Hikes in Utah
From the famous southwestern deserts to the mountains and jagged peaks east of Salt Lake City, Utah is an outdoors lovers paradise. Utah is a great state to find adventure, with plenty of opportunities to hike, bike, ski, climb or canoe the most beautiful parts of this state. The best part is that there is a way to get outside any time of the year, thanks to the hot deserts in winter and the alpine peaks in summer.
Utah has to have the most variety of terrain out of any state in the US. We love the national parks in Utah, such as Zion, Canyonlands, Bryce and Arches National Parks. There are also great national forests, with our favourite being Uinta-Wasatch.
While Utah is known for their deserts and canyons, there are also stunning mountains throughout the state. Head east of Salt Lake City and up into the Little or Big Cottonwood Canyons and explore some of the best hiking, skiing and trekking in the US. Head farther east and you hit the remote and beautiful Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest. Largely undeveloped, the hikes from the highway are sublime.
And who can forget the mountain biking paradise of Moab. Regarded as the mecca for mountain bikers, this small-town oozes coolness, and is one of our favourite towns in the US.
20 Greatest Hikes in Utah
Immerse yourself into the varying terrain of Utah for an adventure of a lifetime. Hike through cavernous, dusty-red canyons, or perhaps hit the desert for an epic walk past towering cactuses and unique rock formations that will have you feeling like you’ve landed on another planet. For a more challenging day out in nature, why not try hiking up one of the surrounding mountain summits to get the legs burning? There are plenty of options, you just have to pick one and hit the trails!
- Fairyland Loop Trail: Take in some of the most unique clusters of hoodoo formations in Bryce Canyon park on the aptly named Fairyland Loop trail
- Cassidy Trail: This challenging, but seriously epic hike is a can’t miss in Little Bryce Canyon. Slowly increasing in elevation with an exposed ridgeline, take in incredible views over Mexican Peak Hat.
- Queens Garden to Navajo Loop Trail: While crowded at times, this popular trail is one of the best ways to explore Bryce Canyon’s famous hoodoos and stunning rock formations.
- Delicate Arch: If you’re visiting Moab National Park, you’re going to want to see the famed arches that are one of the most photographed spots in the world. This hike has extreme elevation grade, but it’s worth it to see the natural landmarks at the top.
- Dead Horse Point: Incredible views from start to finish, this hike in Moab National Park will knock your socks, err hiking boots, right off!
- Fisher Towers: This trail is loved by locals and travellers alike for its views over scenic sandstone towers, the expansive valley and the famous Colorado River.
- Devils Garden Loop: To take in all the breathtaking arches located within Moab National Park, you’ll want to hike this loop passing Pine Tree Arch, Landscape Arch, Tunnel Arch and more.
- Grandstaff Trail: This hike remains a classic for good reason, as hikers traverse a narrow canyon and end at Morning Glory Bridge–– this is a can’t miss experience. With little elevation gain, this makes for a great family-friendly hike.
- Red Pine Lake & Pfeifferhorn Ridge: For an epic, highly rewarding hike, climb the Pfeifferhorn Ridge, which involves some scrambling to reach the top! Once at the summit, enjoy 360-degree views as far as the eye can see.
- Box Elder Peak: With incredible elevation change, this hike is not for the faint of heart. Ascend up the ridge of Box Elder Peak to take in views over much of Salt Lake City and beyond.
- Silver Lake: To enjoy peace and tranquility near Salt Lake City, head to Silver Lake, which remains largely unexplored in part due to its 4.8 km dirt road access. Once you arrive, jump in for a refreshing dip to cool off!
- Sunset Peak: To experience the best of the alpine lakes Utah has to offer, try the Sunset Peak hike. Passing Dog Lake, Lake Mary, Lake Martha and Lake Catherine, you’re guaranteed a few photo-worthy moments!
- Bald Mountain Trail: For some of the best views of all of Utah, set out on the classic Bald Mountain hike. While short and grueling, you won’t regret it once you get to the top!
- The Narrows: Prepare to get soaked on this epic thru-canyon hike! This is more of a wade, but it's worth it to take the canyon from ground level.
- Angel's Landing: Set out on arguably the most popular hike in all of Zion National Park to take in some of the most incredible views. Don’t underestimate the climb, it’s a tough, but worthwhile pursuit!
- Hidden Canyon: This hike is perfect for those a little shorter on time, who want to pass some of the switchbacks to Observation Point. Take in all the best views of Zion National Park, without the challenging climbs.
