Utah

From its expanses of iconic desert playgrounds to its towering Wasatch Range, Utah is home to every type of outdoor adventure you can imagine. Locals and visitors alike are spoiled with convenient access to world-class winter and summer time activities and lodging.

Top Spots in and near Utah

  • Tropic, Utah

    Under the Rim Trail to Swamp Canyon Camp

    5.0
    23.79 mi / 5794 ft gain
    This trail is just about the only way I would see Bryce Canyon. When we initially drove in it was like we were at Disneyland, with crowds of people everywhere. We soon discovered, however, that very few people enter Bryce Canyon's backcountry. We chose to visit Bryce in July due to it's higher el...
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  • Salt Lake City, Utah

    Camp at Willow Lake

    4.6
    2.41 mi / 659 ft gain
    The trailhead to Willow Lake is about 11 miles up Big Cottonwood Canyon and is on the north side of the road right after the passing lane begins. It can be easy to miss, and is only marked with a plaque on a rock (40.630302, -111.604639). As you hike a little in from the road you will see the tra...
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  • Hurricane, Utah

    Red Cliffs Recreation Nature Trail

    4.4
    1.39 mi / 266 ft gain
    Hike along streams that run through red sandstone - the blue water makes a fun contrast against the red rocks and sand. To get to the trailhead, drive to the Red Cliffs Campground about 20 minutes north of St. George. There is a small fee to park or camp at the campground. This trail starts in ...
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  • Moab, Utah

    Power Dam

    3.3
    2.19 mi / 505 ft gain
    This is a great little swimming hole spot in Moab. A lot of locals will call it The Power Dam. It's just a short easy 1.5-mile hike up the canyon to a natural swimming pool where you can swim and hang out. This is a perfect little spot to check out in Moab while visiting the great national parks....
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  • Nephi, Utah

    Burraston Ponds

    3.3
    Pulling into Mona Reservoir and Burraston Ponds you will see some trees to hang up a hammock and have a relaxing afternoon and evening. The bonus is that there's an awesome Mona Rope Swing, which makes this a great place to cool off during summer. Make sure to look up at night because the milky ...
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  • Hurricane, Utah

    Watchman Trail

    4.6
    3.2 mi / 863 ft gain
    The Watchman is one of the last parts of Zion to be illuminated in sunlight at the end of the day. If you're finishing up your adventure filled day with a sunset hike or if you're looking for a warm-up hike which also happens to be a Zion classic, then The Watchman Trail is perfect. With only abo...
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  • Salt Lake City, Utah

    Hike the Mineral Fork Trail

    4.0
    9.3 mi / 3500 ft gain
    The trailhead begins along Big Cottonwood Canyon Road, with a relatively small parking lot at the trailhead. Starting early in the day is advised, as on nice summer days it will fill up quickly. The trail has a steady ascent for the first 2 miles starting around 6700' through aspen forests and cr...
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  • Salt Lake County, Utah

    Willow Lake

    4.5
    2.41 mi / 659 ft gain
    The Trail: Follow the marked trail and you'll hike less than a mile up to the edge of Willow Lake. Moose like to hang out in the thick willows there, so make lots of noise to warn them that you're coming and you won't startle any. Standing on the shoreline, you'll have a great view of Solitude ...
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  • Grand County, Utah

    Fiery Furnace Loop

    4.6
    1.53 mi / 328 ft gain
    Arches National Park is an incredible place with a variety of places to explore. One of the great places to explore is the Fiery Furnace. The Fiery Furnace requires a permit, which can be obtained at the Visitor Center after watching a short video. For the most part, they are making sure you are ...
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  • Grand County, Utah

    Delicate Arch

    4.8
    3.18 mi / 554 ft gain
    I headed out to the trailhead because I really wanted to shoot the super moon with the Delicate Arch. It was absolutely fantastic, especially during such a full moon. Everything was bathed in a soft glow, it was like I was on another planet actually. It was amazing to sit in silence and to try to...
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  • Payson, Utah

    Grotto Falls

    4.0
    0.54 mi / 144 ft gain
    Heading in the canyon you will drive along a winding road for a while until you pass through a gate (Closed during Winter, this is where you will need to pull over and continue down the road on foot) about a mile up you will see a trailhead on the left called "Bennie Creek" and right after you wi...
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  • Kanab, Utah

    Buckskin Gulch: Wire Pass to Buckskin Gulch Overlook

    4.6
    5.67 mi / 358 ft gain
    Buckskin Gulch is a natural wonder. At 15 miles long for the canyon it is the longest slot canyon in the world. It sometimes is as narrow as 2ft. Because of the nature of this canyon and Utah topography this canyon is subject to deadly flash flood if it rains anywhere along the headwaters. Be sur...
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  • Orderville, Utah

    Kanab's Peek-a-Boo Canyon

    4.8
    7.71 mi / 587 ft gain
    The trailhead is Red Canyon (aka Peek-a-boo) trailhead located just off of Highway 89 between Kanab and Mt. Carmel Junction. The GPX track shows the entirety of the trail, but if you have 4WD and a high-clearance vehicle, you're able to reach the closer parking area for a less than 1-mile roundtr...
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  • Provo, Utah

    Mount Timpanogos via Timpanogos Trail #053

    4.8
    15.72 mi / 4970 ft gain
    The Timpooneke trailhead is located in American Fork Canyon, next to the Timpooneke Campground. There is a $6 fee to enter the canyon, unless you have a National Park Pass with which you get in free. On the weekends, it may be difficult to find parking at the Timpooneke Campground, so arrive earl...
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  • Kanab, Utah

    Sand Caves of Kanab

    4.5
    1.17 mi / 69 ft gain
    To get to this cave, drive north of Kanab on Highway 89. Just after you pass Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, you will see these caves on the right. To hike to the caves, try accessing the trail from as far to the left as possible. The hike isn't strenuous or tricky in that case. The other thing t...
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  • Millard County, Utah

    Meadow Hot Springs

    3.8
    These hot springs are located on private property but the owner allows anyone to come and take a dip. You can camp overnight and also have fires in the several pits near the pools. He just asks all the visitors to keep it cleaner than they found it and Leave No Trace of course. There are 3 differ...
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