Under-the-Rim Trail to Hat Point

The landscape at Bryce Canyon National Park holds cryptic clues to the park's past. Interesting rock formations engage everyone's curiosity, from the geology nut to the casual visitor. The natural bridges, hoodoos, windows, and walls create a maze of canyons that make you wonder what natural forces created these special places. The Hat Shop, a series of orange hoodoos topped with dark gray stones, is just such a spot. The gray stones are made of dolomite, a hard mineral that erodes much more slowly than the sandstone beneath it. This simple process makes it possible for interesting rock formations to evolve. To see the Hat Shop, follow the Under-the-Rim Trail down into the canyon. The moderately graded trail descends on smooth sand and gravel through a series of curves and gentle switchbacks. On either side of the trail, limber pines cling to the cliff edges as the ground beneath them erodes away. If you are considering extending your adventure into an overnight trip, there are designated campsites along the Under-the-Rim Trail. Check in with the rangers at the visitor center for current trail conditions and to purchase a required backcountry permit.