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Utah is a land of hiking wonders. Within its borders, mountain peaks tower into the expansive blue sky, golden dunes shift in the wind, and rock sculptures and slot canyons become mesmerizing works of art.
Most visitors to the state unfortunately tend to stick to one route that ping-pongs between five national parks. And while destinations like Capitol Reef, Zion, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, and Arches are indeed worth the trip, there’s so much more to discover in the Beehive State.
So pack your backpack, dust off your tent, and hit the road for a road trip you won’t forget, complete with challenging dayhikes that can often be turned to overnighters, quiet campsites, and all the beauty you expect from such a geographically diverse state. Here is our itinerary for a seven-to-10-day hiker’s road trip through Utah.
First Stop: Ben Lomond
Camp: North Fork Campground, Eden
Sites at North Fork Park are first come, first serve (except for group sites, which require reservations). There are fire pits, toilets, and running water at or near all of the 132 available sites that are scattered around the park—many of which are flanked by leafy deciduous trees. This campground not only offers a relaxing place to overnight before or after your hike, but also impressive views of the surrounding Wasatch mountains. Sites cost $30 per night for up to eight people. Read more about the campground here.
Hike: Ben Lomond via Cutler Trail, 9.4 miles
The trailhead for this steep, challenging hike is just a few minutes drive from your North Fork campsite. At 9.4 miles, the hike might not sound too intimidating, but this out-and-back trail is all uphill (for just over 3,600 feet), then all back down again, so don’t forget your trekking poles. Along the way you’ll get big views of surrounding peaks, including Mt. Ogden, soft valleys, rocky climbs, and emerald pines, plus rainbows of wildflowers in the spring. Much of the trail is exposed, but boy is it a sight to behold.
Second Stop: Mt. Timpanogos
Camp: Mt. Timpanogos Campground, Provo
Located right off of State Route 92 (also known as the Alpine Loop Scenic Byway), this Provo campground is home to hundreds of aspen and fir trees. There are toilets, but no water or trash collection on site, so come prepared to leave no trace. Only 27 sites exist in this campground, so weekends can get crowded, and sites are first come, first serve from May 31 to June 7 in 2024, but stays on or after June 7 are reservable in advance on recreation.gov ($25 plus a reservation fee and taxes). The trailhead is mere steps away, meaning that early a.m. start or late finish won’t require any commute or parking stress.
Hike: Mt. Timpanogos Trail, 13.9 miles
Located in Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest, this lengthy and often steep hike (expect close to 4,900 feet of elevation gain) can either be done as a dayhike if you manage to get an early start or as an overnight if you’d prefer to take your time and pitch a tent alongside one of the picture-perfect alpine lakes. On your way to the top, expect plenty of switchbacks, stream crossings, a waterfall, and maybe even a mountain goat or two if you’re lucky. You’ll hike past aptly named Emerald Lake and be treated to deep and wide views of the surrounding Wasatch mountains. During shoulder seasons, bring spikes as the summit—located at 11,749 feet—sees snow well before lower elevations and hangs onto it longer.
Third Stop: San Rafael Swell, Little Wild Horse Canyon
Camp: Dispersed BLM camping, Hanksville
From the Provo area, head south toward the San Rafael Swell and Goblin Valley State Park. But just before you get to the entrance station of the state park, turn east onto Wild Horse Road to stay in the Swell. There are several free dispersed BLM camping areas that are easily accessible without 4WD (no services) along the road leading to the trailhead parking lot, many of which are marked with informational signs and that offer very convenient—if fairly exposed—places to pitch your tent and relax post-hike. When camping in BLM lands, always leave no trace and pack out what you packed in.
Hike: Little Wild Horse Canyon and Bell Canyon Loop, 8.1 miles
Little Wild Horse Canyon, in conjunction with Bell Canyon, offers a scenic, 8-mile loop through slot canyons, along washes, and below colorful rock structures that rise to meet the clouds on every side. The whole hike will take between four to five hours to complete, leaving enough time to explore Goblin Valley State Park, too, if you’re feeling energetic. Or take your time and enjoy the unique photo ops between the frequently narrow canyon walls.
Fourth Stop: Bryce Canyon National Park, Riggs Spring Loop
Camp: Dispersed Camping, Bryce Canyon City
From the Swell, travel south. (Take Route 12 for a very minor but extremely picturesque scenic detour through the pines and aspens of Dixie National Forest, above and through epic and expansive rocky canyons, and past dozens of dayhike options.) Once you reach Bryce Canyon, you can check out Sunset Campground within the park, but there are also at least half a dozen dispersed camping options nearby, including John’s Valley and Tom’s Best Spring, which offer free sites sans services.
Hike: Riggs Spring Loop, 8.6 miles
Start at Rainbow Point at the very end of Bryce Canyon Scenic Drive to hike this banger of a trail full of views that will have you stopping to marvel at the landscape far more often than you ever thought possible. You’ll hike through a bit of pine forest, but mostly alongside majestic red-streaked cliffs, towering hoodoos, and expansive tree-carpeted valleys. Designated campgrounds are scattered along the trail, so if you want to split the hike into a multi-day adventure, you can (permits required).
Additional Recommendations:
Looking for more places to explore while you’re in Utah? These areas offer even more stunning views and experiences.
- Devil’s Garden Trail, Arches National Park: This 8-mile trail offers some challenging terrain and impressive views of less-visited arches throughout the national park.
- Death Hollow and Escalante River Trail, Box-Death Hollow Wilderness: For a 35-plus-mile hike that wends between canyons, along the river, and over rock formations, this challenging multi-day trail won’t disappoint.
- Navajo Lake Loop, Dixie National Forest: Hike around the lake among aspens and pines for 8.6 miles over an afternoon or make an overnight of it.
- Escalante, Utah: Stop in the town of Escalante on Route 12 for coffee and to stock up on supplies at Utah Canyon Outdoors and indulge in freshly made pizza at Escalante Mercantile.
From 2024
