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
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Moab, Utah
Explore Faux Falls
1 mi / 200 ft gainFaux Falls is located near the Ken's Lake campground off Route 191, 20 minutes south of Moab. When I was there it was during several days of thunderstorms. The waterfall was really gushing. Not sure how much water is running when there hasn't been rain in a while. The falls can be seen from the ...Read more -
Mexican Hat, Utah
Camp in the Valley of the Gods
5.0The dirt road loop is relatively smooth and can be driven on by just about any car, campervan, or RV. However, check the weather beforehand because some areas can become flooded after rain and will be a difficult mud crossing. It can be driven in either direction. One entrance is off Highway 163,...Read more -
Green River, Utah
Hike to Goblin's Lair and Carmel Canyon
4.53.18 mi / 433 ft gainThis beautiful, isolated hike also makes for a flexible route – very few places in Goblin Valley are off limits, allowing you to customize the adventure as much as you please. The hike begins on a rapidly descending trail, heading into the heart of Goblin Valley State Park. After a quarter mile ...Read more -
Alpine, Utah
Day Hike to South Thunder Mountain
12.2 mi / 5604 ft gainThe summit of South Thunder Mountain, sitting at 11,154 ft, is a superb peak. Located on the Alpine Ridge of the Wasatch Mountains, this peak is criminally overlooked.The Schoolhouse Springs trailhead leads you onto an old dirt road, that switchbacks for about 2 miles through the foothills, befor...Read more -
Kane County, Utah
Backpack to Rainbow Bridge
5.017 mi / 2800 ft gainThis incredible trip isn't only about Rainbow Bridge. Honestly, the Bridge is just icing on the cake.The scenery is breathtaking along the way, changing and evolving as you pass through epic canyons and climb over rocky ledges to be rewarded with spanning vistas. It really is amazing. There's eve...Read more -
Kane County, Utah
Hike to Broken Bow Arch
4.76.28 mi / 732 ft gainThe trailhead starts at the Willow Gulch Trailhead, located just off of Hole in the Rock Road in the Grand Staircase -Escalante National Monument. The coordinates for the trailhead are 37.324812,-111.023019. To get there head east on highway 12 out of Escalante, Utah until you get to Hole in the ...Read more -
Moab, Utah
Window Arch Loop
5.01.14 mi / 62 ft gainTo get to the trailhead: After entering the park, keep driving along the main road until you see signs for The Windows Area (just past the Balanced Rock and a little over 9 miles from the Visitor Center). Follow this road until it ends in a parking lot and you see the arches to your right. The ...Read more -
Bryce Canyon City, Utah
Tower Bridge via Fairyland Loop
4.03.56 mi / 935 ft gainGetting there is half the fun on this hike below the canyon rim. While there are fewer hoodoos in this area of the park, the scenery is still incredible and the crowds are much lighter. Starting at Sunrise Point, the trail boasts big views immediately. During the first mile you can look out a...Read more -
New Harmony, Utah
Middle Fork Taylor Creek in Kolob Canyon
4.04.86 mi / 889 ft gainThe Taylor Creek trailhead sits in the little-explored part of Zion National Park known as Kolob Canyon just south of Cedar City. The trail starts at around 6,000 feet and then drops a little lower in to the canyon and runs along Taylor Creek. With 450 feet of elevation change along the five-mile...Read more -
Moab, Utah
Camping at Granstaff Campground
5.0Granstaff Campground has 17 campsites available, which are first come, first served. The sites are $15 a night per vehicle. The campground is a little limited and doesn't have running water, so bring your filter or head into town and pick up supplies.During the day, you can easily make your way t...Read more -
Centerville, Utah
Hike to the Parrish Creek Pictographs
4.71 mi / 200 ft gainThe petroglyphs are pretty easy to find and it is such a short hike you can do it in about 45 minutes. To get to the trailhead, drive to Centerville, Utah and take 400 N all the way towards the mountain. The road with curve to the right with a small dirt road heading to the left. Take the dirt ro...Read more -
Torrey, Utah
Photograph Cathedral Valley
5.0First let me preface that a high clearance vehicle is needed for this adventure. Provided that, prepare for a journey into some very remote and beautiful desert in the middle of Capitol Reef National Park.In total the scenic loop is 57 miles of washboard riddled roads that lead to the spectacular...Read more -
Duck Creek Village, Utah
Hike The Narrows: Top Down
5.015.38 miTHE NARROWS This by far one of the most scenic and awesome hikes available in any National Park. There is no place in Zion National Park more sublime in its beauty and awe inspiring in its creation as you hike through the crystal clear Virgin River and marvel at the myriad of red, orange, yellow...Read more -
Monticello, Utah
Hiking Druid Arch
5.010.28 mi / 1594 ft gainImportant Note: Druid Arch is located on the eastern side of Canyonlands National Park in the Needles District. It is not located at the main entrance to the park. Stop by the Needles Visitor Center and pick up a map. Your starting point, Elephant Hill Trailhead is then located 6.3 miles west of ...Read more -
Moab, Utah
Hike the West and East Rim Loop at Dead Horse Point
5.04.98 mi / 928 ft gainThis is a 5.5 mile loop, if you opt out of the several in/outs to various lookout points, which extend the hike to about 10 miles -- do not opt out! These lookout points get better and better. However, you can skip the only modest part of the trail, where the West and East rims of the trail meet...Read more -
Ogden, Utah
Malans Peak
5.04.3 mi / 2129 ft gainYou can reach this trail either via 27th Street or 29th Street in Ogden, Utah. Get on one of those roads and then head east until you reach the mountain. On 27th St. there is some parking on the road with a sign reminding people to keep their dogs on leash. On 29th St. there is a large parking lo...Read more