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100 BEST DAY HIKES IN THE SOUTHWEST

Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument, NM

Welcome to the Bigroads.com guide to best day hikes in the American Southwest! As you absorb the lists below, take note that the lists you'll find throughout my website are not perfect and they never will be. Opinions on what makes a hike great will vary. However, much care and research has been made in crafting these lists. I've also personally visited most of the hikes that I describe. I will continue to improve these lists as I do more hikes and hear feedback from you.

If you love the southwest as much as I do, you should attempt to hike as many of these as possible. If you discover any errors or major omissions on this list, please email me.

TOP 100 DAY HIKES LIST

Here are my choices for the top 100 day hikes in the American Southwest. You'll find hikes across Arizona, southeastern California, western Colorado, southern Nevada, New Mexico, southern Utah, and western Texas. Take note that I have purposely excluded most off-trail hikes as I do not believe it is responsible to post information about hidden gems online. In my opinion it's more fun to have conduct some research to find the off-trail goodies and natural wonders.

☎ = an advance permit and/or timed entry reservation is required
✔ = I have personally done this hike (and you are welcome to email me for advice/tips)

STATE	TOP 100 DAY HIKE	PARK	TYPE	DIFFICULTY
Arizona	Aravaipa Canyon ☎	Aravaipa Canyon Wilderness	water features	moderate/difficult
Arizona	Arizona Hot Springs	Lake Mead National Recreation Area	water features	moderate
Arizona	Bear Mountain	Coconino National Forest	summit	difficult
Arizona	Boynton Canyon Trail / Subway Cave	Coconino National Forest	geologic feature	moderate
Arizona	Bright Angel Trail (to 3 mile resthouse) ✔	Grand Canyon National Park	scenic views	difficult
Arizona	Camelback Mountain ✔	Echo Canyon Recreation Area	summit	moderate/difficult
Arizona	Cathedral Rock ✔	Coconino National Forest	scenic views	moderate/difficult
Arizona	Coyote Buttes North / The Wave ☎ ✔	Vermilion Cliffs National Monument	geologic feature	moderate
Arizona	Devil's Bridge / Devil's Bridge Trail ✔	Coconino National Forest	arch / natural bridge	moderate
Arizona	Flatiron	Lost Dutchman State Park	summit	very difficult
Arizona	Freemont Saddle / Peralta Trail ✔	Tonto National Forest	scenic views	moderate
Arizona	Gowan Trail to Tonto Natural Bridge ✔	Tonto Natural Bridge State Park	arch / natural bridge	easy
Arizona	Heart of Rocks ✔	Chiricahua National Monument	geologic feature	moderate/difficult
Arizona	Horseshoe Bend ✔	Glen Canyon National Recreation Area	scenic views	easy
Arizona	Hugh Norris Trail / Wasson Peak	Saguaro National Park	summit	moderate/difficult
Arizona	Humphrey's Peak / Humphrey's Trail	Coconino National Forest	summit	difficult
Arizona	Hunter Trail / Picacho Peak ✔	Picacho Peak State Park	summit	moderate/difficult
Arizona	Antelope Canyon X ☎	Navajo-owned land	slot canyon	easy
Arizona	Waterholes Canyon ☎	Navajo-owned land	slot canyon	easy
Arizona	Lower Antelope Canyon ☎	Navajo-owned land	slot canyon	easy
Arizona	Mount Wrightson	Coronado National Forest	summit	difficult
Arizona	Piestewa Park	Phoenix Mountains Preserve	summit	moderate/difficult
Arizona	Rim Trail ✔	Grand Canyon National Park	scenic views	easy
Arizona	South Kaibab Trail (to Cedar Ridge) ✔	Grand Canyon National Park	scenic views	difficult
Arizona	Spencer Trail from Lees Ferry	Glen Canyon National Recreation Area	scenic views	moderate/difficult
Arizona	Tom's Thumb	McDowell Sonoran Preserve	geologic feature	moderate/difficult
Arizona	Upper Antelope Canyon ☎✔	Navajo-owned land	slot canyon	easy
Arizona	Water Wheel Falls ☎	Tonto National Forest	water features	moderate
Arizona	Wave Cave	Tonto National Forest	geologic feature	moderate
Arizona	West Fork Trail / Oak Creek Canyon ✔	Coconino National Forest	water features	moderate
Arizona	White Pocket ✔	Vermilion Cliffs National Monument	geologic feature	easy
Arizona	Wildcat Trail	Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park	scenic views	moderate
Arizona	Wilson Mountain	Coconino National Forest	summit	difficult
California	Fall Canyon	Death Valley National Park	geologic feature	moderate
California	Golden Canyon / Gower Gulch	Death Valley National Park	scenic views	moderate
California	Hidden Valley	Joshua Tree National Park	geologic feature	easy
California	Ladder Canyon Trail	Mecca Hills Wilderness	slot canyon	moderate
California	Mobius Arch Loop	Alabama Hills Recreation Area	arch / natural bridge	easy
California	Mosaic Canyon ✔	Death Valley National Park	geologic feature	moderate
California	Rings Loop Trail / Hole-in-the-Wall	Mojave National Preserve	geologic feature	moderate
California	Ryan Mountain Trail / Ryan Mountain ✔	Joshua Tree National Park	scenic views	easy/moderate
California	Telescope Peak	Death Valley National Park	summit	difficult
California	Wildrose Peak	Death Valley National Park	summit	difficult
