The 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 Outbound community.
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Hike to White Pine Lake
4.510 mi / 2450 ft gainJust 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, beautiful granite, meadows, streams, and valleys. Since it's a relatively short hike, you can make this a d...Read more -
Backpack to Silver Lake
4.44.1 mi / 1500 ft gainThe 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 Timpanogos and American Fork Canyon. This is followed by a breathtaking look at the hike once you reach it.The trail is very empty on weeknights and may g...Read more -
Hike Bryce Canyon's Riggs Spring Loop
5.09 mi / 2335 ft gainBryce 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 crowds or want to hike/backpack in Bryce...there are some wonderful trails and campsites! I recently did the Riggs Spring loop at the southern end of the p...Read more -
Backpack to Red Pine Lake
5.07.3 mi / 1960 ft gainRed 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 White Pine Trailhead, about 5.5 miles up Little Cottonwood Canyon on its south side. The trailhead featu...Read more -
Backpack Reflection Canyon
5.018 miBackpacking 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 ravine to the next really messes with your head once you've gotten 3.5 miles into the hike, knowing you...Read more -
Backpack Lake Catherine and Bag Sunset Peak
3.53 mi / 1200 ft gainAny 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 lake using the main trail and spot a faint trail on your right that leads to a bunch of trees. You’ll f...Read more -
Camp at Willow Lake
4.62 miThe 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 trailhead. This hike is just under 1 mile, but is pretty steep. It eventually levels out the closer you...Read more -
Summit the Pfeifferhorn
5.09 mi / 3700 ft gainStarting 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 the junction to Maybird Gulch. The trail gains elevation as you reach Lower Red Pine Lake. Continue...Read more -
Hike to Willow Lake
4.52 mi / 500 ft gainThe 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 Ski Resort to the south. Getting There: The Willow Heights Trail is located in Big Cottonwood Canyo...Read more -
Backpack Mount Timpanogos
4.815 miThe 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 early.Once on the trail, it’s pretty straight forward. There is a waterfall called Scout Falls 1.4 miles...Read more -
Backpack Amethyst Basin
4.512 mi / 1900 ft gainDirections: 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 + optional day-hikes.Total Elevation Gain: 1,900' to the lake (It's only 1,500 to the camp at the meadow)Leav...Read more -
Backpack to Red Castle and Red Castle Lakes
4.625 mi / 3010 ft gainThe 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, slowly gaining elevation all the while. There are clear, well-placed signs along the trail directing...Read more -
Hike Buckskin Gulch, Vermillion Cliffs Wilderness
4.715 miBuckskin 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 with local Rangers about current flash flood predictions.Starting at the Wire Pass Trailhead gives yo...Read more -
Hike to Zion's Kolob Arch
4.714 miIn 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 the arch. From the visitor's center head up the only road in the canyon and follow it for a few mi...Read more -
Backpacking Kings Peak
4.828.8 mi / 4100 ft gainFrom 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 those who are looking for a nice, easy introduction to the altitude and rigors of backpacking. After...Read more -
Backpack the West Rim Trail, Zion NP
5.014.5 mi / 3000 ft gainThis 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 that either precedes or follows (depending on which side of the park you started) the Wildcat Canyon T...Read more
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