Hiking & Backpacking in Utah

Hiking opportunities in Utah come in two flavors -- mountain and red rock desert. There are numerous, great opportunities for both. The map to the left generally designates the mountainous areas (green) and desert areas (orange). Destinations to consider are grouped by region below. Select any destination that interests you for complete information on trails, relevant publications, etc.

NORTHERN UTAH

The Wasatch Mountains run north to south from Logan to Provo providing hundreds miles of trails in heavily timbered mountain settings. You'll find lots of day hiking options, especially near any of the population centers -- Logan, Ogden, Salt Lake City, Provo. Some more isolated longer hikes are available in Mt. Nebo Wilderness area south of Provo.

The Uinta Mountains are Utah's tallest mountain range, with over a dozen peaks exceeding 13,000. Most of the range is comprised of the High Uinta Wilderness Area in which no vehicles (including bikes) or structures are permitted. You'll find hundreds of miles of trails with possibilities for all manner of day hikes and multi-day backpacking trips.

Flaming Gorge is made up of beautiful clear blue Flaming Gorge Lake, surrounded by brightly colored canyon walls amidst thousands of acres of pretty, forested highlands. Around the lake and in the mountainous areas nearby are several pleasant hiking trails.

CENTRAL UTAH

The San Rafael Swell is a terrifically wild and lightly visited area of desert canyons in the heart of Utah. Visitors here should expect plenty of solitude in a harsh but starkly beautiful setting. The adventurous can explore the backcountry on foot.

The Tushar Mountains are a pretty range with a good network of hiking and biking trails, campgrounds and small lakes. Though the Tushars exceed the height of the Wasatch Mountains in Northern Utah, they remain under appreciated and relatively uncrowded.

SOUTHEASTERN UTAH

Southeastern Utah has numerous great destinations for hiking. Most of your options are in desert conditions through red rock scenery, though the La Sal mountains offer hiking in cooler alpine settings.

Arches National Park is a geological wonderland set in the red rock desert of southeastern Utah. It is home to the largest concentration of sandstone arches in the world, some 2,000 in all, and many other fascinating rock formations. There are numerous good day hiking trails to the parks attractions. There are also limited overnight backpacking opportunities possible.

Canyonlands National Park is a spectacularly wild area of immense orange-red canyons and superlative red rock formations in the desert of the Colorado Plateau. Canyonlands is made up of three distinct districts, each of which offers great hiking. The Island in the Sky District sits on a peninsula high above the Green and Colorado rivers. It has a handful of short day hikes on the peninsula and numerous backpacking trips down to a mesa above the rivers. The Needles District has a great network of trails offering lots of day and overnight possibilities among wonderful canyons and rock formations. The isolated Maze District gets its name from an incredible series of box canyons that make for extraordinary backpacking trips for skilled hikers.

The La Sal Mountains, Utah's second highest range (12,721 feet), rise impressively above the surrounding red rock desert landscape of southeast Utah. They have a good network trails that wind through pretty alpine terrain.

Moab is located 5 miles from Arches, 30 miles from Canyonlands, and 20 miles from the La Sals. It serves not only as a base from which to access the many hiking opportunities at those destinations, but also has many good day hikes in the red rock canyons near town.

SOUTHWESTERN UTAH

Bryce Canyon National Park offers a spectacularly beautiful series of amphitheaters filled with colorful, eroded rock forms. It has a number of excellent short hikes down into the amphitheaters and some overnight possibilities as well.

Capitol Reef National Park is made up of a 100 mile long ridge of rock that was forced up out of the earth millions of years ago. Erosion has created marvelously-colored and wildly-varied rock formations of great beauty out of the ridge. Numerous good day hikes are accessible from the park's main scenic drive or Hwy. 24. Longer backpacking excursions are possible in the backcountry.

The Markagunt Plateau is an attractive, heavily forested, highland located just east of Cedar City. It contains Cedar Breaks National Monument, an area of colorful, eroded rock forms, and the ski resort town of Brian Head. Dozens of trails provide opportunities for day hikes and some overnighters.

Pine Valley Mountains are an attractive, small range that rises out of the surrounding desert to thick forests of pine and aspen. It is located 30 miles northwest of St. George. The range has a good network of hiking trails, providing day and overnight possibilities.

Zion National Park is an awe inspiring place with massive cliff walls that tower majestically a half mile above the canyon floor. It is Utah's most visited national park. It has many great easily accessed day hikes and numerous opportunities for overnight excursions into its expansive backcountry.