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Utah Trail Guide: Best Resources for Maps and Trail Navigation

Utah Trail Guide: Best Resources for Maps and Trail Navigation

Written By Visit Utah

The Toadstools | Adam Clark

There are thousands of miles of great hiking trails throughout Utah. Options range from family-friendly day hikes in The Mighty 5® to rugged, multi-day backpacking trips through 13,000-foot alpine peaks and deep desert canyons.

While the scenery is incredible, it’s easy to become disoriented or wander onto precarious terrain. Here's some tips for staying safe on the trails.

Maps, Apps and GPS

Cell service is known to fail in Utah's remote areas. It's always a good idea to carry a map and to familiarize yourself with how to read topography. Printed maps are great, and many apps come with offline functionality so that you can download your route before you hit the trail.

National Park, State Park and Public Land Maps

Hiking in Utah's national parks? The National Park Service is your best resource for all materials related to Arches, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef and Zion. While you can always pick up maps in-person at the various visitor centers, if you want to get a jump on your planning, you can find park brochures, trail maps and audio brochures at nps.gov/utah.

There are more than 40 state parks across Utah, from the rich blue waters of Bear Lake to the hot, orange and pink sands of Coral Pink Sand Dunes. Utah State Parks offers maps and brochures at stateparks.utah.gov. Have questions on what trail might be right for you? Stop by a state park visitor center to check current conditions and speak with a park ranger.

The Utah Bureau of Land Management (BLM) manages nearly 22.8 million acres of public lands in Utah, this represents about 42 percent of the state. The BLM has an interactive web map (it's also downloadable) that will help your planning process. Stop by a BLM office for updated maps (may require purchase) or print one from online. The US Forest Service also offers downloadable maps at a variety of scales to help you get started.

Digital Apps for Mapping

AllTrails+, Gaia GPS and onX Backcountry are just a few of the mobile apps that offer offline hiking capability. Many maps found in BLM offices also offer a QR code that when scanned, open a georeferenced mapping application (like the Avenza app). Additional downloadable, offline maps can be found using Google and the Maps.Me app.

Other Resources for Maps

Many local guides and bookstores carry great Utah hiking books and maps. The Natural Resources Map and Bookstore (located near Salt Lake City International Airport) welcomes visitors looking to pick-up paper maps. You can also place an order in their online store. A part of the Department of Natural Resources, visitors here can also pick up hunter and fishing licenses.

A little extra planning can expand your knowledge, reduce your impact and improve your adventure.

Photo: Kevin Winzeler

"It's important to know your route. Always carry a map or a GPS system, cell service can often fail in remote areas."

Brush Up on Your Navigational Knowledge

Christopher Hagedorn is a guide, wilderness instructor and owner of Get in the Wild Adventures. (Watch: A Guided Adventure Through Robbers Roost.) Hagedorn says he has helped guide “incredible outdoor experiences” for people from all over the world. Less experienced travelers can tap into Hagedorn’s expertise by taking advantage of one of his outdoor educational courses, a guided adventure trip, or an all-inclusive wilderness vacation.

Lack of navigational knowledge is the most common mistake people make in the backcountry, Hagedorn says. “These days, everyone wants to rely on GPS — the art of map and compass is going away and it’s still a critical skill,” he says, adding: “A navigational error can get you into big trouble.”

Hagedorn says the root of learning how to navigate safely in the wilderness is about understanding topographical maps. “GPS devices — we all use them,” he says. “There are a lot of different analogs and apps, but at the end of the day, we’re using a screen that’s relatively small versus a big map that you can print out."

He suggests downloading phone apps before you get in the wild and don’t have service, but bring a map in addition. “To this day, I carry both, my map and compass and a GPS,” he says. (Read: How to Navigate Utah’s Backcountry Safely)

"To this day, I carry both my map and compass, and a GPS."

– Chris Hagedorn, Guide, Wilderness Instructor, Owner of Get in the Wild Adventures

Consider Going with a Guide

Want to deeply experience Utah's outdoors without the stress of planning and navigating? Local guides and outfitters are your key to an unforgettable, hassle-free adventure.

Insider Knowledge: These passionate experts know the land intimately. They’ll share fascinating local perspectives and geological wonders while ensuring your trip honors the Utah Forever ethic.
Exclusive Access: Beyond keeping your family safe, guides can unlock hidden gems, taking you to awe-inspiring spots that are only accessible with special permits and the right gear.
Endless Options: Choose from quick half-day excursions to immersive multi-day journeys. You can dive into magical stargazing, ancient petroglyph tours, river rafting, technical canyoneering, mountain biking or hiking clinics.

Always Adventure Safe Checklist

Remember these six tips to help ensure that you Always Adventure Safe in Utah’s outdoors:

Bring Enough Water: Every season in Utah’s dry climate requires bringing adequate water. The daily temperature and intensity of adventure dictate how much. Make sure to calculate and plan for your needs.
Check Conditions: Check forecasts, flash flood, fire danger and avalanche warnings before heading out. Pack for unexpected weather. Research road, trail and water conditions. Start early to avoid midday heat or being out after dark.
Stay on the Trail: It’s easy to become disoriented or wander onto precarious terrain. Stay on the trails and respect all safety barriers. Always carry a map or a GPS system, cell service often fails in remote areas.
Know Your Limits: Altitude changes and extreme temperatures can impact your abilities. Check trail difficulty, take breaks and turn around if needed. Go with a guide if you're using new equipment or exploring unfamiliar activities or terrain.
Dress Appropriately: Clothing needs change depending on season and activity. Always consider sun protection, bring extra layers and dress for safety with proper footwear and protective gear like helmets, life jackets, eye protection and gloves.
Tell a Friend: Before heading out, let someone know your plans: where you’re going, who you’re going with, and when you’ll be back. Turn on location sharing, but be prepared for limited cell service.

About the Author – Visit Utah

We at VisitUtah.com love good storytelling. We love meeting the people and discovering the places that define the Life Elevated experience. You'll find those stories here. We also provide great information to help you plan your trip. Above all, our mission is to elevate life in Utah through responsible tourism stewardship.