How to Spend 3 Adventurous Days Hiking in Utah!

Yay! You've made it to Utah and if you're anything like me you've been dreaming of hiking in these red rocks for a long time and it seems surreal that you’re finally here! As a woman who has spent most of her hiking experience in the Canadian Rocky Mountains - Utah was like nothing I've ever experienced before in the best way!

I’m going to take you through a 3-day journey of some of the highlights of my trip through Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park.

Do Not Want to Miss Bonus: Arches National Park for anyone staying longer than a weekend in Utah!

Things To Know Before You Go!

What airport should I fly in?

We flew into the Las Vegas International Airport (LAS). This is a common trend since it's the largest international airport that is only a 2hr 30min drive to Zion National Park and you can usually fly to Las Vegas at a discounted price because it is a popular tourist destination.

Where to Stay?

What kind of park pass should I buy?

Best time of year of visit!

Do I need to rent a car?

What months can I access the park with a private vehicle?

What to Wear in Utah?

Are the parks pet friendly?

Day One

Hiking in Utah: 3-Day Itinerary

Day 1: We did 4 separate hikes on the first day while visiting Zion National Park. The accessibility within the park is phenomenal and we were not burnt out or overly exhausted after completing all 4. This is a very realistic first day for an avid hiker.

Emerald Pools Trail

We weren't planning on doing this trail but I am so thankful that we squeezed it into our first day in Zion. The Emerald Pools trail is moderate in difficulty with 169m of elevation gain. It's a 4.8 km loop which is always wonderful because you get new views at every corner. This is a popular area so keep that in mind when choosing the time of day to hike this trail. You will encounter large crowds which may be irritating when visiting the third pool which is the highlight of the hike. The third pool offers a towering waterfall that flows down the red rock into the pool below. You can walk along the rocks and have a relax while listening to the roaring water. Make sure you have enough time to visit all three pools. The last pool is absolutely stunning and is worth the extra miles. Pets Allowed: No

Zion Canyon Overlook Trail

If you're visiting Zion National Park this trail is a must. It's an easy to moderate trail with 57m of elevation gain and only 1.6 km in length. It's an out and back trail that will leave you nothing but satisfied once you get the opportunity to see the view. It takes approximately 30 minutes to complete and you will most likely encounter other hikers since it's an extremely popular route because of its accessibility. Pets Allowed: No

Sand Caves, Kanab, UT

My spouse picked this hike and I was honestly not overly excited for it because I knew it didn't pack a punch when it came to extraordinary views but this hike was like no other I've ever experienced. It felt like the typical Utah red rock hike that you dream of when visiting. You hike a short 1.9 km up 37 m of elevation to the sand caves. The trail is very washed out and is difficult to follow so when you find yourself at the incline just follow your gut and take the best route for your ability. I wouldn't suggest doing this hike in anything but hiking shoes because the rock does slant while you walk up and you want to have secure footing. Once you reach the cave you'll find so many unique arches and spots to peek out of. The cave isn't too deep so pack a headlamp and walk to the very end to get the full effect of this unique spot. Pets Allowed: Yes

The Belly of the Dragon

Another easy route to cross off while visiting Zion National Park. If you're interested in caves and tunnels this hike is definitely a stop for you. It's 2.9 km in length and has an elevation gain of 56m if you decide to finish the entire hike. The main attraction is the beginning of the hike which takes you through a tunnel that resembles a large belly of a dragon. This is a great one to do with kids because the tunnel is located near the parking area with no elevation or tricky trail to maneuver through. Pets Allowed: Yes

Day Two

Hiking in Utah: 3-Day Itinerary

Angels Landing & Scouts Lookout via West Rim Trail

Ah yes, the reason everyone comes to Zion National Park.

Angels Landing is the most popular hiking trail in Zion National Park and requires a little bit of planning. I am going to go over my personal experience and what I would do better the second time around.

