We have hiked these 5 Incredible Hiking Trails in Utah: Your “Cannot Miss” Adventure Guide
Utah is one of the best places in the United States for hiking, with breathtaking landscapes that look almost magical. From the impressive red rock formations in Zion National Park to the unique hoodoos (tall, thin spires of rock) in Bryce Canyon, the state offers a variety of hiking options. Whether you're looking for an easy walk with the family or a challenging trail to really get your heart racing, Utah has something for everyone. We want you to have the same amazing experience that we've had, having hiked this state for over 40 years.
This guide will introduce you to five of the most amazing hiking trails in Utah. Each one has its own story, shaped by millions of years of natural forces like wind and water, resulting in the spectacular sights we enjoy today. Whether you're a first-time hiker or someone with lots of experience, you'll find trails here that will inspire you! Why Utah is a Hiker's Paradise
Utah's reputation as a hiking mecca isn't just hype – it's geology in action. This remarkable state sits at the intersection of three major geological provinces, creating a landscape tapestry that's virtually unmatched anywhere else on Earth. The Colorado Plateau, Great Basin, and Rocky Mountains converge here, each contributing their own unique characteristics to Utah's trail system.
Netherworldly Diversity in Landscapes and Terrain
Stunning view of towering red rock hoodoos and rugged cliffs in Bryce Canyon, Utah, captured at sunrise—highlighting one of the most iconic hiking destinations along Utah’s scenic trails.
Yeah, we used the word “netherworldly”; we have been waiting to use it. Think of Utah as nature's greatest hits album, not the 2000s, more like the 1980s—tough rock. In a single day, you could hike through desert slot canyons in the morning, traverse alpine meadows by afternoon, and camp under some of the darkest, most star-filled skies in the continental United States. This incredible diversity means that no matter what type of hiking experience you're craving, Utah delivers every time!
The state's five national parks, often referred to as the "Big Five,” each offer distinctly different hiking experiences.
Zion's towering sandstone cliffs create cathedral-like valleys.
Arches National Park showcases over 2,000 natural stone arches.
Bryce Canyon's amphitheaters, filled with colorful hoodoo,s look like something from another planet.
Canyonlands offers vast mesa-top vistas that stretch to the horizon.
Year-Round Hiking Opportunities
Unlike many of Utah's mountainous regions that become inaccessible during winter months, Utah's varied elevations mean you can find suitable hiking conditions year-round. When snow blankets the high country, the desert regions around Moab and St. George offer perfect hiking weather. Conversely, summer's desert heat drives hikers to the cooler elevations of the Wasatch Range or the rim of Bryce Canyon.
This seasonal flexibility makes Utah super appealing for hikers who want to maintain their trail time throughout the year. We hate to be confined to a narrow hiking season, so let us tell you what you need to know about where to look.
1. Angels Landing Trail - Zion National Park
Narrow sandstone ridge with chains leading to the summit of Angels Landing in Zion National Park, Utah—a thrilling and iconic hike known for its steep drop-offs and panoramic views. Photo by @gregory_brainard
Angels Landing isn't just a hike … it's a rite of passage for serious hikers. This trail has achieved legendary status, and for good reason. Rising 1,488 feet above the Virgin River, Angels Landing offers one of the most spectacular and challenging day hikes in the United States.
The trail begins innocuously enough at the Grotto Trailhead, following the Virgin River on a paved path. But don't let this gentle start fool you. As you progress, the trail transforms into a series of steep switchbacks known as Walter's Wiggles, named after the park's first superintendent. These 21 tightly packed switchbacks gain significant elevation in a short distance, serving as your warm-up for the main event.
Trail Details and Difficulty
The complete Angels Landing trail measures 5.4 miles round-trip with an elevation gain of 1,488 feet. While these numbers might not seem extreme, they don't tell the whole story. The final half-mile to the summit involves scrambling along a narrow ridge with chains bolted into the rock for support. On both sides of this ridge, sheer drops of over 1,000 feet await any misstep.
Real talk, this isn't hot air or bravado; Angels Landing is genuinely a dangerous place. The National Park Service has recorded multiple fatalities on this trail, making it statistically one of the deadliest hikes in the national park system. The exposure is real, the rock can be slippery, and the psychological challenge of the final approach has turned back many confident hikers. To be honest, that’s why we do it.
