Have you hung up your hiking boots for the season? We certainly hope not, because winter is still an excellent time to hike in Utah! When it snows, the Beehive State turns into a winter wonderland, and you should be out enjoying it. Get your butt off the couch, bundle up and get out there! There are so many beautiful places in Utah that somehow manage to become even more incredible when covered in fresh snow. Embark upon these spellbinding contenders for the best winter hikes in UT and let us know which one your favorite is!
- Mill B South to Lake Blanche, Big Cottonwood Canyon
Brandon Rasmussen/flickr
Katie Rompala/flickr This hike is a little more difficult and is nearly seven miles out and back, so make sure you’re adequately prepared before you head out. You’ll start at the Mill B South trailhead and go up, up, up from there. You’ll want snowshoes for this trail and should also double check with the Utah Avalanche Center before heading out as the trail does cross a couple of avalanche paths. If you need something a little easier, avoid the trail to Lake Blanche and do the Mill B South instead.
- Grandeur Peak, Millcreek Canyon
Summit Cheese/flickr If you’d like to bag a fairly quick peak this winter, Grandeur Peak is a good choice. You’ll start at the Church Fork trailhead in Millcreek Canyon, then climb a fairly short (but steep) 2.25 miles to the peak. The views from the top are stunning! This trail is very popular, even in the winter, so unless there’s fresh snow, you might not need your snowshoes. Seekers of the best views in Utah will love this one. Grandeur Peak, Millcreek, UT 84109, USA
- Queens Garden Trail, Bryce Canyon National Park
rickz/flickr
rickz/flickr Bryce Canyon National Park is simply stunning in the winter. A dusting of snow on the hoodoos and spires really brings out their dimensions and completely changes the scenery here. The Queens Garden Trail is an easy drop down from the rim - you’ll descend 320 feet over less than a mile. The climb back up can be tricky if it’s slippery - take your Yaktrax. Queens Garden Trail, Sunrise Point Rd, Bryce Canyon City, UT 84764, USA
- Donut Falls, Big Cottonwood Canyon
John B./Trip Advisor
John B./Trip Advisor Donut Falls is a pretty safe hike in the winter, and fairly easy for most hikers. It’s about 4.7 miles out and back and of course, the payoff is the unique waterfall at the end! Lovers of waterfalls in Utah will be lovers of this incredible trail. Donut Falls Summer Trailhead, Salt Lake City, UT 84121, USA
- Angel’s Landing, Zion National Park
N4rwhals/flickr Depending on the weather, winter might be the best time for this hike because it’s not crowded at all. However, if there’s ice along the way it can be quite dangerous. If you’re crazy enough to attempt it after a snowfall, make certain that you check in first with park rangers, and that you have appropriate gear. This is downright one of the all-time best hiking trails in Utah and we think it’ll have you spellbound. Angel’s Landing, Zion National Park
- Big Spring Hollow Trail, Provo Canyon
Mystified Cat/flickr From the South Fork Park trailhead, you’ll travel a loop of 4.3 miles. This trail is secluded and peaceful the entire way - bring your snowshoes and enjoy the winter wonderland! Hiking in UT in December has never been so full of magic. Spring Hollow Road, Spring Hollow Rd, Utah, USA
- Weeping Rock, Zion National Park
Zion National Park/Facebook
Yi-Liang (Lucas) Liu/flickr This short trail is just a mile round-trip, but it can be icy in spots, so take extra care. If you’re lucky, you’ll witness a frozen Weeping Rock - gorgeous! This is one of our favorite winter hikes in Utah, and we think it’ll be yours, too. Weeping Rock, Utah 84767, USA
- Mesa Arch, Arches National Park
Cielodlp/flickr As you can see, Mesa Arch is even more beautiful with a little bit of snow! It’s a super easy hike of less than a half mile, and is available year-round. You won’t have to fight nearly as hard for a spot to set up your tripod during winter months - and those 5:00 a.m. sunrise shots are sooo worth it! Arches National Park, Utah, USA
Before you head out on a Utah winter hike, make sure you’re fully prepared. If you’re hiking in avalanche country, check with the Utah Avalanche Center for current conditions. In national parks, check in with the visitor’s center and talk to park rangers regarding current and future weather conditions. For some of these hikes, you may need snowshoes or Yak-traks to keep your footing. And as always, never hike alone, tell someone where you’ll be, and when you expect to be back. Be prepared for bad weather conditions, and take along plenty of water and some food. Be safe out there and have a great hike!
Brandon Rasmussen/flickr
Katie Rompala/flickr
This hike is a little more difficult and is nearly seven miles out and back, so make sure you’re adequately prepared before you head out. You’ll start at the Mill B South trailhead and go up, up, up from there. You’ll want snowshoes for this trail and should also double check with the Utah Avalanche Center before heading out as the trail does cross a couple of avalanche paths. If you need something a little easier, avoid the trail to Lake Blanche and do the Mill B South instead.
