Thor’s Hammer Bryce Canyon National Park

Thor’s Hammer is a towering sandstone hoodoo that rises from the floor of Bryce Canyon like an ancient sentinel. This iconic formation stands about 150 feet tall and is easily recognizable by its distinctive hammer-like silhouette — a thick caprock balanced precariously atop a narrow pillar of eroded limestone. The best views come from the Navajo Loop Trail, where you can walk right up to its base and appreciate the geological forces that carved this masterpiece over millions of years.

Access is via the paved Navajo Loop Trail, which connects to the Sunset Point parking area. The trail descends 521 feet into the canyon through a series of switchbacks, making the return climb a moderate workout. Early morning and late afternoon provide the best lighting for photography, when the red and orange hoodoos glow against the deep blue sky. Winter brings snow that can make the trail icy and require microspikes.

Iconic hammer-shaped hoodoo in Bryce Canyon