Colorado	Rattlesnake Arches	BLM-land	arch / natural bridge	difficult
Nevada	Cathedral Rock	Spring Mountains National Recreation Area	scenic views	moderate
Nevada	Fire Wave ✔	Valley of Fire State Park	geologic feature	easy
Nevada	White Domes Loop ✔	Valley of Fire State Park	geologic feature	easy
New Mexico	Alcove House / Main Loop Trail ✔	Bandelier National Monument	ancient ruins	easy
New Mexico	Alkali Flats Trail ✔	White Sands National Monument	scenic views	easy/moderate
New Mexico	Bisti Badlands	Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness	geologic feature	moderate
New Mexico	Catwalk, The	Catwalk Recreation Area / Gila National Forest	geologic feature	easy
New Mexico	Cave Loop Trail / Slot Canyon Trail ☎ ✔	Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument	geologic feature	moderate
New Mexico	Gila Cliff Dwellings Trail	Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument	ancient ruins	easy/moderate
New Mexico	Kitchen Mesa	Ghost Ranch Conference Center(privately owned)	scenic views	moderate/difficult
New Mexico	Santa Fe Baldy	Santa Fe National Forest	summit	difficult
New Mexico	Wheeler Peak	Carson National Forest	summit	difficult
Texas	Balanced Rock	Big Bend National Park	geologic feature	easy/moderate
Texas	Emory Peak Trail / Emory Peak ✔	Big Bend National Park	summit	difficult
Texas	Guadalupe Peak Trail / Guadalupe Peak ✔	Guadalupe Mountains National Park	summit	difficult
Texas	Lighthouse Trail / The Lighthouse	Palo Duro Canyon State Park	geologic feature	moderate
Texas	South Rim Trail Loop	Big Bend National Park	scenic views	difficult
Utah	Angels Landing ☎ ✔	Zion National Park	scenic views	difficult
Utah	Broken Bow Arch / Willow Gulch	Glen Canyon National Recreation Area	arch / natural bridge	moderate
Utah	Butler Wash Interpretive Trail ✔	Bears Ears National Monument	ancient ruins	easy
Utah	Canyon Overlook Trail ✔	Zion National Park	scenic views	easy
Utah	Cassidy Arch ✔	Capitol Reef National Park	arch / natural bridge	moderate
Utah	Corona Arch ✔	BLM-land (Moab)	arch / natural bridge	easy/moderate
Utah	Delicate Arch ☎ ✔	Arches National Park	arch / natural bridge	easy/moderate
Utah	Devil's Garden Loop ☎ ✔	Arches National Park	arch / natural bridge	moderate
Utah	Druid Arch / Chesler Park ✔	Canyonlands National Park (Needles District)	arch / natural bridge	difficult
Utah	Fairyland Loop / Tower Bridge	Bryce Canyon National Park	arch / natural bridge	moderate
Utah	Fiery Furnace ☎ ✔	Arches National Park	arch / natural bridge	difficult
Utah	Fisher Towers ✔	BLM-land (Moab)	geologic feature	easy/moderate
Utah	Golden Cathedral / Neon Canyon	Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument	arch / natural bridge	difficult
Utah	Grand View Point Trail ✔	Canyonlands National Park (Islands in the Sky District)	scenic views	easy
Utah	Hickman Bridge ✔	Capitol Reef National Park	arch / natural bridge	easy/moderate
Utah	Horseshoe Canyon	Canyonlands National Park	petroglyphs	moderate/difficult
Utah	House On Fire ✔	Bears Ears National Monument	ancient ruins	easy
Utah	Kanarra Falls ☎	Spring Creek Canyon Wilderness Study Area	slot canyon	easy/moderate
Utah	Little Wild Horse / Bell Canyon Loop ✔	BLM-land	slot canyon	moderate
Utah	Lower Calf Creek Falls ✔	Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument	water features	easy/moderate
Utah	Mesa Arch ✔	Canyonlands National Park (Islands in the Sky District)	arch / natural bridge	easy
Utah	Natural Bridges Loop ✔	National Bridges National Monument	arch / natural bridge	moderate
Utah	Navajo Knobs / Rim Overlook	Capitol Reef National Park	scenic views	difficult
Utah	Observation Point (via the East)	Zion National Park	scenic views	moderate
Utah	Peek-a-Boo & Spooky Gulch ✔	Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument	slot canyon	moderate
Utah	Peekaboo Loop ✔	Bryce Canyon National Park	scenic views	moderate
Utah	Petrified Dunes Trail	Snow Canyon State Park	geologic feature	moderate
Utah	Queens Garden / Navajo Loop Trail ✔	Bryce Canyon National Park	geologic feature	moderate
Utah	Red Mountain / Snow Canyon Overlook	Red Cliffs Desert Reserve	scenic views	moderate/difficult
Utah	Red Reef Trail ✔	Red Cliffs National Conservation Area	geologic feature	easy/moderate
Utah	Rim Trail ✔	Bryce Canyon National Park	scenic views	easy
Utah	Syncline Loop / Upheaval Dome	Canyonlands National Park (Islands in the Sky District)	scenic views	difficult
Utah	Toadstool Hoodoos ✔	Grand-Staircase Escalante National Monument	geologic feature	easy
Utah	Tower Arch ☎ ✔	Arches National Park	arch / natural bridge	easy/moderate
Utah	Upper Muley Twist Canyon	Capitol Reef National Park	slot canyon	difficult
Utah	Wahweap Hoodoos	Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument	geologic feature	moderate
Utah	Willis Creek Narrows ✔	Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument	slot canyon	easy
Utah	Wire Pass to Buckskin Gulch ✔	Vermilion Cliffs National Monument	slot canyon	easy/moderate
Utah	Zion Narrows / Virgin River Narrows ✔	Zion National Park	water features	easy/moderate

