Mossy Cave Trail

 

This trail is one of the few you can hike in Bryce Canyon National Park without having to pay the park access fee. The trail head is located on Route 12, well before the entrance to the park. The trail head has a pit toilet and interpretive signs. The trail gives access to Mossy Cave and Water Canyon. It starts off along a stream for .35 miles. After that point the trail splits. To the left is Mossy Cave and to the right is Water Canyon Fall. The trail is lined with beautiful colored cliffs and hoodoos that Bryce Canyon is famous for. The trail is about 1 mile round trip, but further exploration is possible up Water Canyon.

Mossy Cave is at the end of the Mossy Cave Trail, so aptly named. This is an overhanging cliff grotto that has a spring that seeps water all year long. I didn’t find it interesting to see. There are more fascinating things to see from the Mossy Cave Trail like exploring up Water Canyon. You would not miss much if you do not take the side trip to the cave.
Equipment: Plenty of water.
Directions: On Route 12 between Route 63 and the town of Tropic.