Anna’s Hiking and Adventure Guide to Southwest + South Central Utah

This post contains recommendations for hikes, excursions, food and lodging in and around Moab, Capitol Reef, the San Rafael Swell, Arches National Park, Canyonlands and Bryce Canyon. Updated 2024

Hikes:

Escalante

Spooky and Peek-a-boo Slot Canyon via Dry Forks Narrows - 6 miles RT, 650ft elevation gain, this is a ONE WAY hike, meaning once you start you must go all the way through and cannot turn around, you will need to hike about 1-1.5 miles down into the canyon to reach the start of the slot canyon, at the start there is about a 10-15ft high sandstone wall (with foot and hand holds) that you must climb to get into the slot canyon - there are a few other obstacles but they look much more difficult than they are; typically there will be others in front and behind you so you can watch on how to and how not to navigate the obstacles - remember to bring more water than you think is necessary, we got heat exhaustion and it was April - the sun reflects off the red sand and makes it much hotter

Driving Considerations: This TH is located about 22 miles down Hole-in-the-rock-road, which is a dirt and gravel washboard road, 4x4 is not required to make it to this TH but would be helpful. I drove my 2 door, 2WD, very low clearance Saab and made it, but it was nerve racking

*Do not do this hike if you are caulostrophobic or do not like tight spaces, at times you will need to remove your backpack in order to fit through the canyon; Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument

Lower Calf Creek Falls - 6.8 miles RT, 850ft elevation gain, this is a popular hike so make sure to arrive early to secure a parking spot, bring plenty of water as it is mostly exposed to the sun; Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument

Bryce Canyon National Park

Navajo & Queens Garden Loop - 3.2 miles RT, 700ft elevation gain, you will begin this hike going downhill into Bryce Canyon, so have done this hike in the dead of winter as well as in the spring and I think winter is the best time to visit, 1) less people & 2) the contrast of the white snow against the red rock is magical; Bryce Canyon National Park

**If you're up for an insanely early wake-up call, head to Sunrise Point to watch the sunrise over Bryce Canyon. Make sure and bundle up as early morning temperatures in the desert can be chilly.

Capitol Reef National Park

Hickman Bridge - 1.8 miles RT, 450ft elevation gain, hiked in mid-February and the weather was perfect and the crowds were minimal; Capitol Reef National Park

Dead Horse Point State Park

Dead Horse State Park Rim Loop - 5 miles RT, 950ft elevation gain, the western half of this trail is difficult to follow, I'd recommend downloading the map for offline navigation as there is no cell service, you can also turn it into a shorter hike by doing only the eastern half of the trail; Dead Horse Point State Park, near Moab

Visitors Center Loop, Nature Trail: 0.3 miles, minimal elevation gain - located at the visitors center, a paved loop trail with educational plaques

Dead Horse Point Overlook Loop: variable distance, up to 1.5 miles, minimal elevation gain, paved and educational plaques

Moab

Corona and Bow Tie Arch - 2.5 miles RT, 450ft elevation gain, dog friendly, this is a great hike to avoid the crowds of the surrounding national parks, if you go in the summer time plan for an early hike to avoid the heat

Mill Creek Trail - 2 miles RT, 70ft elevation gain, this is another popular hike, dog friendly, the trail can be difficult to follow so downloading the map is recommended, multiple shallow water crossings

Morning Glory Arch via Grandstaff Canyon Trail: 4.6 miles RT, 560ft elevation gain, dog friendly, lots of creek crossings!

Hidden Valley Trail: up to 6 miles RT, up to 1100ft elevation gain - we went 2 miles out and 2 miles back, which had about 800ft of elevation gain. A majority of the elevation gain is within the first 0.6 miles, after that it flattens out. You can also do a point to point trail if you have two cars, starting at Hidden Valley and ending at the Moab Rim Trail for a total of 6.75 miles and 1100ft elevation gain.

Jackson's Trail via Kane Creek Trailhead: 4.6 miles RT, 900ft elevation, occasionally close to the edge of the cliffs so if you are afraid of heights I do not recommend this trail.

