Stephanie and I will spend roughly two weeks hiking and camping in Utah in the Southwest. We plan to focus on southern Utah and environs, roughly in the area that includes:
- San Rafael Swell
- Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park
- Natural Bridges National Monument
- Capitol Reef National Park
- Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument
- Bryce Canyon National Park
- Zion National Park
- North Rim Grand Canyon
- Kanab, Utah area
We Will Be Day-Hiking
We’re not bringing backpacking equipment, just our day-hiking stuff and camping gear. We are also looking for definite trails, not cross-country routes, although a little cross-country hiking is fine.
We Need Your Hiking Suggestions!
Share your favorite day hikes in this region of the Southwest, up to 10 miles or so in length, no technical climbing. Also include cool spots for open camping or places we shouldn’t miss. Thanks!
When you get near Bryce and Escalante, a great hike is to drive to Grosvenor Arch, park at the parking lot, and circumnavigate the arches by following the game trails. Eat lunch at the top. The views are magnificent. It’s a little more than a mile, but takes awhile. Give yourself at least two hours.
I once drove right by the turn-off for Grosvenor Arch while driving the whole length of the dirt road that connects 89 with 12. This is going on the list!
I have been to all of those places for multitudes of day hikes. Mostly I remember feeling thrilled no matter where I went. I had mentioned to Stephanie about the remote Canyonlands hike up Horshoe Canyon to the Great Gallery, which has been called the greatest panel of petroglyphs in the world (actually I think they are pictographs) . The road to the parking area to start the hike may have improved since I went there fifteen years ago? It used to be fifty miles of washboard in those days. If it has improved, it may be an adventure worth having. The hike may be about three miles one way up the main wash, but do check an accurate guidebook Also, I think that one may be able to get near to “Maze” from the back roads near there too (Inot sure though). I have heard great reports about the Maze, and I would like to go there some day. In any case, you will have a fantastic trip!
Mary, thanks for sharing this. I’ve also read about the Maze. Ed Abbey has a really good essay about how he and a friend entered by rope and then explored territory that he felt had not been visited by anyone. It’s in Desert Solitaire.
Sounds like you both are going to have a great time!! I would love to spend two weeks doing this!
John & Stephanie,
I’m sure you have done most of these around Moab, but here goes anyway:
Negro Bill Canyon – oasis riparian corridor with soaring red canyon walls and odd geological formations, including Morning Glory Natural Bridge – 243 feet long and the sixth-longest natural rock span in the United States. (2 miles one way)
On Utah Scenic Byway 128, three miles east of junction with U.S. 191.
Mill Creek Canyon – another perennial water scene in a beautiful canyon, loaded with gorgeous cascades and pools (opening shot of blog link below is from Mill Creek), plus an alcove at the end with some pictographs.
From downtown Moab, head east on center street, turn right on 400 E, then left on Mill Creek Dr. Make sure to go right when Mill Creek Dr. turns right and the Sand Flats Rd. goes straight. Finally, left on Powerhouse Lane until it ends at a dirt pullout and parking area.
Professor Valley / Fisher Towers Trail – a stunning place for a lovely stroll through desert riparian environment with beautiful Southwest iconic scenery all around! Fishers Tower is a beautiful, more rugged trail (no water) of fantastically shaped sandstone towers and whimsical formations (2.2 miles one way)
Off Utah Scenic Byway 128. At 21 miles east of the Utah 128/US 191 junction, turn right and go 2.2 miles on an improved dirt road to a parking lot.
Hunter Canyon – another beautiful canyon cool streamside hike – large arch is seen high on right side of canyon about ½ mile into the hike. (2 miles one way)
On Kane Creek Canyon Road 7.5 miles west of its intersection with U.S. 191 (Canyon is on the left, one mile beyond the switchbacks).
Arches National Park – of course! – I especially enjoy the Fiery Furnace area. Easy to find, on the way into Moab town coming from Green River.
La Sal Mountain Loop Road – a great drive through stunning range of desert to high alpine scenery, taking in Mt. Tukuhnikivatz at nearly 12,500 ft above the desert floor.
Wow! Thanks for sharing all these great hikes. I’ll copy what you’ve written, and I’ll check ’em out online.
Mary’s right, too, about the Great Gallery! It’s well worth the drive and hike in. You can even do the Blue John Canyon to see where Aaron Ralston (infamously) got stuck and had to self-amputate his arm.
Hi
Go to Snow Canyon State park west of St. George – it is a WONDERFUL place to hike – one of my all time favorites.
I also like Brian’s Head – looks like Bryce only no crowds
Thanks Kathi. I’ve been both places, and Brian’s Head/Cedar Breaks is on the potential list. It is very beautiful there.
Hi John. One of my all-time favorite hikes is The Narrows in Zion Canyon, Zion National Park. This hike has a reputation for being one of the best in the country, for good reason. The scenery, the environment, the trail (or lack thereof) are all unique and awe inspiring. You are actually hiking in the Virgin River. Steep sandstone cliffs rise a thousand feet or more on both sides of the river. The colors in the rock are stimulating. As the limited light strikes the river and the sandstone, glows can range from hues of gold and copper, to pink, orange and red. The vegetation that clings to the rock walls and stands sturdy against the rushing torrent of flash floods is a brilliant shade of green. The only sounds you hear are the rush of the river and the beat of your own heart.
Hey Jeff! Thanks for pointing this out, and you have a great description of the Zion Narrows there. I’ve done the first three miles or so a couple of different times, but if we go this year I may do the whole thing = get dropped off at the upstream end of the canyon and then walk down to the main road in the valley of Zion National Park.
I wrote a blog post about some southern Utah hikes in October. These hikes will work well in May, too. — Nate
http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/blogshiking/50563195-150/utah-canyon-mile-trail.html.csp
Thanks Nate. You’ve got some good ones listed there.
Thanks for the list! I really like the photo that came with the post, too. Loving that waterfall very much. 🙂
I ran the Calf Creek Falls trail and found it outstanding. I think this is one of most beautiful places in Utah. I later took my wife and 2 boys on a hike to the falls. The kids got tired before we made it to the falls.
The hike on the rim at Bryce Canyon National Park is awesome too. I have done several trail runs down inside the “canyon”. This is where the magic is.
John, the hike that I really enjoyed at Bryce Canyon was the Fairyland Canyon trail. You are deep down in the hoodoos on this hike. Most of my hiking at Bryce has been trail running. I have 2 young boys that don’t enjoy 10-15 mile hikes. I get up early and run while everyone is sleeping.
Bryce has plenty of short trails down into the bottom that can be accessed via the rim trail. My and kids did short hikes with me from the rim trail.
Thanks for the info Mark. I may be returning to southern Utah either this fall or next spring.