Utah is a hiker’s paradise. Between our majestic mountains, and our gorgeous red rock country, we have hundreds of hiking trails that takes us up close and personal with Mother Nature. Sure, other states have hiking trails, too, but these 11 trail are some of the greatest hiking trails on Earth.
- Albion Meadows Trail
Corey Luke/flickr Do you love wildflowers in alpine meadows, and picturesque lakes? Of course you do! The Albion Meadows Trail is 3.6 miles out and back. By mid-summer, you’ll see the mountainside covered in beautiful blooms, and you’ll end your journey at Cecret Lake.
- Mesa Arch Trail
GKorts/Tripadvisor The trail to Mesa Arch isn’t anything spectacular on its own, but the destination at the end brings photographers from all over the world. It’s an easy, half-mile trail that takes you from a parking lot to Mesa Arch, where you’ll find photographers hanging out in the wee hours of the morning, waiting for the sunrise. It’s worth an early wakeup.
- Henry’s Fork Trail To King’s Peak
Taylor A/Tripadvisor National Geographic named this as one of the World’s Best Trails, and we couldn’t agree more. At 13,528 feet, King’s Peak is the highest in Utah, and its scenic vistas are stunning. The trail is 27.1 miles, round-trip, and makes a great weekend backpacking adventure.
- Angel’s Landing
junaidrao/flickr This heart-stopping, jaw-dropping trail might be the most famous in the Beehive State. It’s a strenuous endeavor to get to the spine, and a somewhat terrifying hike along the narrow spine to the top, but you’ll have chains and railings to help you along the way, and you’ll have plenty of other people to keep you company during tourist season.
- Brighton Lakes Trail
Andrey Zharkikh/flickr Utah’s Big Cottonwood Canyon is one of the most beautiful places on the planet, and its lakes little gems. The Brighton Lakes Trail takes you to four alpine lakes - Dog Lake, Lake Mary, Lake Martha, and Lake Catherine. You’ll likely see a moose or two during this 4.5-mile hike.
- Queen’s Garden Trail, Bryce Canyon National Park
End_of_Cloud/Tripadvisor Sure, you can view Bryce’s amazing amphitheater from above, but why not get down in there amongst the hoodoos? Queen’s Garden Trail is just 1.8 miles, roundtrip, and is considered the easiest hike down in from the rim.
- Deseret Peak
summitcheese/flickr It’s not the tallest peak in Utah, but at 11,031 feet, it comes pretty close. This Tooele County trail is in the Stansbury Mountain Range, and it’s stunning. The trail is seven miles, out and back, and it’s quite a challenge, but well worth the effort.
- Mount Olympus
Marco Mora-Huizar/flickr One of the Salt Lake Valley’s most popular trails, Mount Olympus gives you a bird’s-eye view of the valley and makes you feel like King of the World. The trail is steep, but the 3.75-mile climb is worth it.
- Goblin’s Lair Trail
Alaskalair/Tripadvisor There’s no place in the world like Goblin Valley State Park. Explore this other-worldly place via the Goblin’s Lair Trail, which takes you through the Goblin Valley on a 3.5-mile loop.
- The Subway At Zion National Park
Petr Meissner/flickr The Subway is a once-in-a-lifetime hike that requires some rappelling, swimming, and boulder scrambling for 9.5 miles. It requires a permit, which you’ll want to apply for well in advance, but this place is truly magical, and one that most visitors to the park will never see.
- Grandeur Peak
Brian Yoham/Alltrails The 6.5-mile trail from Church’s Fork to Grandeur Peak isn’t as crowded as Olympus Peak, but it’s just as gorgeous. The trail takes you up 2,647 feet, but it’s one of the easier climbs to a Utah peak.
What’s your favorite trail in Utah, and why?
Corey Luke/flickr
Do you love wildflowers in alpine meadows, and picturesque lakes? Of course you do! The Albion Meadows Trail is 3.6 miles out and back. By mid-summer, you’ll see the mountainside covered in beautiful blooms, and you’ll end your journey at Cecret Lake.
GKorts/Tripadvisor
The trail to Mesa Arch isn’t anything spectacular on its own, but the destination at the end brings photographers from all over the world. It’s an easy, half-mile trail that takes you from a parking lot to Mesa Arch, where you’ll find photographers hanging out in the wee hours of the morning, waiting for the sunrise. It’s worth an early wakeup.
Taylor A/Tripadvisor
National Geographic named this as one of the World’s Best Trails, and we couldn’t agree more. At 13,528 feet, King’s Peak is the highest in Utah, and its scenic vistas are stunning. The trail is 27.1 miles, round-trip, and makes a great weekend backpacking adventure.
junaidrao/flickr
This heart-stopping, jaw-dropping trail might be the most famous in the Beehive State. It’s a strenuous endeavor to get to the spine, and a somewhat terrifying hike along the narrow spine to the top, but you’ll have chains and railings to help you along the way, and you’ll have plenty of other people to keep you company during tourist season.
Andrey Zharkikh/flickr
Utah’s Big Cottonwood Canyon is one of the most beautiful places on the planet, and its lakes little gems. The Brighton Lakes Trail takes you to four alpine lakes - Dog Lake, Lake Mary, Lake Martha, and Lake Catherine. You’ll likely see a moose or two during this 4.5-mile hike.
End_of_Cloud/Tripadvisor
Sure, you can view Bryce’s amazing amphitheater from above, but why not get down in there amongst the hoodoos? Queen’s Garden Trail is just 1.8 miles, roundtrip, and is considered the easiest hike down in from the rim.
summitcheese/flickr
It’s not the tallest peak in Utah, but at 11,031 feet, it comes pretty close. This Tooele County trail is in the Stansbury Mountain Range, and it’s stunning. The trail is seven miles, out and back, and it’s quite a challenge, but well worth the effort.
Marco Mora-Huizar/flickr
One of the Salt Lake Valley’s most popular trails, Mount Olympus gives you a bird’s-eye view of the valley and makes you feel like King of the World. The trail is steep, but the 3.75-mile climb is worth it.
Alaskalair/Tripadvisor
There’s no place in the world like Goblin Valley State Park. Explore this other-worldly place via the Goblin’s Lair Trail, which takes you through the Goblin Valley on a 3.5-mile loop.
Petr Meissner/flickr
The Subway is a once-in-a-lifetime hike that requires some rappelling, swimming, and boulder scrambling for 9.5 miles. It requires a permit, which you’ll want to apply for well in advance, but this place is truly magical, and one that most visitors to the park will never see.
Brian Yoham/Alltrails
The 6.5-mile trail from Church’s Fork to Grandeur Peak isn’t as crowded as Olympus Peak, but it’s just as gorgeous. The trail takes you up 2,647 feet, but it’s one of the easier climbs to a Utah peak.
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