Sunset to Sunrise
What to Expect
Safety Advisory
The rim edge is real and unforgiving in spots — keep kids close and stay behind railings. The drop into the amphitheater is several hundred feet with no second chances.
At 8,000 feet, even a flat paved walk can leave sea-level visitors short of breath. Take it slower than you think you need to, especially in the first hour after arriving at the park.
Trail Details
Pro Tips
Walk it in both directions if you have time — the hoodoo formations look completely different depending on the angle of sunlight, and the return trip genuinely feels like a new trail.
Start at Sunset Point and walk toward Sunrise Point in the early morning; you'll be facing east into the amphitheater as the first light paints the hoodoos orange and pink, which is the money shot.
Use this trail as a connector to the Navajo Loop or Queen's Garden trailheads — both drop into the amphitheater from points along this rim walk, letting you combine the easy overview with a below-the-rim adventure without backtracking to your car.