Whether you’re setting goals for the upcoming year or just want some quiet space to think and reflect on your hopes and dreams, a hiking trail can be just what you need. There are hundreds of hiking trails in Utah where you can disconnect and immerse yourself in your thoughts, but we’ve put together this list of our favorites. Lace up your hiking boots and check out these seven best hikes in Utah soon!
- Angel’s Palace Trail, Kodachrome Basin State Park
Jenn Daniels/Alltrails Visit Southern Utah without the crowds when you explore Kodachrome Basin State Park. The Angel’s Palace Trail is short — just a 1.4-mile loop — and it’s full of scenic vistas. We can’t think of a better place to contemplate your hopes and dreams for the year ahead. Kodachrome State Park Road, Kodachrome State Park Rd, Utah 84736, USA
- Buffalo Point Trail, Antelope Island State Park
Chrissy Shammas/Alltrails The Buffalo Point Trail is an excellent hiking trail regardless of the time of year. In the winter, the bugs have gone to bed and the tourists are all at home, making this the perfect place to enjoy some quiet. In the summer, climb the half-mile up to this lookout and see for miles. Antelope Island State Park, Utah, USA
- Rock Canyon Trail, Provo
Matthew Smith/Alltrails Looking for something more challenging? Check out Rock Canyon Trail, located in Rock Canyon Park. The 5.5-mile trail is considered moderately difficult, with a 1,709-foot elevation change. Also, this trail is supposedly haunted! Maybe one of your goals this year is to see a ghost? Rock Canyon Trail, Provo, UT 84604, USA
- The Living Room Lookout Trail, Salt Lake City
Jocelyn Tian/Alltrails Check out the spectacular scenery high above the city when you hike the Living Room Lookout Trail. The end of the trail features several slabs of rock that are fashioned into chairs, so you can sit and soak up those views. The hike is 2.3 miles, out and back. Living Room Trail, Salt Lake City, UT 84108, USA
- Scout Cave Trail, Ivins
Thaddeus Wendt/Google You’ll find Scout Cave Trail in Ivins (near St. George). This is a 4.4-mile, out-and-back trail and you’ll want to be prepared to climb a bit to reach the cave. It’s worth your effort though! Ivins, UT, USA
- Mesa Arch Trail, Canyonlands National Park
Nick Wilson/Alltrails We can’t help but add Mesa Arch Trail to this list, even though it’s crowded pretty much all year long. Wake up early and take the 0.3-mile stroll to Mesa Arch. The landscape beyond the arch is just stunning, and in the winter it’s especially beautiful. This is not only one of the most scenic hikes in Utah but also one of the best. Mesa Arch Trail, Utah 84532, USA
- Silver Lake Loop Trail, Big Cottonwood Canyon
Yangyang Zhao/Alltrails This is one of our favorite trails in the summer, and it’s a winter wonderland for snowshoeing. The loop trail takes you around the lake with mesmerizing mountain views surrounding you. The trail is 0.9 miles, and during the winter, requires a day ticket purchased at the Solitude Nordic Center. Silver Lake Trail, Utah, USA
Do you have a favorite hiking trail that you visit when you want a quiet, calm space to think about your goals? What do you think are the best hikes in Utah? Share with us your thoughts in the comments!
Jenn Daniels/Alltrails
Visit Southern Utah without the crowds when you explore Kodachrome Basin State Park. The Angel’s Palace Trail is short — just a 1.4-mile loop — and it’s full of scenic vistas. We can’t think of a better place to contemplate your hopes and dreams for the year ahead.
Kodachrome State Park Road, Kodachrome State Park Rd, Utah 84736, USA
Chrissy Shammas/Alltrails
The Buffalo Point Trail is an excellent hiking trail regardless of the time of year. In the winter, the bugs have gone to bed and the tourists are all at home, making this the perfect place to enjoy some quiet. In the summer, climb the half-mile up to this lookout and see for miles.
Antelope Island State Park, Utah, USA
Matthew Smith/Alltrails
Looking for something more challenging? Check out Rock Canyon Trail, located in Rock Canyon Park. The 5.5-mile trail is considered moderately difficult, with a 1,709-foot elevation change. Also, this trail is supposedly haunted! Maybe one of your goals this year is to see a ghost?
Rock Canyon Trail, Provo, UT 84604, USA
Jocelyn Tian/Alltrails
Check out the spectacular scenery high above the city when you hike the Living Room Lookout Trail. The end of the trail features several slabs of rock that are fashioned into chairs, so you can sit and soak up those views. The hike is 2.3 miles, out and back.
