Rainbow Point Bryce Canyon: Worth the Drive to the End

Rainbow Point Bryce Canyon is one of the quieter and less crowded areas of the park. If you have the time, I really think it’s worth making the drive all the way to the end for the expansive views, scenic overlooks, and more relaxed atmosphere.

When most people visit Bryce Canyon National Park, they spend most of their time around the popular overlooks near the main amphitheater area like Sunrise Point, Sunset Point, and Inspiration Point. Those spots are beautiful, but Rainbow Point feels completely different and gives you another perspective on the park.

Rainbow Point sits near mile marker 18 at the very end of Bryce Canyon’s main scenic drive.

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We had been here once before, about 20 years ago, and decided it was worth coming back. I’m glad we did.

One thing we immediately noticed was how much less crowded it felt compared to the main overlook areas.

Even though it takes a little extra driving to get there, it’s quieter.

Driving to Rainbow Point Bryce Canyon

The drive itself is part of the experience. As you head farther south through the park, the scenery changes noticeably. There are more trees along this stretch of road, including my favorite tree, aspens.

There are also a few scenic pullouts along the way if you want to stop and take in additional viewpoints before reaching the end.

When you arrive at Rainbow Point, there is a large parking area, which made parking easy during our visit.

There’s also a pit toilet-style restroom and a small covered area where you can get out of the sun for a bit.

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The overlooks here feel different from the earlier Bryce Canyon viewpoints. Instead of focusing mainly on the famous hoodoo amphitheaters, the views at Rainbow Point feel broader and more expansive.

At over 9,000 feet in elevation, you can see incredibly far into southern Utah on a clear day. The landscape feels wide open and dramatic in a completely different way.

The area also serves as the access point for the Bristlecone Loop Trail. We didn’t hike it this trip, but it’s a good option if you want to spend more time exploring the area. The trail is known for ancient bristlecone pine trees, some of the oldest living trees in the western United States.

What I liked most about Rainbow Point was simply the quieter atmosphere. It felt easier to slow down, enjoy the scenery, and take it all in without constantly navigating large crowds.

If you only have a short amount of time in Bryce Canyon, it makes sense to focus on the main amphitheater overlooks. But if you have extra time and want to experience another side of the park, I definitely think Rainbow Point is worth the drive to the end of the road.