Mossy Cave Trail: A Hidden Gem in Bryce Canyon National Park
Mossy Cave Trail is often overlooked by visitors to Bryce Canyon National Park, likely because it’s situated outside the main park area. However, this trail offers a quick, family-friendly hike that’s perfect for both adults and children. It’s short, easy, and features delightful attractions like a cave, a charming creek, and a picturesque waterfall. Plus, you can enjoy it at any time of the day.
While it doesn’t boast the iconic hoodoos the park is famous for, Mossy Cave Trail is a lovely addition to your itinerary, maybe as a relaxing end to your day. This guide aims to help you decide if this trail is right for you.
Trail Summary:
– Distance: 1 mile
– Type: Out & Back
– Average Time: 20 minutes
– Difficulty: Easy
– Dog-Friendly: No
About Mossy Cave Trail
Located outside the main canyon area of Bryce Canyon National Park, Mossy Cave Trail offers a unique glimpse into the park’s diverse landscapes. Perfect for exploring when the main canyon gets too crowded, this trail gives you a different perspective and a touch of local history. It follows the Tropic Ditch, a canal built by Mormon settlers to support agriculture.
The trail branches off, allowing hikers to visit two distinctive landmarks: the Mossy Cave and the Tropic Ditch Waterfall. While the waterfall is generally considered the more captivating of the two, both are close enough to easily view on the same outing.
Trailhead & Parking
The start of the Mossy Cave Trail is conveniently located between Bryce Canyon City and Tropic, Utah, just off UT-12. The trailhead is about 5 miles from Bryce Canyon City and 3.8 miles from Tropic. You’ll find a small parking area with a pit toilet there, but be aware that the lot can fill up quickly. However, turnover is usually fast due to the trail’s short length.
Best Times to Hike
You can hike the Mossy Cave Trail year-round, as it’s the park’s lowest elevation hike and easy to navigate. Summers can be quite hot, but the short trail makes it manageable at any time of day. Just watch out for monsoon season in late summer and check the weather before you go.
Fall is an ideal time for this hike, with October offering great weather past the monsoon season. Spring is also lovely, although early spring may still have some ice or snow. April usually provides good weather and fewer crowds. Winter can be cold and windy, so dress appropriately and consider bringing microspikes for traction, as the trail can be icy and snowy.
The Hike
Starting from the small parking lot, head to the left of the bathrooms to begin the Mossy Cave Trail. The trail itself is mostly flat and beautifully scenic, with cliff views all around.
At 0.2 miles, you’ll cross the first bridge, and shortly afterward, you’ll see the waterfall to your right. After crossing another bridge, you’ll reach a fork in the trail. From here, you can choose to visit the Mossy Cave or the waterfall. Both are worth seeing as they are quite close to each other.
To visit the Mossy Cave, head up the trail for about 0.1 miles, where you’ll find a viewing area with a fence. Return to the intersection and walk straight along the ditch, crossing another bridge to reach the waterfall after about 0.1 miles. Beyond the waterfall, the trail continues to the left, but I didn’t find much of interest there.
After visiting both sites, return to the intersection and turn left to head back to the trailhead, completing a total of about 1 mile.
Tips & FAQs
– The trail extends beyond the waterfall, but there’s not much to see.
– Wear good shoes or sandals due to uneven terrain.
– If the parking lot is full, wait a bit; turnover is frequent due to the short hike.
Other Trails You Might Like
– Queens Garden and Navajo Loop Trail: Bryce Canyon
– Watchman Trail Guide: Zion National Park
– Alpine Pond Trail Guide: Cedar Breaks National Monument
– Canyon Overlook Trail: Zion National Park
– Guide to Lehman Cave Tours: Great Basin National Park
Enjoy your adventure on the Mossy Cave Trail and happy hiking!
