Best Hikes In Utah: 20 Great Utah Hikes & Trails

The state of Utah is home to five U.S National Parks, and there are thousands of great Utah hiking trails to enjoy inside and outside of the parks. This guide is a brief summary of our favorite Utah hikes. In my opinion, these are some of the very best hikes in Utah!

The southern part of Utah state has much of the wonderful desert scenery and slot canyons this state is famous for, while the Salt Lake City area has mountains and alpine lakes that might remind you of Colorado.

There are even a bunch of nice waterfalls scattered across Utah. We’ve spent months exploring this state and it never disappoints. Regardless of where you go while hiking in Utah, you’re sure to find some unique and fantastic scenery around every corner.

From the canyons of Escalante to the lakes of the Wasatch Range, here’s our complete Utah hiking guide!

Best Hikes In Utah

1. Angels Landing Hike (Zion)

Angels Landing is the king of Utah hikes. If you only do one hike in the national parks, make it this one.

It’s an epic and scary trail that takes you up the side of a steep sandstone mountain, with chains to grab onto for safety, and amazing views of Zion National Park surrounding you on all sides. Permits are required since 2022.

The Angels Landing chain section is especially noted for being hair-raising and hazardous, and there have been a number of falling deaths on this hike over the years, although it’s plenty safe if you stick to the trail.

At times, the trail will only be a few feet wide, and you’ll have to hug the side of the mountain. Not all of this section has chains, but the most sketchy parts do for your safety.

I wouldn’t say the Angels Landing trail is for everyone, but if you enjoy adventure, photography, and a good adrenaline rush, then definitely add it to your bucket list!

The final view at Angels Landing gives you a 360 degree panorama of Zion Canyon, along with the tiny roads and shuttle buses below, and you can even look down at the gigantic peak you just climbed.

It’s easily one of the best views in Zion National Park, but it’s also one of my favorite views on any hike we’ve ever done in our travels around the world.

Distance: 4.5 miles (7.2 km) roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 1,500 feet (460 m)
Difficulty: Hard

2. Observation Point Trail (Zion)

The Observation Point trail is a bit underrated, but it’s easily one of the best hikes in Zion National Park, Utah. This one takes you to a viewpoint above the entire national park.

Spread out in front of you are many of Zion’s best sights like the Great White Throne, Cathedral Mountain, and Angels Landing. We could even see the tiny people hiking to the top of Angels Landing, and the roads and shuttle buses looked like toys in the distance.

The elevation here at Observation Point is more than 700 feet above Angels Landing, so you really do have a bird’s-eye view of Zion National Park.

3. The Narrows (Zion)

Of course I have to mention the mother of all slot canyons, the Zion Narrows!

This is a giant gorge with walls a thousand feet tall, and the Virgin River flows through it. Hiking the Narrows involves walking in water, and if you go the full length it’s 16 miles total.

The good news is that the Narrows is open to all fitness levels because you don’t have to hike to the end of the gorge. You can stop and turn around whenever you want.

It’s possible to hike the entire Narrows from the top down in one full day if you get a permit in advance, but most people just go partway and then turn back (no permit required for that).

The bad news is that the Narrows is getting extremely popular. The crowds kind of ruined it for us. If you’re really intent on seeing the Narrows without crowds, I’d recommend getting a permit and hiking it from the top down. Otherwise, you may want to go to one of the other places in this Utah hiking guide instead.

Distance: 9 – 16 miles (14 – 25 km) roundtrip
Elevation Gain: Minimal
Difficulty: Easy / Moderate

4. Kanarra Canyon & Falls (Zion)

The Kanarra Creek slot canyon is unique for having two waterfalls in the canyon, and it’s just a 1 hour drive from Zion National Park. It’s definitely one of our favorite Utah canyons!

The first waterfall is near the start of the slot canyon, and it’s easy to pass thanks to a new metal ladder that was just installed by the city of Kanarraville. The second waterfall comes into view a bit later.

Overall, I’d probably rate this hike as easy, even though it’s a bit longer and has more elevation gain than many of the slot canyons in Utah.

Nowadays you have to pay for a permit to do the Kanarra Creek hike because of its popularity, and there are a limited number of permits available per day. These sell out often, so you’ll want to plan ahead.

Distance: 4 miles (6.5 km) roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 650 feet (200 m)
Difficulty: Easy

5. Corona Arch Trail (Moab)

The Corona Arch trail is a nice, short hike near Moab, Utah with a total of three different natural sandstone arches.

It’s a fairly easy hike for all ages, and you get to see the Pinto Arch (optional), plus the Bowtie Arch, and then finally the impressive Corona Arch at the end of the trail.

Even though Corona Arch isn’t part of the Arches National Park, it’s definitely one of the best arches in the Moab area! It’s 140 feet wide and 105 feet tall, and you can walk through the arch to the other side, so it’s great for pictures at any time of day.

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Best Hikes In Utah: 20 Great Utah Hikes & Trails

Best Hikes In Utah

1. Angels Landing Hike (Zion)

2. Observation Point Trail (Zion)

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