Safety Considerations and Permits
Recent changes have made Angels Landing even more exclusive. As of 2022, hikers must obtain a timed permit to attempt the final section beyond Scout Lookout. This permit system was implemented for both safety reasons and to reduce crowding on the hazardous final approach.
If you're planning to tackle Angels Landing, apply for permits well in advance through the National Park Service reservation system (use this link). Even with a permit, consider your fitness level honestly. This isn't a trail for those afraid of heights or unsure of their scrambling abilities.
With that said, we have done this hike with youth as young as 12. Please refrain from commenting on our parenting skills.
2. Delicate Arch Trail - Arches National Park
Delicate Arch at sunset in Arches National Park, Utah—an unforgettable landmark along one of the state’s most iconic hiking trails. Photo By: @markbosky
Utah's license plates feature Delicate Arch for good reason – this natural sandstone formation has become the state's most recognizable symbol. The hike to reach it, while moderately challenging, rewards visitors with up-close views of this geological masterpiece and serves as an excellent introduction to the unique landscape of southeastern Utah.
The 3-mile round-trip trail begins at the Delicate Arch Trailhead, located about 11 miles from the Arches National Park Visitor Center. Unlike many Utah trails that follow canyon floors or ridgelines, this hike crosses relatively open slickrock terrain, offering expansive views of the surrounding landscape from the very beginning.
What Makes This Trail Special
Delicate Arch stands 60 feet tall and spans 32 feet, making it the largest free-standing arch in the park. What makes the hike particularly special is the anticipation factor – you don't see the arch until you're practically on top of it. The trail curves around a sandstone fin, and suddenly, there it is, perfectly framed against the sky like nature's own triumphal arch.
The approach to Delicate Arch also offers lessons in desert ecology and geological processes. You'll cross areas of cryptobiotic soil – a living crust of bacteria, fungi, and algae that's crucial to desert ecosystems. The trail also passes several smaller arches and provides excellent examples of the Entrada Sandstone formation that characterizes much of Arches National Park.
Best Times to Visit
Timing your Delicate Arch hike can make the difference between a good experience and an unforgettable one. The trail offers no shade, making summer midday attempts potentially dangerous due to heat exposure. Spring and fall provide the most comfortable hiking conditions, with moderate temperatures and occasional chances for dramatic cloud formations.
For photographers, the golden hours around sunrise and sunset transform Delicate Arch into a glowing sculpture. The arch faces west, making sunset particularly spectacular as the entire formation catches and holds the day's last light.
3. Emerald Pools Trail - Zion National Park
Vibrant green water reflecting between steep canyon walls on the Emerald Pools Trail in Zion National Park, Utah—a peaceful and scenic hike featuring waterfalls and natural pools.
Not every great Utah hike needs to test your courage or push your physical limits. The Emerald Pools Trail system in Zion offers a more relaxed way to experience the park's stunning beauty while still providing rewarding destinations and beautiful scenery.
This network of interconnected trails leads to three different pools, each fed by waterfalls that cascade down Zion's towering sandstone walls. The Lower Emerald Pool sits behind a curtain of water that you can actually walk behind, creating a natural shower and one of the park's most unique photo opportunities.
Lower, Middle, and Upper Pools
The trail system is designed to accommodate different fitness levels and time constraints. The Lower Emerald Pool requires just a 1.3-mile round-trip hike on a paved trail, making it accessible to families with young children and visitors with mobility concerns.
The Middle Emerald Pool adds another 0.6 miles and involves some stone steps and slightly more challenging terrain. This pool often provides the most reliable water flow and offers a peaceful spot for reflection away from the sometimes-crowded lower pool area.
The Upper Emerald Pool represents the most challenging option, requiring a steep 0.7-mile climb beyond the middle pool. During spring runoff or after significant rainfall, this upper pool becomes particularly spectacular, with increased water flow creating a more dramatic waterfall display.
Accessibility and Family Considerations
What makes the Emerald Pools Trail system particularly valuable is its scalability. A family with varying fitness levels can start together and make individual decisions about how far to continue. The paved section to the Lower Pool accommodates strollers and wheelchairs, while more adventurous family members can continue to the upper pools.
