20 Best Hikes in Utah for Your Bucket List

Utah is a hiker’s heaven. From the famous Angel’s Landing that’s on every hiker’s bucket list to the hidden gems that even few locals know about, like Fantasy Canyon, Utah has some of the best hikes in the world. Many of these hikes are so easily accessible that even kids can do them. Some of them are dangerous and death-defying. But they all have one thing in common – incredible natural wonders. The variety on this list of the best hikes in Utah is awe-inspiring!

For this post, I’ve rounded up what I think are the top 10 best hikes in Utah for easier, kid-friendly trails and the top 10 best hikes in Utah for more difficult or adventurous trails. 20 total! For a more complete list, download our free printable Utah Bucket List. We’ve got hikes categorized by kid-friendly and more adventurous, plus grouped by northern Utah, southern Utah, and national parks.

Best Hikes in Utah

10 Best Hikes in Utah for Families & Kids

10. Donut Falls

Donut Falls in Utah is an easy, kid-friendly hike with one of the most unique waterfalls in Utah. The waterfall gets its name from the fact that the top of the waterfall actually descends into a cave through a donut-shaped hole before a second waterfall cascades down the mountain. The best part of the hike is actually getting up inside the cave to see the donut up close, so I highly recommend doing that, if you’re able.

While the hike up to the falls is fairly easy, this is the part of the hike I would say is not kid-friendly at all. It requires scrambling up some wet, slippery boulders to get to the top of the falls. Whether you want to see Donut Falls from the base or scramble up into the falls, either way it’s a great hike. Not to mention it’s some of the best hiking near Salt Lake City

Distance 3.3 miles. Difficulty – easy

9. Albion Basin / Cecret Lake

Albion Basin is located in Little Cottonwood Canyon and offers some of the best, most easily accessible and popular wildflower hikes in Utah. There are several ways to hike it, depending on whether you want to meander along the slopes of of Alta Ski Area through fields of endless wildflowers or hike up to the not-so-secret Cecret Lake. Albion Basin has a variety of colorful wildflowers from the vibrant reds of the Indian Paintbrush to the deep purples of the Mountain Larkspur, and it all makes for some amazing contrast against the green mountainsides. The best time to go see them is mid-July to early-August.

Albion Meadows Trail – 3.6 miles. Difficulty – moderate.

Cecret Lake Trail – 1.8 miles. Difficulty – easy.

8. Fantasy Canyon

Fantasy Canyon is an other-worldly area about 40 miles south of Vernal in northeastern Utah. If you’re heading to Dinosaur National Monument, it’s worth taking a quick side trip to check this place out. It’s an easy walking trail and it’s because it’s so far off the beaten path it’s unlikely you’ll see anyone else while you’re there. Let your kids imagination run wild battling rock creatures from an alien planet or just marvel at the bizarre sandstone formations that arise out of the clay surface.

Distance – 0.5 miles. Difficulty – easy.

7. Belly of the Dragon

Belly of the Dragon is a quick roadside attraction in Mt. Carmel Junction near Kanab on the east side of Zion National Park. It definitely makes for a unique photo opp, which is why it’s one of the top things to do in Kanab. Oddly enough, this peculiar cave is manmade. It was actually carved out as a drainage system under the highway. Erosion from the water over time has created a little sandy pathway down the middle of it. The parking lot is right next to the mouth of the cave, so you could just let your kids run around exploring the tunnel and playing in the sand, or you could hike through the tunnel for the full 1.8 mile trail. When you’re done, make sure to treat yourself to some homemade pie from Thunderbird Cafe.

6. Timpanogos Cave

Timpanogos Cave in American Fork Canyon is something that should be on every Utahn’s bucket list to visit at least once. The trail is a bit on the long and steep side for kids, but my 10-, 8-, and 5-year old handled the hike just fine. It’s about 1.5 miles to the top and took us just under an hour to complete with frequent breaks.

