HIKING UTAH SOLO: A 7 DAY TRAVEL GUIDE & ITINERARY

If you’re looking for adventure, hiking Utah solo is an experience like no other. From its iconic national parks to its dramatic desert landscapes, Utah offers the perfect backdrop for solo hikers. In this guide, Hiking Utah Solo: A 7 Day Travel Guide & Itinerary, I’ll walk you through why hiking solo in Utah is so rewarding, tips for staying safe, and a full week-long itinerary to help you plan your adventure. 

Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or new to solo hikes, this guide will give you everything you need to make the most of your Utah trip.

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Blog Contents

• LOCATION
• WHY HIKE UTAH SOLO
• IS IT SAFE HIKING UTAH SOLO
• BEST TIME TO VISIT UTAH
• HOW TO GET THERE – TRANSPORT AND HIRING A CAR
• MOST IMPORTANT TIPS FOR HIKING UTAH SOLO
• 7 DAY UTAH TRAVEL ITINERARY
• CONCLUSION

LOCATION

Utah is one of the 50 U.S. states. Located in the West, it borders Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado, Arizona, and Nevada.

WHY HIKE UTAH SOLO

I was first introduced to the possibility of visiting Utah when I started dating a Utahan native–things didn’t work out but it introduced me to a state that I’d never looked at twice. Once I did a bit of digging it was clear that this was a pretty incredible state, especially for hiking with ‘The Mighty 5’, Utah’s 5 incredible national parks.

In terms of why to hike Utah solo, every year when I plan a big trip (4 weeks or more), I push myself out of my comfort zone and make at least one of those weeks solo. In the past, it’s allowed me to meet new people, explore at my own pace and as corny as it sounds, learn more about myself. Utah is also one of the safest states, making it a perfect choice.

IS IT SAFE HIKING UTAH SOLO

Absolutely, as mentioned above, Utah is one of the safest states in the USA. There were no points in the trip where I felt unsafe. Everyone I met was super friendly and helpful, but I also put certain things in place that helped. Like choosing Airbnbs and hotels with excellent solo traveler reviews (you can select this as an option on booking.com), invested in a reliable vehicle, used the Find My app, and checked in with family daily. For more, I have a comprehensive list below.

In this post, Hiking Utah Solo: A 7 Day Travel Guide & Itinerary, I’ve shared how to explore Utah’s stunning landscapes on a solo adventure. From essential safety tips to a detailed day-by-day itinerary, this guide is designed to help you plan an unforgettable solo trip. Whether you’re seeking solitude in Utah’s national parks or looking for a personal challenge, hiking Utah solo is an empowering and rewarding experience.

Explore my comprehensive travel guides for even more must-see places around the USA.

Thankfully I was able to check off most of what I had planned for my trip. There were just a few things I didn’t get to but when I have the chance, would love to go back to. I’ve marked these in italics below, just in case you’d like to add them to your itinerary.

Here’s how my solo Utah hiking itinerary unfolded:

Land, collect vehicle, stay in St George.

Remember to purchase a National Park Pass. I opted for the America the Beautiful Pass as I knew I would easily spend over $80USD on park entrance fees.

Zion National Park – 2 Nights:

Day One:

• • Stock up on groceries and drive from St George. Check into accommodation in or near Zion National Park. 
  • Drive to Observation Point Trailhead and hike via East Mesa Trail to the lookout for sunset.

Day Two:

• • Hike Angels Landing–my permit was issued from 12pm (for everything you need to know, check out my post on tips for Hiking Angels Landing). 
  • From here, drive to Bryce National Park.

You could fit one a smaller hike on the morning of Day Two – I would highly suggest the Narrows whilst in Zion NP.

Bryce National Park and Bentonite Hills – 1 Night: 

Day Three:

• • Experience sunrise at Sunset Point, and hike the Navajo Trail Loop. It’s well worth doing this first thing in the morning when there are minimal crowds. Make sure to take a walk along the Ridgeline, too. 
  • Drive to Hanksville or your accommodation, relax for the afternoon. 
  • Drive to Bentonite Hills and experience this incredible place for sunset.

Canyonlands National Park & Moonscape Overlook – 1 Night:

Day Four:

• • Up early to explore Moonscape Overlook for sunrise.
  • From here, drive to Canyonlands – Island in the Sky. Walk/visit Mesa Arch, Shafer Canyon Overlook and Green River Overlook for sunset.

Arches National Park & Dead Horse State Park – 1 Night:

Day Five:

• • Hike to Delicate Arch for sunrise and before the crowds roll in, walk to Double Arch.

By Day five my body needed rest, so I chose to do relax for the evening. My original plan had been to drive to and explore Dead Horse State Park for sunset.

Salt Lake City – 1 Night:

Day Six:

• • Drive to Salt Lake City, enjoy sunset at Antelope Island.

Alternatively, if you don’t mind an extra drive or have more time in Salt Lake City, I would highly suggest visiting the Pink Lake for sunrise or sunset.

Bonneville Salt Flats – 1 Night:

Day Seven:

• • Drive to Bonneville Salt Flats for sunrise, then it was onto the next state.

As you can see this is a pretty full itinerary but I can confidently say that it was well worth it!