The trail also provides an excellent introduction to Zion's ecosystem. The pools support unique plant communities, and the consistent water source attracts wildlife that visitors might not see in the park's drier areas. We have hiked this with our kids when they were young, and they didn’t have any issues. A great hike to just “get out.”
4. Observation Point Trail - Zion National Park
Panoramic view from the summit of Observation Point Trail in Zion National Park, showcasing dramatic canyon walls, lush valley floors, and vast sandstone cliffs from one of the park’s highest and most breathtaking overlooks.
While Angels Landing gets most of the attention, many experienced hikers argue that Observation Point offers superior views with less death-defying drama. This trail climbs 2,148 feet over 4 miles to reach a viewpoint that literally looks down on Angels Landing across Zion Canyon.
The hike begins at the Weeping Rock Trailhead and immediately establishes its serious intentions with a series of steep switchbacks. Unlike Angels Landing's final scramble, Observation Point follows a traditional trail the entire way, making it technically less dangerous while still providing an serious physical challenge.
Panoramic Views and Photography
From Observation Point's summit, the entire Zion Canyon spreads below you like a three-dimensional map. You can see the Virgin River winding through the canyon floor, the Temple of Sinawava, and Angels Landing across the canyon. The perspective helps you understand the massive scale of Zion's landscape in a way that's impossible from the canyon floor.
For photographers, Observation Point offers advantages over Angels Landing's more famous viewpoint. The wider platform provides more room to set up equipment, and the angle captures more of Zion Canyon's iconic features in a single frame.
Trail Conditions and Preparation
The Observation Point trail has faced periodic closures due to rockfall and trail damage, so always check current conditions before planning your hike. When open, the trail demands respect – the 8-mile round-trip distance and significant elevation gain make this a full-day commitment requiring adequate water, food, and physical preparation.
The trail's length also means that weather conditions can change during your hike. Summer heat makes early morning starts essential, while winter conditions can create icy sections on the upper portions of the trail.
5. Bryce Canyon Rim Trail - Bryce Canyon National Park
Scenic overlook along the Bryce Canyon Rim Trail framed by a twisted juniper tree, revealing the vast amphitheater of hoodoos and sweeping canyon views that stretch across the horizon—highlighting the dramatic scale and beauty of Bryce Canyon National Park.
Bryce Canyon's Rim Trail offers one of Utah's most accessible spectacular hiking experiences. This largely flat trail follows the rim of Bryce Amphitheater for 1.1 miles between Sunrise and Sunset Points, providing constantly changing views of the park's famous hoodoo formations.
What makes this trail special isn't technical challenge or remote wilderness – it's the sheer visual impact of Bryce Canyon's unique geology. The amphitheater contains thousands of red, orange, and white limestone pillars called hoodoos, creating a landscape that looks more like fantasy than reality.
Sunrise and Sunset Points
The trail's endpoints aren't arbitrary – Sunrise and Sunset Points represent the best viewpoints for experiencing Bryce Canyon's color-changing magic. At sunrise, the eastern-facing amphitheater catches the first light, causing the red and orange rock to literally glow against the shadowed western wall.
Sunset reverses this effect, with the setting sun illuminating the western formations while shadows creep across the amphitheater from east to west. Both times offer spectacular photography opportunities and remind visitors why Bryce Canyon attracts photographers from around the world.
Connecting Trails and Extensions
While the Rim Trail itself is relatively short, it connects to several trails that descend into the amphitheater itself. The Navajo Loop and Queen's Garden Trail combine to create a moderate 2.9-mile hike that takes you down among the hoodoos, providing a completely different perspective on these geological formations.
For hikers wanting more challenge, the Fairyland Loop extends the experience to an 8-mile journey that circles through less-crowded sections of the park while still providing excellent hoodoo viewing opportunities.
Essential Hiking Tips for Utah Trails
Utah's unique environment presents specific challenges that require thoughtful preparation. The high elevation, desert conditions, and dramatic weather changes can catch unprepared hikers off guard, turning enjoyable hikes into dangerous situations.
Gear and Equipment Recommendations
Water management is the top priority for Utah hiking. The state's arid climate and high elevation significantly increase dehydration rates. Plan on carrying more water than you would for comparable hikes in more humid environments – at least one gallon per person per day for desert hiking, and more for strenuous trails or hot weather.