- Portal Overlook: Often overlooked for other trails in Moab, this hike offers serine, well-graded paths, while still hitting the highlights of the park.
- Devil's Garden: If you’re short on time, this hike runs down an incredible narrow canyon, passing picturesque sandstone cliffs and desert towers on the way.
- Balanced Rock: No trip is complete to Moab without spotting the unique balanced rock. This odd rock formation is a quick jaunt from the parking lot if you’re short on time.
- Mossy Cave Trail: Short and sweet, this trail runs past dozens of hoodoos and ends at the stunning Tropic Ditch Falls, perfect for a family-friendly afternoon.
When is the Best Time to Hike in Utah
Our favourite time to hike in Utah is the shoulder seasons: spring and fall. The months of April-May and September-October offer incredible weather, with sunny, moderate temperatures. You can expect the occasional cool spell or rainy day during the shoulder seasons, but it’s far too hot to hike during the summer months without breaking a major sweat and risking heat stroke.
Best Regions to Hike in Utah
There are endless opportunities for hiking in the great Utah wilderness! But to help you out, we’ve narrowed it down to our absolute favourite regions within the state. Bryce Canyon National Park is famous for its incredible desert scenery, ranging from hoodoos to canyons to cactuses. Moab and Arches National Park is much-loved among the mountain biking community and incredible natural arches scattered throughout the parks. Salt Lake City is the perfect destination where urban meets the outdoors, with plenty to see and do in and around the city. Just 120.7 km east of Salt Lake, lies another incredible mountain town that often lies under the radar. Uintas Mountains offers plenty of epic mountains to conquer, as well as pristine lakes perfect for a dip. Perhaps one of the most notable regions, Zion National Park is high on the bucket list for its sandstone rocks, the stunning Virgin River and verdant plant life.
Other Activities in Utah
Utah is an outdoor lovers paradise. There are few places quite like it in the world, nevermind the U.S. You can accomplish any outdoor adventure calling your name, whether it be mountain biking, scrambling, skiing, rock climbing, kayaking, white water rafting, or even horseback riding. You name it, they got it.
How to Plan a Trip to Utah
Dreaming of planning your dream hiking vacation in Utah? We’ve got you covered with our complete guides on planning a trip to the red rocky state, outlining the best spots far and wide for food and a cold beer, cozy hotels, and fun activities to fill your day. From Bryce Canyon National Park, to Zion National Park, to Moab and Arches National Park, to Salt Lake City, to Uintas Mountains—we took out all the guesswork, leaving more time for hitting the trails.
Hiking regions in Utah
Best Hikes in Utah
Slickrock Practice Loop
The Slickrock Practice loop is a super fun lollipop trail just outside of Moab. This trail is used as a practice loop by mountain bikers and has lots of steep ups and downs. This trail may be short, but it will give you a serious workout!
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Moonflower Canyon Trail
The Moonflower Canyon Trail is a great little hike for the whole family. This route passes by a beautifully preserved panel of petroglyphs at the trailhead and continues down a creekbed to the end of the canyon. Dogs are allowed on this trail but they must be kept on-leash.
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Ring Arch Trail
The Ring Arch Trail is a beautiful, adventurous hike that the whole family can enjoy. This trail sees little traffic and is a great way to get away from the crowds in Arches National Park. This trail is not well marked, so some route-finding is required.
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Hunters Canyon Trail
The Hunters Canyon Trail is a fantastic route for the whole family including the pup! This hike takes you along a cool creek through a gorgeous canyon just outside of the city. The Hunter Canyon is definitely a hidden gem that sees little traffic throughout the year, so it is a perfect place to go for some peace and quiet in a beautiful part of Moab.
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Lower Courthouse Wash Trail
The Lower Courthouse Wash trail is a fun adventure just off Highway 191 north of Moab, UT. This trail follows a creek and features a couple of good swimming spots that are great to cool off in on a hot summer day. There is a lot to explore in this area! If you are looking for a worthy extension to your day, a short detour near the trailhead will take you up to the famous Courthouse Wash Pictograph Panels.
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Dinosaur Stomping Ground Trail
Amature, aspiring, and professional paleontologists delight! The Dinosaur Stomping grounds trail is a short hike to an incredible collection of dinosaur footprints preserved in a bed of Entrada sandstone. This hike is a fantastic family outing and a great way to introduce kids to the natural history of this area.
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Mountain View Trail via Warner Campground
The Mountain View Trail is a low-traffic hike to fantastic views of the Manti-La Sal National Forest. This hike, beginning at the Warner Campground, is a consistently steep climb up to Sunset Point. Dogs are allowed on this route but they must be kept on leash the whole time.