WATER FEATURES

Here is a list of best day hikes in the American Southwest that include some sort of water feature (e.g., a brook, waterfall, canyon with water, etc.)

ARIZONA
✮ Aravaipa Canyon, Aravaipa Canyon Wilderness ☎
✮ Arizona Hot Springs, Lake Mead National Recreation Area - typically closed from mid-May through the end of September (weather is too hot)
✮ Seven Falls, Sabino Canyon Recreation Area (Tucson)
✮ South Kaibab / Bright Angel Loop, Grand Canyon National Park ✔ - extremely difficult and potentially dangerous
✮ Tonto Natural Bridge, Tonto Natural Bridge State Park ✔ - the largest travertine natural bridge in the world
✮ Water Wheel Falls, Tonto National Forest ☎
✮ West Fork Trail / Oak Creek Canyon, Coconino National Forest ✔

TEXAS
✮ Hot Springs, Big Bend National Park

UTAH
✮ Emerald Pools, Zion National Park ✔
✮ Faux Falls, Moab area
✮ Kanarra Falls, Spring Creek Canyon Wilderness Study Area ☎
✮ Left Fork, BLM-land (Moab) ✔ - Moab's best swimming hole
✮ Lower Calf Creek Falls, Grand-Staircase Escalante National Monument ✔
✮ Mossy Cave Falls, Bryce Canyon National Park ✔
✮ Professor Creek / Mary Jane Canyon, BLM-land (Moab)
✮ Red Reef Trail, Red Cliffs National Conservation Area ✔
✮ Sulphur Creek, Capitol Reef National Park
✮ Upper Calf Creek Falls, Grand-Staircase Escalante National Monument
✮ Virgin River Narrows, Zion National Park ✔
✮ Willis Creek Narrows, Grand-Staircase Escalante National Monument ✔

It's not really a hike, but Slide Rock State Park in Sedona, Arizona is a must-visit if you enjoy swimming holes.


