Utah · Hiking

Bristlecone Loop wayside (108)

Bristlecone Loop wayside (108)Photo: NPS
May–Oct
best months

Is Bristlecone Loop wayside (108) open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Bryce Canyon National Park. It doesn't name Bristlecone Loop wayside (108), so check the source for the area it covers.

  • Trail Closures Due to Recent Weather

    Park closure covering Bryce Canyon National Park · NPS · Bryce Canyon National Park

  • Current Fire Restrictions

    Park alert covering Bryce Canyon National Park · NPS · Bryce Canyon National Park

As of · Source: NPS · Bryce Canyon National Park. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Bristlecone Loop wayside (108) is a trail in Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah, managed by the National Park Service. The nearest town is Georgetown, about 11 miles away. The trail passes through a forest of white fir, Douglas-fir, limber pine and ponderosa pine. At the southern end, bristlecone pines—some over 1,000 years old—stand alongside grand views to the south. Small mammals and birds such as woodpeckers, nuthatches and peregrine falcons may be seen along the way. Winter brings deep snow, and the trail may be impassable in the colder months. Summer is the most comfortable time to visit. Typical averages from a nearby weather station show July highs around 80°F with lows near 52°F, while winter highs stay in the upper 30s. The trail sits close to several other routes, including Bristlecone Loop wayside (107), the Under-The-Rim Trail and the Riggs Spring Loop Trail, all about 0.1 mile away. For an overnight stay, King Creek Campground is roughly 9 miles off.

Local outfitters

Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.

  • Best time to go · May–Oct

    Best time to visit Bristlecone Loop wayside (108)

    Best months: May–October. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      37° / 17°

      6 wet

    2. Feb

      39° / 18°

      7 wet

    3. Mar

      46° / 23°

      7 wet

    4. Apr

      54° / 29°

      6 wet

    5. May

      63° / 37°

      5 wet

    6. Jun

      75° / 45°

      4 wet

    7. Jul

      80° / 52°

      8 wet

    8. Aug

      77° / 50°

      10 wet

    9. Sep

      70° / 42°

      7 wet

    10. Oct

      58° / 32°

      5 wet

    11. Nov

      46° / 23°

      5 wet

    12. Dec

      37° / 17°

      6 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Bryce Canyon Np Hqrs, UT, 12.1 mi away at 7,890 ft. The station sits about 1,200 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive

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Bristlecone Loop wayside (107)

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This trail takes you through a forest of white fir, Douglas-fir, limber pine, and ponderosa pine. Bristlecone pines—some over 1,000 years old—grow at the trail's southern end where hikers enjoy grand views to the south. Small mammals and a variety of birds, including woodpecke…

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Bristlecone Loop Gazebo

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A small octagon shaped log shelter built by the park in the 1980s after the Bristlecone Loop was completed. At this point in the trail you might recognize smaller bristlecone pines nearby. Look for densely bunched needles travelling in a bushy arrangement up the branch.…

Agua Canyon Connecting TrailPhoto: Greg Willis from Denver, CO, usa, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

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Under-The-Rim Trail

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Bristlecone Loop Trailhead at Rainbow Point

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Bristlecone Loop Trail Difficulty: Easy Total Distance: 1.0 miles (1.6 km) Elevation change: 200 feet (61 m) Average time: 1-2 hours This trail may be inaccessible during mid-winter due to snow depths ranging from 2-15 ft (0.7-5 m). The Bristlecone Loop reaches elevations…

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Whiteman Trail Connections wayside

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Swamp Canyon Connecting TrailPhoto: inkknife_2000 (7.5 million views +), CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Swamp Canyon Connecting Trail

~14 min drive

1.04-mile out-and-back trail in Utah with 24 ft gain and 566 ft loss.

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Riggs Spring Loop Trail

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8.27-mile out-and-back trail in Utah with 618 ft elevation gain.

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Podunk East Road

~7 min drive

6.07-mile out-and-back trail in Utah with 1,202 ft elevation gain.