Rainbow Point
Rainbow Point
4.5
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Scenic overlook in Bruce Canyon National Park.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
377 reviews
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96
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9
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3
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Zoom_Gotti
Henderson, NV1,522 contributions
Sep 2021
I've been here before to take in the views and to walk the short tails around the point to the other overlooks and by the bristlecone. But there is s a day hike you can do from here which will be worth the effort if you have the energy. You can find the trailhead along the Bristlecone Loop or cutting through at Yovimpa Point. The loop runs about 8.5 miles and many hikers do this as an overnight backpacking experience. There are several campsites along the way. But you can do this in a day, minding the fact that you'll drop about 2200 feet and have to recover that distance the last half of the loop. Most hikers go clockwise. But if you go counter, then the uphill section, though longer, is a bit more gradual. If you just want a couple of hours on the trail, maybe start at Yovimpa Point and hike the downslope some 1.6 miles to Yovimpa Pass. You can rest and picnic here and your uphill return will only be about 800 feet. But carry rain gear because a lot of the area is burned and the canopy isn't thick enough to hide under for protection.
Written September 20, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
chins01
Brooklyn, NY229 contributions
Sep 2021
It can be hard to park here but it's worth it for a stunning panoramic view of the park.
I recommend starting the scenic drive here and then hitting some of the other view points on your way back. Inspiration Point is another one not to miss.
I recommend starting the scenic drive here and then hitting some of the other view points on your way back. Inspiration Point is another one not to miss.
Written September 30, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TravelingSoccerLoon
Saint Paul, MN7,991 contributions
Jun 2023 • Solo
Located at the end of the 19-mile Bryce Canyon Scenic Drive, Rainbow Point and nearby Yovimpa Point are the highest elevation viewpoints in the park. The view at Rainbow Point is beautiful although nothing along the scenic drive past Bryce Point is anywhere near as spectacular as the views of the Bryce Canyon Ampitheater. If time allows, make the drive out here to check out several of the viewpoints but this is not an essential part of a visit to Bryce Canyon. With that said, Rainbow Point was one of my favorites stops along the drive.
Written April 26, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TravelerCentralFLA
Clermont, FL1,920 contributions
May 2022
Rainbow Point is at the end of the Bryce Canyon Road in Bryce Canyon National Park. It is one of the highest points in the park. The elevation is 9,115 feet. It was considerably colder and windier at Rainbow Point than down near the Amphitheater. The views are terrific from here. It is a little bit of a drive to get up here and the drive is winding and uphill, but it is worth the journey. There is parking right near the Rainbow Point overlook so there is no hiking involved. I recommend a visit the Rainbow Point.
Written May 28, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Louise Masin Sattler
Los Angeles, CA1,613 contributions
May 2021
Rainbow Point is gorgeous! Hint: Drive in to the park and START here and then work back to the first lookout. This is about an 18 mile drive and worth it. We went later in the day when the park was less crowded. (note there is construction - so a lot time for the stopping from the construction crew).
Written May 20, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AlpinerHut
Chantilly, VA1,202 contributions
Oct 2021
They say you can see forever from here, looking north across the expanse of Bryce Canyon National Park. Unfortunately, we didn't have a clear day. At the park's highest point (elevation 9,115 ft.), we were in the clouds. Still, I recommend coming here directly after stopping at the visitor center.
Rainbow Point lies at the end of Bryce's 18-mile scenic drive. I expected to see hoodoos off to my left all along this drive. Instead, the sights lie tantalizingly out of view unless you pull into an overlook. For now, just keep going.
What do you do at the top?
First, go for a brisk walk on 0.8-mile Bristlecone Loop Trail. The air is thinnest here. Can you walk around without getting winded? Do OK really exerting yourself here and you should be good to go for all but the park's steepest climbs.
Second, rest in the beautiful picnic area.
Third, walk over to Yovimpa Point (elevation 9,100 ft.) for the view from there, very different from the Rainbow Point viewpoint (see my review, "A Grand (Staircase) view").
Finally, experience the view from Rainbow Point, If Mother Nature allows.
Rainbow Point lies at the end of Bryce's 18-mile scenic drive. I expected to see hoodoos off to my left all along this drive. Instead, the sights lie tantalizingly out of view unless you pull into an overlook. For now, just keep going.
What do you do at the top?
First, go for a brisk walk on 0.8-mile Bristlecone Loop Trail. The air is thinnest here. Can you walk around without getting winded? Do OK really exerting yourself here and you should be good to go for all but the park's steepest climbs.
Second, rest in the beautiful picnic area.
Third, walk over to Yovimpa Point (elevation 9,100 ft.) for the view from there, very different from the Rainbow Point viewpoint (see my review, "A Grand (Staircase) view").
Finally, experience the view from Rainbow Point, If Mother Nature allows.
Written October 30, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ELKW
United States11,824 contributions
Jun 2019
It’s located at the end of the scenic drive, the elevation is 9115 feet, there is a parking lot, for there, you can go to Yovimpa point which is a few minutes walk. There is also a trail called “Bristlecone loop” that you can walk, it’s a 1-mile loop easy level trail. There are exhibition boards explain the geology of the Bryce canyon. If you don't walk the trail, you may spend less than 1 hr here, but if you walk the trail, may need more time.
Written April 18, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mike W
Mountain View, CA405 contributions
Oct 2020 • Couples
It’s beautiful and less crowded here. Not quite as amazing as others, so go here first before you get jaded.
Also, if you go here first and head back, all the view spots are on the right and easily accessible.
Also, if you go here first and head back, all the view spots are on the right and easily accessible.
Written October 21, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BernieMat
Cohasset, MN112 contributions
May 2021
A great view here with some difficulty of parking when driving your car. Arrive early or later in the day, or take the park shuttles. It is at the end of the scenic drive and takes about 20 minutes to get there. It also offer access to a couple hiking trails.
Written May 23, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reisechen
Saint Paul, MN25 contributions
Oct 2020
The view at Rainbow Point is very expansive and really gives you a long range perspective of the beautiful panorama. It is definitely worth the drive to the end of the road. There are also some trails to hike which depart from the point.
Written October 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Please let me know the visible (line of sight) distance from the Rainbow Point Overlook to the furthest point. I was Blessed to visit Utah (Bryce & Zion) last October and it seems like you can see 40-50+ miles on a clear day. Thanks
- CK
Written March 28, 2024
Hi Jean, we drove ourselves around the park so I can only advise on our timings. From the visitor, it is about 18 miles to Rainbow point, so that's a leisurely 45 minutes drive allowing for a few stops. At Rainbow Point, there's the Bristlecone Loop walk which is easy and takes about 30 minutes allowing a little time to stop and take in the views. You can spend as long as you want really - we saw most of what we wanted in three days but could easily have spent a week or more at Bryce. Have fun.
Written March 12, 2018
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