Located just off the SR-12, the Mossy Cave trail is the easiest and most popular trail in Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah. This trail gives hikers a chance to get close to the hoodoos without having to descend all the way down to the bottom of the amphitheaters. It also leads to a super cool natural grotto that is full of lichen and moss in the warmer seasons and icicles in the winter. What’s more? Mossy Cave trail also takes hikers to a beautiful waterfall, the only one in the park. If you come in the winter, this waterfall freezes over. It is a magical sight to behold.
Note: Please stay on main trail and respect all posted signs to protect delicate rocks and sensitive plants exist throughout this area. Please make sure to respect this beautiful place and the surrounding areas. Always practice LEAVE NO TRACE. This means no loud music, no graffiti, no taking artifacts or fossilized items, and pack out what you pack in! Please help us protect this place for generations to come!
Stats
Where
Mossy Cave Trail Trailhead:
37.665826, -112.110192
Parking
There is a small parking on the side of the road, in front of the trailhead. Please DO NOT parking along SR-12. It is dangerous and you will get ticketed.
Restroom
There is vault toilet at the trailhead.
Fee
There is a fee to hike the Bryce Canyon National Park. Please check the park’s website for updated infos. You can also use your America the Beautiful Pass here.
Important Things
- This trail is extremely busy between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m during peak season, so visit early in the morning or later in the evening so you can find parking.
- While hikers are allowed within the water, please enter and exit at bridge crossings to reduce social trails elsewhere.
- You cannot camp in the Mossy Cave area, including the parking lot.
- In the winter, make sure to bring micro-spikes for added traction.
Distance
About 0.9 mi R.T.
Elevation Gain
121 ft
Level
Easy
Time:
20-30 minutes
Pet-friendly
Dogs aren’t allowed on trails.
Ideal Time
This trail is spectacular regardless of the seasons, however, we think the winter is the most beautiful. If you visit during the busy seasons, go early for parking.
Weather
Video
Getting to the Mossy Cave Trail Trailhead
Getting to the trailhead for Mossy Cave trail is super easy. It is located right off the SR-12. To get here, instead of turning south onto Highway 63 to enter the Bryce Canyon National Park entrance, keep staying on SR-12 toward Tropic for about 4 miles. The trailhead for Mossy Cave Trail will be on the right-hand side. There is a small parking in front of the trailhead. Please make sure to park at this parking lot ONLY. You CANNOT park along SR-12. It is dangerous to do so and you will get ticketed.
The Adventure
The Start of the Mossy Cave Trail
We arrived at the trailhead for Mossy Cave after our hike through Navajo Loop/Queens Garden. If you haven’t done Navajo Loop/Queens Garden, especially in the winter, we definitely recommend hiking it. Since it was later in the day during the winter, the parking lot for Mossy Cave was very empty. The trail was covered in sparkling white snow. Fortunately, this is a popular hike so the trail was packed down and well-defined, even with the heavy amount of snow that we encountered. If you’re attempting this trail in the winter, we recommended wearing micro-spikes for added traction because the trail can be icy and slippery.
Along the Trail
The mossy cave trail is a consistent but gentle climb to the waterfall and the mossy cave. It is also very easy to follow. Along the way, you’ll be immersed in the middle of the breathtaking landscape and impressive hoodoos. We’ve been here both in the warmer months and during the winter. We have to say, the winter sceneries are definitely so much more beautiful.
After a short distance, you’ll cross over the first bridge. There are two bridges total that cross over a small stream. At the second bridge, you’ll get your first glimpse of the 25ft waterfalls on your right. It is further down the canyon. Once you pass the second bridge, there is a fork in the trail. Going right will take you to a viewing platform, overlooking the beautiful waterfalls. Going left will take you to the Mossy Cave, the natural grotto that this trail is named after.
Mossy Cave
We recommend checking the Mossy Cave out. It is just a short walk. So Mossy Cave is not a cavern but more like a shelter cave. This natural grotto is formed because an underground spring permeates through the bedrock. Therefore, during the short spring and summer seasons, you’ll see a large overhang filled with moss and lichen. By late fall, into winter, this replaces with icicles. These icicles form as the water continues to seep through the rock. It was such an interesting sight to see, especially in the winter. It was delightful to see the giant icicles running down from the ceiling, some of them all the way to the ground. If you look closely, you could see the blue tint, reflecting through the icy surface. We could also hear water dripping down through the icicles. It was such a peaceful sound.
The Waterfalls
Once we were done admiring the Mossy Cave, we made out way back to check out the viewpoint overlooking the waterfalls below. From the viewpoint, we saw some people near the base of the waterfalls so we decided to walk to the base of the waterfall. To get there, go back to the second bridge and follows the trail. Depending on when you go, the flow might be very small. However, when we visited in the winter, this waterfall was frozen over. This was our first time seeing frozen waterfalls. It was quite impressive. You could see the water tumbling down, yet frozen in its course. Same as Mossy Cave, we could hear the sound of the trickling water, tinkling on the icicles.
When you are done, go back to the same way you come from. If you’re visiting Bryce, don’t forget to check out the Navajo Loop/Queens Garden. It is our favorite hike here in Bryce Canyon National Park. If you’re up for something different, try cross-country skiing. We had a blast.
These are the gear that we personally use and find them helpful for this particular adventure. Don’t forget to check out our Recommended Gear section as well.
adventure gear
- Sunscreen: even in the winter, the sun can be brutal. Make sure to use your sunscreen. We use eco-friendly, reef-safe sunscreen, Stream2Sea SPF 30, and tinted, organic All Good Organic Sunscreen Butter.
- Traction device: if you’re hiking in the winter, the trails and even the parking lot can be icy. Make sure to bring micro-spikes or crampons for added traction. You don’t need anything fancy. Just the simple one like this one would work. If you forget to bring yours, you can either purchase them at the Visitor Center or rent them at the Ruby’s Inn Winter Adventure Center.
- Neck gaiter – depending on the weather, it can be very cold, especially if there’s wind. We love these Smartwool Neck gaiter.
- A warm jacket that is waterproof. It would be good if it has a hood. Vy actually use this jacket from R.E.I and she loves it. It’s lightweight, waterproof, and perfect for layering.
- Layering your clothes! This way, you can take them off or put them on as the temperature changes. We love our Smartwool baselayer. For pants, this is Vy’s version, and this is Dustin’s version. For the top, here’s Vy’s, and here’s Dustin’s.
- Snow pants or waterproof pants – This helps you stay dry and warm when walking in the snow.
- Snow gloves or waterproof gloves – Make sure they are waterproof. There is nothing like wet gloves in the icy cold weather.
- Beanies to keep your head warm.
- Wool socks – Cotton socks don’t keep warm, so your feet will get cold fast. Wool socks, even though they are more expensive, last longer and will keep your feet warmer.
- Waterproof Hiking Shoes – You’ll want to keep the snow off those little toes. When the shoes get wet, you’ll be more prone to frostbite.
- Hydration pack – if you’re hiking, make sure to bring enough water. Although you don’t feel like drinking water, it is good to stay hydrated. We use the Camelback L.U.X.E.
- Sun-glasses – that white snow will reflect the sunlight. It can get very bright.
- Snow chain – the weather can get very predictable up here, make sure to bring chains for your car so you don’t get stuck
- Food and Snacks. Always good to bring some snacks with you. For healthy and easy snacks, check out some of our recipes.
camera gear
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