Southwest Canyon Country’s Best Nature Walks 39 Easy Ways to Explore the National Parks of the Four Corners

Explore some of the easiest and most rewarding hikes through Utah, Arizona, and Colorado's otherworldly landscapes—with descriptions of the unique flora, fauna, and geology any hiker can discover along the trail.

From the towering cliffs of Zion to the ancient dwellings of Mesa Verde; from the bighorn sheep of Arches National Park to the Martian-looking landscapes of the Petrified Forest—each trail featured in Southwest Canyon Country's Best Nature Walks beckons with the promise of adventure and discovery.   

But these are not the epic treks of seasoned adventurers or the grueling expeditions of intrepid explorers. Instead, these are brief excursions—often chosen for being less crowded and for their proximity to the road—that can be enjoyed by families, solo travelers, and nature enthusiasts of all ages and abilities. Whether you're seeking a peaceful retreat into the wilderness or simply craving a breath of fresh air, this book has something for everyone.  

Roddy Scheer is a journalist and photographer specializing in environmental issues, the outdoors, and travel. When he is not out in the field taking pictures, Roddy produces EarthTalk, a weekly environmental Q&A column syndicated to more than 1,000 news outlets reaching more than  6 million readers. He has served as a regular contributor to E-The Environmental Magazine, Seattle Magazine, Northwest Travel, American Photo, PhotoMedia, Wildflower, and others. His books include Oregon and Washington’s Roadside Ecology and Yellowstone and Grand Teton’s Best Nature Walks. He is a three-time Society of Professional Journalists “Excellence in Journalism” winner.

ARIZONA
 
Grand Canyon
 
1.    Shoshone Point (2.1 miles RT)
2.    South Kaibab Trail to Ooh Aah Point (1.8 miles RT)
3.    Cape Royal Trail (0.8 miles RT)
4.    North Kaibab Trail to Coconino Overlook (1.3 miles RT)
 
DRIVE: South Rim & Viewpoints
 
Petrified Forest
 
1.    Crystal Forest (0.75 mile loop; named for crystals in petrified logs)
2.    Giant Logs (0.4 mile loop; largest and most colorful logs)
3.    Long Logs (1.6 mile loop; ancient log jam at the base of gray badlands)
4.    Painted Desert Rim Trail (1.2 miles RT)
5.    Historic Blue Forest Trail (2.4 miles RT)
 
MUST SEE: Petrified Forest Scenic Drive, Blue Mesa Trail
 

 
COLORADO
 
Black Canyon of the Gunnison
 
1.    Rim Rock Nature Trail (1.5 mile RT)
2.    Oak Flat Loop Trail (1.3 mile loop)
3.    Uplands Trail (2.2 miles RT)
4.    Cedar Point Nature Trail (2/3 mile RT)
5.    Warner Point Nature Trail (1.5 miles RT)
 
MUST SEE: Canyon Rim Trail
 
Mesa Verde
 
1.    Knife Edge Trail (2 miles RT; great for sunset)
2.    Soda Canyon Overlook Trail (1.2 miles RT;  level out-and-back trail through pinyon-juniper forest to three overlooks)
3.    Park Point Overlook Trail (0.4 mi; out-and-back trail with wildflowers near Mesa Verde)
 
MUST SEE: Cliff Palace Loop
 

 
UTAH
 
Arches
 
1.    Balanced Rock (0.3 miles RT)
2.    Park Avenue (1.8 miles RT)
3.    The Windows (1 mile RT)
4.    Double Arch (0.6 miles RT)
5.    Broken Arch & Sand Dune Arch (1.2 mile RT)
6.    Delicate Arch (0.5 miles RT)
7.    Landscape Arch (1.8 miles RT)
 
Bryce
 
1.    Mossy Cave (0.8 mi RT; streamside walk up to a mossy overhang and small waterfall)
2.    Rim Trail: Sunset Point to Sunrise Point Trail (1 mi RT)
3.    Bristlecone Loop (1.0 mi RT; spruce-fir forests to cliffs with bristlecone pines and expansive vistas)
4.    Queen’s Garden (1.8 mi RT)
5.    Fairyland Trail (2/3 mile RT; first 1500 feet to promontory)
6.    Yovimpai Point and Rainbow Point (0.2 miles RT)
 
Canyonlands National Park
 
1.    Mesa Arch Hike (.6 miles round-trip)
2.    Grand Viewpoint Hike (2 miles round-trip)
3.    Upheaval Dome Hike (1.6 miles round-trip) 
4.    Pothole Point Trail in the Needles District (0.6 miles round-trip)
 
Capitol Reef
 
1.    Capitol Gorge (1 mile, Deep canyon, historic inscriptions, short climb to waterpockets "tanks")
2.    Goosenecks (0.1 mile, dramatic canyon views)
3.    Grand Wash (2.2 miles, deep canyon, narrows)
4.    Sunset Point (0.4 miles, panorama, good for sunset)
5.    Fruita Oasis: Sulphur Creek (1.8 miles RT)
6.    Upper Cathedral Valley Viewpoint (0.2 miles RT)
 
MUST SEE: Fremont Gorge Overlook Trail
 
Zion
 
1.    Weeping Rock (0.4 miles RT; lush hanging gardens continually moist from constant water flow from the canyons above)
2.    Canyon Overlook (1 mile RT)
3.    Riverside Walk (2 miles RT)
4.    Watchman Trail (2 miles RT)
5.    Lower Emerald Pool (1.2 miles RT; can extend to Upper Emerald Pools)
6.    Water Canyon (2 miles RT; mini “Subway” slot canyon)
7.    West Bank of the Virgin River (>5 miles RT; riparian zone, cottonwoods etc.)
8.    Timber Creek Overlook (1 mile RT)