Golden Wall/Buckhorn Loop

The Golden Wall/Buckhorn Loop is a highly recommended hike. The Red Canyon area of Utah, just outside Bryce Canyon National Park, is one of the best kept secrets of this area. The colors, hoodoos, and trail options are phenomenal. Think national park worthy scenery, but no entry fee and less people. We completed this loop the morning of August 27th, we did not see a single other person. The trail was easy to follow. Majority of the trail was packed or semi-loose rock, though no difficulty with traction. The views from the ridge are 360 degrees. The last portion to get back to your vehicle, if you go counter clockwise, was through the campground and on the paved bike trail.

I recommend completing this loop in a counter clockwise direction.

Difficulty: Moderately strenuous related to distance and elevation changes.

Trail Stats: 4.7 mile loop, elevation gain of 1,056 feet.

Trail Finding: Relatively easy.

Conditions: Little to no shade.

Would I Repeat This: Absolutely. This is one of the best trails in this area.

Parking: Park in the lot across from the Red Canyon Visitor’s Center. Parking available in the Visitor’s Center as well.

Timing: If temperatures are expected to be high, complete this hike in the morning due to limited shade.

Downloaded Map: Always helpful, but may not be necessary for this trail.

Fees: No fees for accessing this trail.

Trails: Check out the trails behind the Visitor’s Center, like Pink Ledges. If you are a mountain biker, the epic Thunder Mountain trail is in this same area. Bryce Canyon National Park and all of its glorious trails are just down the highway. Arches and Red Canyon Tunnel trails are also nearby.