Have you felt the pull to reconnect with Mother Nature, marvel at her beauty, and explore all she has to offer while escaping the daily grind? If so, Southern Utah has you covered with five iconic national parks, numerous national monuments, state parks, and small towns littered with their own hiking trails to help you get away from it all.
From slot canyons and sweeping vistas to waterfalls and natural bridges and everything in between, there is something for everyone. We’ve been fortunate enough to make two trips here. Our most recent visit allowing us a month to explore the area, so we’ve gotten to complete some of the best hikes in southern Utah.
At the bottom of the page, we’ve included a map showing the locations of each hike with two exceptions. The Wave hike is marked by the location of the daily permit lottery and The Great Chamber is not marked at all. We did this to help protect and preserve these two wonderful places.
- Angel’s Landing
- The Narrows
- The Wave
- Lower Calf Creek Falls
- The Great Chamber
- Peekaboo Canyon
- Hickman Bridge
- Belly of the Dragon
- Dinosaur Tracks
- Kanab Sand Caves
- Delicate Arch
- Queen’s Garden and Navajo Loop
- Bonus Hikes
Angel’s Landing
Cost: $1 for shuttle tickets plus the price of entering a National Park
This is, without a doubt, our favorite hike EVER! We missed out on this hike our first trip to Zion National Park, but knew we needed to make it happen this time. Thankfully, we were able to get shuttle tickets after a couple of days trying and got to hike it in morning, which is the best time to go in order to beat the heat and crowds.
Just a little warning: 13 people have died falling off the trail since 2004, so it’s not for the faint of heart. We were a little nervous to do this hike, but once we were there, our excitement washed the nerves away. It’s just under 5 miles round trip with a 1,500 ft (460 m) elevation gain. The last half-mile has chains to grip due to sharp drop offs and narrow paths. It’s strenuous hike, but once you reach the top at 5,790 feet (1,760 m), the views are worth it! Oh my, how the views are worth it! We could’ve sat up there all day and enjoyed the amazing vistas of Zion National Park!
The Narrows
Cost: $1 for shuttle tickets plus the price of entering a National Park
Prior to hiking Angels Landing, this was our favorite hike! At 10 miles one way (or a whopping 16 miles if you obtain a permit to hike further), you’ll want to plan for a long day with plenty of food and water. You CAN turn around at any time, but you might not want to! Hiking through the Virgin River in between the thousand foot gorge walls is one of the most amazing hiking experiences you can have. You will be amazed at every turn!
You can access the The Narrows in Zion National Park by hiking along the Riverside Walk from the Temple of Sinawava shuttle stop. Make sure that everything you take is waterproof because this isn’t a hike where you can avoid getting wet! You are hiking in the river.
Wear shoes with a good gripping tread because the wet rocks can get quite slippery. Also, try to bring a hiking stick, as it’ll help your balance with the occasional strong current and figuring out your footing across the slick rocks. There are outfitters near the park where you can rent waders and boots for this hike should you be in need of those.
This hike is, simply put, gorgeous! It’s popular for a reason, but there’s still enough space to feel like it isn’t crowded, even if it feels that way at the trailhead.
Tip: This water is cold year round so prepare yourself!
The Wave
Cost: The lottery is free to enter. However, if you win, the permit cost is $7 per person listed on your application.
The Wave is stunning and the star of the show on this hike, but it isn’t the only unique feature in the area. If you are lucky enough to go here, take your time and explore the beauty all around it.
The hike itself is no joke. It’s just over 6 miles, if you don’t get lost since there is no actual trail for most of the hike. The majority of your navigation is done by sighting landmarks! The BLM provides you with a map, which includes photos of the landmarks both out and back to help guide you.
You must also be prepared for hiking with almost no shade. It’s serious business. We were instructed to bring 1 gallon of water per person (the summer recommendation is 2 gallons per person) and we went through almost all of it. In the last 5 years, 5 people have died on the trail and 4 of those people were due to the heat. Stay hydrated! Also, bring plenty of food because you’ll be hungry by the time you get there, no matter what time you head out. And as always, if you pack it in, pack it out.
