Best Backpacking in Utah

Looking for the best backpacking in Utah? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Utah. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the incredible Outbound community.

Hike to White Pine Lake

Just about 5 miles (2-2.5 hrs) from the trailhead, you will find the beautiful White Pine Lake where the water is an intense blue color. It's an amazing place for photos and just hanging out on a summer or fall afternoon. Along the way you will ha...

10 miles 2450 ft gain

Backpack to Silver Lake

The trail is 4.1 miles roundtrip gaining almost 1,500 feet for the duration of the adventure. Some parts are exposed, so you can get a fair amount of sun.When you're on the trail, you'll get amazing views as you’re hiking to the lake of Mount Timp...

4.1 miles 1500 ft gain

Hike Bryce Canyon's Riggs Spring Loop

Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah is a spectacular place. It really has to be seen to be believed. Some of the most scenic parts of Bryce are easily accessible by the average visitor via car-accessible overlooks. However, if you're not into crowd...

9 miles 2335 ft gain

Backpack to Red Pine Lake

Red Pine Lake, located in Red Pine Fork of the Wasatch Mountains, is one of the premier hiking and backpacking destinations in Little Cottonwood Canyon. Red Pine Fork is sandwiched in between White Pine Fork and Maybird Gulch to the east and west,...

7.3 miles 1960 ft gain

Backpack Lake Catherine and Bag Sunset Peak

Any chance to get into the backcountry of the Wasatch Mountains is worth it. Many people day hike in the area, but not very many backpack in. The trail meets up with the Great Western Trail and overlooks Lake Catherine. The best place to camp is i...

3 miles 1200 ft gain

Backpack Reflection Canyon

Backpacking Reflection Canyon is not for the faint of heart. It's an intense, challenging hike that takes you through slot canyons, climbing up and down shifty sandstones and traversing rugged terrains and ravines. Although the elevation gain is a...

18 miles

Camp at Willow Lake

The trailhead to Willow Lake is about 11 miles up Big Cottonwood Canyon and is on the north side of the road right after the passing lane begins. It can be easy to miss, and is only marked with a plaque on a rock (40.630302, -111.604639). As you h...

2 miles

Summit the Pfeifferhorn

Starting at the White Pine Trailhead in Little Cottonwood Canyon, UT, hike southwest until reaching the junction to Red Pine Canyon. Take the trail that crosses the stream and continues west around the ridge. The trail will quickly turn south and ...

9 miles 3700 ft gain

Hike to Willow Lake

The Trail: Follow the marked trail and you'll hike less than a mile up to the edge of Willow Lake. Moose like to hang out in the thick willows there, so make lots of noise to warn them that you're coming and you won't startle any. Standing on the...

2 miles 500 ft gain

Backpack Mount Timpanogos

The Timpooneke trailhead is located in American Fork Canyon, next to the Timpooneke Campground. There is a $6 fee to enter the canyon, unless you have a National Park Pass with which you get in free. On the weekends, it may be difficult to find pa...

15 miles

Backpack Amethyst Basin

Directions: The trail leaves from the Christmas Meadows Trailhead.From Mirror Lake Scenic Byway (US 150) turn on Christmas Meadows Rd. The campground and trailhead are around 3.5 miles down the road dirt road. The road is suitable for low clearanc...

12 miles 1900 ft gain

Backpack to Red Castle and Red Castle Lakes

The Red Castle is a stunning formation of crumbling red rock that rises around several small lakes, high in the Uinta Mountains. The trail begins at the China Meadows Trailhead. From there, it heads south for about 8 miles, winding through lodgepo...

25 miles 3010 ft gain

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