Under the Rim Trail - Riggs Spring Section

The Riggs Spring Section of the Under the Rim Trail offers one of the most immersive backcountry experiences in Bryce Canyon, dropping from the Pink Cliffs at Bristlecone Point down below the canyon rim into a remote landscape of forested benches, dry washes, and eroded badlands that most park visitors never see. The trail descends over 1,400 feet through multiple geologic layers, transitioning from the pink limestone hoodoos of the rim into older, more subdued formations below. Riggs Spring, a reliable water source in the backcountry, sits in a sheltered hollow surrounded by spruce and fir trees. The solitude on this trail is extraordinary; day hikers rarely venture this far, and overnight campers must obtain a backcountry permit. Mule deer, wild turkey, and occasionally mountain lion tracks appear in the soft soil along the creek drainages. The return climb back to the rim is demanding and should be started early to avoid afternoon thunderstorms common in July and August. Navigation requires attention as the trail crosses open slickrock sections marked by cairns. For experienced hikers seeking the real wilderness character of Bryce Canyon beyond the crowded rim viewpoints, the Riggs Spring section delivers unmatched reward and true backcountry solitude.