Utah is known worldwide for its iconic landscapes. Many people visit Utah for their five National Parks, but we’re going to share hidden gems in Utah to help you get off the beaten track for an adventure you’ll remember forever! We love visiting remote regions of Utah and being the only humans in the vast, wild landscapes.
It’s especially important to leave no trace in remote regions that do not collect fees or have proper infrastructure to handle crowds. Many of the places mentioned below are on BLM land. This land is public, but please respect it so people can continue to enjoy it for years to come.
How to Responsibly Explore Hidden Gems in Utah
In order to recreate responsibly in these remote areas, follow the 7 Leave No Trace Principles:
- plan ahead and prepare: research current weather and trail conditions, bring enough food and water, bring/download an offline map, prepare for crowds in certain areas
- travel and camp on durable surfaces: be sure not to hike off trail or use social trails! Camp at designated areas only
- dispose of waste properly: even an orange peel or cherry pit can disturb the ecosystem and take years to decompose. Be sure to pack out absolutely everything!
- leave what you find: do not take rocks or build cairns of rocks, do not carve into trees or other natural object
- minimize campfire impacts: know current fire restrictions, keep fires small and only use established fire rings
- respect wildlife: be sure to stay at least 100 yards away from bears and 25 yards away from all other animals
- be considerate of other visitors: drones are not allowed, do not play music on the trail, give the right of way to uphill hikers
1. The Burr Trail
This lesser known 67 mile scenic backway is one of our favorite hidden gems in Utah! Our favorite part of this trail was how remote it was and how we could stop on the side of the road and jump out if we saw a landscape that caught our eye.
The Burr Trail is a scenic 67 mile backway in Bryce Canyon Country. The trail starts in Boulder, Utah and then travels goes through part of Capitol Reef National Park, Grand Staircase Escalante, and Glen Canyon National Recreation Area before ending in Ticaboo, Utah near North Lake Powell.
Important things to know about the Burr Trail
- road is paved until the western boundary of Capitol Reef National Park
- 4WD car is recommended due to the steep dirt switchback section of the trail
- plan to stop often as there are many unnamed scenic views on the side of the road
- check the trail conditions as the trail may become impassable with recent rain
- driving the trail without stops takes about two hours, but plan for at least half of a day to explore! We recommend dedicating one full day
Recommended Stops on the Burr Trail
- drive through Long Canyon
- Singing Canyon
- the Circle Cliffs
- Surprise Canyon
- Burr Trail Switchbacks
- Waterpocket Fold
Check out our complete guide to the Burr Trail.
2. Hanksville
Hanksville is a small town (population: 200!) located near several National and State Parks. This area has several incredible places to see and is definitely a hidden gem in Utah because of its remoteness and otherwordly landscapes.
Points of interest near Hanksville
Moonscape Overlook: This place truly earns its namesake! Although the road is a little rough and hard to find, it’s definitely worth a visit. Input these coordinates into Google Maps: 38.4487810, -110.8825910 to find it. Primitive camping is allowed here as it is BLM land, but be sure to leave no trace!
Factory Butte: right across the road from Moonscape Overlook is this towering butte. You won’t miss it! The light is gorgeous here at sunrise or sunset.
3. Cathedral Valley Trail at Capitol Reef National Park
The Cathedral Valley Trail is an offroading trail full of epic otherworldly landscapes. You have to add it to your list of hidden gems in Utah! It’s located in Capitol Reef National Park, but only 1% of visitors to the national park drive this trail.
You will need 4 wheel drive as the trail involves a water crossing. You’ll likely need to dedicate a full day to this trail as the entire trail takes between 5 and 8 hours depending on stops. The trail is 58 miles without detours and is full of epic hikes, awe-inspiring overlooks, and unique geological features. We saw only a few other people on the entire trail and it feels crazy to have these landscapes to yourself!
For all the information you need, including where to stay and stop, check out our full guide to the Cathedral Valley.
4. Goblin Valley State Park
Also near Hanksville, you can explore this park in just a few hours. We went at sunrise and had the entire place to ourselves! The best part about this place is you can explore anywhere in the valley. There’s only a few official trails, but the rest of the valley is basically a playground of insane rock formations.
We camped at a free BLM campground right outside the park called South Temple Wash campground, but there is also a campground in the park that is $35/night. Keep in mind the entrance fee to the park is $20. The entrance fee is waived for those camping at the park.
5. Snow Canyon State Park
Located 20 minutes from downtown St. George is otherworldly Snow Canyon State Park. This park features red and white sandstone cliffs, multiple hiking trails, and opportunities for biking and rock climbing. The fee is $10 per vehicle to enter the park.
Popular hikes at Snow Canyon State Park
- Petrified Dunes Trail: we would highly recommend this trail for sunset!
- Whiptail Trail: hike through a series of narrow canyons
- Lava Flow Trail: this challenging hike takes you through a field of lava rock and offers some great views of the surrounding area
- Hidden Pinyon Trail: This moderate hike takes you through a grove of pinyon pines and offers viewings of the sandstone cliffs
- Johnson’s Canyon Trail: This easy hike takes you through a canyon with several small waterfalls and is a great option for families
Have you heard of any of these hidden gems in Utah? Which one do you want to visit first?
