Utah
If you made us pick our favourite state in the USA, it would likely be Utah. This small state has so many “pinch yourself” places and is the home to five incredible national parks. If we’re visiting the Southwest, we always try to sneak a trip to Utah in.
Utah’s best known for Zion and Bryce National Parks, but when you find out about, Arches, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef and Escalante, you wonder why this isn’t number one on any traveller's list.
We warn you: Utah’s an addiction that’s hard to give up.
Quick Summary
Top Tip: Look at all the small towns near the national parks if you are travelling on a budget. You can often find that the cost of accommodation drops dramatically if you stay 30 minutes to one hour away from a major attraction.
Safety: Utah is generally safe overall, but you should be careful in big cities as with anywhere else in the world.
When to go: Utah changes drastically between peak and off season. In the summer the temperatures and crowds soar, but in the winter the snow comes and the crowds disappear. The sweet spot is in spring or autumn when you get beautiful weather and fewer people. Having said that we also adored our winter visit if you don’t mind some fairly cool temperatures and some attractions liable to close due to snow.
Peak Season: July - September (summer school holidays)
Off Season: December - March (excluding Christmas).
Walk My World Cost Index: $$$$ - In the off season, Utah can be an incredible bargain (we got a motel next to Bryce Canyon for $35 per night including breakfast!). Things change dramatically in peak season when the prices can go up 10 fold. However, even in the peak season you can find value by looking for accommodation in the smaller towns.
Places to visit in Utah
How to plan an epic trip to Monument Valley: what to see, what to do, the best views, an epic hike and how to make the most of a day in this stunning part of Utah.
Utah hikes are some of the best in the world. The scenery is endlessly breathtaking and there’s something for everyone from tighter than tight slot canyons to easy strolls with wild west views. We’ve focused primarily on the more adventurous hikes here but there’s nothing so difficult that most people couldn’t tackle them. We hiked dozens of trails not on this list so you can trust us that these are the true must dos!
The best Grand Staircase Escalante hikes and stunning slot canyons you can visit without a tour: how to get there, what to expect and everything you need to know to visit these hidden gems.
If you're looking for a slot canyon without the crowds, and without the need for a guide, head to Kanarra Falls. It's one of our favourite hikes in the whole of Utah, a truly magical experience and a Southwest must do. Here's everything you need to know to take on the hike.
Bryce Canyon National Park
The top 8 Bryce Canyon hikes ranked from best to worst! We’ll tell you which you need to prioritise, what to expect and full descriptions for the best hikes you can’t miss in Bryce Canyon.
The Navajo and Peek-a-boo Loop is the most magical hike in Bryce (and we’re saying that having hiked almost every trail). In this guide we’ll tell you what to expect from the trail, including difficulty and how to avoid the crowds.
Should you visit Bryce Canyon in Winter? What to expect, what the weather is like, which trails will be open and nearby alternatives you can visit if bad weather sets in.
A complete guide to the Fairyland Loop, an incredible hike that takes you away from the crowds at Bryce Canyon. We’ll show you photos of the trail, tell you what to expect and give you all the information you need to know before embarking on this magical hike.
Moab - Arches, Canyonland & Dead Horse Point
6 stunning Arches National Park hikes that show the best of the park. What to expect, how to do them, the best time to do them and everything about the best walks in this stunning National Park.
The best hikes in Canyonlands National Park that you can do in two days. We cover both Island in the Sky and Needles as well as our favourite hikes, what to expect and photos of some of the best hiking in Utah (as well as a slot canyon which no one else visits!).
How to spend an afternoon at the stunning Dead Horse Point State Park: what to do there, the best viewpoints, the Rim Trail and why we loved sunset at this incredible place.
8 of the best Moab hikes for those who love an adventure! We’ll tell you which to do, how to get there and what to expect from some of the best hikes in Utah.
Is the Fiery Furnace hike the most fun trail in America? We’ll tell you how to hike it, why why we love it, why it’s a great hike for the whole family, what to expect and everything you need to know about this adventurous hike!
Zion National Park
A complete guide to the Narrows hike in Zion. We show photos of the entire trail and give you comprehensive advice on what to expect, how to plan it and safety aspects so that you can make the most of this incredible hike.
The only Observation Point Trail that is open: via the East Mesa Trail. We’ll tell you how to reach this stunning viewpoint - despite the track closures - and how you can get this incredible view with very few people there.
The 8 big mistakes you will want to avoid when visiting Zion National Park! We’ll tell you about the common errors many people make including arriving at the busiest times, not anticipating how cold the Narrows is and avoiding the stunning beauty of winter in Zion.
An in-depth guide to Zion National Park in Winter and why you should go from a couple who just did it. What to expect, what the conditions are like and the advantages and disadvantages of this time of year.
Whether you're a hiker or not we've got you covered in our perfect itinerary for one day in Zion. We'll make sure you see the most beautiful parts of the park in the least amount of time.
What it’s like to attempt hiking up Angels Landing in the winter. Just how crazy this hike gets when one of the most dangerous hikes in the United States is covered in ice and snow!
The top hikes in Zion ranked from best to worst! We'll pick up the trails you should prioritise as well as give in-depth guides to all the best hikes in Zion National Park.
The complete guide to the Angels Landing hike including the one hack to make it a lot safer and beat the crowds (not sunrise). We’ll tell you about how dangerous this hike really is, what to expect and plenty of advice you’ll want to hear before taking on Angels Landing.
The best Capitol Reef hikes and how to do them in a day. We’ll take you through our favourites, what to expect and a few other interesting things to do when visiting Capitol Reef, Utah.