25 Must-Do Hikes in Southern Utah

Explore Utah's red rock adventure playground

By: The Outbound Collective + Save to a List

Ahh, the Utah desert. Giant walls of red rock, ancient sandstone formations, the open road, and lots of sunshine. If you’ve ever visited Southern Utah in the summer, you know that that sunshine can be a little over enthusiastic, i.e. it’s friggin’ hot! Well, a wise man once said, “Explore Southern Utah in the fall. It’s cooler.” He was right. And not only is it cooler, but the summer crowds won’t be in full force so you may just find yourself hiking in solitude. Then there's the off-season hotel prices. Still not convinced? Check out these beautiful photos of some of Southern Utah’s best hikes and we’re sure you’ll be packing up and heading to the desert ASAP.

1. Hike to Lower Calf Creek Falls


Photo: Thomas Burton

2. Hike to Mesa Arch


Photo: Chase Dekker

3. Hike to the Golden Cathedral


Photo: Thomas Burton

4. Hike to Cassidy Arch


Photo: Nick Oman

5. Hike Navajo Loop and Queens Garden Trail


Photo: Rebecca Jones

6. Hike through the Paria Canyon


Photo: Brandon Silver

7. Hike the Narrows, Zion NP


Photo: Jason Hatfield

8. Hike the Red Cliffs Recreation Nature Trail


Photo: Thomas Burton

9. Short Hike to Double Arch


Photo: Scott Kranz

10. Hike in Horseshoe Canyon, Canyonlands NP


Photo: Gemina Garland-Lewis

11. Hike to Broken Bow Arch


Photo: Ryan Vermillion

12. Hike Wall Street in Bryce Canyon


Photo: Ryan Vermilion

13. Hike to Goblin’s Lair and Carmel Canyon


Photo: Katie Lyons

14. Hike Little Wild Horse Canyon and Bell Canyon Loop


Photo: Aaron Roth

15. Hike the West and East Rim Loop at Dead Horse Point


Photo: Jennell McHugh

16. Hike the Loop Trail at Natural Bridges National Monument


Photo: Gemina Garland-Lewis

17. Hike Bryce Canyon’s Riggs Spring Loop


Photo: Jason Shepherd

18. Hike the Zion Subway, Bottom-Up


Photo: Lindsay Daniels

19. Hike Angel’s Landing at Night


Photo: Derrick Lytle

20. Hike Observation Point


Photo: Idle Theory Bus

21. Hike Negro Bill Canyon


Photo: Tyler McFall

22. Hike to Navajo Arch


Photo: Lee Cuellar

23. Hike Druid Arch


Photo: Scott Nichols

24. Hike Capitol Reef’s Sulphur Creek


Photo: Thomas Burton

25. Hike to the Timber Creek Overlook in Kolob Canyon


Photo: Derrick Lytle

Find more Utah adventures at Utah.com

Cover photo: Chase Dekker

We want to acknowledge and thank the past, present, and future generations of all Native Nations and Indigenous Peoples whose ancestral lands we travel, explore, and play on. Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

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