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The Amphitheater Loop
The Amphitheater Loop is a great hike through the desert landscape just northeast of Moab. This hike starts and ends at the Hittle Bottom Campground on the shores of the Colorado River. The Amphitheater Loop is dog-friendly, so you can enjoy this hike with the whole family, including your four-legged best friend.
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Amasa Back and Cliffhanger Trail
The Amasa Back and Cliffhanger Trail is a challenging hiking and biking route in Dead Horse Point State Park. This trail is dog-friendly but pups must be kept on a leash for the duration of their hike. There is lots to explore in this area as the Amasa Back Trail is part of a large and intricate trail network.
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Mount Tukuhnikivatz Trail
The Mount Tukuhnikivatz Trail is a challenging and adventurous route for experienced hikers. This trail does require a short scramble to the summit, so hikers should be prepared for this steep, loose, and exposed section. The views from the top are absolutely stunning, be sure to bring a camera to capture some incredible shots of Moab, Dead Horse Point State Park, Canyonlands National Park, and even Arches National Park way in the distance.
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Sand Dune Arch and Broken Arch Trail
The Sand Dune Arch and Broken Arch trail is a great hike for the whole family. This trail offers the opportunity to see two incredible arches in just a short mile and a half. Desert wildlife such as mule deer are often seen grazing along this trail especially in the early morning.
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Sand Dune Arch to Broken Arch Loop
The Sand Dune Arch to Broken Arch Loop is a great hike just outside the Devils Campground in Arches National Park. This hike passes by three arches in the area: Sand Dune Arch, Broken Arch (Spoiler alert: not actually broken), and Tapestry Arch. This hike is especially beautiful in the early morning as the desert begins to awaken under the radiance of the rising sun.
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The Tunnel
The Tunnel is a short, out-and-back route to a unique geological formation in Arches National Park: a 16 m-long tunnel through a sandstone buttress. This hike doesn’t see a lot of traffic and the trail can be difficult to navigate. Good map-reading skills, a GPS unit, and/or an incredible sense of direction is essential for this hike.
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Lower Pine Creek Waterfall Trail
The Lower Pine Creek Waterfall trail is a short, unmaintained trail that leads to a beautiful 5 m waterfall. This trail gets little traffic, and is a great hike to do on a hot day. The bouldery nature of this trail does not make it suitable for the elderly or for young children but it is a fun challenge for experienced hikers and is doable for older children with the help of an adult.
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The Many Pools Trail
The Many Pools Trail is an unmaintained hike along the Many Pools drainage featuring—you guessed it—many pools! This trail is a short, out-and-back path to and through a slot canyon. The Many Pools Trail is a low-traffic hike, and is a great choice for a family wanting to spend the day exploring and discovering Zion’s natural wonders.
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Angels Landing, West Rim, Telephone Loop
The Angels Landing, West Rim Telephone loop is a good challenge for experienced hikers who want to see a lot of Zion in one fell swoop. This hike features the iconic Angels Landing lookout, and hikers are advised to start early to get a view from this spot before the mid-morning crowds roll in. This hike can be strenuous and exposed in some sections, so bring lots of water and be prepared for some vertiginous terrain; because of the nature of the trail, this hike is not recommended for families with young children.
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Cable Mountain vis Stave Spring
Hiking the Cable Mountain Trail starting at Stave Spring is a less-travelled trail up to the Cable Mountain viewpoint. This overlook offers beautiful panoramic views of the valley below. The remnants of an old cable system give this trail both its name, and a dash of historical intrigue.
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Wildcat Canyon Trail
The Wildcat Canyon Trail is a peaceful walk through meadows, forest, and grassland in the Kolob Canyon section of Zion National Park. This out-and-back trail is a great place to see desert flora and fauna. Take your time exploring this beautiful landscape, undisturbed by the crowds of the main canyon.
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Cockeye Falls Trail
The Cockeye Falls Trail is a moderately challenging hike over unmaintained trails in the remote eastern section of Zion National Park. Good footwear and a downloaded map are essential to pick your way down this path. The underuse of this rugged trail makes it a great location to see desert wildlife, including mule deer and bighorn sheep.
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Northgate Peaks Trail
The Northgate Peaks Trail is a low-traffic hike with beautiful views of the Northgate Peaks framing the summit of the North Guardian Angel. This hike is mostly level and is a good option for families. More experienced hikers have the option of adding a scramble to the end of the trail to reach the Northgate Peak summits.