Utah's best multi-day backpacking trail is the 104-mile (167 km) Uinta Highline Trail, which holds above 10,000 ft (3,050 m) for most of its length and skirts 13,528-ft (4,123 m) Kings Peak, the state's highest summit. Beyond the Uintas, Zion's chained ridgelines and the Henrys Fork approach to Kings Peak round out the strongest routes for 2026.
Why Utah is a world-class backpacking destination in 2026
Utah holds five national parks and seven national forests, but its finest multi-day hiking sits in the high country of the Uinta Mountains, the only major east-west range in the contiguous United States. Above 10,000 ft (3,050 m) the Uintas cradle more than 1,000 glacial lakes, broad tundra basins and Utah's three highest peaks. Add the desert sandstone of Zion and the Colorado Plateau, and Utah delivers everything from a 2-hour chain scramble to an 8-day alpine traverse. For 2026, low snowpack years have been opening the high passes by early July, a week or two earlier than the long-term norm.
Every route below links to a full HikeLoad trail guide with GPX tracks and stage breakdowns. Start with the flagship Uinta Highline Trail route guide and use the best thru-hikes in the United States roundup to place Utah's trails in a national context.
Uinta Highline Trail - Utah's premier long-distance route
The Uinta Highline Trail (UHT) runs roughly 104 miles (167 km) from the McKee Draw trailhead in the east to Hayden Pass near the Mirror Lake Highway in the west, with about 16,000 ft (4,900 m) of cumulative ascent. Most thru-hikers walk it east to west in 5 to 8 days, crossing eight passes above 11,000 ft (3,350 m), including 12,700-ft (3,870 m) Anderson Pass beneath Kings Peak. There are no permits and no fees for the trail itself, only a free wilderness ethic of leave-no-trace camping in the High Uintas Wilderness.
Because the route stays so high, water is plentiful from snowmelt streams and lakes, but exposure to afternoon lightning is the defining hazard. Carry a larger-volume pack such as the Osprey Atmos AG 65 or the lighter Zpacks Arc Haul Ultra 60L to carry 5+ days of food without resupply.
Kings Peak via Henrys Fork - Utah's highpoint
If you want Utah's roof without committing to the full traverse, the Kings Peak loop via Henrys Fork is the classic. It runs about 28-29 miles (45-47 km) round trip with roughly 5,200 ft (1,585 m) of gain, summiting the 13,528-ft (4,123 m) peak over a boulder-strewn ridge from Anderson Pass. Most parties take 3 days, basing in Henrys Fork Basin. It shares its final mile with the Uinta Highline, so peak-baggers often tack it on as a side trip. A 50-60 L pack like the Deuter Aircontact Lite 45+10 handles the 3-day load comfortably.
Naturalist Basin and the lake-basin loops
For shorter trips, the High Uintas are studded with basin loops. Naturalist Basin is a 10-12 mile (16-19 km) overnight from the Highline trailhead at Mirror Lake, holding a tier of lakes above 10,500 ft (3,200 m). Four Lakes Basin and Red Castle Lakes offer 20-30 mile (32-48 km) weekend loops with classic Uinta scenery. These trips suit a lighter kit; a 35-55 L pack such as the Hyperlite 3400 Windrider is ideal for 2-3 nights.
Zion and the desert: Angels Landing and beyond
When the high country is snowbound, Utah's desert delivers. Zion National Park anchors the southwest, where the Angels Landing and West Rim Trail climbs chained sandstone fins to a 5,790-ft (1,765 m) viewpoint. It is a day hike rather than a backpack, but the West Rim can be extended into a 16-mile (26 km) overnight. For a deeper dive into the park, see our best hikes in Zion National Park guide.
