Bryce Canyon National Park flash floods strand 11 hikers

Flash floods swept through Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah on Monday afternoon, stranding 11 adult hikers across four separate groups. The flooding occurred around 2:30 p.m. and impacted several popular trail networks, including the Fairyland Loop, Navajo Loop, Queen’s Garden, and Peek-a-Boo Loop.

Between 15 and 20 first responders, including the Garfield County search and rescue team, emergency medical services, and park rangers, responded to the incident. Rescuers waited for conditions to stabilize before helping the groups hike out of the affected areas. While none of the hikers were swept away by the water, two individuals were treated for hypothermia and transported to a hospital, while the remaining nine were released at the scene.

The incident occurred during the Southwest’s monsoon season, a period characterized by rapidly changing weather and intense afternoon thunderstorms. The flooding also caused a temporary closure of State Route 12, which reopened by Monday night.