We may or may not be biased (we are), but we think our little corner of Southern Utah is one of the most beautiful places in the world! Below are some of our favorite outdoor areas that you may not come across on your own. Many are within an hour of your accommodation and some are just minutes away. In addition, a great overall resource for various hiking trails in the area can be found on http://www.hikestgeorge.com/  

Kolob Canyons Zion National Park (main park info below)

This section of the park is one of the least appreciated. Just 28 miles from the front door, you will find a variety of breathtaking hikes and scenery.

http://www.citrusmilo.com/zionguide/kolob.cfm

Kanarraville Canyon Falls

https://www.visitutah.com/places-to-go/cities-and-towns/cedar-city/kanarraville-canyon-falls-hike/

Red Cliffs Desert Reserve

https://www.visitutah.com/places-to-go/state-and-federal-recreation-areas/southern/red-cliffs-national-conservation-area/

Coral Pink Sand Dunes

http://www.visitsouthernutah.com/Coral-Pink-Sand-Dunes-State-Park

Snow Canyon State Park

https://stateparks.utah.gov/parks/snow-canyon/

Sand Hollow State Park

https://stateparks.utah.gov/parks/sand-hollow/

Bloomington Caves (permit required)

http://www.paragonadventure.com/southernutah/home/outdoor-recreational-activities/caving/

Oak Grove

http://www.willhiteweb.com/utah_climbing/pine_valley_mountains/signal_peak_301.htm

Antelope Canyon

 A 2.5 hour drive (one way) will take you to Lake Powell and Antelope Canyon, a mystical and stunning slot canyon that rivals any other. 

http://www.antelopeslotcanyon.com/

See more info about the National Parks Below

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If you aren't visiting Zion, then WHY ARE YOU HERE??

Growing up with Zion National Park in our backyard has been magical. While i've hiked nearly every trail in the park over a lifetime, below are several of my favorites that can be done during a weekend visit, are also accessible to the public, and do not require permits. 

Angels Landing

http://www.zionnational-park.com/zion-angels-landing-trail.htm

Emerald Pools

A great hike to be enjoyed by all. Especially great for families traveling with kids. 

http://www.citrusmilo.com/zionguide/emeraldpools.cfm

Canyon Overlook Trail

http://www.citrusmilo.com/zionguide/canyonoverlook.cfm

The Narrows

https://utah.com/hiking/zion-national-park/the-narrows

Lady Mountain

A personal favorite. NOT for everyone. 

http://www.zionnational-park.com/zion-lady-mountain.htm

Just 2 hours from Zion Lofts is Bryce Canyon National Park. A sprawling reserve in southern Utah, Bryce is known for its crimson-colored hoodoos, and spire-shaped rock formations. The park’s main road leads past the expansive Bryce Amphitheater, a hoodoo-filled depression lying below the Rim Trail hiking path. It has overlooks at Sunrise Point, Sunset Point, Inspiration Point and Bryce Point. Prime viewing times are around sunup and sundown.

Rim Trail

http://www.gjhikes.com/2012/11/bryce-canyon-rim-trail.html

Queens Garden Trail

http://www.zionnational-park.com/bryce-canyon-trails.htm

Navajo Loop Trail

https://www.visitutah.com/places-to-go/most-visited-parks/bryce-canyon/family-guide/navajo-loop/

Bristlecone Loop Trail

https://www.brycecanyon.com/hiking-the-bristlecone-loop-in-bryce/

Mossy Cave Trail

http://www.sltrib.com/home/3743826-155/utah-hike-of-the-week-mossy

Just 2.5 hours from Zion Lofts, The Grand Canyon is a natural formation distinguished by layered bands of red rock, revealing millions of years of geological history in cross-section. Vast in scale, the canyon averages 10 miles across and a mile deep along its 277-mile length. Much of the area is a national park, with Colorado River white-water rapids and sweeping vistas. While most visitors visit the North or South Rim, TOROWEAP is our all time favorite! If you have a 4 wheel drive vehicle, then look into visiting this backcountry section of the park and avoiding the crowds. 

Toroweap

https://www.hitthetrail.com/toroweap-tuweep/   

https://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/tuweep.htm

North Rim

The North Rim is the closest lodge to Zion Lofts. While many visitors travel to this spot annually, it's for a good reason. Breathtaking views are abundant and there are a lot of resources and information available through the Park Service. 

https://grandcanyon.com/category/planning/north-rim-planning/

South Rim

https://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/directions_s_rim.htm

While only 200 miles away as the crow flies, the driving time to get to Arches is a bit longer and is best planned for a different section of your trip. Arches National Park lies north of Moab in the state of Utah. Bordered by the Colorado River in the southeast, it’s known as the site of more than 2,000 natural sandstone arches, such as the massive, red-hued Delicate Arch in the east. Long, thin Landscape Arch stands in Devils Garden to the north. Other geological formations include Balanced Rock, towering over the desert landscape in the middle of the park.

Delicate Arch

https://utah.com/arches-national-park/delicate-arch

Fiery Furnace

https://modernhiker.com/hike/hike-the-fiery-furnace-arches-national-park

Broken Arch Loop

https://www.outdoorproject.com/adventures/utah/hikes/broken-arch-trail

Canyonlands National Park in southeastern Utah is known for its dramatic desert landscape carved by the Colorado River. Island in the Sky is a huge, flat-topped mesa with panoramic overlooks. Other notable areas include the towering rock pinnacles known as the Needles, the remote canyons of the Maze and the Native American rock paintings in Horseshoe Canyon. Whitewater rapids flow through Cataract Canyon.

Island In The Sky (area)

http://www.americansouthwest.net/utah/canyonlands/island_in_the_sky.html

Druid Arch

http://www.protrails.com/trail/85/canyonlands-national-park-druid-arch

Slickrock Trail

https://www.visitutah.com/places-to-go/most-visited-parks/canyonlands/family-guide/slickrock-foot-trail/

One of the visited areas of the state, Capitol Reef National Park is in Utah's south-central desert. It surrounds a long wrinkle in the earth known as the Waterpocket Fold, with layers of golden sandstone, canyons and striking rock formations. Among the park's sights are the Chimney Rock pillar, the Hickman Bridge arch, and Capitol Reef, known for its white sandstone domes. In the north are the towering monoliths of Cathedral Valley.

Hickman Bridge

https://liveandlethike.com/2015/04/07/hickman-bridge-trail-capitol-reef-national-park-ut/

Golden Throne

http://www.americansouthwest.net/utah/capitol_reef/golden-throne-trail.html

Rim Overlook and Navajo Knobs

https://utah.com/hiking/capitol-reef-national-park/rim-overlook-navajo-knobs

Cassidy Arch

https://liveandlethike.com/2015/01/22/cassidy-arch-trail-capitol-reef-national-park-ut/