Photo: Utah ranked in top ten best hiking destinations in the Us according to Why This Place

UTAH—Utah was ranked in the top ten best places to hike by Why This Place travel experts. Why This Place analyzed five key factors that it believes make for an unrivaled hiking experience in each of the 50 states. To create the Hiking Index, it scored each state out of 100 based on factors such as the abundance of hiking trails and waterfalls relative to state size, the percentage of land covered by national and state parks, and the average yearly rainfall and temperature.

Utah has emerged as a hiker’s haven, securing the ninth spot with a score of 61.22 out of 100 for overall hiking experiences. Boasting 87 hiking trails per 1,000 square miles and a state and national park coverage of 1.86%. It’s also a great destination for those seeking stunning waterfalls, as it has one per 1,000 miles and, on average, receives the third-lowest annual rainfall of just 13.5 inches.

Courtesy of Why This Place — Photo: Why This Place.

“This data offers a fascinating insight into the best destinations in the U.S. for lovers of the great outdoors,” said a spokesperson for Why This Place. “Connecticut’s emergence as the best state for hiking may appear rather surprising, however, its large proportion of trails and park coverage means that hikers of all skill levels are likely to find a trail that caters to their preferences across the beautiful New England state.”