Utah Hiking, ATV, Biking and Horseback Trails

Designed and Promoted by
Go Utah Travel Guide
© Copyright 2003-2008

Utah Hiking Trails

Believed to have been used by the famous outlaw Butch Cassidy in his many escapes from the lawmen of the day. Relive some Old West adventures of your own on this wonderful red rock trail.

These three trails intertwine with each other to form several loops ranging from 3 miles to 8 or more miles. The shortest loop follows the Rich Trail from the Red Canyon Trailhead for 1 mile to its junction with the Ledge Point Trail. A half-mile climb takes you out to Ledge Point with views of Red Canyon and out to the Sevier River, the Markagaunt Plateau, and Brian Head Peak.

This trail takes you into a wonderful world of red hoodoos, sandstone cliffs of white, pink and even green colors. The spectacular red rock is evident along most of the Casto Canyon ride until you reach the forested areas of ponderosa pines where the colors change with every turn of the trail.

Although these trails were once separate, the Golden Wall Trail was extended so they now connect to make a nice loop that showcases the colors of the Claron Formation. The Golden Wall Trail, as its name suggests, winds through walls of golden colored limestone.

Because of its outstanding natural features, including two arches, a natural bridge, and several waterfalls, it is easy to understand why Coyote Gulch is by far the most popular hiking destination of all the Escalante Canyons. It is suggested that a minimum of 3 days be spent exploring the length of Coyote.

The Coyote Hollow Trailhead is the eastern access point to the Thunder Mountain Trail. See description below.

Along this trail, you will take in spectacular views of red rock cliffs, and wind your way through ponderosa pine forests, quaking aspen stands and sage flats as you climb in and out of the canyons. Elevations range from 7880 feet at Tropic Reservoir to 9030 feet at Smith Canyon and dropping to 6080 in Circleville.

Located at the bottom of Losee Canyon, the trail follows the canyon floor, winding through the red hoodoos and the many colored sandstone cliffs up to the higher elevations of the Red Canyon area.

Views of the Pink Cliffs, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, and the Kaibab Plateau in northern Arizona greet users of the Paunsaugunt Trail. The trail begins at Tropic Reservoir and several loops from 20-75 miles can be made.

One of the premier trails in the region, the Thunder Mountain Trail follows a normally dry wash for about 1.5 miles before climbing a series of steep switchbacks to a ridge that overlooks Red Canyon to the north, Wilson Peak to the southeast, and the Sevier River Valley to the west.

From this trail there are excellent views of the 2 highway tunnels along with a spectacular view of the colorful rock formations looming above the tunnels.

The trail over cairned slick rock and sand drops down to the streambed. Once in the streambed, the hiker enjoys lush foliage, wildlife, and majestic canyon walls. Awaiting is the emerald beauty of Lake Powell.