Top wilderness areas
Wilderness AreaZion Wilderness
Wilderness AreaBox-Death Hollow Wilderness
Wilderness AreaMount Timpanogos Wilderness
Wilderness AreaBlackridge Wilderness
Wilderness AreaCanaan Mountain Wilderness
Wilderness AreaDark Canyon Wilderness
Wilderness AreaDeseret Peak Wilderness
Wilderness AreaHigh Uintas Wilderness
Wilderness AreaLone Peak Wilderness
Wilderness AreaMount Naomi Wilderness
Wilderness AreaRed Butte Wilderness
Wilderness AreaRed Mountain Wilderness
Wilderness Areas by county
All wilderness areas (24)
| Name | County | Elevation | Nearest town | Sky |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zion WildernessZion | Washington County | — | Toquerville | 2 |
| Box-Death Hollow Wilderness | Garfield County | — | Richfield | 1 |
| Mount Timpanogos Wilderness | Utah County | — | Lindon | 6 |
| Blackridge WildernessZion | Washington County | — | Toquerville | 3 |
| Canaan Mountain WildernessZion | Washington County | — | Hildale | 3 |
| Dark Canyon Wilderness | San Juan County | — | Blanding | 1 |
| Deseret Peak Wilderness | Tooele County | — | Grantsville | 3 |
| High Uintas Wilderness | Duchesne County | — | Mountain View | 2 |
| Lone Peak Wilderness | Utah County | — | Granite | 5 |
| Mount Naomi Wilderness | Cache County | — | Richmond | 4 |
| Red Butte WildernessZion | Washington County | — | Toquerville | 2 |
| Red Mountain Wilderness | Washington County | — | Ivins | 4 |
| Ashdown Gorge WildernessCedar Breaks | Iron County | — | Cedar City | 3 |
| Cedar Mountain Wilderness | Tooele County | — | Grantsville | 3 |
| Cottonwood Canyon Wilderness | Washington County | — | Washington | 4 |
| Deep Creek North WildernessZion | Kane County | — | Cedar City | 2 |
| Twin Peaks Wilderness | Salt Lake County | — | Cottonwood Heights | 6 |
| Beartrap Canyon WildernessZion | Iron County | — | Toquerville | 2 |
| Cottonwood Forest Wilderness | Washington County | — | Washington | 4 |
| Cougar Canyon Wilderness | Washington County | — | Enterprise | 2 |
| Doc's Pass Wilderness | Washington County | — | Enterprise | 2 |
| Goose Creek WildernessZion | Washington County | — | Toquerville | 2 |
| Government Peak Wilderness | Millard County | — | McGill | 1 |
| LaVerkin Creek WildernessZion | Iron County | — | Cedar City | 2 |
Sky = estimated Bortle class (1 darkest – 9 brightest).
Map
How to photograph wilderness areas
Wilderness areas reward those who camp: being on location at sunrise and in the dark is the main advantage over day visitors.
- Motorized and mechanized equipment, including drones, is prohibited in designated wilderness.
- Group size limits and permits may apply; check with the managing agency.
- Practice Leave No Trace — camp on durable surfaces away from lakes and streams.
- Pack weight matters: a single zoom and a light tripod cover most situations.
- Night skies are often among the darkest in the country.
Season: Most high wilderness is snow-free from July to September; lower deserts are best in spring and autumn.