Utahs Canyon Country Best Hiking Trails

Title: Utah’s Canyon Country: Best Hiking Trails for Every Skill Level
 

In Utah’s Canyon Country, every trail tells a story, and every hiker finds their own adventure.
Whether you’re lacing up boots for the first time or looking to test your endurance deep in the heart of Utah’s Canyon Country, we’ve got the trail for you. Welcome to some of the most breathtaking hikes in the American Southwest, accessible to all skill levels.

Beginner: Bluff River Trail at Sand Island

Just outside of Bluff, this newly completed, short and flat walk is perfect for families, beginners, and history buffs. The trail hugs the San Juan River and leads you through the Cottonwood trees, past several petroglyph sites with informational kiosks describing the figures which were carved in stone by Ancestral Puebloans. It’s less than a mile round-trip, but rich in culture and connection. For those looking for a longer hike, continue down the trail which to connect with the rest of the Bluff River Trail network.

Intermediate: Butler Wash Interpretive Trail

Looking for more than a stroll, but not quite ready to scale a mesa? Near Blanding, the Butler Wash Interpretive Trail is a sweet spot. This 1-mile round-trip hike leads to a stunning overlook of a cliff dwelling tucked into a canyon wall. You’ll traverse slickrock and sandy paths, with sweeping views of the Comb Ridge along the way. It’s a blend of nature, archaeology and pure desert bliss.
 

Advanced: Mule Canyon to House on Fire 

This moderate-to-strenuous 2-mile out-and-back trail rewards effort with one of the region’s most photographed treasures—House on Fire. Start early to catch the morning light glowing beneath the overhang, making the cliff look like it's been set ablaze, earning its name. The trail winds through a scenic canyon with cottonwood trees and stream crossings that bring the high desert to life.

Expert: Grand Gulch Primitive Area

For seasoned hikers seeking solitude and challenge, the Bullet Canyon Trail to Kane Gulch in Grand Gulch Primitive Area is where you go to disappear into the wild. This remote, 20-mile backpacking route offers rugged terrain, incredible petroglyphs and remote Ancestral Pueblo
sites. Permits are required, and preparation is key, but those who enter emerge forever changed by its silence and scale.
 

Adventure belongs to everyone. Whether you hike a mile or a hundred, the spirit of Utah’s Canyon Country invites you to slow down and discover the stories written across our landscape.
Plan your route, respect the land and come hike!