Hiking is the best way to tear the kids away from the TV and video games, but the littlest members of the family don’t always have the stamina for a five-mile-long hike. Here are nine of the best hikes in Utah that are one mile or less, and they’re all perfect for even the most couch-potato-inclined kids.
- Silver Lake Loop Trail, Big Cottonwood Canyon
Hannah Bakker/Alltrails This family-friendly trail up Big Cottonwood Canyon is popular for a reason. Part of the .8 mile-long loop is ADA-accessible, so it’s suitable for almost anyone. Parking lot, Holladay Cottonwood, UT 84121, USA
- Grotto Falls Trail, Payson
Freddy Skelt/Alltrails This short, sweet hike has a pretty payoff at the end — a small waterfall and pool making it one of the best kid-friendly hikes around Utah. The trail is just .6 miles out and back and is rated easy with an elevation gain of only 170 feet. The trailhead is located about seven miles up Payson Canyon. Grotto Falls Trail, Utah 84651, USA
- Mossy Cave Trail, Bryce Canyon National Park
Don Graham/flickr Get up close to Bryce Canyon’s hoodoos on the Mossy Cave Trail, which is just one mile out and back. You’ll encounter a few steep sections, but nothing that most kids can’t handle. Mossy Cave Trail, Utah, USA
- Cascade Springs Interpretive Trail, Midway
Audree Flanders/Alltrails This cool, shady loop trail in Wasatch Mountain State Park is just .8 miles long, and kids love crossing the multiple bridges and seeing all the little waterfalls, pools and spring along the way. You’ll find the trailhead off the Alpine Loop. Cascade Springs, Cascade Scenic Dr, Provo, UT 84604, USA
- Mesa Arch, Canyonlands National Park
Koru Foto/Alan Szalwinski/flickr We hesitate to even call this walking path a hike… but if you want to get a taste of Canyonlands National Park very quickly, this .6 mile trail is the way to go. If you can talk the kids into waking up before sunrise, you’ll be treated to a beautiful sight as this trail is transformed into one of the most scenic hikes in Utah.
- Birdsong Trail, Ogden
Lizz Daly/Alltrails You’ll love this shady hike that really is filled with the songs of birds. You’ll see a little pond, a small waterfall and plenty of wildflowers in the spring. Rainbow Gardens P+R, Ogden, UT 84401, USA
- Lower Emerald Pool Trail, Zion National Park
Justin P/Alltrails This pretty trail is actually 1.2 miles, round trip, but it’s an easy hike and a family favorite. Once you get the kids out there, they might decide to continue on to the other two pools above. Emerald Pools Trail, Utah 84737, USA
- Mill B South Interpretive Trail, Big Cottonwood Canyon
Carellen Webber/Alltrails Immerse yourself in the beauty of Big Cottonwood Canyon on this short, half-mile hike should be on your short list of easy hikes in Utah. It follows the river, so keep a close eye on the kiddos, especially during spring runoff. The trailhead is about 4.4 miles up the canyon. Mill B South Fork Trail, Mill B S Fork Trail, Utah 84121, USA
- Teapot Lake
carfull…home from mongolia/flickr There’s nothing like the fresh air in the High Uinta Mountains, and this little stroll around Teapot Lake is a quick way to enjoy it. It’s about a mile around the lake and parts of the trail are pretty marshy, so wear shoes that you don’t mind getting wet. You’ll find Teapot Lake along the Mirror Lake Scenic Byway. Teapot Lake, Utah 84036, USA
What’s on your list of best hikes in Utah to take with kids? Tell us in the comments!
Hannah Bakker/Alltrails
This family-friendly trail up Big Cottonwood Canyon is popular for a reason. Part of the .8 mile-long loop is ADA-accessible, so it’s suitable for almost anyone.
Parking lot, Holladay Cottonwood, UT 84121, USA
Freddy Skelt/Alltrails
This short, sweet hike has a pretty payoff at the end — a small waterfall and pool making it one of the best kid-friendly hikes around Utah. The trail is just .6 miles out and back and is rated easy with an elevation gain of only 170 feet. The trailhead is located about seven miles up Payson Canyon.
Grotto Falls Trail, Utah 84651, USA
Don Graham/flickr
Get up close to Bryce Canyon’s hoodoos on the Mossy Cave Trail, which is just one mile out and back. You’ll encounter a few steep sections, but nothing that most kids can’t handle.
Mossy Cave Trail, Utah, USA
Audree Flanders/Alltrails
This cool, shady loop trail in Wasatch Mountain State Park is just .8 miles long, and kids love crossing the multiple bridges and seeing all the little waterfalls, pools and spring along the way. You’ll find the trailhead off the Alpine Loop.
Cascade Springs, Cascade Scenic Dr, Provo, UT 84604, USA
Koru Foto/Alan Szalwinski/flickr
We hesitate to even call this walking path a hike… but if you want to get a taste of Canyonlands National Park very quickly, this .6 mile trail is the way to go. If you can talk the kids into waking up before sunrise, you’ll be treated to a beautiful sight as this trail is transformed into one of the most scenic hikes in Utah.
Lizz Daly/Alltrails
You’ll love this shady hike that really is filled with the songs of birds. You’ll see a little pond, a small waterfall and plenty of wildflowers in the spring.
Rainbow Gardens P+R, Ogden, UT 84401, USA
Justin P/Alltrails
This pretty trail is actually 1.2 miles, round trip, but it’s an easy hike and a family favorite. Once you get the kids out there, they might decide to continue on to the other two pools above.
