Mossy Cave Trail

The trailhead for the Mossy Cave Trail is located off Highway 12, just a short drive from Bryce Canyon National Park. There is a dedicated parking area at the Mossy Cave Trailhead, which can fill up quickly during peak times.

While the Mossy Cave Trail is located outside the main entrance fee booths of Bryce Canyon National Park, it is still considered part of the park's fee area. This means a valid Bryce Canyon National Park entrance pass is required to hike the trail. You can purchase passes at the park's main entrance or online.

The Mossy Cave Trail is widely considered an easy hike, making it very suitable for beginners and those looking for a less strenuous outing. It's relatively short, typically taking 30 to 60 minutes to complete the roundtrip, with minimal elevation gain.

The trail generally follows a packed dirt path with subtle rises and dips. It traces the Tropic Ditch, a flowing stream, for its entire duration, with several bridges for crossing. While largely gentle, there is a consistent, though rarely steep, uphill section towards the end leading to the grotto and waterfall. Some areas can be sandy.

Hikers will enjoy a contrast of red, pink, and white hoodoo formations with lush greenery. Key highlights include the Tropic Ditch Falls, which is Bryce Canyon's only named waterfall, and the Mossy Cave grotto. You'll also pass by the Turret Arches Viewpoint offering views into Bryce Canyon.

No, pets are not permitted on the Mossy Cave Trail. Please plan accordingly if you are traveling with a dog.

The trail offers unique experiences year-round. In warmer months, you'll see moss thriving in the grotto and the waterfall flowing. During winter, the landscape transforms with impressive icicles forming within the grotto and the waterfall often freezing over, creating Bryce Canyon's only frozen waterfall. It's a popular trail, so expect crowds during peak season.

Yes, the trail is considered very family-friendly due to its easy difficulty and short length. However, it is not suitable for wheelchairs or strollers due to the natural terrain, which includes packed dirt paths and some sandy sections.

The Tropic Ditch Falls and the stream it flows from (the Tropic Ditch) are actually man-made, created by Mormon pioneers in the late 19th century for irrigation. The Mossy Cave itself is not a true cave but a grotto – a cool, shaded overhang formed by water dissolving calcite.

Yes, you can access the trail directly from Highway 12 without passing through the main park entrance fee booths. This makes it a convenient stop for those traveling along scenic US-12. However, as mentioned, a valid Bryce Canyon National Park entrance pass is still required.

Yes, the route also passes through sections of the Mossy Cave Trail (100%), Mossy Cave Trail (98%), Mossy Cave Trail (91%), Mossy Cave Trail (82%), and Mossy Cave Trail (73%).