The Buckskin Gulch, a canyon in southern Utah.
Located in the western U.S., Utah is known for its bright red cliffs and distinctive rock formations. Utah hiking spans everything from mountains to deep, winding sandstone canyons.
Utah is home to numerous national parks, including Arches, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, and Zion. Glen Canyon National Recreation Area is also a popular spot for backpackers, boaters and hikers. The area’s dominating feature is Lake Powell, a massive artificial lake created in the 1960’s by the construction of the Glen Canyon dam.
The editors at Backpacker have created an extensive collection of popular trails to help you find the best Utah hiking.
Thanks to COVID-19, big-name national parks are drawing larger crowds than normal this year, leading to busy trails and hard-to-get permits. So skip ‘em and set your sights on these sleeper alternatives instead. Not only will you still nab beauty to rival any national park, but there’s a good chance your social distancing will extend for miles and miles.
Escape the headlines—and the rest of the population—at one of these seven sites.
A Basecamper takes his first solo on a 5-day, 31-mile trek.
Routefinding in Canyonlands National Park can be a challenge, but the rewards are always worth it.
Catch the best of the early season show on these nine routes curated exclusively for Basecamp members.
At these creekside, shorefront, and mountaintop spots, the views are so gorgeous that you may never want to go to sleep.
This collection of bright white sandstone spires isn't officially part of Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument anymore, but it's as spectacular as ever.
You'd better not be afraid of heights if you're going to tackle one of these airy trails.
Head into the wilderness without the hassle of a four-season tent
This is your year. Start planning one of these life-list hikes and create memories that will last a lifetime.
Follow along with BACKPACKER's 2019 Editors' Choice trip in this interactive story.
Winter's first snow is something to see in the northeastern corner of Utah.
Want a real wilderness experience? Head west and trek endless empty miles on the BLM's best terrain.
Whether it’s big elevation changes, big miles, or big moves, these 23 routes prove that the best hikes are often the hardest.
Skip the beaten path and make the most of your visit to southwest Utah with these tips from a local.
Like your life and limbs intact? Then you'd better get skilled before visiting these trails.
Jeep Arch is less than 2 miles from Corona, but feels like it's a million miles from its crowds.
Get on a high ledge, a crumbly cliff, or a knife-edge ridge and your body will recognize the feeling before your brain catches on.
While the crowds hit Arches National Park, take a detour for a taste of sweet fall solitude.
We’re all for tagging summits, but the best way to experience a peak? Hike around it. You’ll see a mountain’s many faces on a single, peak-circling loop. These 14 trips circumnavigate the best of the best.
It's one of the classic day hikes of the United States—and with views like this, it's easy to see why.
A mother-and-son road trip through all five of Utah’s national parks in one week is the perfect way to make up for lost time—or court disaster.
