Springtime in southern Utah is the most magical time for outdoor exploration. It’s when the desert comes alive. Lush green foliage and wildflowers burst from barren rocks seemingly overnight, and snowmelt that transforms sandstone formations into dramatic waterfalls. It’s a veritable hiker’s paradise, with the added bonus of mild temperatures that won’t limit your mileage.
While spring is our favorite time to experience the desert’s enigmatic beauty, be warned that it isn’t exactly a secret — especially at the national parks known as the Mighty 5. But even the most popular hikes are still well worth doing, especially because crowds tend to disappear after the first mile. And, if you really want to get away from it all, there are plenty of off-the-beaten-path hikes where you won’t see a soul.
To that end, we’ve compiled our definitive must-hike list of both iconic and hidden-gem trails, so you can make the most of your springtime trip to this special place. We’ve also sprinkled in some of our favorite spots for eats, beers, local art, or unique activities nearby.
1. Willis Creek Slot Canyon, Grand Staircase-Escalante
Unlike most slot canyons, the Willis Creek trail requires no technical skills, making it friendly for the whole family. Wade through the shallow creek for 2.5 miles of narrows that shift from 20 feet wide to shoulder-width. The smooth walls glow orange-pink in midday light. Bring water shoes.
Post-hike: Don’t miss a drive through Kodachrome Basin State Park, just a half-hour away from Willis Creek. This surreal landscape highlights vivid red sandstone spires jutting high into the sky.
2. Golden Throne Trail, Capitol Reef National Park
While most park visitors flock to Cassidy Arch — a massive arch named after Butch Cassidy that’s one of the few you can walk across — you should head to the nearby Golden Throne Trail for similar views you can enjoy in solitude. The 4-mile round-trip trail climbs from the canyon bottom onto a ledgy shelf that looks directly across at the Throne, a golden-hued sandstone dome.
Post-hike: Nothing will satisfy your hunger better than Torrey’s beloved food truck, Capitol Burger. With fresh ingredients and creative twists, their burgers might be the best in the West. Follow them on Facebook to see where they’re parked.
3. Angels Landing, Zion National Park
There’s a reason you’ve probably heard about this hike: The exposure and views make it either famous or infamous, depending on your comfort level. For those brave souls who can handle 1,000-foot drops on both sides of the trail, it’s an absolute must. The hike wends 5.4 miles round-trip up and down a ridgeline, offering spectacular views of the Virgin River valley below. You’ll need to secure a permit online in advance.
Post-hike: Zion Brewery in Springdale, 20 minutes away, pours great local craft beers and serves made-from-scratch pub fare. The Quencher Pale Ale is perfect for “rehydrating.”
4. Peek-a-Boo and Spooky Gulch Loop, Escalante, Grand Staircase-Escalante
This 6.4-mile figure-8 loop rewards motivated hikers with a spectacular slot canyon experience that doesn’t require technical climbing equipment. Peek-a-Boo still demands serious effort as you chimney and squeeze through 600–vertical-foot walls of sculpted sandstone.
Spooky also lives up to its name with sections narrow enough to trap anyone who’s been enjoying too much trail mix. (Claustrophobes, needless to say, should hike elsewhere or wait at a nearby watering hole.)
Be sure to check the weather and spring runoff conditions first. If there is any water in the forecast, you’ll want to avoid slot canyons — flash floods here can be deadly. And make sure to hike it in the proper direction (Peek-a-Boo first, Spooky second) to avoid jams.
Post-hike: If you’re staying in Escalante, hit Hell’s Backbone Grill in nearby Boulder for a charming upscale Southwestern dining experience hand-crafted with ingredients from its organic farm. The chile-rubbed duck alone is worth the 30-minute drive. (They have lodging there, too.)
5. Observation Point via East Mesa, Zion National Park
“Observation Point” is a name beyond understatement for this canyon rim; views here make Angels Landing look downright quaint. The dirt-road access is an adventure in itself via East Mesa, requiring high-clearance/4WD to a remote trailhead (trail access up from Weeping Rock along the Zion shuttle is closed indefinitely). But the payoff is a relatively flat 6.4-mile hike (round trip) to a view that’s beyond words.
Post-hike: Check out Worthington Gallery in Springdale, about 23 miles away, for museum-quality Southwestern landscapes and Native American-inspired pieces by local artists.
6. Zebra and Tunnel Slot Canyons, Grand Staircase-Escalante
This technicolor dreamscape requires a 6.6-mile round trip, but the undulating pink, white, and orange walls are pure eye candy. Tunnel Slot is tight enough to require pack removal; Zebra opens up just enough to breathe.
Post-hike: Check out nearby Devil’s Garden, a 10-minute drive, to see more enchanting rock formations.
7. Wire Pass, Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness
This short 3.4-mile out-and-back hike takes you into Buckskin Gulch, the longest slot canyon in the world. This hike passes through narrows with walls up to 500 feet on either side. You can turn around once you reach Buckskin Gulch, or continue on for an overnight backpacking adventure. Beware of flash floods, as always.
Post-hike: Check out Parry Lodge in Kanab, about 30 minutes away. This historic hotel that hosted film stars from Hollywood’s Golden Age showcases memorabilia from acting icons like John Wayne, Frank Sinatra, and Gregory Peck. Even if you’re not staying there, grab a drink at the bar for a quirky slice of film history in the middle of the desert.
8. Hickman Bridge, Capitol Reef National Park
Start simple with a 1.8-mile out-and-back hike that proves you don’t need to suffer to experience beauty. The trail gains just 400 feet while delivering a spectacular 133-foot natural bridge, 1,000-year-old Fremont petroglyphs, and spring wildflower displays. It’s a perfect choice for a family outing or a sunset happy-hour hike.
Post-hike: Capitol Reef’s fruit orchards (park-managed, with a pay station at the entrance) let you pick your own cherries, apricots, and apples, depending on season. Spring means blossom season — grab a picnic and enjoy the show.
9. Corona Arch, Moab Area
This arch rivals any in Arches National Park but lives outside park boundaries, which can mean fewer crowds plus a dog-friendly trail. This 3-mile round-trip route scrambles over slickrock before revealing a 140-foot-wide arch. Golden hour is pure magic.
Post-hike: Moab Brewery downtown is a local favorite. The beers are cold, and the burgers are hot — a winning combination.
10. Yellow Rock, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument
This 2.3-mile gem climbs a steep wash before topping out on a massive dome of swirling multicolored sandstone — yellow, pink, red, and white bands that create psychedelic patterns across the slickrock. The initial ascent is steep and loose, but once you reach the top, you can wander across the smooth rock. Spring wildflowers and small waterfalls abound.
Post-hike: Take a scenic, albeit adventurous, drive down Cottonwood Canyon Road, an unpaved 4WD road through GSENM.
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