Once you reach the top, the only way into the cave is to take a one-hour guided tour from a park ranger. Tickets sell out months in advance, so you have to plan this one well ahead of time. Fun fact – Timpanogos Cave is the only National Monument within a 1-hour drive from Salt Lake City – you’ll have to drive another two or three hours for the next closest one. And because it’s a National Monument, kids can earn their Junior Ranger badges, which is a fun way to distract them during the hike.

Distance – 3.1 miles. Difficulty – moderately challenging.

5. Zion Canyon Overlook

Zion Canyon Overlook is somewhat of a hidden gem in Zion National Park because you can’t get there on the park’s shuttle system. If you want an alternative to Angel’s Landing, whether it’s because you didn’t get a permit, you want to avoid the crowds or it just plain scares you, look no further than Zion Canyon Overlook. It’s an easy/moderate 1-mile roundtrip hike that only takes about 30 minutes to complete. Whether or not you consider it kid-friendly depends on how accustomed your kids are to hiking. Many parts of the trail have guardrails in place, including a small area at the overlook itself. But there are some parts of the trail that could be dangerous if someone were to slip and fall, so exercise caution.

The payoff is an amazing vista, where you can see the switchbacks on the way to the Mt Carmel Tunnel, the Pine Creek stream, the East Temple cliff formation, Bridge Mountain, and an expansive view of Zion Canyon. Fun fact: you’ll be standing on top of the Great Arch (but unfortunately, you won’t be able to see it from the overlook). It’s one of the best views in Zion! 

Distance – 1 miles. Difficulty – moderate.

 

4. Sand Dune Arch

Sand Dune Arch is one of the best hikes at Arches National Park, especially if you’re going with kids. It’s a quick, flat walk through a sandy slot canyon until you come upon a hidden arch, but it makes you feel like you’ve been transported to Mars.This was our kid’s absolute favorite thing we did in the park. We stayed here for a couple hours sliding down the sandstone and rolling in the fine-grained sand paradise.

Distance – 0.3 miles. Difficulty – easy

Honorable mention – while you’re in Moab, consider checking out Mesa Arch in Canyonlands National Park. The arch itself isn’t all that impressive but what makes it cool is the way the sunrise peeks in between the arch and the cliffs below. You’ll have to fight off army of photographers and theier tripods to see it, but worth it if you want a shot like the one at the top of this page.

3. Peekaboo Canyon

There are two Peekaboo slot canyons in Utah. In this post, we are referring to Peekaboo Canyon near Kanab, not the one near Spooky Gulch in Grand Escalante. It’s a short, flat hike through the slot canyon but getting there requires 4WD and a bit of off-roading through deep sand. If you already drive a vehicle that has 4WD and high clearance, like a Jeep, 4Runner, Suburban, or truck, then you’re set! Just download the free Kanab Trails App and do a self-guided tour. The other option is take a guided tour, but they are very expensive for families. There are multiple options – UTV side-by-side, Hummer, or even military transport trucks. If you’re looking for the affordable option, check out our Peekaboo Canyon post on how to hike it without a guide!

Distance – 0.9 miles. Difficulty – easy

2. Navajo Loop

Navajo Loop in Bryce Canyon is one of the best hikes in Utah let alone the world, in my opinion. There’s just no other place quite like it. You start at the top of the natural amphitheater, hike down steep switchbacks. That part is relatively easy but still very cool. But in this case, what goes down must come back up. The way back up felt like a haul so we made a game to see which kid could obtain Thor’s hammer the fastest by racing up the switchbacks.

Distance – 1.5 miles. Difficulty – moderate.

1. Cinder Cone Trail

Have you ever wanted to hike a volcano? Maybe you saw some viral footage of the recent volcanic eruption in Iceland or you dream of going to Volcanoes National Park in Hawaii. But checking that volcano hike off your bucket list is easier and closer than you think! Look no further than the hidden gem that is the Cinder Cone Trail near the north entrance of Snow Canyon State Park. It’s actually one of the best easy hikes in St George.

Distance – 1.7 miles. Difficulty – moderate.

While you’re there, check out these other things to do in St. George Utah!

If you’ve got kids, these 10 hikes are a must for your Utah bucket list!