Emerald Pools Trail, Utah 84737, USA
Carellen Webber/Alltrails
Immerse yourself in the beauty of Big Cottonwood Canyon on this short, half-mile hike should be on your short list of easy hikes in Utah. It follows the river, so keep a close eye on the kiddos, especially during spring runoff. The trailhead is about 4.4 miles up the canyon.
Mill B South Fork Trail, Mill B S Fork Trail, Utah 84121, USA
carfull…home from mongolia/flickr
There’s nothing like the fresh air in the High Uinta Mountains, and this little stroll around Teapot Lake is a quick way to enjoy it. It’s about a mile around the lake and parts of the trail are pretty marshy, so wear shoes that you don’t mind getting wet. You’ll find Teapot Lake along the Mirror Lake Scenic Byway.
Teapot Lake, Utah 84036, USA
If your kids are older, experienced hikers here’s a challenging hike in Logan Canyon that offers some amazing views.
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Hikes In Utah March 13, 2022 Libby Monson Are there any good swimming holes in Utah? Yes! Utah has many great swimming holes. If you are in the southern part of the state, you should visit Mill Creek in Moab. After a short hike, you’ll reach a waterfall with cold clear pools below. Mill Creek is a great way to cool off in the summer heat! If you are looking for something in the middle of the state, try Burriston Ponds in Mona. This swimming hole has two rope swings! Head to the high country and enjoy the cool alpine waters at Wall Lake. For a swimming hole experience that feels out of this world, go to the Homestead Crater in Midway. A natural geothermal pool is hiding inside a 55-foot crater, and you can swim, snorkel, or even scuba dive in the warm water. What is the best wildflower hike in Utah? Albion Meadows trail in Little Cottonwood Canyon is the perfect wildflower hike. This hike is 3.5 miles and gains 744 feet of elevation. For all of your hard work, you’ll be rewarded with stunning wildflower views in every direction. Albion Meadows is full of vibrant colors and buzzing with activity during the summer months. What are the best beaches in Utah? You probably don’t think of beaches when you think of the land-locked state of Utah, but we do have some beautiful waterfront spots to spread out a beach towel and soak up the sun. For example, Anderson Cove at Pineview Reservoir near Huntsville has a campground, day area, and sandy beach to play on. You’ll love the deep blue and green waters at Rendezvous Beach on Bear Lake. If you want to try catching your lunch, try fishing at Deer Creek State Park and then relax on the beach with your toes in the cool water.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Hikes In Utah
March 13, 2022
Libby Monson
Are there any good swimming holes in Utah? Yes! Utah has many great swimming holes. If you are in the southern part of the state, you should visit Mill Creek in Moab. After a short hike, you’ll reach a waterfall with cold clear pools below. Mill Creek is a great way to cool off in the summer heat! If you are looking for something in the middle of the state, try Burriston Ponds in Mona. This swimming hole has two rope swings! Head to the high country and enjoy the cool alpine waters at Wall Lake. For a swimming hole experience that feels out of this world, go to the Homestead Crater in Midway. A natural geothermal pool is hiding inside a 55-foot crater, and you can swim, snorkel, or even scuba dive in the warm water. What is the best wildflower hike in Utah? Albion Meadows trail in Little Cottonwood Canyon is the perfect wildflower hike. This hike is 3.5 miles and gains 744 feet of elevation. For all of your hard work, you’ll be rewarded with stunning wildflower views in every direction. Albion Meadows is full of vibrant colors and buzzing with activity during the summer months. What are the best beaches in Utah? You probably don’t think of beaches when you think of the land-locked state of Utah, but we do have some beautiful waterfront spots to spread out a beach towel and soak up the sun. For example, Anderson Cove at Pineview Reservoir near Huntsville has a campground, day area, and sandy beach to play on. You’ll love the deep blue and green waters at Rendezvous Beach on Bear Lake. If you want to try catching your lunch, try fishing at Deer Creek State Park and then relax on the beach with your toes in the cool water.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Yes! Utah has many great swimming holes. If you are in the southern part of the state, you should visit Mill Creek in Moab. After a short hike, you’ll reach a waterfall with cold clear pools below. Mill Creek is a great way to cool off in the summer heat! If you are looking for something in the middle of the state, try Burriston Ponds in Mona. This swimming hole has two rope swings! Head to the high country and enjoy the cool alpine waters at Wall Lake. For a swimming hole experience that feels out of this world, go to the Homestead Crater in Midway. A natural geothermal pool is hiding inside a 55-foot crater, and you can swim, snorkel, or even scuba dive in the warm water.
What is the best wildflower hike in Utah?
Albion Meadows trail in Little Cottonwood Canyon is the perfect wildflower hike. This hike is 3.5 miles and gains 744 feet of elevation. For all of your hard work, you’ll be rewarded with stunning wildflower views in every direction. Albion Meadows is full of vibrant colors and buzzing with activity during the summer months.
What are the best beaches in Utah?
You probably don’t think of beaches when you think of the land-locked state of Utah, but we do have some beautiful waterfront spots to spread out a beach towel and soak up the sun. For example, Anderson Cove at Pineview Reservoir near Huntsville has a campground, day area, and sandy beach to play on. You’ll love the deep blue and green waters at Rendezvous Beach on Bear Lake. If you want to try catching your lunch, try fishing at Deer Creek State Park and then relax on the beach with your toes in the cool water.