Summit Cheese/flickr
If you’d like to bag a fairly quick peak this winter, Grandeur Peak is a good choice. You’ll start at the Church Fork trailhead in Millcreek Canyon, then climb a fairly short (but steep) 2.25 miles to the peak. The views from the top are stunning! This trail is very popular, even in the winter, so unless there’s fresh snow, you might not need your snowshoes. Seekers of the best views in Utah will love this one.
Grandeur Peak, Millcreek, UT 84109, USA
rickz/flickr
Bryce Canyon National Park is simply stunning in the winter. A dusting of snow on the hoodoos and spires really brings out their dimensions and completely changes the scenery here. The Queens Garden Trail is an easy drop down from the rim - you’ll descend 320 feet over less than a mile. The climb back up can be tricky if it’s slippery - take your Yaktrax.
Queens Garden Trail, Sunrise Point Rd, Bryce Canyon City, UT 84764, USA
John B./Trip Advisor
Donut Falls is a pretty safe hike in the winter, and fairly easy for most hikers. It’s about 4.7 miles out and back and of course, the payoff is the unique waterfall at the end! Lovers of waterfalls in Utah will be lovers of this incredible trail.
Donut Falls Summer Trailhead, Salt Lake City, UT 84121, USA
N4rwhals/flickr
Depending on the weather, winter might be the best time for this hike because it’s not crowded at all. However, if there’s ice along the way it can be quite dangerous. If you’re crazy enough to attempt it after a snowfall, make certain that you check in first with park rangers, and that you have appropriate gear. This is downright one of the all-time best hiking trails in Utah and we think it’ll have you spellbound.
Angel’s Landing, Zion National Park
Mystified Cat/flickr
From the South Fork Park trailhead, you’ll travel a loop of 4.3 miles. This trail is secluded and peaceful the entire way - bring your snowshoes and enjoy the winter wonderland! Hiking in UT in December has never been so full of magic.
Spring Hollow Road, Spring Hollow Rd, Utah, USA
Zion National Park/Facebook
Yi-Liang (Lucas) Liu/flickr
This short trail is just a mile round-trip, but it can be icy in spots, so take extra care. If you’re lucky, you’ll witness a frozen Weeping Rock - gorgeous! This is one of our favorite winter hikes in Utah, and we think it’ll be yours, too.
Weeping Rock, Utah 84767, USA
Cielodlp/flickr
As you can see, Mesa Arch is even more beautiful with a little bit of snow! It’s a super easy hike of less than a half mile, and is available year-round. You won’t have to fight nearly as hard for a spot to set up your tripod during winter months - and those 5:00 a.m. sunrise shots are sooo worth it!
Arches National Park, Utah, USA
For more winter fun in Utah, check out this amazing winter park for sledding! What would you say are the best winter hikes in UT? Which ones would you have added to this list? Let us know in the comments!
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Winter Hikes in Utah November 19, 2022 Tori Jane
What are some of the best winter hikes in UT?
Some of the best winter hikes in Utah include amazing trails like:
Hike Mount Olympus Summit the amazing Grandeur Peak Do the amazing Gloria Falls Trail
2. Where should I go hiking in UT in December? There are lots of options for hiking in Utah in December, including amazing places like:
Embark upon the beautiful Silver Lake Loop Fall in love with the Neffs Canyon Trail
3. What is winter in UT like? Winter in Utah is a beautiful time, despite the cold. Did you know our state gets as much snow as Colorado does? Not to worry, there are plenty of fun things to do in UT during the winter, like:
Do even MORE hiking in Utah Check out the best Christmas lights displays in Utah Attend the annual Dickens Festival
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Winter Hikes in Utah
November 19, 2022
Tori Jane
What are some of the best winter hikes in UT?
Some of the best winter hikes in Utah include amazing trails like:
Hike Mount Olympus Summit the amazing Grandeur Peak Do the amazing Gloria Falls Trail
2. Where should I go hiking in UT in December? There are lots of options for hiking in Utah in December, including amazing places like:
Embark upon the beautiful Silver Lake Loop Fall in love with the Neffs Canyon Trail
3. What is winter in UT like? Winter in Utah is a beautiful time, despite the cold. Did you know our state gets as much snow as Colorado does? Not to worry, there are plenty of fun things to do in UT during the winter, like:
Do even MORE hiking in Utah Check out the best Christmas lights displays in Utah Attend the annual Dickens Festival
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Some of the best winter hikes in Utah include amazing trails like:
- Hike Mount Olympus
- Summit the amazing Grandeur Peak
- Do the amazing Gloria Falls Trail
- Where should I go hiking in UT in December?
There are lots of options for hiking in Utah in December, including amazing places like:
- Embark upon the beautiful Silver Lake Loop
- Fall in love with the Neffs Canyon Trail
- What is winter in UT like?
Winter in Utah is a beautiful time, despite the cold. Did you know our state gets as much snow as Colorado does? Not to worry, there are plenty of fun things to do in UT during the winter, like:
- Do even MORE hiking in Utah
- Check out the best Christmas lights displays in Utah
- Attend the annual Dickens Festival
