BEST Hiking Trails In Utah For Exploring The State
When searching for pure outdoor adventure, the hiking trails in Utah are unmatched. The hikes here give you access to sights that will take your breath away in amazement or get your adrenaline pumping as you navigate treacherous cliff edges. From the towering peaks of Angel’s Landing to the enchanting waterfalls of Kanarra Falls, Utah is a place of exploration and discovery, and the ideal way to take in the unimaginable beauty of this place is to venture out on the Utah trails yourself.
It’s difficult to fathom how much variety of otherworldly landscapes are all packed into a single state. Be it the overlooks found at the Canyonlands with their vistas of unbelievable proportions. The pure majestic valley of Zion National Park. Even the peculiar rock formations of Goblin Valley and Bryce Canyon hold hikes you can’t find anywhere else in the world.
Keep scrolling for all of the BEST HIKING TRAILS IN UTAH FOR EXPLORING THE STATE!
1.) The Narrows
Difficulty: 5
Distance: 9.4-miles total out and back
Parking N/A only accessible via shuttles or by foot
The Narrows is, without a doubt, one of the most spectacular hiking trails in Utah. Following the soft flowing Virgin River as it cuts through 2 towering cliffs makes for a transformative trail that shows why this is considered one of the best hikes in Zion, and one of the best hikes in Utah.
WHAT TO EXPECT
– Ankle to thigh high cold and slow moving water
– Can get crowded at peak times
– Plenty of spots for awesome Utah pictures
– Miles of twisting canyon
Pro tip- Waterproof or disposable shoes are a big help when wading through the slippery rock river.
2.) The Living Room
Difficulty: 3
Distance: 2.5-miles total out and back
Plenty of parking along the street
The Living Room hike isn’t something most people think of when it comes to fun things to do in Salt Lake City, but the view from this spot can’t be passed up. Looking out over the bustling city from this peaceful summit shows how calming nature can be.
WHAT TO EXPECT
– An uphill climb where some sections are steeper than others
– A loose gravel trail
– A lookout point with rocks set up like chairs in a living room
– A view looking over all of Salt Lake City
Pro tip- Watching the sunrise slowly rise over the city is a sight you won’t soon forget!
3.) Kanab Sand Caves
Difficulty: 2
Distance: 1-miles total out and back
Large parking lot on site
Not far from the Coral Pink Sand Dunes sits this Utah trail with sands of a much different kind. Instead of flowing dunes, the Kanab Sand Caves house silky smooth blankets of sand inside a series of caves perched above the ground. Not only is this a short and easy hike, but it’s also one of the more unique hikes in Utah.
WHAT TO EXPECT
– A short hike through sandy trails
– A section of scaling a near verticle rock face
– Interesting carved cave system filled with velvety sand
– Something different that most people don’t know about
Pro tip- Make sure to have reliable footwear to climb the steep rock face.
4.) Canyon Overlook Zion
Difficulty: 2
Distance: 1-miles total out and back
Parking is very limited
The Canyon Overlook hike in Zion is more of an offshoot from the main shuttle stops of Zion Valley. However, the secluded nature only makes this spot one of the most underrated hikes in Utah. This short hike takes you through sandy viewpoints and rocky overhangs to reach a sunset vista that rivals any scenic spots in the state.
WHAT TO EXPECT
– A view of the sun setting over the valley
– A lookout point over 1,000 feet above the canyon floor
– A thin trail hugging the cliffside
– A large and open landing to watch the view
Pro tip- Get there at least 1 hour before sunset to secure a parking spot
5.) Goblin's Lair Trail
Difficulty: 3
Distance: 3.7-miles total out and back
Large parking lot on site
You don’t believe in Goblins do you? This peculiar Utah trail takes you on a quest past fields of rotund hoodoos that look as though you have left Earth, up sections of fallen rock slides, and down into the cavernous Goblin’s Lair. Hopefully, they’re not home…
WHAT TO EXPECT
– A rock slide section of climbing around large rocks
– Hundreds of stout mushroom like rock formations
– Gravel trail that turns to soft sand
– A large and secluded cave (the lair)
Pro tip- You can also repel into Goblin’s Lair for a fun and unique experience.
6.) Fairyland Loop Trail
Difficulty: 7
Distance: 8-miles loop trail
Large parking lot on site
Bryce Canyon is a top spot in Utah, and the Fairyland Loop is the best way to experience it. Running through the heart of the park, this hike takes you up and down, left to right, around towering rock pillars and scenic overlooks as you enjoy the best sights Bryce Canyon has to see.
WHAT TO EXPECT
– Many inclines and declines throughout the park
– The best views of the hoodoos
– Areas of solid steep trail and more level areas
– An intense hike but visually stunning
Pro tip- Begin the trail heading left from Fairyland Point so you can head down the steep trail instead of having to climb up.
7.) White Rim Overlook
Difficulty: 2
Distance: 1.8-miles total out and back
Small parking lot on site
Canyonlands National Park is an expansive, wonderous area with unimaginable lookouts, and the White Rim Overlook may top them all. The trail itself is a calm trek over a rocky plateau until you reach the unobstructed cliffside views that highlight the hikes of Utah.
