I think we can all agree that Utah is a stunningly beautiful state. Between the canyons swirled in orange, buttes, and otherworldly hoodoos, it’s a nature lovers’ paradise. Utah is home to 5 National Parks, including Bryce Canyon, Arches, Canyonland, Zion, and Capitol Reef. Hiking is one of the best ways to experience the Beehive State, and whether you are a complete beginner or a pro, there is a hike on this list for you. Keep reading for the top 15 best hikes in Utah are a great place to start your hiking adventure in Utah.
It’s important to keep in mind that all of these National Parks have entrance fees on top of permit fees for some of these hikes.
National Park Fees:
Zion National Park Entrance Fee: $20.00 – $35.00
Arches National Park Entrance Fee: $15.00 – $30.00 with timed entry.
From April 1 through October 31, visitors entering the park in a vehicle between 7 am and 4 pm will need to purchase a Timed Entry Ticket from Recreation.gov before arriving. One ticket per vehicle, except for people with camping, backcountry, Fiery Furnace, or special use permits.
Bryce Canyon National Park Entrance Fee: $20.00 – $35.00
Canyonland National Park Entrance Fee: $15.00 – $30.00
Capitol Reef National Park Entrance Fee: $10.00 – $20.00
American The Beautiful Pass: $80.00 (good for 1 year)
My Favorite Hike In Utah
1. Navajo Loop Trail & Queens Garden Trail – Bryce Canyon National Park
Distance: 2.9 miles
Elevation Gain: 629 ft
Rating: Moderate
Bryce Canyon National Park is home to some truly beautiful hikes, and these 2 trails are no exception. Known as one of the best and most popular hikes in Bryce Canyon, the trail descends into one of the most scenic lookouts in the entire park, Sunrise Point. If you continue, you will be delighted by the sight of one of the park’s main highlights, Bryce Canyon Amphitheater.
My OTHER Favorite Hikes In Utah
2. Delicate Arch – Arches National Park
Distance: 3.2 miles
Elevation Gain: 141 ft
Rating: Easy
If you’ve been looking into hiking in Utah, you’ve seen pictures of Delicate Arch. It’s actually the symbol of Utah, and it’s even featured on the state’s license plate. This scenic trail gives you panoramic views of Arches National Park. Try this hike at sunset to see even more beauty but don’t forget a headlamp for your hike back.
My Favorite Hike At Capitol Reef
3. Cohab Canyon Trail – Capitol Reef National Park
Distance: 3 miles
Elevation Gain: 793 ft
Rating: Moderate
Cohan Canyon was the only hike I had time for while at Capitol Reef National Park, BUT I stand by the fact that it’s a can’t miss! You’ll find it beside Highway 24 in the park, and you’ll get a beautiful overhead view of the historical community of Fruita. It’s 1.56 miles one-way and a total of 3 miles out and back, but it’s worth it! I didn’t pass another person on the trail (which is both awesome and creepy), particularly with the small slot canyons along the trail.
Most Popular Hike In Utah – Requires A Permit
4. Angels Landing – Zion National Park
Distance: 5 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,630 ft
Rating: Difficult
This world-famous trail in Zion National Park offers spectacular views and is on most hikers’ bucket lists. You will need a permit to hike Angels Landing, and you can apply for the permit here. This hike is not for the faint of heart or those afraid of heights (but it would be a great way to conquer that fear)! Some areas of the trail have chains to help you get to those beautiful viewpoints.
The Best Sunrise Hike In Utah
5. Mesa Arch Trail – Canyonland National Park
Distance: .6 miles
Elevation Gain: 88 ft
Rating: Easy
Hands down – one of the most famous and photographed places in Canyonlands National Park is Mesa Arch. This is one of the best sunrise hikes in Utah! Mesa Arch offers a classic sunrise spot and has stunning views of the La Sal Mountains at any time of day. This trail is an easy hike that features a unique half-mile path that leads to level ground as you approach the arch. If you arrive at sunrise, you might be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the flowing arches.
The Best Dog-Friendly Trail In Utah
6. East To West Rim Trail – Deadhorse Point State Park
Distance: 1.1 Miles
Elevation Gain: 370 ft
Rating: Moderate
Deadhorse Point State Park is vastly underrated, and that’s great news for you as a hiker, particularly if you are looking for a dog-friendly trail in Utah! This state park is just south of Moab and features breathtaking views of the famous Colorado River Canyon. This dog-friendly trail follows the canyon’s rim and gives you some amazing views of the Red Rock Canyon and the meandering Color River. Keep in mind that you will need to pay a fee of $20 (per 8 people in a car) to enter Dead Horse Point State Park.
The Best Challenging Popular Hike In Utah
7. The Narrows Bottom-Up – Zion National Park
Distance: 9.4 miles
Elevation Gain: 334 ft
Permits are not required for the bottom-up Hike. You will need a permit for the Narrow top-down hike, which is 16 miles.
The Narrows is a famous hike in Zion National Park, and you will need a permit to hike the top-down hike in this slot canyon. However, if you are starting at the Bottom-Up portion, then you don’t need a permit. On this hike, you will navigate through a tight canyon while trekking through waters in the desert, and that’s pretty amazing. This is an extremely popular hike, so be prepared for crowds.
The Best Unique HooDoo Hike In Utah
8. Fairyland Loop – Bryce Canyon National Park
Distance: 7.4 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,541 ft
Rating: Difficult
The Fairyland Loop is a quiet 8-mile hike that combines hiking along the plateau rim near Boat Mesa with a hike where you will be surrounded by unique hoodoos. This loop trail takes you through Bryce Canyon’s quiet northern region and is perfect for those wanting to escape crowds. You’ll hike past spiraling hoodoos and walk all the way around the rim of the canyon. That is until you wander down into the canyon itself, and what more could you want from a hike in this beautiful National Park? Fairyland has a lot less foot traffic than other Bryce Canyon hikes. If you are looking for a challenging hike, then this one’s for you.