Living Room Trail, Salt Lake City, UT 84108, USA
Thaddeus Wendt/Google
You’ll find Scout Cave Trail in Ivins (near St. George). This is a 4.4-mile, out-and-back trail and you’ll want to be prepared to climb a bit to reach the cave. It’s worth your effort though!
Ivins, UT, USA
Nick Wilson/Alltrails
We can’t help but add Mesa Arch Trail to this list, even though it’s crowded pretty much all year long. Wake up early and take the 0.3-mile stroll to Mesa Arch. The landscape beyond the arch is just stunning, and in the winter it’s especially beautiful. This is not only one of the most scenic hikes in Utah but also one of the best.
Mesa Arch Trail, Utah 84532, USA
Yangyang Zhao/Alltrails
This is one of our favorite trails in the summer, and it’s a winter wonderland for snowshoeing. The loop trail takes you around the lake with mesmerizing mountain views surrounding you. The trail is 0.9 miles, and during the winter, requires a day ticket purchased at the Solitude Nordic Center.
Silver Lake Trail, Utah, USA
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best hikes in Utah March 16, 2022 Courtnie Erickson What are some easy hikes in Utah? If you are searching for kid-friendly hikes around Utah, you are in luck. There are easy hikes scattered all over the state and many are absolutely gorgeous. One of our favorite easy hikes in Utah is the Silver Lake Trail in Big Cottonwood Canyon. This loop trail circles the beautiful Silver Lake, and even better, the trail is less than one mile long. Despite the short trail, make sure you take your time and enjoy the beauty surrounding you. This is one of the most beautiful areas in the Beehive State. Another one of the best easy hikes in Utah is found at Arches National Park. The Double Arch Trail is just 0.6-miles and is an out-and-back trail. The red rocks are fun to explore and the arches are quite mesmerizing. Just be aware that during peak season, this becomes a very busy hiking trail. What are some of the most scenic hikes in Utah? When you are searching for “hiking trails near me,” add Timpanogos Cave Trail to your list. This is one of the most scenic hikes in Utah, taking you up to the incredible Timpanogos Cave. Make sure you bring plenty of water and wear adequate hiking shoes as you’ll hike right up the mountain on multiple switchbacks. If you need a break, sit down on one of the benches along the path.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best hikes in Utah
March 16, 2022
Courtnie Erickson
What are some easy hikes in Utah? If you are searching for kid-friendly hikes around Utah, you are in luck. There are easy hikes scattered all over the state and many are absolutely gorgeous. One of our favorite easy hikes in Utah is the Silver Lake Trail in Big Cottonwood Canyon. This loop trail circles the beautiful Silver Lake, and even better, the trail is less than one mile long. Despite the short trail, make sure you take your time and enjoy the beauty surrounding you. This is one of the most beautiful areas in the Beehive State. Another one of the best easy hikes in Utah is found at Arches National Park. The Double Arch Trail is just 0.6-miles and is an out-and-back trail. The red rocks are fun to explore and the arches are quite mesmerizing. Just be aware that during peak season, this becomes a very busy hiking trail. What are some of the most scenic hikes in Utah? When you are searching for “hiking trails near me,” add Timpanogos Cave Trail to your list. This is one of the most scenic hikes in Utah, taking you up to the incredible Timpanogos Cave. Make sure you bring plenty of water and wear adequate hiking shoes as you’ll hike right up the mountain on multiple switchbacks. If you need a break, sit down on one of the benches along the path.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
If you are searching for kid-friendly hikes around Utah, you are in luck. There are easy hikes scattered all over the state and many are absolutely gorgeous. One of our favorite easy hikes in Utah is the Silver Lake Trail in Big Cottonwood Canyon. This loop trail circles the beautiful Silver Lake, and even better, the trail is less than one mile long. Despite the short trail, make sure you take your time and enjoy the beauty surrounding you. This is one of the most beautiful areas in the Beehive State.
Another one of the best easy hikes in Utah is found at Arches National Park. The Double Arch Trail is just 0.6-miles and is an out-and-back trail. The red rocks are fun to explore and the arches are quite mesmerizing. Just be aware that during peak season, this becomes a very busy hiking trail.
What are some of the most scenic hikes in Utah?
When you are searching for “hiking trails near me,” add Timpanogos Cave Trail to your list. This is one of the most scenic hikes in Utah, taking you up to the incredible Timpanogos Cave. Make sure you bring plenty of water and wear adequate hiking shoes as you’ll hike right up the mountain on multiple switchbacks. If you need a break, sit down on one of the benches along the path.