Where to stay in St. George to experience some of the best hikes in Utah

Springhill Suites St. George Washington – Located outside St. George, this hotel in Washington is the closest Marriott property to Sand Hollow State Park & Quail Creek State Park. If golfing among the red rocks, playing on the finest sandy beach in Utah, cliff jumping, or boating is on your Utah bucket list then this hotel is a must!

10 Best Hikes in Utah for the More Adventurous

10. Lake Catherine

Lake Catherine is one of the best Big Cottonwood hikes because if you’re up for it you can get three lakes in one hike – Lakes Mary, Martha, and Catherine. Fun fact: in the 1870s, Catherine Brighton named Lake Catherine after herself, Lake Mary after her infant daughter, and Lake Martha after a friend. This trail starts from the Brighton Resort parking lot and follows the ski slopes through fields of wildflowers until you arrive at Lake Mary. That might be as much as the younger kids can handle but is well worth the effort to get there. If you can manage a longer hike, we highly recommend going all the way to Lake Catherine but it’s 4.4 miles round trip. Alternatively, you could opt for the Catherine Pass Trail starting in Little Cottonwood Canyon.

Lake Mary – 4.4 miles. Difficulty – moderately challenging.

9. Cassidy Arch

Cassidy Arch in Capitol Reef National Park is named after the famous outlaw Butch Cassidy, whose childhood home is not too far from Capitol Reef near the town of Panguitch. There are thousands of arches in southern Utah but the unique thing about this one is that you can walk out across almost like a bridge, which makes for a memorable photo opp. And unlike the arches in Arches NP, you can hike this one in relative solitude as it’s still somewhat of a hidden gem.

Distance – 3.1 miles. Difficulty – moderately challenging.

8. Fifth Water Hot Springs

Fifth Water Hot Springs aka Diamond Fork Hot Springs is a natural hot spring located near Spanish Fork Canyon. The main draw for people is to swim in these uniquely colored hot springs, but you also hike past three scenic waterfalls on the way there. It’s a major Instagram hotspot thanks the picturesque blue & green pools, so it can get crowded. To avoid weekend crowds, try hiking early in the morning during the week. Winter is also a popular time to visit and soak in the natural hot springs but be prepared to add an extra 5 miles to the hike thanks to road closures.

Distance – 4.5 miles. Difficulty – moderately challenging.

7. Lower Calf Creek Falls

Lower Calf Creek Falls is one of the best ways to experience Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument and the Scenic Byway 12, one of the most scenic drives in the country. It’s considered one of the best hikes in Utah because it’s one of the few waterfalls in the region (not counting the flash flood waterfalls that show up momentarily during monsoon season). The hike is on the longer side, but you’ll enjoy meandering among sandstone cliffs, beaver ponds and ancient rock art on your way to see a soaring 130-feet waterfall. And after a long hike, you can cool off by taking a dip in the water below the falls.

Distance – 6.7 miles. Difficulty – easy/flat.

6. Stewart Falls

Stewart Falls is a two-tiered, 200-foot tall waterfall near Sundance Resort and is one of the most scenic waterfall hikes in Utah. The easiest way to get there is to drive up Provo Canyon, which means you can couple this hike with a quick visit to Bridal Veil Falls. No hiking required to see that one and it’s actually 3x taller than Stewart Falls. But part of the draw for Stewart Falls is hiking through a beautiful forest on the back side of Mount Timpanogos. The trail is open year round and some people even snowshoe to the frozen falls in the winter. But the optimal time to see it is late spring when the spring runoff is at its peak or in early October to see the fantastic foliage along the way.

Distance – 3.5 miles. Difficulty – moderate.

5. The Subway or The Narrows

The Subway and The Narrows are both popular slot canyons at Zion National Park. The Subway is a long distance hike that requires wading and at times swimming through cold water, as well as scrambling over boulders and waterfalls. It’s only for very experienced hikers and requires a permit. Doesn’t it sound like an adventure?! As an alternative, the Narrows (the bottom-up route) isn’t as intense. It’s also an out-and-back without any particular viewpoint or end destination, so you can simply hike as far up as you desire before turning back around.

Distance for The Subway – 9.5 miles. Difficulty – technical. Only travel with experienced canyoneers.

