Northern Utah's Top 7 Backpacking Trips

Busy season? What busy season? Year-round, locals can avoid the crowds that swarm the national parks every summer and spend a few days exploring the gorgeous wilderness and solitude in what is perhaps the state's most under-the-radar gem, northern Utah. No traffic line-up at the entrance, no shuttles, no pushy elbows on the trails, no painful waits for a bite to eat, no overflowing trash cans. Just you and the great outdoors and the best darn trails you'll ever have the pleasure of hiking.

1. WILLARD PEAK + BEN LOMOND

Named for someone's Scottish nostalgia, Ben Lomond means "Beacon Peak," and was heretofore named because you can see this peak from miles away down in the valley. Want to bag the highest peak in the northern Wasatch Mountain Range? Oh and you want to knock out a second 9k peak while you're at it? Done and done with views to boot.

The Beta

ELEVATION: Willard Peak 9,764 feet | Ben Lomond 9,712 feet

LENGTH: 3 miles from Willard Basin for both Willard Peak and Ben Lomond

DIFFICULTY: Moderate (short and easy, but more challenging for kids)

PERMIT: Yes

WATER: No - pack it in

TRAILHEAD: Willard Basin Trailhead

From I-15, take exit 362 (Brigham City) and head towards Logan

• Turn east on Hwy 91 into the canyon

• Drive to Mantua and turn south into town

• Take a right when you see a road leading up to the mountains

• The road turns into a dirt road

• If the road is dry, you can drive (4WD) all the way to Willard Basin (don't drive on the road after a heavy rain)

• Takes one hour to get to the trailhead after Mantua

2. EYRIE PEAK

This trip is relatively short, making it worth packing in your water. It's part of the South Skyline Trail (which is part of the Great Western Trail), and a little ditty of a hike that will have you switchbacking, wandering through forests and soaking up views on ridgelines. 

The Beta

ELEVATION: 8,136 feet

LENGTH: 6.5 miles round trip

DIFFICULTY: Moderate

PERMIT: Yes

WATER: No- pack it in

TRAILHEAD: North Ogden Divide Trailhead

• Take exit 344 from I-15

• Drive east on 12th street for 2 miles

• Turn north on Washington

• Drive toward Ben Lomond for 3.5 miles

• Turn right on 3100 North and continue up North Ogden Canyon Road

• The North Ogden Divide Trailhead is 3 miles up the road on your right

3. MT. OGDEN

There are a few options to reach the top of Mt. Ogden, but the the easiest route is via Snowbasin and it's just as rewarding as the other routes. You can camp at the top of Porcupine chairlift or at the top of the John Paul area in the bowl.

The Beta

ELEVATION: 9.572 feet

LENGTH: (via Snowbasin) 4 miles to the summit from the trailhead

DIFFICULTY: Moderate

PERMIT: No

WATER: No - pack it in

TRAILHEAD: Snowbasin

• From I-15, take exit 343 to I-84 eastbound

• Take exit 92 at Mountain Green

• Continue east on Old Highway

• Turn left (north) on State Road 167

• Turn left on State Road 226, head west

• Proceed 3 miles to Snowbasin

4. JARDINE JUNIPER

This trail will take you through some of the prettiest scenery (meadows, fir and aspen groves), and, AND, you'll get to meet a 1,500-year-old juniper tree along the ridge. Logan was already one of your favorite towns, and now Logan Canyon will surely be one of your favorite canyons. Camp in Wood Camp Hollow. There's a nice creek that flows through the canyon. Basically a lovely backpacking trip for the soul.

The Beta

ELEVATION: 7,427 feet

LENGTH: 5.8 miles one way

DIFFICULTY: Moderate

PERMIT: Yes

WATER: Creek through canyon

TRAILHEAD: 41.797466, -111.644537

• Drive 11 miles up Logan Canyon on Hwy 89 from Logan (towards Bear Lake)

• Take the Wood Camp Campground turnoff (left hand side of the road) near mile marker 471

• Take the road over the bridge to the trailhead parking area

5. NAOMI PEAK

Difficult is relative if you go during wildflower season (late July - early August). And, bring your dog if it pleases you. This pretty peak is the highest summit in the Bear River Range, about one mile east of Mount Magog (say it again: Mount Magog!). This mountain is a dolomitey-quartzitey wonderland where you can discover a handful of small caves and fossils here and there. Be cautious and be sure to wear bright orange if you're hiking here in the fall - it's a popular destination for hunting. Camp at White Pine Lake or High Creek Lake.

The Beta

ELEVATION: 9,979 feet

LENGTH: 7 miles round trip

DIFFICULTY: Difficult

PERMIT: Yes

WATER: Yes

TRAILHEAD: Tony Grove Lake

• Head east up Logan Canyon on Hwy 89

• Drive for 19 miles and look for the turnoff to Tony Grove

• Take the turn and proceed 7 miles to the end of the road

6. RICKS CANYON + STEEL HOLLOW

Pleasant? Yes. Great Western Trail? Yes. Meadows? Yes. Aspen Groves? Absolutely. Easy to moderate terrain that's just right--none of this too easy or too hard stuff. It's all about balance, ya know?

The Beta

ELEVATION: 2100 feet elevation gain

LENGTH: 11.5 mile loop

DIFFICULTY: Moderate

PERMIT: Yes

WATER: No -pack it in

TRAILHEAD: Start at the Willow Creek Trail

7. INDIAN TRAIL/COLDWATER

This trail was built using the approximate location of prehistoric routes that were developed by local Native Americans--their route up Ogden Canyon. There are steep and narrow ridge passes, ruins of an old mining operation, birds, squirrels and lizards. Adventure bound indeed! There are some primitive campsites that along the path near the creek, just be sure you camp at least 100 feet from the trail and as always, practice Leave No Trace ethics.

The Beta

ELEVATION: 4,750 feet

LENGTH: 2.97 miles one way

DIFFICULTY: Moderate

PERMIT: Yes

WATER: Creek

TRAILHEAD: Starts just above 22nd Street