Difficulty: Hard

Length: 6.9 km

Elevation Gain: 557m

Route Type: Out & Back

Pet Friendly: No

Permit Required: Yes

Hiking Boots: Yes

Parking Area: Grotto Trailhead

Shuttle Dropoff: Grotto Trailhead

(walk over the bridge to head towards Angels)

Safety Tip: Please ensure you wear proper hiking boots and have crampons available while hiking Angels Landing. We witnessed many individuals attempt this hike in running shoes and they were slipping all over the rock/mud. Angels Landing has severe drop-offs which could result in death. Come prepared.

There is a mandatory permit system for hikers that want to hike Angels Landing, Please keep in mind that this is a dangerous hike and the permit system is in place to keep visitors safe on the trail. The amount of annual hikers was becoming a safety risk which is why this permit lottery has been put in place.

Getting and managing your permit:

There are two ways to obtain a permit and both are very different so it will depend on your flexibility when choosing which option.

Day-before Lottery:

You can apply for a permit the day before your planned hike. This lottery opens every day at 12:01 a.m. and closes at 3 p.m. Mountain Time (MT). I suggest that all parties in your group apply for a permit so your chance of obtaining one is greater.

Note: It costs $6 to apply for a permit. The fee covers an application for up to 6 people (including the person filling out the application). This fee is non-refundable.

Learning the lottery outcome:

At 4 p.m. MT on the day you apply, we will send you an email to let you know: You got a permit and have been charged $3 per person you registered. This fee is not refundable. You can get your permit by logging in to your account on recreation.gov.

Seasonal Lottery:

You can apply for a permit before your trip. You will get to pick seven ranked days and times or windows of days and times you want to hike. Find the date you plan to be in Zion and use recreation.gov to apply for a permit during your application window.

This option is great if your extremely flexible with your travel dates. Do not use the seasonal lottery option if you're travelling with strict dates.

*Important: There is an option to use Apple Pay for your permit - I suggest checking out without using the Apple Pay option. Some hikers did not get their permits because of a system glitch and got denied their permit automatically without knowing until months later until they received an apology email from the park. Better safe than sorry.

If you did not obtain a permit through the lottery keep in mind that there is a Zion National Park employee that is stationed at Scout's Landing right before the chain section up to Angels Landing. They were checking all permits and did not allow hikers through without a valid permit. Don't skip the lottery part you'll regret being asked to turn around.

You can enter the lottery here.

If you do not receive your permit:

Sadly, this happened to us. We used the Apple Pay option and were not aware of the system glitch. We applied 4 times but were denied each time.

I want to make it very clear though that even if you did not receive your permit you can still complete 95% of this hike without a valid permit.

You can hike all the way to Scout Lookout which is the most strenuous part of this hike. Climbing 1000 ft (305 m) up to experience some of the most scenic views in all of Zion National Park. The half mile route with chains to Angels Landing starts at Scout Lookout which is the ONLY area you need the permit for.

Even without a permit, I hope you decide to experience Scout Lookout via West Rim Trail because it really is a sight to see.

Our Day at Scouts Lookout

As I mentioned above, even if you did not receive a permit to Angel's Landing make sure you still hike up to Scouts lookout. The views are incredible right before the chain section and there are tons of areas to explore even without the permit.

We began hiking up to the lookout at 9:30 am. It took us a little over an hour to reach the top. The winding trail is really fun and for an experienced hiker this trail would be considered moderate. Keep in mind that you are walking along the edge of the rock which may cause some anxiety if you are fearful of heights. We packed pretty light but decided to bring a lunch which we enjoyed while soaking up 1000ft views overlooking the canyon. There are bathrooms at Scouts Landing and yes, a park employee was up there checking valid permits before people entered the chain section. Zen and I explored the West Rim and made sure to check out all of the popular spots. If you're scared of heights keep in mind that Scouts Landing is quite wide and you should feel safe while enjoying the view. The drop off the side of the ledge is vast so approach with caution if you're nervous. We completed this hike on January 14, 2023. The weather was overcast but we were lucky enough not to experience any snow and still had crisp views from above. I was 12 weeks pregnant and didn't find this hike challenging so I would agree that it would be rated as a moderate trail.