One Of The Best Sunset Arch Trails In Utah
9. Corona & Bowtie Arch Trail – Moab
Distance: 2.4 miles
Elevation Gain: 482 ft
Rating: Moderate
Just outside of Arches National Park, you’ll find the beautiful Corona & Bowtie arches. The Corona Arch tops the list for can’t miss hikes while visiting Moab, Utah, and trust me, you don’t want to miss it. The trail does have a bit of a scramble to get up to Corona Arch. There are also some safety cables on parts of the trail, and this hike is also dog-friendly. Corona & Bowtie Arch are beautiful places to hike at sunset.
A Great Fall Hike Dog Friendly In Utah
10. Lower Calf Creek Falls Trail – Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument
Distance: 6.7 miles
Elevation Gain: 866 ft
Rating: Easy/Moderate
This hike is relatively easy, flat, and dog-friendly. Perfect for beginner hikers, the Lower Calf Creek Falls trail also takes you to a beautiful waterfall. You will hike through the stunning scenery of Grand Staircase Escalante before finally arriving at a magnificent waterfall. What makes this hike even more unique is the lush green vegetation that grows along Lower Calf Creek. You can also find prehistoric rocks along the hike that date back to 1200 A.D.
The Best Easy Hike At Zion
11. Canyon Overlook Trail
Distance: 2 Miles
Elevation Gain: 157 Ft
Rating: Easy
You can read my recommendations on what to do with One Day In Zion National Park, but if you can only hike one trail – I recommend this one! I loved the Canyon Overlook Trail (although parking can be an issue here, I was able to find a spot in June). The trail is good for any skill level, although if you have kids keep an eye on them because the sand on the rocks makes sections pretty slippery.
The Best Name For A Hike In Utah
12. The Goblin’s Lair (Chamber of the Basilisk)
Distance: 2.3 Miles
Elevation Gain: 203 FT
Rating: Easy
First of all, the name alone piqued my interest in this hike. This out-and-back trail, hidden away on the park’s eastern boundary, ascends up a rocky slope and features a massive cavernous formation known as the Goblin’s Lair. You will need to pay an entrance fee for Goblin Valley State Park (which I highly recommend visiting if you are in this area). You’ll find the trailhead at the observation point, where you will follow the Carmel Canyon loop before heading toward the Goblin’s Lair. Keep in mind there is some moderate scrambling to complete the loop.
The Best Short Hike At Capitol Reef In Utah
13. Hickman Bridge Trail – Capitol Reef National Park
Distance: 1.8 miles
Elevation Gain: 400 ft
Rating: Moderate
Add Hickman Bridge Trail to your list if you are looking for one of the best short hikes in Capitol Reef. As you walk past the Fremont River, you’ll come upon a beautiful viewpoint over Highway 24. The hike culminates at Hickman Bridge, a large natural arch. This trail also features pit houses that belonged to the Fremont People from 300-1400 C.E. It’s the perfect hike for every skill level.
One Of The Best Easy Hikes In Utah
14. Zion Narrows Riverside Walk – Zion National Park
Distance: 1.9 miles
Elevation Gain: 193 ft
Rating: Easy
Great for beginner hikers, the Zion Narrow Riverside Walk is an easy, paved trail that’s perfect for most skill levels. For those who aren’t feeling up to hiking the full Narrows Trail this is the best alternative for you. The hike is unrivaled in both ease and beauty and is perfect for every hiker. At the end of the Riverside Walk Trail is where the Narrows hike begins. If you only have a few days in Zion National Park, you probably won’t have time to hike the Narrows. You can add it to your next trip to Zion!
The Most Mesmerizing Hike In Utah
15. The Wave (Coyote Buttes North) – Vermillion Cliffs Wilderness
Distance: 5.2 miles
Elevation Gain: 400 ft
Rating: Moderate
In the Vermillion Cliffs Wilderness you’ll find this mesmerizing wave of colorful red sandstone crosses the Utah/Arizona border. This is a very popular hike that requires a permit, one of the most competitive hike permits in the United States. There are 64 daily permits and 16 of those are walk-ins. While the odds may not be in your favor, if you are lucky enough to win a permit you will get to hike this beautiful place in complete solitude. You can also enter the advanced lottery here.
Bonus Hikes:
A Beautiful Slot Canyon Hike In Utah
Coyote Gulch – Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
Distance: 13-22 miles
Elevation Gain: Varies
Rating: Moderate
This gorgeous slot canyon in Utah’s red rock country can be completed in 1 to 3 days. Overnight backpacking does require a permit, and you can find more information here. This hike will lead you past waterfalls, arches, Native American ruins, and petroglyphs. You’ll be able to take in the Navajo sandstone that glows in shades of orange in the morning light.
One Of The Best Trails In Arches
Devils Garden Trail – Arches National Park
Distance: 7.8 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,350 ft
Difficulty: Moderate
The Devil’s Garden Trail has all the ingredients to be one of the best trails in Arches National Park. If you hike the entire loop trail you will get to see a staggering 8 arches in total. What makes this trail unique is that you can choose which arches you want to hike. Take an easy 1.6-mile hike to Landscape Arch or challenge yourself at Double O Arch, where the trail gets more intense.
Utah is such a beautiful state that has so much to experience for nature lovers. Exploring here means taking in all of the stunning scenery that the Beehive State has to offer, and these hikes are a great place to start! What is your favorite hike in Utah? Is there one that really stood out to you?
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