To view the owner of nearly 80 percent of all land in the State of Utah, just look in a mirror. Nearly 80 percent of the state of Utah consists of public land, managed by the state or federal government, meaning that it is yours to enjoy and explore. Of this vast cornucopia of forests, deserts, riverways and historical sites, five particularly spectacular areas of natural beauty in Southern Utah have been designated National Parks, Arches, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, and Zion.
Arches National Park
With over 2,000 registered arches, the red rock landscape of the 76,679-acre park graces innumerable websites and photography collections. Designated Arches National Monument in 1929 by President Herbert Hoover and expanded and given park designation by subsequent administrations, and popularized in the books of Edward Abbey, Arches is a perennial visitor favorite.
Location: Moab, UT
Official Website: http://www.nps.gov/arch/index.htm
Trails: Arches has 15 designated trails winding through red rock walls and buff slickrock pillow of stone past some of the most dramatic arches of the park.
Climbing: Many climbing and bouldering routes are available in Arches and surrounding areas.
Biking: Bikes are allowed on paved and unpaved roads in the park, but not on trails or offroad. Nearby is the storied 40-mile long Slickrock Bike Trail.
Bryce Canyon
Designated a National Monument in 1923 and a National Park in 1928, this 35,835-acre park isn’t actually a canyon but a series of natural amphitheaters, filled with hoodoos, thin, fantastically-shaped rock pillars in delicate shades of yellow, salmon, pink, coral, and ivory. The remoteness of this fairy-tale landscape and the extended trail network means that even in peak season, you can enjoy many of the park features in uncrowded peace. With an altitude of over 8,000 feet, Bryce’s deep cobalt-blue skies and sparkling rock spires are photographers’ favorites, but acclimatized visitors may struggle with even easy trails due to the thin air.
Location: Southeast of Panguitch, Utah on Highway 12.
Official Website: http://www.nps.gov/brca/index.htm
Trails: The trails of Bryce are open for hiking in the summer and skiing and snowshoeing in the winter, including guided moonlight hikes and snowshoe tours. Four trails are designated easy, four moderate, and three strenuous.
Canyonlands
Carved into deep canyons and soaring buttes by the Colorado River and its tributaries, the park is divided into four districts as well as the river itself. With a wide range of activities including hiking, biking, four-wheeling, rock climbing, river sports, and backpacking, Canyonlands has something for everyone.
Location: Southeast of Moab, Utah.
Official Website: http://www.nps.gov/cany/index.htm
Island in the Sky: This accessible mesa overlooks deep canyons carved by the Colorado and Green Rivers, with several possible rim hikes. Moderate hikes lead to Whale Rock and Upheaval Dome, two massive humps of pale yellow sandstone bulging out of the sagebrush desert.
The Needles: With red and buff sandstone spires and other weird and wonderful rock formations, The Needles has hiking trails to suit every type of hiker, from shorter nature trails to multi-day hikes.
The Maze: The most rugged and remote area of Canyonlands, The Maze is recommended for experienced backcountry hikers, with advanced trail-finding and survival skills. The soaring walls of deep red sandstone make a dramatic backdrop for multi-day backpacking trips in this remote area.
Horseshoe Canyon: Accessible by 30-plus miles of dirt road, this unit (formerly known as Barrier Canyon) contains four major petroglyph panels alone a three-mile long hiking trail. First settled in 9000 BC with art dating back to 4000 to 1500 years ago, this unit combines a unique view into the history of the region with the dramatic sheer red-rock walls of the Wingate rock formation.
Colorado River: This unit includes the Class IV rapids of Cataract Canyon as well as quiet stretches suitable for canoeing.
Capitol Reef National Park
Following the 100-mile long Waterpocket Fold, a geologic monocline (a sort of wrinkle in the surface of the earth), Capitol Reef is a long, skinny park, distinguished by pale white sandstone domes, which look like the United States Capitol building, against a background of red cliffs.
Location: Torrey, UT
Official Website: http://www.nps.gov/care/index.htm
Trails: The 15 day-hiking trails of Capitol Reef vary from easy quarter-mile strolls to strenuous 10-mile hikes through deep canyons and over steep cliffs, and from visits to the orchards and schoolhouse of pioneer Fruita to backcountry wilderness. Longer trails are available for multi-day backpacking trips.
Zion
The highlight of this 229-square-mile park is Zion Canyon, an oasis in the desert, with delicate waterfalls and cool pools surrounded by green ferns. Above the canyons carved by the Virgin River are dramatic rock formations.
Location: Springdale, UT
Official Website: http://www.nps.gov/zion/index.htm
Trails: Trails range from accessible nature trails through narrow slot canyons, and from lower elevation riparian environments to the arid rock landscapes of the high desert, including the 14-mile round-trip hike to Kolob Arch, one of the two longest freestanding arches in the world.