West Fork Trail in Sedona, AZ		Left Fork in Moab, UT		Willis Creek, UT

SLOT CANYONS

Here is a list of many of the best day hikes in the American Southwest that include slot canyons:

ARIZONA
✮ Antelope Canyon X ☎ - Navajo-led guided tour required!
✮ Lower Antelope Canyon ☎ - Navajo-led guided tour required!
✮ Antelope Canyon X ☎ - Navajo-led guided tour required!
✮ Upper Antelope Canyon☎ ✔ - Navajo-led guided tour required!
✮ Waterholes Canyon ☎ - Navajo-led guided tour required!
✮ Wire Pass to Buckskin Gulch ✔

CALIFORNIA
✮ Ladder Canyon Trail, Mecca Hills Wilderness / Chuckwalla National Monument
✮ The Slot, Anza Borrego Desert State Park ✔

NEVADA
✮ White Domes Loop, Valley of Fire State Park ✔

UTAH
✮ Fiery Furnace, Arches National Park ☎ ✔
✮ Kanarra Falls, Spring Creek Canyon Wilderness Study Area ☎
✮ Little Wild Horse / Bell Canyon Loop, BLM-land ✔ - near Goblin Valley State Park
✮ Peek-a-Boo & Spooky Gulch, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument ✔ - large hikers may struggle to fit through
✮ Red Reef Trail, Red Cliffs National Conservation Area ✔
✮ Upper Muley Twist Canyon, Capitol Reef National Park
✮ Willis Creek, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument ✔
✮ Wire Pass to Buckskin Gulch, Vermilion Cliffs National Monument ✔
✮ Zebra Canyon, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument - large hikers may struggle to fit through

The Anniversary Narrows near Lake Mead in Nevada are also impressive, but there has been some access issues in the past. It's unclear to me whether they are open to the public or not.


Wire Pass to Buckskin Gulch, AZ		White Domes Loop, NV		Little Wildhorse Canyon, UT

SUMMIT HIKES

Here is a list of many of the best summit day hikes in the American Southwest:

ARIZONA
✮ Bear Mountain, Coconino National Forest
✮ Black Mountain, Black Mountain Summit Park
✮ Camelback Mountain, Echo Canyon Recreation Area ✔ - not far from downtown Scottsdale
✮ Escudilla Mountain, Escudilla Wilderness Area
✮ Flatiron, Lost Dutchman State Park
✮ Humphrey's Peak, Coconino National Forest - this is the highpoint of Arizona
✮ Mount Ajo, Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument
✮ Mount Baldy, Fort Apache Indian Reservation
✮ Mount Wrightson, Coronado National Forest
✮ Picacho Peak, Picacho Peak State Park ✔ - includes rungs and ladders (a similar level of fun to Angel's Landing in Utah)
✮ Picketpost, Tonto National Forest
✮ Piestewa Park, Phoenix Mountains Preserve
✮ Quartz Peak, Sierra Estrealla Wilderness
✮ Wasson Peak, Saguaro National Park
✮ Wilson Mountain, Coconino National Forest

CALIFORNIA
✮ Ryan Mountain, Joshua Tree National Park ✔
✮ Telescope Peak, Death Valley National Park - this is the highpoint of the national park
✮ Wildrose Peak, Death Valley National Park

NEW MEXICO
✮ Santa Fe Baldy, Santa Fe National Forest
✮ Wheeler Peak, Carson National Forest - this is the highpoint of New Mexico

TEXAS
✮ Emory Peak, Big Bend National Park ✔ - this is the highpoint of the national park
✮ Guadalupe Peak, Guadalupe Mountains National Park ✔ - this is the highpoint of Texas

UTAH
✮ Mount Peale, Manti-La Sal National Forest
✮ Mount Tukuhnikivats, Manti-La Sal National Forest


Camelback Mountain, AZ		Guadalupe Peak, TX		Ryan Mountain, CA

ARCHES & NATURAL BRIDGES

Here is a list of many of the best day hikes in the American Southwest that include arches and/or natural bridges:

ARIZONA
✮ Devil's Bridge, Coconino National Forest ✔ - insanely crowded - start at 6am!
✮ Tonto Natural Bridge, Tonto Natural Bridge State Park ✔