How Utah's best trails compare
| Trail | Distance | Days | High point |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uinta Highline Trail | 104 mi / 167 km | 5-8 | 12,700 ft / 3,870 m |
| Kings Peak (Henrys Fork) | 28-29 mi / 46 km | 2-3 | 13,528 ft / 4,123 m |
| Naturalist Basin | 10-12 mi / 18 km | 1-2 | 10,800 ft / 3,290 m |
| Angels Landing / West Rim | 5-16 mi / 8-26 km | 1-2 | 7,400 ft / 2,255 m |
When to go and what you need
The High Uintas season runs mid-July to mid-September; snow lingers on north-facing passes into early July and the first storms can return by late September. The desert flips that calendar - Zion is best March-May and September-November. No permit is required for the Uinta Highline or Kings Peak, but the official Ashley National Forest pages carry current trail and fire-closure notices, and the National Weather Service Salt Lake City office publishes the high-elevation forecasts you should check before any pass crossing. For a step beyond Utah, the Pacific Crest Trail and the Continental Divide Trail are the natural next goals.
How to plan a Utah backpacking trip in 2026
Logistics in Utah's high country are simpler than in permit-heavy parks, but altitude and access shape every plan. Most Uinta trailheads sit at 9,000-10,500 ft (2,750-3,200 m), so arriving a day early to sleep high reduces the risk of altitude sickness. Trailhead roads such as the Mirror Lake Highway (State Route 150) typically open by late May but can hold snow at the highest pullouts into June. Fuel, last groceries and any fee payments are handled in Kamas, Vernal or Evanston before you lose cell signal entirely. Inside the wilderness there is no resupply, so a multi-day food carry is unavoidable - plan calories carefully and use a roomy load-hauler such as the Deuter Aircontact Core 50+10 for the heaviest itineraries.
Water is rarely a concern in the Uintas: lakes and snowmelt streams appear every few miles, so a 1-2 L capacity and a filter suffice. The desert is the opposite - in Zion and Canyonlands you may carry 4-6 L between sources, and summer highs exceed 100 F (38 C). This split means a single Utah trip rarely combines high country and desert in one push; instead, hikers pair an August Uinta traverse with a spring or autumn desert route. For the desert side of the calendar, our Zion hiking guide covers the timing, and serious peak-baggers can build toward the Mount Whitney Trail in neighbouring California, the highest summit in the lower 48 at 14,505 ft (4,421 m).
Wildlife, safety and leave-no-trace in the Uintas
The High Uintas hold black bears, moose and mule deer, but the animals that affect most trips are smaller: marmots and ground squirrels chew through unattended packs for salt, and July mosquitoes are legendary. Store food securely, keep a clean camp, and carry a head net. The greatest objective hazard remains lightning on the exposed passes, which is why every itinerary should front-load the high crossings into the morning. Practising leave-no-trace camping at least 200 ft (60 m) from water protects the fragile alpine basins that make the range special, and is required across the wilderness.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hardest backpacking trail in Utah?
The Uinta Highline Trail is Utah's most demanding multi-day route, covering 104 miles (167 km) with about 16,000 ft (4,900 m) of climbing and eight passes above 11,000 ft (3,350 m). Sustained elevation above 10,000 ft and total remoteness, not technical terrain, are what make it hard.
Do you need a permit to backpack in the Uinta Mountains?
No permit and no fee are required to backpack the Uinta Highline Trail or Kings Peak in the High Uintas Wilderness as of 2026. You must follow leave-no-trace rules and camp at least 200 ft (60 m) from lakes and streams. Day-use fees apply only on the Mirror Lake Highway corridor.
How high is Kings Peak?
Kings Peak is 13,528 ft (4,123 m), making it the highest point in Utah. The standard route via Henrys Fork is about 28-29 miles (46 km) round trip with 5,200 ft (1,585 m) of ascent, usually done over 2-3 days with a final boulder-field ridge scramble.
When is the best time to backpack in Utah's high country?
Mid-July to mid-September is the reliable window for the Uinta Mountains, once snow clears the high passes and before autumn storms arrive. July brings heavy mosquitoes and afternoon thunderstorms, while late August and early September offer the most stable weather and fewer bugs.
Is the Uinta Highline Trail good for beginners?
It is better suited to experienced backpackers because of its altitude, exposure to lightning and lack of resupply points. Beginners should start with a lake-basin overnight such as Naturalist Basin, around 10-12 miles (18 km), before attempting the full traverse.