Sun protection becomes critical in Utah's high-altitude, low-humidity environment. The combination of intense UV radiation and reflective rock surfaces can cause severe sunburn even on cloudy days. Wide-brimmed hats, long-sleeved shirts, and high-SPF sunscreen aren't optional – they're essential safety equipment.
Footwear selection deserves special attention for Utah trails. The region's rock surfaces can be surprisingly slippery, especially sandstone that becomes glass-like when wet. Shoes with aggressive tread patterns and good ankle support help prevent slips and provide confidence on exposed sections.
Weather and Seasonal Considerations
Utah's weather can change dramatically with elevation and season. Summer temperatures in desert regions regularly exceed 100°F, making midday hiking dangerous or impossible. Conversely, high-elevation areas can experience snow and freezing temperatures even in summer months.
Flash flood risk represents a serious concern in Utah's slot canyons and wash systems. Even distant thunderstorms can send walls of water through narrow canyons, creating deadly conditions with little warning. Always check weather forecasts for entire watersheds, not just your immediate hiking area.
Planning Your Utah Hiking Adventure
Success in Utah hiking starts with realistic planning that accounts for the state's unique challenges and opportunities. Unlike hiking destinations where you can make last-minute decisions, Utah's remote locations and extreme conditions reward careful preparation.
Where to Stay
Utah's national parks offer limited accommodation options, making advance reservations essential during peak seasons. Springdale, near Zion National Park, provides the widest range of lodging options, from luxury resorts to budget motels. The town's shuttle system connects directly to the park, eliminating parking concerns during busy periods.
For Arches and Canyonlands National Parks, Moab serves as the primary base, offering everything from camping to upscale accommodations. The town's outdoor recreation focus means you'll find excellent gear shops, guide services, and restaurants that cater to hikers and outdoor enthusiasts.
Local Services and Amenities
Don't underestimate the value of local knowledge and services. Utah's outdoor recreation towns have developed sophisticated support systems for hikers, including gear rental shops, shuttle services, and local guide companies that can enhance your experience while improving safety.
Many towns also offer services like laundry facilities, grocery stores with hiking-specific food options, and medical clinics familiar with outdoor recreation injuries. These amenities might seem minor when planning, but they become valuable when you're several days into a hiking trip.
Utah's hiking trails offer more than just exercise or scenic views – they provide transformative experiences that connect you with some of Earth's most remarkable landscapes. From the heart-pounding exposure of Angels Landing to the family-friendly wonder of the Emerald Pools, these five trails represent the diverse opportunities that make Utah a world-class hiking destination.
Each trail tells a story written in stone over millions of years, carved by the patient work of water, wind, and time. When you hike these paths, you're not just following established routes – you're walking through geological history, experiencing landscapes that exist nowhere else on our planet.
The key to enjoying Utah's trails safely lies in preparation, respect for the environment, and honest assessment of your abilities. These trails will challenge you, inspire you, and quite possibly change your perspective on what hiking can be. Whether you're seeking adventure, solitude, or simply a deeper connection with the natural world, Utah's trails deliver experiences that will draw you back year after year.
Questions often asked
Q: What's the best time of year to hike Utah's national park trails? A: Spring (April-May) and fall (September-October) generally offer the most comfortable conditions for hiking Utah's trails. Summer can be extremely hot in desert areas, while winter may close high-elevation trails. For specific trail conditions and planning tips for different seasons, check out the weather.
Q: Do I need permits for all Utah hiking trails? A: Most Utah trails don't require permits, but some popular destinations like Angels Landing now require timed entry permits. Always check with the National Park Service for current permit requirements. For help planning group hiking events that might require special permits.
Q: How difficult are these trails for beginner hikers? A: The trails vary significantly in difficulty. Emerald Pools and Bryce Canyon Rim Trail are suitable for beginners, while Angels Landing and Observation Point require good fitness and experience. For tips on planning outdoor activities for groups with mixed skill levels.
Q: What should I pack for a day hike in Utah? A: Essential items include plenty of water (1+ gallons per person), sun protection, sturdy hiking shoes, snacks, first aid supplies, and layers for changing weather conditions. The specific gear depends on the trail and season.
Q: Are these trails suitable for family hiking trips? A: Some trails like Emerald Pools and Delicate Arch work well for families with older children, while others like Angels Landing are not recommended for kids. Consider each family member's fitness level and comfort with heights when choosing trails.
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