The Best Hiking Trails in Southern Utah’s National Parks
With its fiery red canyons, blue open skies, and gravity-defying rocks, Southern Utah makes you feel like you've set foot on another planet. This slice of the American Southwest is a mecca for hikers, photographers, and outdoor enthusiasts who want to explore its many surreal national parks, known collectively as The Mighty 5. Whether you're a seasoned trekker or a nature lover looking for awe-inspiring scenery, here's more information about iconic Southern Utah hiking trails that will linger in your mind long after you've dusted off your boots.
The Best Places to Hike in Southern Utah's National Parks
The Narrows & Angels Landing
Zion National Park became the state's first national park in 1919 for a reason, and is today known for some of the most well-known Utah hikes. The Narrows, a gorge with walls a thousand feet tall, is one of the park's most famous trails. It takes hikers through a winding canyon, which can be viewed from the nearby paved Riverside Walk or followed in the ankle- to waist-deep waters of the Virgin River. With its towering sandstone cliffs and vibrant desert greenery, the path is both tranquil and exciting.
Extreme photographers and more experienced hikers dream of Angels Landing. The trail climbs 1,500 feet over a 5.4-mile round trip, following a narrow stone ledge with dizzying drops beyond a chain railing to reach an elevation of 5,790 feet. At the peak, you’ll see why early hikers said only angels could land there1.
Navajo Loop & Queen's Garden Trails
One hour east, Bryce Canyon National Park offers a different kind of glamour. It's famous for its thin rock pillars, known as hoodoos, which glow red, orange, and pink with the shifting sun. One of the most stunning Utah hikes in the park is the Navajo Loop Trail, which is often combined with Queen’s Garden Trail to total a 3-mile trek. This moderate-difficulty route gives hikers the chance to wander among large hoodoo formations on both sides of the path, delivering views that feel otherworldly.
Delicate Arch & The Windows Section Trails
Just outside of Moab is Arches National Park, home to over 2,000 natural sandstone arches that make it one of the most iconic landscapes in the Southwest. The star of the show is the Delicate Arch, which is featured on everything from postcards to the Utah license plate. Follow a moderately difficult, 3-mile trip to reach it. The uphill climb is worth the effort when you can finally witness the iconic state symbol and largest free-standing arch in the park.
The Windows Section is shorter and easier, making it perfect for families. It contains a large concentration of arches and panoramic desert views that are only a short walk from the parking lot. Look for the North Window, South Window, and Turret Arch to enjoy some of the park's most photogenic landscapes at sunset.
Mesa Arch Trail, Chesler Park Loop & The Maze
Utah's wild spirit comes alive in Canyonlands National Park, a 30-minute drive away. Spread across 527 square miles of untamed red rock terrain, this park was carved by the Colorado and Green Rivers over a millennium. It's now divided into four districts, each offering a variety of remote stretches and moderate-difficulty hikes. The classic and most family-friendly option is the Mesa Arch Trail, an easy 0.5-mile loop that leads to one of the park's most well-known landmarks: an arch that’s illuminated at sunrise.
If you're looking for fewer crowds and more adventure, head to The Needles District for moderate-to-difficult trails. Those with a four-wheel-drive car will love the Chesler Park Loop, a 5.4-mile route winding through narrow rock corridors, grassy meadows, and slick rock stairs with views worthy of another planet. The wildest and most daring option for experienced backcountry travelers is The Maze, a place so remote and rugged that it's described as one of the most inaccessible areas in the country.
Cohab Canyon & Hickman Bridge Trails
Rounding out the Mighty 5 is Capitol Reef National Park, which stretches along the Waterpocket Fold's many cliffs, canyons, and natural bridges. This hidden gem is often less crowded than its neighbors but is equally as stunning. The park's name comes from its white stone domes that resemble the U.S. Capitol and rocky ridges that early explorers called reefs. The park also has orchards you can pick from during harvest season in June through October, making it a peaceful stop for photographers and travelers coming in with children.
For a moderate challenge, head to the Cohab Canyon Trail for stunning views and colorful canyons near Fruita, the historic district home to fruit orchards from the 1800s. Just over 3 miles round-trip, this trail provides panoramic views of the historic town and the valley below. If you're looking for an option for the whole family that still provides a wow moment, try Hickman Bridge Trail, a 2-mile round-trip hike that leads to a massive natural stone arch with ancient petroglyphs from Fremont and Ancestral Puebloan people along the way2.
What to Do After Hiking Utah National Parks
After days of hiking through Zion's red cliffs, Bryce's whimsical hoodoos, Arches's gravity-defying bridges, Canyonlands's untamed wilderness, and Capitol Reef’s ancient petroglyphs, your body deserves a break at Zion Canyon Hot Springs. With mineral-rich waters set at 90 degrees, the soak is comfortably cooler than the body's natural temperature, making it refreshing even in the summer heat.
These geothermal pools are rich in minerals known to help ease sore muscles, reduce inflammation, and boost circulation, like magnesium and sulfate. Soaking in the warm, mineral-rich water while surrounded by desert peaks and sunset skies offers a peaceful, meditative contrast to your action-packed Utah hiking trip, the kind of recovery that feels as soothing to your mind as it does to your body.
Treat yourself to this tranquil desert ritual and end your adventure with intention, fully reconnecting with yourself and absorbing the magic of the landscape. Because after all the miles, climbs, and views when hiking Utah national parks, the most unforgettable moment might just be the one when you finally relax.
Sources
- U.S. Department of the Interior. Angels Landing Permits & Hiking. National Park Service. Retrieved July 19, 2025, from https://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/angels-landing-hiking-permits.htm
- Utah Office of Tourism. Capitol Reef Petroglyphs. Visit Utah. Retrieved July 22, 2025, from https://www.visitutah.com/places-to-go/parks-outdoors/capitol-reef/capitol-reef-petroglyphs
