Hiking the Mossy Cave Trail in Bryce Canyon National Park
Distance: 0.9 miles / 1.4 km
The Mossy Cave Trail in Bryce Canyon National Park is a park favorite among visitors for a number of reasons.
The first is that Mossy Cave Trail is among a select few day hikes, along with the Fairyland Loop and Rim Trail, that visitors can enjoy without having to pay to enter Bryce Canyon National Park! This is because the Mossy Cave Trail is removed from the main parts of Bryce Canyon and is located a few miles out of town.
The second reason is that the Mossy Cave Trail features Bryce Canyon’s only named waterfall, Tropic Ditch Falls, making the stream one of the best places hang out, relax, and cool off on a hot summer day!
Mossy Cave Trailhead Parking
Parking for the Mossy Cave Trail is located directly off Highway 12 between Bryce Canyon City and Tropic, about 7.5 miles (12.1 km) from the Bryce Canyon Visitor Center.
That being said, the Mossy Cave Trail is one of a few day hikes in Bryce Canyon that visitors can enjoy without paying the National Park entrance fee. However, be sure to arrive early if possible during the busy summer travel season, as finding a place to park can be a challenge by mid-morning.
Google Maps Directions: Mossy Cave Trailhead
Hiking Checklist - Bryce Canyon
Here is a complete list of must-have things that you will want for any hike in Bryce Canyon National Park.
Hiking the Mossy Cave Trail
The Mossy Cave Trail is one of the easiest day hikes in Bryce Canyon National Park, as the trail only gains about 120 ft. (37 m) from the trailhead to the highest points along the hike.
This first bridge is where the Windows and the Turret Arch start to become visible through the trees.
Mossy Cave-Tropic Ditch Falls Junction
At about 0.3 miles (0.5 km), the Mossy Cave Trail splits into two paths: one leading to the cave and the other to Tropic Ditch Falls, both about 0.1 miles (0.2 km) away from this junction.
Mossy Cave Trail
I chose to go left first toward the Mossy Cave.
Mossy Cave
In short, the Mossy Cave in Bryce Canyon National Park is an area where moisture percolates down through the soil and into the cave, creating a cool, moist environment that allows mosses and other vegetation to thrive on the walls of the overhang in the summer.
However, in the winter, icicles form and can be seen hanging from the ceiling of the cave.
Mossy Cave-Tropic Ditch Falls Junction
Once back at the previous junction, go straight to continue to Tropic Ditch Falls, located about 0.1 miles (0.2 km) from this point.
Tropic Ditch Falls
The 20-ft. (6.1 m) Tropic Ditch Falls is the end of the Mossy Cave Trail, which is also the best viewpoint for both the Windows and the Turret Arch across the stream.
On a different note, it may appear that the trail continues further upstream to another waterfall, but I can speak from experience that the next true waterfall is more than a mile away.
With that in mind, the trail past Tropic Ditch Falls quickly begins to fade the further upstream you hike, which is why I only recommend venturing past the main trail if you have prior experience with similar off-trail adventures.
