Fairview Point and Piracy Point – the best viewpoint on the Southern Scenic Drive
Fairview Point and Piracy Point is one of my favourite viewpoints in all of Bryce Canyon National Park.
Fairview Point and Piracy Point are connected by a short trail. Park up at Fairview and there’s a very short 300m walk to Piracy Point with incredible views!
One of the main reasons for this is the fact there are no barriers or fences at Piracy point, so the views are unobstructed and perfect for photography. It’s also great to have photos here if that’s up your street!
It’s got the most spectacular views of Bryce Canyon’s incredible reddish pink cliffs, hoodoos and canyons. As it turns out, this is my favourite viewpoint on the Southern Scenic Drive and second favourite in Bryce (after Sunset Point!).
Doing a road trip around Utah? Have a look at my other travel guides on the Mighty Five, plus more, including:
- Zion National Park
- Arches National Park
- Canyonlands National Park
- Capitol Reef National Park
- Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park and much more.
Quick Mini Guide To Bryce
Don’t have a lot of time? Here’s a quick mini guide to Bryce National Park.
Where to stay
- Bubble dome Glamp and Camp
- Best Western – The closest hotel to the entrance of Bryce.
Best Hikes & When to go
Wall Street, Navajo Trail, the Queen’s Garden Trails. It’s best to go in Spring or Autumn. The summer becomes very hot & busy, so visit after 4pm.
Bryce Entry Fee
Private Vehicle: $35 for a 7-day pass, $20 for individuals.
Car rental
Public transport is limited so car rental is your best option. Consider getting a 4×4 for any dirt roads.
Best Tours
- Hiking Tour
- Off roading ATV in Bryce
- Horse riding the trails.
This blog post may contain affiliate links.
Fairview Point and Piracy Point
If you’re looking for an amazing viewpoint in Bryce Canyon, you’ve got to check out Farview Point & Piracy Point. It totally lives up to its name, offering views that stretch over 80 miles on clear days.
Farview Point
Quick Facts:
- Location: Mile 10.25 of the 18-mile Southern Scenic Drive
- Significance: One of 9 viewpoints along the Southern Scenic Drive
- Amenities: Bicycle racks, picnic tables, recycling, restrooms
Why It’s Special
Farview Point has incredible views thanks to Bryce Canyon’s surprisingly high air quality. On clear days, you can see all the way to Navajo Mountain, 90 miles away, and the Henry Mountains, 84 miles away. The lack of haze and smog really makes the scenery pop!
Hiking Trails at Fairview Point and Piracy Point
If you’re after an overview of all 11 hiking trails in Bryce, read more and I’ve included the details on which ones are most scenic and the difficulty level.
There’s not really a ‘hike’ per se, but there is a short and flat trail from Fairview Point to Piracy Point, about 0.15 miles, that leads north from the parking lot to Piracy Point. It’s unpaved but super easy and quick.
When you get to Piracy Point, you’ll get the best views of the canyons.
Nature
California Condors: These majestic birds have a wingspan of 9 to 10 feet. They look a bit like pterodactyls.
They used to be widespread across North America, but their numbers dwindled due to various issues, like a destruction of habitat. Thanks to conservation efforts, there are now nearly 100 condors flying free in northern Arizona and southern Utah.
Although be warned that sightings in Bryce Canyon are still pretty rare, it’s exciting to know that these birds might make an appearance as their populations grow.
Landscape Features
- You’ll see the hoodoos along the Paunsaugunt Plateau. You can also catch a glimpse of the Rainbow Point amphitheater, with a forest floor of pine and fir 1,000 feet below.
- Navajo Mountain stands out on the horizon. It’s a laccolith, which means it’s like a volcano that never erupted. It’s fascinating to see how this plume of molten rock caused a swelling, forming the hard core of the mountain.
- The view here includes the Paria Valley and the Grand Staircase. You’ll see the Table Cliff Plateau, the Grey Cliffs, and the White Cliffs. If the air quality is good, you might spot the Henry Mountains, which are also laccoliths. This view showcases the geological diversity and history of the region.
- You can observe the eroded edge of the Paunsaugunt Plateau, the Tushar Mountains on the Markagunt Plateau, and the Sevier Plateau (also called Black Mountains). These were all formed by volcanic activity.
- The ponderosa forest of the Paunsaugunt Plateau is carved by water flowing north to Tropic Reservoir. This area is a transitional zone between Ponderosa Pine Forests and Mixed Conifer Forests. Look out for beautiful wildflowers and, if you’re lucky, an osprey or two.
Hiking Trails from piracy point Bryce Canyon
Tips for Your Visit
- Parking: There’s limited parking, so try to visit during off-peak hours. I went late afternoon and it was fine!
- Shuttle: On busy days, use the free shuttle bus from the Visitor Center – it’s convenient and stress-free.
- Hydration: Bring more water than you think you need, especially in summer. You can refill at the Visitor Center.
- Camera: Don’t forget your camera. The angles and lighting here make for some spectacular photos.
- Soak it In: Take a few moments to just soak in the views. It’s a peaceful and awe-inspiring experience.
the Bryce Scenic Drive
A lot of people go straight to hike the Navajo trail, or look at Sunrise point or Sunset point. And they miss the whole scenic drive that takes you to the very end of Bryce Canyon, which is Rainbow point and Yovimpa point.
- Duration: 2-12 Hours (depending on whether you hike any of the trails).
- Reservations: No
- Pets: Yes
- Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
- Time of Day: Day, Night, Dawn, Dusk
Here are the viewpoints of the Bryce Scenic Drive:
- Ponderosa Canyon
- Natural Bridge Scenic View in Bryce
- Piracy Point (my personal favourite!)