Some people try for years to win the permit lottery you must enter for this hike and still never get to go. We weren’t picked the first day. We tried to beat the system and put in multiple permit applications, but got caught the second day and kicked out. It was our own fault and what we deserved for breaking the rules. Another couple got kicked out before us for the same trick, too. Our third attempt was Easter Sunday. With less than half the normal amount of people applying were there, so the odds increased and we won! The third time is the charm, right?!
Warning: You MUST have a permit to hike here. If you attempt this hike without a permit, it can result in major issues. These include a fine up to $10,000, a month in jail, a ban on future hiking permits, and even federal trespassing charges. If convicted of trespassing, you would be banned from all BLM land and National Parks!!!
Lower Calf Creek Falls
Cost: $6 for parking to hike; if you wish to camp, it’s $15 per night
If you love waterfalls as much as we do, then you’ll love Lower Calf Creek Falls! This perennial waterfall is 126 feet (38 m) of pure majesty. To see these falls nestled in the desert environment is kind of mind-blowing. They seem out of place, but also like they belong at the same time.
The hike is 6.7 miles round-trip and takes you along the Calf Creek with many elements along the way. You’ll see wildlife (we saw deer and a snake), experience elevation gain, sand, rock, sun, and shade. Once you reach the falls, be sure to sit and relax for a while. Have a picnic or a dip in the cold water!
The trailhead itself is located in Calf Creek Campground within Grand Staircase-Escalante. We recommend getting there early to avoid the heat, but also because parking is limited. It was completely full when we got there before 10 a.m.
The Great Chamber
Cost: Varies depending on your local guide
If you’re looking to experience a hidden gem that’s mesmerizing, this place in the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument near Kanab is for you! The Great Chamber is one of Southern Utah’s best kept secrets and we hope it stays that way.
This is a place where you’ll need a guide with excellent four-wheel drive skills and a high-clearance vehicle in order to get to it. While the hike itself can be as short as ¼ of a mile depending on where the guide stops, it is uphill and the last part is all soft, deep sand.
Once you’re there, you’ll catch yourself saying “wow” over and over again just like we did. The alcove is gigantic and there’s a humongous sand dune in the middle of it. Behind the sand dune, you’ll find beautiful walls shaped by wind and water like a slot canyon. Be sure to take your time to enjoy every inch of this place. You won’t be disappointed.
Tip: Make sure you have a wide-angle lens on your camera in order to capture the monumental size and scope of this wonderful place.
Peekaboo Canyon
Cost: Varies depending on your local guide
With towering red Navajo sandstone walls that were beautifully carved over a millenia by flowing water, this easy, one mile round-trip hike through the slot canyon outside of Kanab is a must if you have the opportunity.
Halfway through the hike, you’ll see a primitive ladder carved by the Anasazi 800 to 1,000 years ago to reach grain they stored on the higher up ledges. Further on, you can see the effects of flash flooding in logs that have been wedged in overhead. Keep an eye out for unique shapes the water sculpted throughout the canyon, including Harry Potter’s nemesis (who shall not be named).
Tip: You shouldn’t come here without a guide experienced with a four-wheel drive vehicle. To hike from the parking lot to the canyon is 4 miles each way through deep, loose sand (which makes the hike even harder and feel longer) and there is limited cell service. To drive to the wash near the entrance to the canyon, you absolutely need a four-wheel drive vehicle with high clearance and good off road tires. Even then, there’s no guarantee of not getting stuck in sand. Our guide was highly experienced but we still got stuck and had to be pulled out!
Hickman Bridge
Cost: Free
Hickman Bridge is a favorite with visitors to Capitol Reef National Park and for good reason. This 2 mile hike is fairly easy and provides beautiful views of Navajo Dome, Capitol Dome and Pectols Pyramid. You’ll also come across a smaller natural bridge called Nels Johnson Bridge, which is a fun area to explore for a few minutes.
The Hickman Bridge itself spans an impressive 133 feet (40 m) and is 125 feet (38 m) high. It was formed by water flowing through the sandstone many years ago (there is no longer any water here). We sat in the wash in front of the bridge marveling at it for a while. Then we continued on the trail that takes you directly underneath it and to an overlook with amazing views of the Fremont Valley. This was such a great hike to do first thing in the morning to get the blood flowing!
