Hikes in Utah

The preserved natural wonders in Utah make the state a paradise for hikers. The arid landscape is marked by beautiful sandstone arches and dramatic canyons. There are five national parks in southern Utah, located along the Colorado Plateau. These are Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Canyonlands, and Arches National Parks. Additionally, a network of national monuments, recreation areas, forests, and other lands protect even more of the state’s rugged wilderness.

Highlights of Utah

  • This popular 1.8-mile hike bordering the Virgin River ends at the bottom of the "Narrows" north of Zion Canyon in Zion National Park.
  • This 5.2-mile hike takes a world famous route up the east rim of Zion Canyon, ascending to a towering slab of sandstone jutting into the center of the canyon with thousand foot drop-offs and expansive views.
  • This 0.4-mile hike visits an alcove in the sandstone wall of Zion Canyon where water seeps out of the rock, nourishing hanging gardens and plentiful vegetation.
  • This 3.3-mile hike ascends the east rim of Zion Canyon above Weeping Rock, and then crosses dramatic cliffs to reach a hanging canyon housing a small natural arch.
  • This 2.4-mile loop visits three tiers of enchanting pools by incorporating the Lower, Middle, and Upper Emerald Pools Trails.
  • This 1-mile hike visits a scenic viewpoint looking west over Zion Canyon.
  • This 0.7-mile loop visits a picturesque arch spanning across the mesa’s edge in the Island in the Sky in Canyonlands National Park.
  • This 1.8-mile lollipop loop in the Island in the Sky in Canyonlands National Park ascends a dome-shaped butte that boasts Puebloan granaries and a nice view of Taylor Canyon.
  • This 0.6 to 1.7-mile hike visits two overlooks along the rim of a puzzling three-mile wide crater in the Island in the Sky in Canyonlands National Park.
  • This 3.6-mile hike visits a west-facing point on the Island in the Sky in Canyonlands National Park that overlooks canyons carved by the Green River.
  • This 2-mile hike travels along the mesa’s edge from Grand View Overlook to the southernmost point on Canyonland's Island in the Sky for views of the canyons framing Junction Butte.
  • This 3-mile hike visits this most iconic arch in the world, a beautiful span in Arches National Park that should not be missed.
  • This l2 to 7.2-mile hike visits the longest natural arch in the world, along with other enjoyable arches in Arches National Park.
  • This 0.8-mile hike visits a pair of connected arches in the Windows region of Arches National Park.
  • This 1-mile loop presents three of Arches National Park's arches in close proximity, the North and South Windows and Turret Arch.
  • This 4.65-mile hike travels through a scenic canyon to a 243-foot long natural bridge near Moab.
  • This 0.5-mile hike near Moab visits a swimming hole that offers refreshing escape from Utah's summer scorchers.

Utah Hiking

This collection of trails in Utah lists hikes from west to east and north to south. The table may also be sorted alphabetically or by distance to help you pick your next hike. Each trail links to its own report complete with photos, maps, directions, and all the other information needed to locate and enjoy these trails. An interactive map is also provided.