CALIFORNIA
✮ Arch Rock, Joshua Tree National Park ✔
✮ Mobius Arch Loop, Alabama Hills Recreation Area
✮ Natural Bridge, Death Valley State Park ✔

COLORADO
✮ Rattlesnake Arches, BLM-land - 4x4 vehicle likely required

NEVADA
✮ White Domes Loop, Valley of Fire State Park ✔

UTAH
✮ Cassidy Arch, Capitol Reef National Park ✔
✮ Corona Arch, BLM-land (Moab) ✔
✮ Delicate Arch, Arches National Park ☎ ✔
✮ Devil's Garden Loop, Arches National Park ☎ ✔
✮ Druid Arch / Chesler Park, Canyonlands National Park (Needles District) ✔
✮ Fiery Furnace, Arches National Park ☎ ✔
✮ Golden Cathedral / Neon Canyon, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument
✮ Hickman Bridge, Capitol Reef National Park ✔
✮ Jeep Arch, BLM-land (Moab)
✮ Little Wildhorse Window, BLM-land (Moab)
✮ Mesa Arch, Canyonlands National Park (Islands in the Sky District) ✔
✮ Morning Glory Arch, BLM-land (Moab)
✮ Natural Bridges Loop, National Bridges National Monument ✔
✮ Sand Dune Arch & Broken Arch, Arches National Park ☎ ✔
✮ Tower Arch, Arches National Park ☎ ✔
✮ Tower Bridge, Bryce Canyon National Park
✮ Windows Loop & Turret Arch, Arches National Park ☎ ✔


Double O Arch, UT		Druid Arch, UT		Corona Arch, UT

SAND DUNES

Here is a list of the best sand dunes to explore in the American Southwest:

CALIFORNIA
✮ Eureka Dunes, Death Valley National Park
✮ Kelso Dunes, Mojave National Preserve
✮ Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, Death Valley National Park

COLORADO
✮ Great Sand Dunes National Park ✔

NEW MEXICO
✮ White Sands National Park (e.g., Alkali Flat Trail) ✔

UTAH
✮ Coral Pink Sand Dunes ✔


White Sands National Park, NM		Great Sand Dunes, CO		Coral Pink Sand Dunes, UT

BACKPACKING

Here is a list of many of the best backpacking trips or areas in the American Southwest:

ARIZONA
✮ Escalante Route, Grand Canyon National Park ☎
✮ Havasu Falls, Havasupai ☎ ✔
✮ South Kaibab / Bright Angel Loop, Grand Canyon National Park ☎ ✔
✮ Superstition Mountains

NEW MEXICO
✮ Santa Fe Baldy
✮ Wheeler Peak

TEXAS
✮ Guadalupe Mountains National Park trails (e.g. McKittrick Canyon) ☎
✮ Outer Mountain Loop, Big Bend National Park ☎
✮ Rancherias Loop, Big Bend Ranch State Park
✮ South Rim Trail, Big Bend National Park ☎

UTAH
✮ Buckskin Gulch to Paria Canyon, Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness ☎
✮ Coyote Gulch, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
✮ Death Hollow, Grand-Staircase Escalante National Monument & Dixie National Forest
✮ Escalante River, Grand-Staircase Escalante National Monument
✮ Grand Gulch, Bears Ears National Monument ☎
✮ Needles District / Chesler Park, Canyonlands National Park ☎ ✔
✮ Salt Creek Canyon, Canyonlands National Park ☎
✮ Under-the-Rim Trail, Bryce Canyon National Park ☎
✮ West Rim Trail, Zion National Park ☎ ✔
✮ Zion Narrows, Zion National Park ☎

Some people also suggest backpacking in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park in California, but I haven't done much research on that yet. I also don't know much about Dark Canyon in Utah or backpacking in the Maze District of Canyonlands. Both areas sound promising though.


West Rim Trail, UT		Havasu Falls, AZ		Grand Canyon, AZ

RECOMMENDED GUIDEBOOKS

In addition to the information found on my website, I personally recommend purchasing these guidebooks to the American Southwest. Click on any link to read reviews and/or purchase these books on Amazon.com (affiliate).

Hiking Southwest Canyon Country
50 Best Short Hikes in Utah's National Parks
100 Classic Hikes Utah
Hiking Arizona
Hiking New Mexico

As an Amazon Associates affiliate, this website contains affiliate links. If you choose to purchase any products after clicking any Amazon.com link, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. I only endorse products that I have personally used or come highly recommended by trusted peers.

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