Utah, the western state known for its large desert territory and Wasatch Range mountains is home to some of the most impressive rock formations in the state. As expected, none of these hikes are dull. All will take you to some new feature you haven’t seen before and Mother Nature at her finest. Read on to find out about some of these trails. If you are looking for more trails, check out the best national parks.
Location: GPS 37.273283—112.950789
Mileage: 4.4 miles
Hike Time: 4-5 hours
Angels Landing Trail is a 4.4 mile out and back trail in Springdale, Utah. It’s a heavily trafficked difficult trail open from February to October. Here, you may go birding, hiking, on nature trips, trail running, and walking. You’ll see a forest, amazing views, wildflowers, and plenty of wildlife. The path itself is very rocky with no shade.
Angels Landing Trail is one of those really difficult trails in Utah. It has steep drop-offs and narrow sections. Yet, it’s a very popular hike. The first 2 miles of the trail are paved and well maintained, but the rest is sunny. The canyon offers you shade and a cool breeze as a relief from the heat as if you were just hanging out in your camping hammock. It’s a great hike to experience in the morning.
The last half mile of the trail comes across a narrow sandstone area. There are anchored support chains along with some parts of it. High steep cliff adds to the experience. This is not a good hike for you if you’re afraid of heights. Also, if it’s windy, avoid standing at the edges.
Location: GPS 40.613346, -111.699814
Mileage: 6.9 miles
Hike Time: 6-7 hours
Lake Blanche Trail is a6.9-mile loop trail in Salt Lake City, Utah. It’s a moderately trafficked difficult trail open from June to October. Here, you may go birding, canoeing, hiking, on nature trips, snowshoeing, trail running, and walking. You’ll see a forest, lake, river, neat views, wildflowers, and plenty of wildlife. The path itself is very rocky with areas of snow. Make sure you bring enough water in your daypack. You will get thirsty!
Lake Blanche Trail features a gorgeous mountaintop lake that takes a lot to reach. You’ll be forced to stop and take a few breaks as the path is extremely difficult. Only go if you want to exercise. Once you reach the top, the views into the canyon below are amazing. Plus, just before you arrive at the lake, you’ll see parts of Salt Lake City!
It’s a hard hike, but so worth it. Be warned though that you will need lots of water and insect repellant. Do not attempt to hike after dark as it can be extremely dangerous!
Location: GPS 37.305428, -112.949158
Mileage: 1.9 miles
Hike Time: 0.5-1 hour
The Zion Narrows Riverside Walk is a 1.9 mile out and back trail in Springdale, Utah. It’s a heavily trafficked easy trail open from March to October. Here, you may go birding, hiking, on nature trips, trail running, and walking. You’ll see a forest, river, cool views, wildflowers, and plenty of wildlife. The path itself is very rocky.
This trail is one you won’t forget. You’ll walk through the water between two very tall canyon walls as a cool stroll into Zion National Park. It’s a very flat, paved out and back trail at Zion Canyon Scenic Drive. It takes you alongside the Virgin River to the Narrows. Conveniently, there are some filling stations for your water bottles at the trailhead, as well as restrooms. Near the entrance to the Narrows, there are some sandy parts where you can dip your feet into cold water! Expect to get wet. You may even have to do a bit of swimming. This is a trail for those who are adventurous and not afraid to get a little wet!
Location: GPS 38.740457, -109.509849
Mileage: 3.0 miles
Hike Time: 3-4 hours
Delicate Arch Trail is a 3.0-mile loop trail in Moab, Utah. It’s a heavily trafficked moderately difficult trail open year-round. Here, you may bird, hike, on nature trips, rock climbing, trail running, and walking. You’ll see incredible views, wildflowers, and a variety of wildlife. The path itself is very rocky with no shade.
Delicate Arch Trail is a very short hike in Arches National Park. It’s home to its most recognizable natural feature: the natural arch. This is best hiked during the cool seasons as there is no shade. It’s really lovely during sunrise or before sunset when it’s cool and the rocks take the shade of the changing sky.
Bring lots of water for everyone, and don’t be afraid to get up those high areas as it opens with some heights. The first part of the trail is wide and well-defined, and at the Slickrock, to the cairns, you’ll find that the trail climbs and levels out to the top of the rock face before you reach the Delicate Arch. Visit if you love to hike at those places with natural wonders!
Location: GPS 37.601047, -112.200294
Mileage: 2.7 miles
Hike time: 1-2 hours
Navajo Loop and Queen’s Garden Trail is a 2.7-mile loop trail in Bryce, Utah. It’s a heavily trafficked moderately difficult trail open from March to October. Here, you may go birding, hiking, on nature trips, trail running, and walking with your Nordic walking poles. You’ll see a forest, amazing views, wildflowers, and plenty of wildlife.
This trail takes you into the canyon to experience hoodoos. If you want to see the hoodoos of Bryce Canyon, this is the best place to see them. They look the best from the bottom, looking up, but they’re also stunning during sunrise and sunset.
The hike starts by a walk down a narrow canyon with high walls to the canyon floor. There, you can continue the Navajo Loop or the Queens Garden Trail. The latter will take you to some incredible rock formations. Once you ascend to the rim, you will find the sunrise point which gives you your last view of the canyon. If you’d like to see some of Earth’s fantastic natural sculpting skills in action, this is the place to visit!
If you’re fascinated by these trails, by all means, grab your water bottle and hiking shoes and go on a hike through nature’s impressive rock sculptured lands in Utah. Don’t forget to send us some pictures!