Trail
Description
Distance
Location
Zion Riverside Walk200Riverside Walk in Zion National Park
This popular out and back hike bordering the Virgin River ends at the bottom of the "Narrows" north of Zion Canyon.
1.8 miles
60 feet
37.2852,
-112.9477
Zion Weeping Rock210Weeping Rock in Zion National Park
This out and back hike visits an alcove in the sandstone wall of Zion Canyon where water seeps out of the rock, nourishing hanging gardens and plentiful vegetation.
0.4 miles
100 feet
37.2709,
-112.9385
Zion Canyon220Hidden Canyon in Zion National Park
This out and back hike crosses dramatic cliffs to reach a hanging canyon housing a small natural arch.
3.3 miles
850 feet
37.2709,
-112.9385
Zion Angels Landing230Angels Landing in Zion National Park
This out and back hike ascends a sandstone tower that juts into Zion Canyon. The amazing views and thousand foot drop-offs have made this trail world famous.
5.2 miles
1,500 feet
37.2592,
-112.9513
Zion Emerald Pools240Emerald Pools in Zion National Park
This loop visits three tiers of enchanting pools by incorporating the Lower, Middle, and Upper Emerald Pools Trails.
2.4 miles
350 feet
37.25095,
-112.9580
Zion Patriarchs250Court of the Patriarchs in Zion National Park
This brief walk heads up a short rise in the center of Zion Canyon to offer a nice view of the surrounding sandstone peaks.
0.1 miles
40 feet
37.2370,
-112.9606
Zion Canyon Overlook260Canyon Overlook Trail in Zion National Park
This short hike visits a scenic viewpoint looking west over Zion Canyon.
1 mile
150 feet
37.2134,
-112.9406
Zion Watchman Trail270Watchman Trail in Zion National Park
This lollipop loop reaches a panoramic overlook on the side of Zion Canyon.
3.5 miles
500 feet
37.20128,
-112.986415
Canyonlands Upheaval Dome400Upheaval Dome in Canyonlands National Park
This out and back hike visits two overlooks along the rim of a puzzling three-mile wide crater.
0.6 - 1.7 miles
200 feet
38.4263,
-109.9261
Canyonlands Whale Rock410Whale Rock in Canyonlands National Park
This out and back hike ascends a whale-shaped sandstone formation near Upheaval Dome.
1 mile
250 feet
38.42685,
-109.91401
Aztec Butte Canyonlands420Aztec Butte in Canyonlands National Park
This lollipop loop hike ascends a dome-shaped butte that boasts Puebloan granaries and a nice view of Taylor Canyon.
1.3 - 1.8 miles
250 feet
38.39345,
-109.88205
Mesa Arch Canyonlands430Mesa Arch in Canyonlands National Park
This loop visits a picturesque arch spanning across the mesa’s edge.
0.7 miles
75 feet
38.38915,
-109.8681
Murphy Point Canyonlands440Murphy Point in Canyonlands National Park
This out and back hike visits a west-facing point on the Island in the Sky overlooking canyons carved by the Green River.
3.6 miles
150 feet
38.35497, -109.8638
White Rim Overlook450White Rim Overlook in Canyonlands National Park
This out and back hike visits the end of a peninsula in the Island in the Sky with 300-degree views of the canyons below.
1.8 miles
170 feet
38.3228, -109.8495
Canyonlands Grand View Point460Grand View Point in Canyonlands National Park
This out and back hike travels along the mesa’s edge from Grand View Overlook to the southernmost point on the Island in the Sky.
2 miles
80 feet
38.3108,
-109.8566
Landscape Arch600Landscape Arch in Arches National Park
This level out and back hike visits the longest natural arch in the world along with other enjoyable arches.
2.5 miles
130 feet
38.782785,
-109.5951
Skyline Arch610Skyline Arch in Arches National Park
This short out and back hike ends below a wide arch near the top of a sandstone fin.
0.4 miles
40 feet
38.772,
-109.59095
Delicate Arch620Delicate Arch in Arches National Park
This out and back hike visits this most iconic arch in the world, a beautiful span that should not be missed.
3 miles
480 feet
38.73565,
-109.5206
Balanced Rock630Balanced Rock in Arches National Park
This short loop circles a perilous block of sandstone balancing near the center of Arches National Park.
0.33 miles
50 feet
38.70176,
-109.56605
Double Arch640Double Arch in Arches National Park
This out and back hike visits a pair of connected arches in the Windows region of Arches National Park.
0.8 miles
125 feet
38.68825,
-109.5384
Window Arches650Window Arches in Arches National Park
This loop presents three arches in close proximity, the North and South Windows and Turret Arch.
1 mile
150 feet
38.68715,
-109.53675
Mill Creek760Mill Creek in Moab
This short hike visits a swimming hole that offers refreshing escape from Utah's summer scorchers.
0.5 miles
50 feet
38.5619,
-109.5169
Morning Glory Arch770Grandstaff Trail to Morning Glory Bridge in Moab
This hike travels through a scenic canyon to a 243-foot long natural bridge.
4.65 miles
300 feet
38.6098,
-109.5336
View Utah trails and campground in a larger map
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Watchman Trail Zion National Park hike
The closest trail to the south entrance of Zion Nation Park, and one of the best introductions to Zion, is Watchman Trail. This 3.5-mile lollipop loop climbs 500 feet to a rocky bench on the east side of Zion Canyon. The destination serves up stunning views of a nearby tower named The Watchman and several standout rock formations on the walls of Zion Canyon. From the Zion National Park... Read more.
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Tagged with · Desert Canyons · National Parks · Zion Canyon
Distance: 3.5 miles · Elevation change: 500 feet
By: Published: Last updated: December 31, 2017
Canyon Overlook Trail Zion National Park hike
Rarely is a mile-long hike as action packed and rewarding as Canyon Overlook Trail. The overlook sits on the rim of Pine Creek Canyon, which adjoins Zion Canyon to provide massive views of thousand-foot tall sandstone bluffs. There are ravines and overhangs along the short trail that will keep you entertained along the way. This excellent hike is appealing to all, especially those with... Read more.
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Tagged with · Desert Canyons · National Parks · Zion Canyon
Distance: 1 mile · Elevation change: 150 feet
By: Published: Last updated: December 31, 2017
Riverside Walk Zion National Park trail river narrows hike
Riverside Walk accesses the notorious narrows north of Zion Canyon, making it one of the most popular trails in Zion National Park. To the end of the trail (at the start of the narrows) and back is a 1.8-mile hike over a level walkway bordering the Virgin River. Those looking to escape the Utah summer heat can leave the trail at any of several river access points to take a refreshing swim. ... Read more.
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Tagged with · Creeks · Desert Canyons · National Parks · Zion Canyon
Distance: 1.8 miles · Elevation change: 60 feet
By: Published: Last updated: December 31, 2017
Moab Campgrounds Utah Bureau of Land Management Camping Areas
If you are visiting Arches or Canyonlands and are planning to camp, you should know that camping within these national parks is quite limited. Fortunately, the Bureau of Land Management operates over two dozen developed campgrounds (with over 400 individual sites) outside these parks around the city of Moab. Each of the BLM campgrounds are first-come first-serve, so it is best to arrive... Read more.
By: Published: Last updated: February 10, 2020
Utah Hikes Negro Bill Canyon Trail Morning Glory Bridge hike Colorado River Moab Utah Hike
This 4.65-mile round trip hike starts above the banks of the Colorado River east of Moab, Utah, and travels up a scenic canyon alongside a much smaller stream. The trek terminates at a stunning 243-foot long natural bridge, the sixth largest natural rock span in America. The level dirt trail to Morning Glory Bridge ascends just 300 feet and offers plenty of serenity along the way. ... Read more.
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Tagged with · Bureau of Land Management · Creeks · Desert Canyons · Free Trails · Moab · Natural Bridges
Distance: 4.65 miles · Elevation change: 300 feet
By: Published: Last updated: February 10, 2020