- Agua Canyon Overlook & the pink cliffs
- Swamp Canyon Overlook
- Rainbow Point & Yovimpa Point
You definitely don’t want to miss the Bryce Scenic Drive. This 18-mile journey starts at the park entrance in the north and takes you all the way to Rainbow and Yovimpa Points at the southern end of Bryce Canyon National Park.
It’s the perfect way to experience all the stunning viewpoints Bryce has to offer.
Within the first 3 miles, you’ll drive through the Bryce Amphitheater area, where you can stop at popular spots like Sunrise Point, Sunset Point, Inspiration Point, and Bryce Point. These are must-see locations, and many visitors don’t venture beyond this area.
I can understand why – it’s beautiful and has some of the best viewpoints with all the hoodoos, but don’t miss the scenic drive too! It’s very little effort thanks to the cool drive in the AC (or heat if you’re in Winter).
However, if you continue, the next 15 miles of the Southern Scenic Drive will treat you to 9 additional scenic overlooks and several roadside stops.
This drive is accessible year-round and pet-friendly, making it a fantastic option no matter the season. Whether you have just a couple of hours or an entire day, the Bryce Scenic Drive is a wonderful way to spend your time and take in the breathtaking beauty of the park.
Weather in Utah
Be wary of the weather in Utah, it’s so diverse! In the winter, it is literally freezing.
In the summer it is literally boiling, and it can actually be difficult to be out in the middle of the day. Whatever the time of year you visit, be prepared, whether that’s water bottles, or extra layers to keep warm.
Utah Weather in January
- Average temperature: -1°C (30°F)
- Average rainy days: 5
- Average daylight hours: 10
- Average sunrise time: 7:45 AM
- Average sunset time: 5:30 PM
Utah Weather in February
- Average temperature: 2°C (35°F)
- Average rainy days: 5
- Average daylight hours: 11
- Average sunrise time: 7:30 AM
- Average sunset time: 6:00 PM
Utah Weather in March
- Average temperature: 7°C (45°F)
- Average rainy days: 6
- Average daylight hours: 12
- Average sunrise time: 7:00 AM
- Average sunset time: 6:30 PM
Utah Weather in April
- Average temperature: 11°C (52°F)
- Average rainy days: 6
- Average daylight hours: 13
- Average sunrise time: 6:30 AM
- Average sunset time: 7:30 PM
Utah Weather in May
- Average temperature: 16°C (61°F)
- Average rainy days: 5
- Average daylight hours: 14
- Average sunrise time: 6:00 AM
- Average sunset time: 8:00 PM
Utah Weather in June
- Average temperature: 21°C (70°F)
- Average rainy days: 3
- Average daylight hours: 15
- Average sunrise time: 5:45 AM
- Average sunset time: 8:45 PM
Utah Weather in July
- Average temperature: 26°C (79°F)
- Average rainy days: 4
- Average daylight hours: 15
- Average sunrise time: 6:00 AM
- Average sunset time: 8:45 PM
Utah Weather in August
- Average temperature: 24°C (75°F)
- Average rainy days: 4
- Average daylight hours: 14
- Average sunrise time: 6:30 AM
- Average sunset time: 8:30 PM
Utah Weather in September
- Average temperature: 19°C (66°F)
- Average rainy days: 4
- Average daylight hours: 12
- Average sunrise time: 7:00 AM
- Average sunset time: 7:30 PM
Utah Weather in October
- Average temperature: 12°C (54°F)
- Average rainy days: 4
- Average daylight hours: 11
- Average sunrise time: 7:30 AM
- Average sunset time: 6:30 PM
Utah Weather in November
- Average temperature: 5°C (41°F)
- Average rainy days: 4
- Average daylight hours: 10
- Average sunrise time: 7:00 AM
- Average sunset time: 5:00 PM
Utah Weather in December
- Average temperature: -1°C (30°F)
- Average rainy days: 5
- Average daylight hours: 9
- Average sunrise time: 7:30 AM
- Average sunset time: 5:00 PM
Certainly a bucket list Utah Road Trip. Have a look at my other USA articles that you might find interesting:
Best Wineries with lodging in the USA
-
Zion to Arches National Park: the best viewpoints to see on your trip
If you’re planning a road trip, you’ve got to hit the route between Zion and Arches National Park. Trust me,…
-
Bryce Canyon Scenic Drive: the best viewpoints in Utah
So many people miss the Bryce Canyon Scenic Drive and I don’t understand why! The Bryce Canyon Scenic Drive is…
-
7 Closest airports to Zion National Park Utah for the best trip
Zion, frankly, is incredible. It’s one of my favourite National Parks in the USA but it’s important to know the…
-
Hiking the Zion Narrows: the best hike in Utah
Hiking the Zion Narrows is definitely one of the best hikes in Utah – my favourite activity! You’re hiking in…
-
Yovimpa Point and Rainbow Point Bryce – the best views in Utah
Yovimpa Point and Rainbow Point Bryce has some of the most stunning scenery as the view is of the entirety…
-
Black Birch Canyon: A stunning spot on the Southern Scenic Drive
I just got back from Bryce Canyon National Park, and I have to tell you about Black Birch Canyon, which…
Full disclosure! Some of the links here are affiliate links, meaning I get a small commission from every booking made. This is at no extra cost to you. It helps keep me writing and sharing my travel guides free of charge to you 🙂 Thank you for your support! Read our policy for more information.
