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Hiking in the desert comes with unique considerations, so make sure you do the following things before your hike:
Check the weather and dress/pack appropriately. If rain is in the forecast do not go on a slot canyon hike.
Research the trail you're planning on hiking so you know what to expect and to ensure it's within your skill level. Make sure to carry a map on the trail.
Always pack enough water in the desert. Only a few hikes in this guide provide access to water sources on the trail, so you need to carry enough for your entire hike. The recommended amount is 1L/hour of hiking that you plan on doing, although you may need more during warmer months and less during cooler months.
It's important to hike and camp on durable surfaces to help minimize your impact on the land. You'll find cryptobiotic soil across southern Utah, which is a biological soil crust that helps stabilize the desert and prevent erosion. When hiking make sure to stay on designated trails, or travel on other durable surfaces, like slickrock and washes.
When it comes to choosing a campsite it's important to choose an established site. The easiest way to identify one is typically by seeing fire ring. The land will also be disturbed and have a clear place for parking. I did my best to include a mix of campgrounds and dispersed camping areas in this guide, focusing on areas that have a variety of dispersed camping sites available vs. random one-off sites I've camped at.
Pack it in, pack it out! It's important to pack out all waste and trash, including food scraps. Southern Utah is an arid environment, so it takes a long time for food waste to breakdown.
When it comes to pooping in the desert, you're going to need to either use an established toilet (typically a pit toilet if you're at a trailhead or campground) or use a WAG bag to pack out your waste.
Leaving the natural and historic resources you find on your adventures ensures that other people will have the chance to enjoy them. When it comes to archaeological resources, including arrowheads, pottery shards, and dwelling sites, it's illegal to take or damage them (see the Travel Tip on visiting archaeological sites respectfully for more details!).
Before you have a campfire make sure that you check for fire bans. Even though most of the areas in this guide aren't heavily forested, brush fires are still common across southern Utah. Always practice fire safety, which means creating your campfire in an existing fire ring; making sure the fire is attended and doesn’t get out of control; and making sure the fire is out completely when you're done (stir the ashes until they are cool to the touch).
You may encounter a variety of wildlife while hiking in southern Utah. The most common wildlife include deer, pronghorn, lizards, birds, and small game, like rabbits. Never approach or feed wildlife.
While it's unlikely you're going to encounter a predator like a bear or mountain lion, it's important to always maintain a safe distance from wildlife. If you're concerned about encountering rattlesnakes, don't be too worried. While they're out there, they aren't as prevalent as you may think they'd be (the Denver foothills have more rattlesnake activity, in contrast). Stay alert while hiking and never put your hand in a place you haven't seen.
Southern Utah is a popular place, and it's important to be considerate of others, especially in the more crowded national parks. If you want to listen to music on your hike then wear headphones instead of blasting it over a bluetooth speaker. Also remember to practice trail etiquette, which includes giving uphill hikers the right of way and yielding to horses.
Go check out my guide for the best free things to do as well as itineraries and travel tips to make your trip unforgettable.