WHAT TO EXPECT
– The best place in the park for sunset pictures
– A smooth, mostly level trail
– Many different lookout points to explore
– Fewer people
Pro tip- This spot is only a short drive from the gorgeous Green River Overlook!
8.) Devil's Garden
Difficulty: 8
Distance: 7.9-miles total out and back
Large parking lot on site
If you’re looking for a true taste of what the Arches National Park has to offer, then Devil’s Garden is the hike to choose. Traversing rocky inclines, sandy trails, and dozens of scenic arches, this Utah trail has everything you need and so much more!
WHAT TO EXPECT
– Dozens of beautiful arches along the trail
– An adventurous trail with few people
– Takes you through the Double O Arch Trail, Primitive Trail, and the Landscape Arch
– Steep rocky to scale
Pro tip- When taking the Primitive Trail, start from the Double O Arch because it’s much easier jumping down the steep rocks compared to trying to find a way to climb up them.
9.) Kanarra Falls
Difficulty: 3
Distance: 3.8-miles total out and back
Large parking lot on site
Similar to the Narrows, Kanarra Falls is a river trail that follows the water through a tall, twisting canyon, but Kanarra Falls has even more personality packed into a smaller and less crowded area. This Utah trail is a magical trek through lush woods, picture perfect river views, and multiple gorgeous waterfalls!
WHAT TO EXPECT
– Wading through a slow moving river
– Multiple waterfalls
– Ice cold water
– Smooth and winding canyon walls
Pro tip- Waterproof shoes will help fight the frigid water
10.) Silver Spire
Difficulty: 2
Distance: 2-miles total out and back
Small makeshift parking area
Sticking with the bizarre and spectacular hiking trails in Utah, the Silver Spire outside of Hanksville takes things to a whole new level. Surrounded by blackened cliffs and scorched like terrain sits a lone rock spire jutting up from the ground like a defiant beacon in the Utah landscape.
WHAT TO EXPECT
– An easy gravel trail leading to the spire
– Incredible unearthly views
– Very few people in this secluded spot
– Not far from the Factory Butte and Moon Overlook
Pro tip- To get to the hike, head west from Hanksville on UT-24 until mile marker 109.35. Then turn right onto the dirt road.
11.) Mesa Arch Trail
Difficulty: 2
Distance: 2-miles total out and back
Large parking lot on site
For many hiking trails in Utah, the journey is just as good as the destination. But for Mesa Arch Trail, the destination is pretty hard to beat. Perched atop a cliffside, the short and wide natural arch acts like a gateway to the open Canyonlands vista waiting just beyond.
WHAT TO EXPECT
– A rocky natural staircase down to the arch
– Lookouts hundreds of feet off the ground
– A large, open landing around Mesa Arch
– Crowded during peak times
Pro tip- Seeing the sunrise between the archway is a Canyonlands dream come true.
12.) Hickman Bridge Trail
Difficulty: 3
Distance: 1.8-miles total out and back
Large parking lot on site
Capital Reef is often an overlooked National Park in Utah, but hikes like the Hickman Bridge Trail show that people are missing out. This hike has everything to give you a great taste of what this park has to offer. From peaceful rivers to towering archways!
WHAT TO EXPECT
– The first part is a calm walk following a river
– A section of steep gravel trail
– A final section of large and smooth rocks
– Giant natural bridge with a rocky landing to explore
Pro tip- Check out the cool hollow rock caves just before the arch.
13.) Angel's Landing
Difficulty: 9
Distance: 5.4-miles total out and back
Parking N/A only accessible via shuttles or by foot
When you imagine glorious and scenic Utah trails, surely Angel’s Landing comes to mind. Regarded as one of the most famous hikes in the United States, this trek in Zion is a rigorous climb up a mountainside that is as exhausting as it is rewarding. While it may look daunting at first, the thrilling journey along the cliff’s edge is a can’t miss hike in Utah.
WHAT TO EXPECT
– The final rocky stretch along the summit spine is known as the most dangerous hike in the country
– Over 1,400 feet of elevation gain
– The best view of the valley that shows why Zion is unlike anywhere else in the world
– One of the top picture spots in Utah
Pro tip- Apply for a permit as soon as they’re available, as they will sell out immediately.
14.) Wildcat Trail
Difficulty: 2
Distance: 4-miles loop trail
Large parking lot at visitors center
Monument Valley is an incredible, one of a kind place, and the Wildcat Trail showcases this perfectly. Stare up at these massive monuments as sunlight glistens off of the burgundy rock, or snap off fantastic pictures that tell a desert story you can relive time and time again.
WHAT TO EXPECT
– An easy decline that levels into a flat trail
– The trail leads around the base of the Mitten Buttes
– Wide sandy trails that turn to loose gravel
– The best hike in Monument Valley for getting up close to the large towers
Pro tip- Go during sunset to see a painted sky and long shadows on the buttes.
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