The best hikes in Utah
By the Bundu team · Last updated
Short answer: The best hikes in Utah are Angels Landing (permit required) and The Narrows in Zion, Delicate Arch and Devils Garden in Arches, and the Navajo Loop and Queen's Garden in Bryce Canyon. Outside the parks, Corona Arch and Fisher Towers near Moab are dog-friendly.
Utah packs five national parks, the Moab desert and the Wasatch mountains into one state. These are the hikes we would do first. Bundu lists 11 trails in Utah; see them all on the Utah trails page.
Zion National Park
Angel's Landing
Chains, a narrow fin of rock and big drops: the hike most visitors to Zion want to do. A permit from the Recreation.gov lottery is required beyond Scout Lookout. If you miss out, the hike to Scout Lookout is still worth it.
The Narrows
Wade up the Virgin River through a canyon that narrows to about 20 feet wide in Wall Street. Rent canyoneering shoes and a stick in Springdale. The Narrows closes when the river is high or there is a flash-flood risk.
Pa'rus Trail
An easy paved path along the river, and the only trail in Zion that allows dogs and bikes.
Arches and Moab
- Delicate Arch: about 3 miles return to Utah's most famous arch. Little shade; carry water.
- Devils Garden Trail: Landscape Arch, then a primitive loop with fin-walking and scrambles past more arches.
- Corona Arch: a huge arch outside the park, with a short ladder and cables. Dogs welcome.
- Fisher Towers: a trail beneath dark red towers near Castle Valley, quieter than the parks.
- Slickrock Trail: Moab's famous mountain bike ride on sandstone.
Bryce Canyon
Navajo Loop and Queen's Garden is the best short hike in Bryce: down through the hoodoos from Sunset Point and back up to Sunrise Point. At about 8,000 feet, it is harder than it looks, and icy in winter.
Salt Lake City and the Wasatch
- Dog Lake via Mill Creek Canyon: a forest walk to a small lake in Mill Creek Canyon. Dogs are allowed off leash on odd-numbered days.
- Wasatch Crest Trail: a high ridge ride or hike with views over Park City and the Cottonwood canyons.
Tips for hiking in Utah
- Heat: summer in Moab and Zion often passes 100°F. Hike at sunrise and carry at least a gallon of water a day.
- Flash floods: never enter a slot canyon if storms are forecast anywhere upstream. Check the forecast at the visitor centre.
- Timed entry: some parks, including Arches, have used timed-entry reservations in busy seasons. Check before you go.
- Dogs: the national parks keep dogs off most trails, but BLM land around Moab welcomes them. See our dog-friendly hikes guide.
- Crypto: stay on the trail. The dark crust on the desert soil is alive and takes decades to recover.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most popular hike in Utah?
Angels Landing in Zion and Delicate Arch in Arches are the most popular hikes in Utah. Angels Landing needs a permit from a lottery.
Do I need a permit for The Narrows?
Not for a day hike from the bottom, starting at the Temple of Sinawava. A permit is needed to hike top-down from Chamberlain's Ranch.
Where can I hike with my dog in Utah?
Zion's Pa'rus Trail, Corona Arch and Fisher Towers near Moab, and Dog Lake in Mill Creek Canyon, where dogs can go off leash on odd-numbered days.
When is the best time to hike in Utah?
Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November). Summer is very hot in the desert parks, and The Narrows can close for snowmelt in spring.
Which app shows hiking trails in Utah?
The free Bundu app lists Utah's best-known hikes and rides with difficulty, distances, dog rules and directions, and records your hike with GPS.
Find your next trail with Bundu
- Hiking, running and MTB trails across South Africa and the US
- Entry fees, difficulty and dog rules for every trail
- Directions to the trailhead
- Record hikes, runs and rides with GPS
- Join hiking groups and organised hikes
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