Distance for The Narrows – up to 8.9 miles. Difficulty – challenging.

4. Mt. Timpanogos

Hiking to the 11,749 foot summit of Mount Timpanogos is almost a rite of passage for outdoorsy Utah residents and easily one of the best hikes in Utah. There are two different starting points – the Timpooneke trailhead or the Aspen Grove trailhead. It takes people anywhere from 6-10 hours round trip. One of the most popular ways to hike it is to leave around 2am so you can reach the peak before sunrise. That obviously means hiking in the dark, so good equipment and hiking in groups is wise. Then on the way back down, you’ll see waterfalls, wildflowers, and wildlife – moose & mountain goat sightings are common. Besides being incredibly scenic, one of the reasons it’s so popular is that it is considered a feat of endurance much like running a marathon. But it’s well worth the pain to get that feeling of accomplishment and to witness something so majestic.

Distance – 13-14 miles. Difficulty – strenuous.

3. Wire Pass to Buckskin Gulch

Buckskin Gulch near Kanab has the honorable distinction of being the longest slot canyon in the United States, and some say even the world. The only problem is that it’s not an easy day hike. Because it’s 20 miles long and requires a permit, it’s more of a backpacking adventure. But there is an alternative and that is the Wire Pass Trail to Buckskin Gulch, which is a 5.6-mile alternative. The trail is an excellent easy hike and you’ll mostly be walking through soft sand and little elevation gain. Wire Pass to Buckskin Gulch is one of the best hikes in Utah because it’s the ultimate canyon country experience. At some points it’s only 10 feet wide and 200 feet deep!

Distance – 5.6 miles. Difficulty – easy/flat.

2. Angel’s Landing

Angel’s Landing is on virtually every hiker’s bucket list but it has become so popular that Zion began using a permit system in an effort to reduce crowds. Five million people visited Zion in 2021, many of them drawn by the allure of checking one of the most dangerous hikes in America off their bucket list. Angel’s Landing is famous for its steep drop offs on other side of you. There are handrails in place but don’t underestimate the danger – 14 people have died on this trail in the last twenty years. Once you reach the top, you’re rewarded with incredible views of the iconic red rocks cliffs and the valley below.

While you’re in Zion, make sure to check out some of the other best hikes in Southern Utah.

Distance – 4.4 miles. Difficulty – hard/steep. 

Where to stay near Zion to experience some of the best hikes in Utah

Springdale is the town nearest to the park entrance and there are many lodging options nearby, from campgrounds to hotels. The best hotel option is the SpringHill Suites in Springdale – a Marriott property.

1. Delicate Arch

Delicate Arch is one of the best hikes at Arches National Park and easily the most popular. It earns number one on this list because it’s an icon, a symbol of Utah itself. The downside is it can get crazy crowded. I’ve even seen scenes on Instagram lately of lines forming for photo ops. Avoid the Disneyland-ish crowds by going during the low season. But if you do visit during peak summer season, it’s best to go early in the morning during the summer and come prepared with plenty of water. Even though it has become incredibly popular it’s still a bucket list-worthy hike.

Distance – 3.2 miles. Difficulty – moderate.

Where to stay near Arches to experience some of the best hikes in Utah

Arches is an extremely popular place to visit, so hotels can be very expensive. Camping is always an option, but we’re not big campers. The hotels closest to Arches National Park are the Moab Springhill Suites & Fairfield Inn & Suites. The most affordable time to stay here (and avoid the crowds) is Nov-Feb when it’s less than $100/night. We loved the fun amenities (that both hotels share) like the splash pad, and the hot tub and pool with waterfalls. It was the perfect place to take a break from all the hiking and just relax. We stayed in late February and still got great pool weather.

Happy trails and thanks for reading!

–JJ 🤘🏻

Our family is on a mission to experience the best our home state of Utah has to offer and help other families find affordable, kid-friendly adventures in the process. You can follow us on Instagram @theminivanbucketlist or download our free printable Utah Bucket List for a list of the top hikes in the great state of Utah, both for kid-friendly and more adventurous hikes.