Top 10 hiking trails in Utah national parks

If you have not visited any Utah
national parks yet, go to Zion National Park first. It
is the state’s oldest, most visited, most accessible to major freeways and, in
my opinion, the most beautiful. Zion contains four of my 10 favorite trails in Utah National Parks. Below is a
rundown of the top ten hiking trails in Utah
national parks, according to Ranger Reub:

10. Peek-a-boo Loop in Bryce Canyon NP

This
trail is also a horse trail and not for those that are trying to get away from
crowds, but offers views of famous sites such as Thor’s Hammer and Wall Street.
Hikers can access the trail from Sunrise Point via the Queens Garden Trail or
at Sunset Point via the Navajo Loop Trail, or at Bryce Point,
which is one of the most spectacular views in the park.

9. Hickman Bridge in Capitol Reef NP

A
moderate trail offering views of the spectacular Hickman Bridge,
one of the park’s signature natural landmarks.

8. Fairyland Loop in Bryce Canyon NP

This
is a fairly moderate trail that leads the traveler through some of the
backcountry of the park. It offers great views of some of the
“hoodos” and includes one natural arch. It is a good one to do if you
want to get away from the crowds, as the trailhead is even before the entrance
station and not as popular as the area between Sunrise and Sunset Points.

7. Hidden Canyon in Zion National Park

Strenuous
at first with its many switchbacks, this relatively short trail is rewarding at
the top with its spectacular views of <st1:place><st1:placename>Zion</st1:placename> <st1:placetype>Canyon</st1:placetype></st1:place>.
It arrives at a few different “hidden” canyons that include some
small arches and great free climbing opportunities. The hike starts at the same
trailhead as Weeping Rock. This trail is not for those that are afraid of
heights.

6. Devil's Garden in Arches NP

A
moderate, relatively short hike, Devil’s Garden gives an up-close view of the
largest concentration of natural arches in the park, including Wall Arch, Double-O Arch and Landscape Arch, the longest-spanning arch in the park. For a good photograph, get on top of Double-O
Arch. In the picture it will look like it is impossible to climb up to the top,
but it is really very easy.

5. Fiery Furnace in Arches National Park

This
hike is a moderate walk through a spectacular set of narrow canyons and smaller
arches, including three arches together that look like a skull. Currently, you
must obtain a hiking permit at the visitor’s center to hike the trail. It is
better to go with someone who has hiked the trail before or take one of the
guided tours offered by a park ranger because it is fairly easy to get lost. My
dad was a park ranger in Arches in the mid-60s and 20 years later when we went
there as a family he could not find his way around. If you cannot get a tour
and no one in your group has been there before, take the trail to your left at
the trailhead and it will be a little easier to find your way around.

4. Joint Trail in Canyonlands NP

The
Joint Trail is only for hikers with a lot of endurance. This near 18-mile round
trip trail leads the hiker from Squaw Flat campground in the Needles Section
through the area known as <st1:place><st1:placename>Chestler</st1:placename>
<st1:placetype>Park</st1:placetype></st1:place> to the Joint Trail,
a narrow, entertaining maze-like canyon that the Park Service describes as
“sandstone fractures.” The shortest route of the trail begins at the
Elephant Hill parking lot. If you are feeling very adventurous, you can also
visit Druid Arch. You do not have to hike the trail all in one day. You can
also camp in one of the five established campsites along the way.

3. West Rim Trail in Zion National Park

West
Rim is a little less strenuous than the first two, but also covers about 14
miles. This trail takes the hiker right in the middle of the <st1:city><st1:place>Zion</st1:place></st1:city> backcountry. It passes through Scout’s
Lookout just before descending into <st1:place><st1:placename>Zion</st1:placename>
<st1:placetype>Canyon</st1:placetype></st1:place>, so if you still
have the energy, you can make the ascent to Angel’s Landing. I suggest having
someone drop you off at Lava Point on the <st1:street><st1:address>Kolob Terrace Road</st1:address></st1:street> and then leaving a car
in <st1:city>Springdale</st1:city> or in the <st1:place><st1:placename>Zion</st1:placename> <st1:placetype>Canyon</st1:placetype>
<st1:placename>Visitor</st1:placename> <st1:placetype>Center</st1:placetype></st1:place>
parking lot so you will have transportation after your shuttle ride from the
Grotto Picnic Area.

2. Kolob Arch in Zion National Park:

This
strenuous, 14-mile hike requires a full day, but also makes a great
overnighter. The hike offers a view of Kolob Arch, one of the largest-spanning
natural arches in the world at 310 feet. Hikers can approach the route two
ways: either from the trailhead in the Kolob Canyons section, located just off
I-15 near the town of <st1:city>New Harmony</st1:city>, or from the <st1:placename>Hop</st1:placename> <st1:placetype>Valley</st1:placetype>
trailhead, which is along the <st1:street><st1:address>Kolob
Terrace Road</st1:address></st1:street> originating from the town of <st1:city><st1:place>Virgin</st1:place></st1:city>. I suggest leaving
a car at the trailhead in the Kolob Canyons section, and starting from the Hop
Valley Trailhead. This way you will be able to see the beauty of <st1:place><st1:placename>Hop</st1:placename> <st1:placetype>Valley</st1:placetype></st1:place>,
as well as enjoy one of the many swimming holes in LaVerkin Creek to cool you
off on the way out.

1. The Narrows in Zion National Park

This
trail is one of the most strenuous and difficult, but also one of the most
rewarding. My dad calls it “walking on polished bowling balls.” When
you walk down it, you will see what he means. The Narrows is about a 16-mile
journey through a narrow canyon that is only 15 feet wide in some places. If
you plan to hike The Narrows, I would bring a well broken-in pair of shoes that
you do not mind getting wet and a hiking stick – or two if you want maximum
stability as you trudge through slippery boulders and intermittent strong
currents. If you want to be like most tourists, start your journey from the
trailhead at the <st1:place><st1:placetype>Temple</st1:placetype>
of <st1:placename>Sinawava</st1:placename></st1:place>. If you are
more adventurous and want to experience the whole thing, start at Chamberlain
Ranch, located along a dirt road on your left about 2.5 miles from the park’s
east entrance station on UT 9. Be sure the weather is dry and hot when you go,
otherwise there might be the chance of flash flooding. The best times to go are
late June and early September. July and August experience more thunderstorms.
All those attempting The Narrows have to pick up a permit at the <st1:placename>Zion</st1:placename> <st1:placetype>Canyon</st1:placetype> <st1:placename>Visitor</st1:placename> <st1:placetype>Center</st1:placetype>
or <st1:place><st1:placename>Kolob</st1:placename> <st1:placetype>Canyons</st1:placetype> <st1:placename>Visitor</st1:placename>
<st1:placetype>Center</st1:placetype></st1:place> the night before
the hike. Groups can be no larger than 12.