within.
Midday: The overhead sun washes out details and creates harsh shadows. Views are still impressive, but the light is far less dramatic than morning or evening.
Night: Bryce Canyon is an International Dark Sky Park with exceptional stargazing. Inspiration Point under the Milky Way is otherworldly, though you’ll need a powerful torch for walking.
Best seasons for Inspiration Point
Summer (June-August): Peak season with warm temperatures (15-25°C/60s-80s°F) and long daylight hours. Busiest time with significant crowds. The free shuttle runs May-September, making visits easier.
Autumn (September-October): Arguably the best time to visit. Brilliant fall colours, comfortable temperatures, fewer crowds than summer, and spectacular light. Aspens turn golden. September still has shuttle service.
Winter (November-March): Snow transforms Bryce Canyon into a magical winter wonderland. Hoodoos capped with snow against blue sky are stunning. Much quieter, though the section of Rim Trail south to Bryce Point closes. Temperatures can drop below -10°C (15°F). Bring layers and watch for ice.
Spring (April-May): Warming temperatures, occasional wildflowers, and moderate crowds. Snow may still linger in early April.
What to bring for your Inspiration Point visit
- Layers — even in summer, temperatures at 8,000 feet elevation can be cool. Mornings and evenings are particularly chilly.
- Sun protection — wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen. UV exposure is intense at high elevation.
- Water — at least 1 litre per person.
- Sturdy footwear — trainers are fine for the paved paths, though hiking boots offer better ankle support.
- Camera — though photographs never quite capture the scale.
- Headtorch if visiting for sunrise or sunset.
There are no shops, water fountains, or bins. Pack out all rubbish.
Important rules for visiting Inspiration Point
- No dogs allowed on viewpoint trails or the Rim Trail. Dogs are only permitted on paved roads, in campgrounds, and in developed areas, on leads no longer than 6 feet.
- Stay on designated paths — walking off-trail damages fragile vegetation and causes erosion.
- No drones without special permits.
- Watch children near edges — whilst there are railings at the main viewpoints, the paths between them can be near cliff edges.
Where to stay near Inspiration Point
Bryce Canyon Lodge (inside the park) offers rustic cabins and hotel rooms in a stunning location. Book months ahead through the park concessioner — it’s extremely popular.
Ruby’s Inn (just outside the park entrance) is the largest accommodation option with hotel rooms, cabins, and camping. Convenient for early morning visits.
Bryce View Lodge is on the free shuttle route (when operating) and offers basic, affordable rooms.
Bryce Canyon City and nearby towns (Tropic, Cannonville) have numerous motels, B&Bs, and holiday rentals within 10-20 minutes of the park.
Combining Inspiration Point with other Bryce Canyon attractions
Sunset Point (0.7 miles via Rim Trail) offers excellent views and access to the Navajo Loop Trail — one of Bryce Canyon’s most popular hikes descending into the canyon.
Sunrise Point connects to the Queen’s Garden Trail, the easiest descent trail in the park featuring royal-themed formations.
Bryce Point (1.5 miles via Rim Trail) provides panoramic views from the southernmost main viewpoint, though the connecting trail closes in winter.
Rainbow Point (the park’s highest elevation at 9,000 feet) is a spectacular 30-minute drive south on the main park road.
More Utah travel
Other Utah travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
- Driving Utah Highway 12 – one of America’s most spectacular drives.
- A taste of cowboy country at the Bryce Canyon City Rodeo.
- Practical guide to the Navajo Loop Trail at Bryce Canyon National Park.
- First time visitor’s guide to Dead Horse Point State Park.
- Antelope Island – the wildlife refuge of the Great Salt Lake.