Day Three

Hiking in Utah: 3-Day Itinerary

Bryce Canyon National Park After spending a few days exploring Zion National Park we decided to make the 72 mile drive (1 hr 19 min) to Bryce Canyon National Park and I am very thankful that we did. This drive is safe and the parks are close enough that you can easily make a day trip to Bryce Canyon and get enough adventuring in to make the trip worthwhile. Bryce Canyon took my breath away with its crimson-coloured hoodoos. I've never seen anything like it before. It was like stepping onto another planet of red, orange and white rock. We were only spending one day here so we decided to get the most out of it and hike the Navajo Loop and Queen's Garden Trail.

All you need to know about the Navajo Loop and Queen's Garden Trail Length: 5.0 kms (3.11 miles) Elevation Gain: 198 m (659 ft) Route Type: Loop Difficulty: Moderate Pets Allowed: No Best Time to Visit: March through October Parking Lot: Sunset Point The Navajo Loop and Queen's Garden Trail is one of the best hikes to fully encounter the unique rock formations referred to as hoodoos and spires. You begin hiking the Navajo Loop Trail towards Sunset Point where you'll endure breathtaking views of the colourful rock or sometimes referred to as the "silent city". You will walk down into the hoodoos in a switchback pattern which makes the trail easier on the knees since you will drop quite significantly. We did come across snow while hiking this trail so ensure you pack layers if hiking this during the winter months. You will come to a trail junction after Thor's Hammer and the Two Bridges with benches as a rest area. Take the trail that states the Queen's Garden where you will see some more spectacular formations that are so gorgeous they look man-made. Queen's Garden Trail is easy to follow and you will experience other hikers on this trail since it is extremely popular. As you continue, you will eventually find yourself climbing up out of the hoodoos and finishing the hike at Sunrise Point. This is a great spot to take photographs since you have the entire valley behind you. Turn left at Sunrise Point to make your way back to the parking lot. If you're short on time I think that the Navajo Loop and Queen's Garden Trail is the perfect hike you can easily accomplish in a day while getting the most out of your visit to Bryce Canyon National Park.

BONUS: Arches National Park

If you are spending more than a weekend exploring the parks or find yourself in the Eastern region of Utah, make your way to Arches National Park and hike the Delicate Arch Trail.

We spent our second last day hiking the Delicate Arch Trail and I am so thankful we decided to make the trek out to Arches National Park. This 5.1-km out-and-back trail near Moab, Utah takes an average of 1h 35 min to complete. The only downfall of visiting Arches National Park if you are staying in Zion the entire time is that it's a 4h 19 min drive (301.6 mi) one way. If you commit to making a day trip like we did, ensure you brought some snacks and are prepared for a longer commute. The hike to the Delicate Arch is moderate and there are many areas to rest and enjoy some of the views along the way. The trail begins with a slight elevation for around 0.5 miles until your reach a large slab of slickrock. You will gain most of your elevation while hiking up the slickrock but keep in mind that if you're visiting during a rainstorm, there's a reason it's called "slickrock". The total elevation gain for this trail is 192 m but it's gained almost all at once so be prepared to get your heart pumping. This hike is not pet-friendly so leave your furry friends at home. Note: Arches National Park requires a timed entry reservation from April 1st to October 31st, 2023. Visitors will need to secure a reservation in advance to enter the park between 07:00 and 16:00 (7 a.m. - 4 p.m.). If you are visiting the park outside of these hours - no reservation is required. This reservation is free but you will still need a park pass to enter. You can reserve your timed entry here. If you finish your exploring at Arches National Park early make sure you visit the city of Moab, UT. Unfortunately, we ran out of time but I've heard Moab, UT is a wonderful place to explore and it's only a quick 10-min drive away. It's a great place to eat, stay and adventure.