The state of Utah is home to some of the most beautiful hikes in the world. Here are some of the top picks for hiking trails in Utah.
Angel’s Landing, Zion National Park
Angel’s Landing is a popular hike in Zion National Park. The trail is strenuous and difficult, with steep drop-offs on both sides of the narrow path. It is not recommended for children, but families with older kids who are willing to take on some risk can enjoy this hike together. The park provides chains to hold onto as you climb up and down steep sections of the trail.
The Narrows, Zion National Park
The Narrows is a slot canyon in Zion National Park. It’s a popular hike because of the beautiful scenery and is only accessible during the spring and fall months, as it is closed for winter technical maintenance. There are many waterfalls that you can swim under, which makes it especially fun for children.
Delicate Arch, Arches National Park
Delicate Arch, located in Arches National Park and one of the best hiking trails in Utah, is a natural sandstone rock formation that stands over 300 feet tall. The arch was formed by rain water eroding the soft sandstone layers and leaving behind a hard caprock. The arch’s name comes from its delicate appearance; it looks like it could be broken with just a gentle push if you got too close.
Beyond being an incredibly cool place to visit and photograph, Delicate Arch also has some interesting history associated with it: It was featured on more than one occasion in the movie Forrest Gump as well as several other movies (including Transformers: Age of Extinction).
The Subway, Zion Nat’l Park
The Subway is a slot canyon in Zion National Park. It’s one of the most popular hikes in Zion because it’s short, but very narrow. Plus, it takes about 3 hours to complete. This hike isn’t recommended for kids under 12 because it is so narrow that you’ll have to crawl on your hands and knees through some sections!
Many Pools, Zion Nat’l Park
Many Pools is a hike located in Zion National Park. The trailhead is located at Lava Point. It’s a strenuous hike, but it’s well worth the effort.
This 7-mile round-trip trail takes you through lush forests and past waterfalls to two beautiful swimming holes. A stream known as Cottonwood Creek runs through this area during the spring runoff season and creates several pools that are perfect for cooling off on hot summer days!
The Watchman Peak Trail, Bryce Canyon National Park
The Watchman Peak Trail is a moderate hike that takes you to the top of a mountain in Bryce Canyon National Park. This trail is 8 miles long and climbs to an elevation of 7,220 feet. If you like heights and views, this hike is for you!
You start by hiking along an old road which eventually turns into a footpath through red-rock formations as it climbs higher up into the mountainside. After about 3 miles, your path will merge with another one from Warm Springs Canyon (or vice versa) at another trailhead before continuing on to reach your destination: The Watchman’s summit!
This summit offers amazing panoramas of Bryce Canyon’s unique hoodoos—pinnacles or spires formed by erosion from wind and rainwater over thousands of years–as well as other neighboring peaks like Navajo Knobs across Desolation Canyon. You can even see Mount Ellen on clear days!
Fairyland Rim Trail, Zion National Park
Zion National Park’s Fairyland Rim Trail is a great choice for families looking to get in some outdoor time. The hike is well marked and easy to follow, with several viewpoints along the way. In addition, there are places to stop and rest along the way if you need them (or just want an excuse to enjoy the scenery).
That said, this isn’t exactly a leisurely stroll—it does have an elevation gain of roughly 2,000 feet (about 600 meters) over 3 miles (4.8 kilometers), so be prepared for some exertion!
Kolob Arch Hike, Kolob Canyon District of Zion Nat’l Park
You need to be prepared for this hike. It’s strenuous and you should expect 8-10 miles (one way) of hiking with an elevation gain of around 2,800 feet. Be sure to take plenty of water and snacks with you as well.
The Kolob Arch Hike is not a well marked trail so it’s important that you have a map and compass at the ready. The trail starts at Lee Pass trailhead which is located on SR9 in Utah County, Utah (just east of Zion National Park). There are no restrooms here so don’t plan any pit stops until you get back!
Shafer Trail Road at Island In the Sky, Canyonlands National Park
What to Know:
This is a strenuous hike, and you should plan on spending at least 3-4 hours hiking it. It’s not too difficult but there are some areas where you must climb over rocks and boulders. You can spend your time on the trail just soaking in the view of Canyonlands National Park below or hiking further around Shafer Trail Road to see more views of it. The total distance is approximately 8.5 miles round trip and takes about 6-8 hours if you do both loops around Shafer Trail Road (that includes driving time).
The hike is best done in spring or fall when temperatures are moderate, although you would want to be prepared for any type of weather on this trail; especially summer storms which can be very intense at Canyonlands National Park. Pack plenty of water, snacks, sunscreen and a hat as well!
Sunset Point to Sunrise Point Trail at Bryce Canyon National Park
The Sunset Point to Sunrise Point Trail is a fairly easy, 5.5 mile hike that winds through Bryce Canyon National Park, connecting the two main viewpoints of Bryce Canyon. The trail itself is mostly flat with one steep section towards the end, but it’s mostly level and well marked by signs along the way. This trail should be doable for most people ages 14 and up or anyone who can get around easily in their wheelchair.
While this is not considered an “official” hiking trail in Utah (it’s more like a nature walk), it still offers stunning views of this unique landscape as you circle past hoodoos and explore various other sights throughout your journey. The best time to go on this hike would be either early morning or late evening when crowds are smaller—and if possible, bring a flashlight so you can see better after dark!
Utah is home to some of the most beautiful hikes in the world.
Utah hiking trails may be the best in the world. With so many scenic and varied trails, you’ll never get bored hiking in Utah.
Utah has a lot of national parks and monuments that are great for hiking, including Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Capitol Reef National Park and Zion National Park. These national parks have some of the most beautiful hikes in the United States!
The best thing about these national parks is that they are well maintained—you won’t have to worry about finding a trail without obstacles or dangerous conditions. The main hiking trails are perfectly clear with no overgrowth along them at all (which can happen on other hikes).
This makes it easy for hikers who want to explore different areas without worrying too much about getting lost while they’re out there exploring nature’s beauty through different landscapes like desert sands or forested hillsides!
Conclusion
If you are looking to get away from it all and enjoy the great outdoors, then Utah is a great place to start. There are many options when it comes time for your hike and it doesn’t matter if you have never been on one before or not. You can find something easy or challenging depending on what suits your needs best!