Utah might not be the first state on traveler’s bucket list, but it is home to some of the most stunning sites that the United States have to offer. It’s time to wake up to the wonder that is Utah, where you’ll find mountains, canyons, red rocky landscapes, and much more that is truly any hiker’s dream. Its vistas will stop you in your tracks, and you will truly wonder why you haven’t visited the state earlier. Luckily, it’s never to late to start, so grab your hiking boots and let’s get going.
Zion National Park
There’s a reason why so many people who love hiking can’t get enough of Utah: you’ll find five of the best known national parks of the country here. These include Zion, Arches, Capitol Reef, Bryce Canyon, and Canyonlands. While they’re all very well known, each one will provide you with a totally unique and enjoyable experience.
Zion National Park is home to the Zion Narrows where you will hike through sandstone walls and trek through the Virgin River. Meanwhile, Bryce Canyon is home to the iconic rock formations known as hoodoos, and as you might expect, Arches National Park is where you’ll find the arches that give the park its name.
Bryce Canyon Hoodoos
If big open canyons are what you’re looking for, look no further. You can visit Paria Canyon, Coyote Gulch, Buckskin Gulch, just to name a few. Daredevils can explore slot canyons that are made of winding and narrow pathways with unparalleled views that are worth the challenging trek.
There’s also the Mighty Five Challenge, which involves a trip that encompasses all of the five major national parks in one trip. It involves a huge range of hiking terrain, which means that it is not for beginners, but is definitely something to cross of the list for any seasoned hiker that loves a challenge.
Mighty Five Challenge
There are plenty of more state parks that will showcase the natural beauty of the state. Some of these include parks like Goblin Valley State Park, Valley of the Gods, and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, with each giving a glimpse of the famed red rock formations that make the state’s terrain so unique.
If you’re more into mountain hiking, you won’t be disappointed as there are plenty of heights to explore, particularly in the north part of the state where you’ll find the Wasatch Mountains. In the spring, visiting the Albion Basin in the Uinta Mountains is a must in order to take in the gorgeous wildflowers. Another highlight is found in the La Sal Mountains, where you can see the Delicate Arch.
Valley Of The Gods
Utah’s unique geological diversity is part of what makes it the perfect destination for nature lovers and people who enjoy hiking. Its terrain ranges from canyons and deserts to lush mountains and lakes, and everything in between.
Albion Basin
