Travel Itinerary
Utah’s landscapes feel like they were designed for adventure. From red rock arches to sweeping river valleys, the state holds countless treasures.
Park rangers know the quieter trails and the best overlooks for sunset. Their recommendations highlight places where nature still feels wild and welcoming.
This list shares eighteen hikes, drives, and viewpoints that deserve a spot on your adventure plan.
1. Delicate Arch Trail (Arches National Park)
This three-mile hike leads to Utah’s most famous arch. The trail climbs steadily, crossing slickrock and open desert along the way.
Reaching the arch reveals a natural stone frame for the La Sal Mountains. Rangers often suggest evening visits, when the arch glows orange in fading light.
2. Devils Garden To Landscape Arch (Arches National Park)
The path winds past fins and spires of red sandstone. Landscape Arch stretches longer than a football field, delicate yet powerful.
Rangers favor this trail for its mix of iconic views and easy access. It offers drama without requiring a full-day trek.
3. Fiery Furnace Ranger-Led Hike (Arches National Park)
A maze of narrow sandstone canyons awaits inside the Fiery Furnace. Permits require joining a ranger-led hike for safety.
Guides share geology and history while leading visitors through twisting passages. The walk feels adventurous, with hidden arches and sudden views at every turn.
4. Mesa Arch (Canyonlands National Park Island In The Sky)
A short trail ends at a cliffside arch overlooking deep canyons. Sunrise paints the underside of the arch with fire-like color.
Rangers recommend arriving early for quiet moments. The arch frames the vast desert below, creating one of Utah’s most photographed scenes.
5. Grand View Point (Canyonlands National Park Island In The Sky)
The overlook shows canyons carved by the Colorado and Green Rivers. The view stretches across a rugged maze of buttes and cliffs.
A short rim trail adds new angles with little effort. Rangers often suggest late afternoon visits, when shadows deepen the dramatic landscape.
6. The Narrows (Zion National Park)
This famous hike follows the Virgin River through towering slot canyons. Visitors wade directly in the water, surrounded by sandstone walls.
Rangers highlight the Narrows for its immersive beauty. Light filters into the canyon, turning rock walls into glowing shades of red and gold.
7. Canyon Overlook Trail (Zion National Park)
The trail is less than a mile, but it packs huge views. From the overlook, cliffs drop into Zion Canyon below.
Wildflowers bloom along the path in spring. Rangers suggest this hike for families, since it balances adventure with accessibility.
8. Angels Landing (Zion National Park)
Chains bolted into rock guide hikers along a narrow ridge. The final climb challenges nerves but rewards with unmatched views.
Rangers caution that permits and preparation are essential. Standing at the summit brings a sweeping panorama of Zion’s soaring cliffs.
9. Queen’s Garden and Navajo Loop Combination (Bryce Canyon National Park)
This loop winds among Bryce’s iconic hoodoos. Paths weave between stone spires shaped like castles and towers.
Rangers recommend starting at sunrise, when golden light fills the amphitheater. The trail shows Bryce from both rim and canyon floor perspectives.
10. Sunset Point Rim Views (Bryce Canyon National Park)
Easily accessible, Sunset Point overlooks a vast forest of hoodoos. Colors shift from orange to purple as the day fades.
Rangers often guide visitors here for its mix of ease and grandeur. Evening light gives the formations a magical, otherworldly glow.
11. Hickman Bridge (Capitol Reef National Park)
A short hike leads to a massive natural bridge spanning 133 feet. The trail passes cottonwood trees and ancient rock layers.
Rangers point out Fremont culture petroglyphs nearby. The bridge stands as both a geologic wonder and a reminder of human history.
12. Goosenecks Overlook And Sunset Point (Capitol Reef National Park)
These overlooks show the Fremont River winding through layered cliffs. The views change dramatically with light and season.
Rangers often suggest Sunset Point for its glowing evening colors. The Goosenecks provide a quieter place to reflect on the park’s geology.
13. Dead Horse Point Overlook (Dead Horse Point State Park)
A sheer cliff drops into a sweeping bend of the Colorado River. The overlook offers one of Utah’s most iconic vistas.
Rangers note its dramatic sunsets, when the river glimmers below red rock walls. The view rivals the Grand Canyon on a smaller scale.
14. Valley Of Goblins Wandering Area (Goblin Valley State Park)
Strange sandstone hoodoos scatter across the valley floor. Their rounded shapes resemble goblins, inviting playful exploration.
Rangers encourage wandering freely through the formations. The whimsical landscape sparks imagination, especially for families with children.
15. Goosenecks State Park Overlook (San Juan River)
From this high perch, the San Juan River winds through sharp meanders. The bends resemble coiled ribbon stretching into desert distance.
Rangers suggest sunset, when shadows highlight the curves. The overlook captures the river’s patient carving of canyon walls over millions of years.
16. Buffalo Point Viewpoint (Antelope Island State Park)
This high point looks over the Great Salt Lake. Reflections of sky and mountain shimmer on the vast water surface.
Rangers praise the wildlife encounters along the way. Bison often graze near the trail, linking the view with living history.
17. Scenic Byway 12 All-American Road (Bryce To Capitol Reef Corridor)
This highway climbs over mesas, dips through canyons, and crosses alpine forests. Each bend reveals new layers of Utah’s landscapes.
Rangers call it one of America’s most scenic drives. The journey feels like a condensed tour of the state’s natural diversity.
18. Scenic Byway 128 Upper Colorado River Scenic Byway (Moab)
This drive follows the Colorado River between towering red cliffs. Afternoon light turns the canyon walls into glowing red stone.
Rangers recommend stopping at pullouts for river views and trails. The road offers a peaceful approach to Moab’s adventure-filled surroundings.