Tip: You don’t have to pay an entrance fee at Capitol Reef National Park to hike to Hickman Bridge as the trail is along Utah’s Route 24.The only entrance fee for the park is for the Scenic Drive road.
Belly of the Dragon
Cost: Free
While the next spot on the list was originally man-made, nature has since taken over and created something otherworldly. The man-made tunnel was created for water drainage for the upper canyons to flow under the highway near Mount Carmel. Over time, the water carved the sandstone walls into ripples and made an awesome free place for us all to explore!
The tunnel is short, but incredibly cool to walk through. We also thought it looked like entering the Cave of Wonders from Aladdin, so be careful and touch nothing but the lamp. 😉 But seriously, many people have carved their names into the walls as graffiti, so please don’t add anymore to it. Continue up the wash towards a collection of cairn rocks prior visitors have left and assemble one for yourself.
Warning: Do not enter the tunnel during any rain conditions as it is still an active drainage tunnel and fills with water!
Dinosaur Tracks
Cost: Free
Have you ever hiked where dinosaurs roamed and seen their footprints? If not, here’s your chance! The trail is near the Port of Entry just outside of Kanab and is only around one mile round trip. The trail isn’t well-marked unless you’re paying attention to the small cairns along the way. This trail is steep in places and has a lot of loose rock but it’s worth it to see actual dinosaur footprints. The well-preserved grallator tracks found here are an astounding 185 million years old! Look to the south toward Kanab and you’ll see a great view of Hog Canyon while you’re looking for the tracks as well.
Tip: Make sure to have some extra water with you if want to take photos of the tracks. Pour some water into the impressions so they will show up better on camera.
Kanab Sand Caves
Cost: Free
Looking for a short, but cool adventure to stretch your legs? At only ½ mile round trip, these sand caves outside of Kanab fit the bill. The caves were man-made in the 1970s (but are also known as Moqui Caverns) and used to harvest sand for glass production. We had so much fun exploring them and taking pictures!
We recommend wearing shoes with a good grip as you do have to scramble up and down the rocks. Please be respectful and don’t add your names to the many already carved inside the caves and leave no trace! They are located between the Moqui Cave tourist attraction and the turnoff to Best Friend Animal Sanctuary. Parking is limited and unmarked across the road.
Delicate Arch
Cost: The price of entering a National Park
Arches National Park is home to over 2,000 stone arches, but the main draw is arguably the most iconic stone arch in the world: Delicate Arch. This arch is even more spectacular in person than pictures can show. The opening in the arch is a whopping 46 feet high and 32 feet wide!
Hiking to Delicate Arch is an experience that should be on high your must-do list! It’s just so impossible to feel the size of this massive piece of nature through pictures or from the ground. You gain a new appreciation for it by being there, so do yourself a favor and hike to it! 😉
The most popular time to hike to the arch is at sunset when there can be hundreds of people. However, we chose to hike the 3 mile round trip trail to the arch in the early morning to beat the heat and the crowds.
Queen’s Garden and Navajo Loop
Cost: The price of entering a National Park
Another fantastic trail can be found in Bryce Canyon National Park, where you can hike down among the hoodoos. We hiked the Queen’s Garden and Navajo Loop combination, which is a moderate 2.9 mile (4.6 km) trail. On this trail, you get to see the iconic section known as Wall Street, which is a short slot canyon with walls and hoodoos that soar high above you.
Be aware that Bryce Canyon elevation ranges between 8,000-9,000 feet, much higher than surrounding parks. That makes this park temperature much cooler than others, so be prepared!
Tip: Get here at sunrise and go to sunset point to avoid the crowds and still get an awesome picture!
Bonus Hikes
Cost: Free
If you are staying near Kanab (we recommend a budget-friendly option, The Cowboy Bunkhouse Hostel) and want to check out some local trails, the K-hill trail and Squaw Trail both have great views! K-hill goes up to the Kanab “K” and is an easy hike around and down the hill. Squaw goes to the top of the local mountain with a lot of unique rock features along the way with a beautiful view to the north once reaching the summit. Turn around on Squaw for a 2-hour trek or continue on for an all-day adventure.