Best Hiking Trails In Utah
Rank | Trail | Length (miles) |
1 | Angels Landing Trail | 4.4 |
2 | Lake Blanche Trail | 6.9 |
3 | The Zion Narrows Riverside Walk | 1.9 |
4 | Delicate Arch Trail | 3.0 |
5 | Navajo Loop and Queen’s Garden Trail | 2.7 |
1. Angels Landing Trail
Location: GPS 37.273283—112.950789
Mileage: 4.4 miles
Hike Time: 4-5 hours
Angels Landing Trail is a 4.4 mile out and back trail in Springdale, Utah. It’s a heavily trafficked difficult trail open from February to October. Here, you may go birding, hiking, on nature trips, trail running, and walking. You’ll see a forest, amazing views, wildflowers, and plenty of wildlife. The path itself is very rocky with no shade.
Angels Landing Trail is one of those really difficult trails in Utah. It has steep drop-offs and narrow sections. Yet, it’s a very popular hike. The first 2 miles of the trail are paved and well maintained, but the rest is sunny. The canyon offers you shade and a cool breeze as a relief from the heat as if you were just hanging out in your camping hammock. It’s a great hike to experience in the morning.
The last half mile of the trail comes across a narrow sandstone area. There are anchored support chains along with some parts of it. High steep cliff adds to the experience. This is not a good hike for you if you’re afraid of heights. Also, if it’s windy, avoid standing at the edges.
2. Lake Blanche Trail
Location: GPS 40.613346, -111.699814
Mileage: 6.9 miles
Hike Time: 6-7 hours
Lake Blanche Trail is a6.9-mile loop trail in Salt Lake City, Utah. It’s a moderately trafficked difficult trail open from June to October. Here, you may go birding, canoeing, hiking, on nature trips, snowshoeing, trail running, and walking. You’ll see a forest, lake, river, neat views, wildflowers, and plenty of wildlife. The path itself is very rocky with areas of snow. Make sure you bring enough water in your daypack. You will get thirsty!
Lake Blanche Trail features a gorgeous mountaintop lake that takes a lot to reach. You’ll be forced to stop and take a few breaks as the path is extremely difficult. Only go if you want to exercise. Once you reach the top, the views into the canyon below are amazing. Plus, just before you arrive at the lake, you’ll see parts of Salt Lake City!
It’s a hard hike, but so worth it. Be warned though that you will need lots of water and insect repellant. Do not attempt to hike after dark as it can be extremely dangerous!
3. The Zion Narrows Riverside Walk
Location: GPS 37.305428, -112.949158
Mileage: 1.9 miles
Hike Time: 0.5-1 hour
The Zion Narrows Riverside Walk is a 1.9 mile out and back trail in Springdale, Utah. It’s a heavily trafficked easy trail open from March to October. Here, you may go birding, hiking, on nature trips, trail running, and walking. You’ll see a forest, river, cool views, wildflowers, and plenty of wildlife. The path itself is very rocky.
This trail is one you won’t forget. You’ll walk through the water between two very tall canyon walls as a cool stroll into Zion National Park. It’s a very flat, paved out and back trail at Zion Canyon Scenic Drive. It takes you alongside the Virgin River to the Narrows. Conveniently, there are some filling stations for your water bottles at the trailhead, as well as restrooms. Near the entrance to the Narrows, there are some sandy parts where you can dip your feet into cold water! Expect to get wet. You may even have to do a bit of swimming. This is a trail for those who are adventurous and not afraid to get a little wet!
4. Delicate Arch Trail
Location: GPS 38.740457, -109.509849
Mileage: 3.0 miles
Hike Time: 3-4 hours
Delicate Arch Trail is a 3.0-mile loop trail in Moab, Utah. It’s a heavily trafficked moderately difficult trail open year-round. Here, you may bird, hike, on nature trips, rock climbing, trail running, and walking. You’ll see incredible views, wildflowers, and a variety of wildlife. The path itself is very rocky with no shade.
Delicate Arch Trail is a very short hike in Arches National Park. It’s home to its most recognizable natural feature: the natural arch. This is best hiked during the cool seasons as there is no shade. It’s really lovely during sunrise or before sunset when it’s cool and the rocks take the shade of the changing sky.
Bring lots of water for everyone, and don’t be afraid to get up those high areas as it opens with some heights. The first part of the trail is wide and well-defined, and at the Slickrock, to the cairns, you’ll find that the trail climbs and levels out to the top of the rock face before you reach the Delicate Arch. Visit if you love to hike at those places with natural wonders!
5. Navajo Loop and Queen’s Garden Trail
Location: GPS 37.601047, -112.200294
Mileage: 2.7 miles
Hike time: 1-2 hours
Navajo Loop and Queen’s Garden Trail is a 2.7-mile loop trail in Bryce, Utah. It’s a heavily trafficked moderately difficult trail open from March to October. Here, you may go birding, hiking, on nature trips, trail running, and walking with your Nordic walking poles. You’ll see a forest, amazing views, wildflowers, and plenty of wildlife.
This trail takes you into the canyon to experience hoodoos. If you want to see the hoodoos of Bryce Canyon, this is the best place to see them. They look the best from the bottom, looking up, but they’re also stunning during sunrise and sunset.
The hike starts by a walk down a narrow canyon with high walls to the canyon floor. There, you can continue the Navajo Loop or the Queens Garden Trail. The latter will take you to some incredible rock formations. Once you ascend to the rim, you will find the sunrise point which gives you your last view of the canyon. If you’d like to see some of Earth’s fantastic natural sculpting skills in action, this is the place to visit!
If you’re fascinated by these trails, by all means, grab your water bottle and hiking shoes and go on a hike through nature’s impressive rock sculptured lands in Utah. Don’t forget to send us some pictures!