Utah

Not many people visit this petroglyph site because of the steep access trail. From the Poison Spider parking lot, walk the trail that leads to the slab with an obvious dinosaur track highlighted when people put plaster in the track to make a mold. This, of course, is prohibited.  Work your way up...

From the trailhead, the trek starts off pretty step. You will reach a fork near the top of the plateau which starts the official loop. At the junction go left (counterclockwise). The trail offers wonderful views along the way. The loop will bring you on top of "chimney rock" for views over Hwy 24...

Located near the southern border of the state, Goosenecks State Park is a small slice of Grand Canyon views in Utah. The park overlooks the meanders of the San Juan River, and canyons that have eroded over the millennia. This park is great for anyone hoping to learn about geology, get far away fr...

This 4.5 out-and-back trail starts just south of the Natural History Museum at the University of Utah. Park in the museum parking lot and walk up the stairs to the Bonneville Shoreline Trail. Then head south along the BST for a few minutes until you reach a big yellow sign with 174 on it. Turn le...

Just four miles from the Mirror Lake Scenic Byway, this limited site campground is a great alternative to the larger, busier campgrounds at lower elevations. There are just 11 sites here, a few of which are first-come, first-serve. Amenities include picnic tables, campfire rings, vault toilets, d...

This is an intermediate to advanced hike. Scrambling up the ridge is more difficult but can be done by anyone with patience and a few maneuvering skills. It is best climbed in the summer months when the ridge is free of snow. However, it makes for a good winter climb for more technical experience...

About a mile before Snowbasin, is a parking lot with a map and trail marker. The first incline is steep and follows a single track trail that leads to the ponds. This trail is great year-round, but in the winter, you may have some stray backcountry snowboarders in the area. It's pretty quiet over...

Clayton Peak is approximately 1.5 miles from Guardsman Pass (3 miles round trip), and you'll gain about 1,600 feet of climbing.  There is parking on top of the pass, but it fills up quickly with hikers and mountain bikers during peak season as this serves as the trailhead for Bloods Lake, Jupiter...

The rock domes and slickrock around the campsites provide fun for young and old to scramble on, or simply enjoy the sunrise or sunset. Located just outside of the town of Moab Utah is the Sand Flats Recreation Area. The area is managed jointly by the Bureau of Land Management and Grand County Uta...

Drive to Hole in the Rock Road outside of Escalante UT. Drive SE down the all-dirt Hole in the Rock Road for 36 miles to a signed turn off on your left. The road can be sandy and bumpy from here, so consider the car you're using. Travel NE for 7 miles to the 40 Mile Ridge TH. From Here, follow a ...

This relatively easy trail is great for the whole family. There are multiple alternate trails branching off from this route, as well, so you can turn this into a much longer hike if you like. Start on the Hidden Pinyon Trail, which has a well-marked turn-off for Three Ponds Trail. The start of th...

Arriving to Big Springs Hollow is relatively easy.  Drive up Provo Canyon and turn right onto South Fork Rd at Vivian Park.  As you pass Vivian Park, you'll continue for 3 miles on South Fork Rd until you reach Big Springs Park.  Continue up to the Upper level parking and the trailhead will be in...

This hike is by far my favorite trail I've been on. To begin, you access Upper Muley Twist Canyon Road from the top of the Burr Trail Road switchbacks. Regular vehicles can be driven a little less than half a mile to the trailhead (adding about 3 miles to get to the trailhead, about 6 miles round...

From the USFS website:  "Mammoth Cave, at 8050 feet in elevation opens to one of the largest lava tubes in Utah with over 2200 feet of passages. Formed by cooling lava and flowing water, Mammoth Cave is part of the Markagunt Plateau. Geologists believe that some of this lava is only several thous...

Murphy Point, found in the Island In The Sky district of Canyonlands NP, takes hikers on a mesa that ends at an overlook with sweeping vistas over Murphy Basin, the White Rim, and Green River. If you're looking to get away from the tourists, then head to this quiet and often overlooked trail.The ...

The trail starts from the same trailhead as Donut Falls which is extremely popular. In the winter, the gates are closed and you need to park just off the highway. Follow the road and crowds along the trail but once you cross the bridge continue straight ahead instead of following the trail that c...