Things to Do at Thor's Hammer

Thor's Hammer is probably Bryce Canyon's most photographed rock formation, and honestly, it's easy to see why. This towering hoodoo stands like a sentinel at the edge of the amphitheater, its distinctive shape - a massive caprock balanced precariously on a slender sandstone pillar - creating one of those views that actually lives up to the hype. You'll spot it from the Sunset Point overlook, where it anchors the foreground of what might be the park's most iconic vista. What makes Thor's Hammer particularly fascinating is how it demonstrates the geological forces that created this landscape. The harder limestone cap has protected the softer rock below from erosion, while everything around it has been carved away by millions of years of freeze-thaw cycles and water erosion. It's essentially a survivor - though geologically speaking, it's living on borrowed time like all hoodoos here.

You'll find Thor's Hammer at Sunset Point, two miles south of the visitor center on the main park road. Drive straight there. The parking area has clear signs and ranks as one of the major viewpoints on the scenic drive. The free shuttle runs here during peak season if you're staying in the park. For hiking access, start at Sunset Point or Sunrise Point and take the Navajo Loop Trail down into the canyon. Both work fine.