Arches National Park

Delicate Arch Trail - 3.5 miles RT, 650ft elevation gain, this is THE Utah hike to Delicate Arch (depicted on UT license plates), there is zero shade on this hike so wear sunscreen, a sun hat, UPF clothing and bring plenty of water, also...be prepared for crowds, when I arrived at the end there were atleast 100 people all sitting and enjoy the view (you wouldn't be able to tell by the photo); Arches National Park

Balanced Rock Trail: 0.4 mile loop, minimal elevation gain

Double Arch: 0.6 miles, 100ft elevation gain

Sand Dune Arch: 0.3 miles, minimal elevation gain, may be icy in winter

Canyonlands National Park

Mesa Arch Trail - .7 miles RT, 90ft elevation gain, this is *the* view spot at Canyonlands National Park, be prepared for an insane amount of people and photographers looking to capture this iconic Utah view, specifically at sunrise and sunset, but it will be busy at all times if the day due to its easy accessibility; Canyonlands National Park

Excursions:

Epic 4x4 Adventures - off roading side-by-side adventures in Moab, we opted for the sunset you-drive guided ride because it was the middle of June, they take you out to Sand Flats Recreation Area and did Fins and Things to start and then headed over to do Hell's Revenge - I would say this is THE best and highest quality service and gear/machines you can get in Moab, highly recommended and the sunset over the sandstone was unmatched - total time about 3 hours; Moab

Lodging & Camping:

Monticello

Glamping Canyonlands - owned by a local Husband and Wife, this off-grid glamping experience is perfect - especially if traveling alone and you're wanting that isolated feeling without compromising your safety.

They have added and expanded a lot since my visit in March of 2021 - you can check out their Instagram for recent updates to the property. P.S. they also bring coffee to your tent at sunrise.

Escalante

Hole-in-the-rock-road - BLM dispersed camping along a 62 mile road that goes from HWY 12 in between Boulder and Escalante and ends on the western end of Lake Powell. You can read more about the road and other driving precautions here. We camped pretty close to the entrance due to our vehicle situation. A little ways down to the right you will find a turn-off that leads to a dispersed camping area.

San Rafael Swell

The Wedge Overlook - BLM dispersed camping, first come first serve, we arrived the night of Christmas Eve, not another human in sight, probably due to the fact that it was below zero during the night, woke up Christmas morning to a herd of high desert big horn, beautiful views of the Little Grand Canyon and the San Rafael River, it was a full moon and the moonlight illuminated the snow in the canyon below, you can also take a drive down into the canyon and see some spooky pictographs and a fossilized dinosaur print - on our way back towards SLC and Park City, we stopped at Meadow Hotsprings which was surprisingly busy for Christmas Day

Beaver

Airbnb in Beaver, Utah - cozy, scenic tiny-house with desert views and starlink, I stayed here as a home base to visit Capitol Reef and Bryce Canyon, beautiful sunset and sunrise views, they did not have Starlink when I stayed in 2021 so it seems they have been making upgrades to the property!

Moab

Airbnb in Moab - 3rd floor condo with Mountain View's, shared hot tub and pool, close drive to National Parks, I stayed here mid-June with my dad, air conditioning was great to escape the mid afternoon heat, located in good driving distance of restaurants, shopping, hiking etc., beautiful views of the red rock mesas and beautiful lighting during sunset

The Casitas at the Hoodoo Moab, Curio Collection by Hilton - condos located near Main Street in Moab

"Find us off US 191, adjacent to the Hoodoo Moab, Curio Collection hotel. We're a five-minute drive from the Colorado River and less than 10 minutes from Arches National Park. Our Casitas feature two bedrooms, gas fireplaces, and balconies or patios. Enjoy all the Hoodoo Moab hotel has to offer, including a spa, restaurant, pool, and meeting space."

Green River

Airbnb in Green River - Skyfall guest room, sunset views ove the Green River and the Book Cliff mountain range, free full service breakfast is included and served upstairs at the Tamarisk Restaurant, mini fridge with complimentary beverages, a fun spot to explore along the banks of the Green River, I stayed here on a road trip from Park City to Minneapolis and it was the perfect first stop on the way to Moab

Food:

Price

The Tangerine Eatery: salads, sandwiches, soups, froyo - good healthy stop on your way from SLC to Moab. Notable items include the Get Me to the Greek Salad, Classic Ham & Cheese, Brazilian Chicken Wrap and Chicken Tortilla Soup.

Green River

The Tamarisk Restaurant: connected to the Skyfall Inn, great breakfast and omelets

Moab

Gloria's Corner Cafe: notable items include the 10oz Idaho Red Trout (pictured)

The Broken Oar Restaurant

Notable items include the honey sriracha lime salmon (pictured), decadent chocolate layer cake and the chicken Caesar salad

The Trailhead Public House and Eatery: located in a historic building, notable items include the nachos, BLT, jalapeño margarita and antipasto salad (pictured)

Red Rock Bakery & Cafe: noteable items include the smoothies, you can sub for almond, coconut or oat milk (pictured) and pumpkins cream cheese roll

Antica Forma - Woodfired Neoplatin Pizza: notable items include the pear + Gorgonzola salad and pepperoni pizza (both pictured)