Best Utah Hiking Trails 2026: 20 Hikes From Easy to Expert

Utah has more exceptional hiking per square mile than almost anywhere in the world. Five national parks, six national monuments, and millions of acres of BLM land mean the only real challenge is choosing where to start. This guide covers 20 of the best Utah hiking trails in 2026, from easy nature walks to multi-day epics.

Best Easy Hikes in Utah

• Emerald Pools Trail, Zion: 1.2–3 miles, hanging gardens and waterfalls
• Mesa Arch, Canyonlands: 0.5 miles, sunrise photography icon
• The Windows, Arches: 1 mile, two massive arches with minimal effort
• Mossy Cave, Bryce Canyon: 0.8 miles, waterfall and hoodoo views
• Capitol Gorge, Capitol Reef: 2 miles, pioneer inscriptions and tanks (potholes)

Best Moderate Hikes in Utah

• Delicate Arch, Arches: 3 miles RT, Utah’s most iconic image at sunrise or sunset
• Hickman Bridge, Capitol Reef: 1.8 miles, natural bridge with panoramic views
• Rim Trail, Bryce Canyon: Up to 11 miles, classic hoodoo views at canyon edge
• Cohab Canyon, Capitol Reef: 3.4 miles, hidden canyon above Fruita orchards
• White Dome Trail, Goblin Valley: 1.5 miles, bizarre mushroom-shaped hoodoos

Best Strenuous Hikes in Utah

• Angels Landing, Zion: 5.4 miles, chains section, permit required (lottery)
• The Narrows, Zion: 9.4 miles RT (top-down), wading through the Virgin River in slot canyon
• Devil’s Garden Loop, Arches: 7.9 miles, primitive section requires route-finding
• Queens Garden + Navajo Loop, Bryce: 2.9 miles, descend into the hoodoos
• Grand View Point to White Rim Overlook, Canyonlands: 11 miles RT, canyon-edge exposure

Best Multi-Day / Backpacking Hikes in Utah

• The Wave (Coyote Buttes): 6 miles RT, lottery permit, otherworldly sandstone
• Zion Traverse: 48 miles, La Verkin Creek to Lee Pass, 4–5 days
• Buckskin Gulch: 13+ miles, longest slot canyon in North America
• Havasupai (Arizona border adjacent): Turquoise waterfalls, 10 miles to campground
• Grand Canyon Rim to Rim via Kaibab Plateau: Accessible from Utah’s southern border

Permit Requirements Summary (2026)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most popular hike in Utah?

Angels Landing in Zion National Park — though Delicate Arch in Arches and The Narrows also contend for that title. All three now require advance permits.

When is the best time to hike in Utah?

Spring (March–May) and fall (September–November) offer the best temperatures. Summer hiking is possible with early starts; avoid midday from June through August.

Are Utah hiking trails dog-friendly?

Dogs are allowed on paved trails and roads in national parks but prohibited on most backcountry trails. Many state parks and BLM trails are dog-friendly on leash.

Related Reading

• Arches National Park Guide 2026
• Utah Slot Canyons 2026
• Best Photography Spots in Utah 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most famous hike in Utah?

Angels Landing in Zion National Park is arguably Utah’s most iconic hike, though the final chains section now requires a permit. Delicate Arch at Arches, The Narrows in Zion, and the Mesa Arch loop at Canyonlands also rank among the Southwest’s must-do hikes.

What Utah hikes are best for beginners?

Beginner-friendly Utah hikes include Emerald Pools in Zion (1.2–3 miles), Mesa Arch loop at Canyonlands (0.5 miles), Sunset Point at Bryce Canyon (0.5 miles), and Park Avenue at Arches (2 miles). These offer dramatic scenery without technical terrain.

When is the best time to hike in Utah?

Spring (April–May) and fall (September–October) are peak hiking seasons in southern Utah with comfortable temperatures of 50–75°F. Summer hiking requires very early starts before 8am to avoid dangerous afternoon heat in the canyon country.

Do Utah national park hikes require permits?

Several popular Utah hikes require advance permits: Angels Landing chains section (Zion), The Narrows through-hike (Zion), Coyote Gulch (Grand Staircase), The Wave (Vermilion Cliffs), and Havasupai Falls across the Arizona border. Book 2–6 months ahead for peak season.