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  • 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 Outbound community.

    Top Backpacking Spots in and near Utah

    • Sandy, Utah

      White Pine Lake

      4.5
      9.97 mi / 2917 ft gain
      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 have great views of mountains of all colors, beautif...
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    • Provo, Utah

      Silver Lake

      4.3
      4.4 mi / 1365 ft gain
      The trail is 4.4 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 Timpanogos and American Fork Canyon. This is followed...
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    • Sandy, Utah

      Red Pine Lake Trail

      5.0
      6.94 mi / 1995 ft gain
      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, respectively. All three are accessed via the Whit...
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    • Kane County, Utah

      Reflection Canyon

      5.0
      15.24 mi / 1368 ft gain
      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 almost nothing, the up and down climbs from one rav...
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    • Salt Lake City, Utah

      Lake Catherine and Sunset Peak

      3.5
      4.69 mi / 1407 ft gain
      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 in the woods next to the lake. Hike down to the lak...
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    • Salt Lake City, Utah

      Camp at Willow Lake

      4.6
      2.41 mi / 659 ft gain
      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 hike a little in from the road you will see the tra...
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    • Alta, Utah

      Pfeifferhorn via White Pine Lake

      5.0
      9.91 mi / 3684 ft gain
      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 begin to gain elevation. Continue west as you pass...
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    • Provo, Utah

      Mount Timpanogos via Timpanogos Trail #053

      4.8
      15.72 mi / 4970 ft gain
      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 parking at the Timpooneke Campground, so arrive earl...
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    • Salt Lake County, Utah

      Willow Lake

      4.5
      2.41 mi / 659 ft gain
      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 shoreline, you'll have a great view of Solitude ...
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    • Evanston, Utah

      Amethyst Basin via Christmas Meadows

      4.5
      12.57 mi / 2303 ft gain
      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 clearance vehicles. Trip Length: 6 miles each way + opt...
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    • Evanston, Utah

      Red Castle and Red Castle Lakes

      4.6
      23.13 mi / 2149 ft gain
      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 lodgepole pine forests and skirting vast alpine meadows, ...
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    • Kanab, Utah

      Hike Buckskin Gulch, Vermillion Cliffs Wilderness

      4.6
      15 mi
      Buckskin Gulch is a natural wonder. At 15 miles long it is the longest slot canyon in the world. It sometimes is as narrow as 2ft. Because of the nature of this canyon and Utah topography this canyon is subject to deadly flash flood if it rains anywhere along the headwaters. Be sure to check in w...
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    • Emery County, Utah

      Camp at the Little Grand Canyon

      4.6
      The Wedge and The Little Grand Canyon are located in Eastern Utah and despite their amazing beauty are relatively unknown and overlooked partly due to their close proximity to national parks like Arches and Canyonlands. With it's massive size, The San Rafael Swell, where The Little Grand Canyon i...
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    • Evanston, Utah

      Kings Peak

      4.8
      28.56 mi / 5213 ft gain
      From the Henry Fork Trailhead (approx. 9400 feet elev.) the trail gains very little elevation during the first 5.5 miles with several lakes to camp by along the way. The first lake reached is Alligator Lake. At just under 3 miles from the trailhead, this beautiful lake is an excellent choice for ...
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    • New Harmony, Utah

      Kolob Arch

      4.7
      13.86 mi / 2100 ft gain
      In the lesser traveled area of Zion National Park sits Kolob Arch, a sandstone arch high up on a cliff tucked back in the canyon. To get to Kolob Arch take exit 40 on I-15 in Utah. You'll see a Zion National Park Visitor's Center. Here you can fill up on water, use the bathroom, and get a map to...
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    • Hurricane, Utah

      West Rim Trail, Zion NP

      5.0
      14.41 mi / 1407 ft gain
      This 14.5 mile (one-way) trek is a multi-functional trail. The trail can serve as standalone trail allowing hikers to get in either a solid in-and-out day hike or as a leg to a much bigger and epic Trans-Zion Trek. For those interested in the later, the West Rim Trail is the leg of the journey th...
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