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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

    • 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

      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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    • 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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    • Provo, Utah

      Rock Climbing American Fork Canyon

      4.7
      American Fork Canyon, UT has a rich history in outdoor activity. Little do most people know that American Fork was the birth place of steep, overhanging, sport climbing. Developed by locals, now legends, in the climbing world like Boone Speed and Jeff Pedersen amongst others. This canyon came ...
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    • Hanna, Utah

      Explore Grandaddy Basin

      5.0
      Grandaddy Lake is the largest lake in the High Unitas. While Grandaddy Lake can have plenty of hikers, there are over twenty lakes within a two-hour hike within the Grandaddy Basin. Most hikers don’t go beyond Grandaddy lake, making the area a fantastic area to explore and camp. Elevation in the ...
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    • Garfield County, Utah

      Golden Cathedral Trail

      4.5
      9.27 mi / 1398 ft gain
      From highway 12, drive south down the hole in the rock road for about 17 miles to a dirt road on the left that is well marked for Egypt. Follow that dirt road 9.9 miles to the Egypt Trailhead. There is a BLM trail register at the trail head. After that, take one of the numerous ways down to the E...
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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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    • Sandy, Utah

      Climbing in the Lone Peak Cirque

      4.0
      Lone Peak reaches 11,253 feet at its summit. It's alpine feel is unique as it stands above the busy city below. While this gem is one of the highlights in the Wasatch range, it must be earned. A long steep approach, best done at night in the summer months, deposits you in the high meadow surround...
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    • Bryce, Utah

      Navajo Loop and Queens Garden Trail

      4.9
      2.93 mi / 679 ft gain
      There are many many trails that explore the hoodoos of Bryce Canyon and this is just one option of a combination of trails that is about 3.5 miles. The Navajo trail begins at Sunset Point and you head straight down dozens of switchbacks to what is called "Wall Street". It doesn't take long to get...
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    • Green River, Utah

      Canyoneering the San Rafael Swell

      4.0
      The San Rafael Swell, is the home of many adventures! One of those adventures being canyoneering. There are many slot canyons of various skill levels that have been explored and descended. There are many other canyons that still have yet to be explored by man kind. The Swell is large and ungo...
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    • Kamas, Utah

      Ibantik Lake via Crystal Lake Trailhead

      5.0
      3.96 mi / 646 ft gain
      From the Crystal Lake trailhead, follow the trail 1.1 miles north to Wall Lake. Here, you'll come to a junction with the trail from Trail Lake; take the left trail heading north to Notch Mountain, and Ibantik Lake is a mere .6 miles northeast, nestled next to Notch Peak. At Ibantik Lake, you'll ...
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    • Boulder, Utah

      Backpack Death Hollow in Grand Staircase-Escalante

      22 mi / 1600 ft gain
      The most popular route into Death Hollow is from the Boulder airstrip near the town of Boulder, Utah.  The trailhead for the Boulder Mail Trail begins, or ends here depending on which way you are hiking.  Leave a car at the Highway 12 bridge over the Escalante River for the thru hike, or get luck...
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    • Oakley, Utah

      Scale the Cliffs at Ruth Lake

      4.8
      Getting There From Evanston, take the Mirror Lake Highway 150 about 42 miles to the Ruth Lake trailhead and follow the easy hike up from the highway; just look for the signs directing you to Ruth Lake. The Trail/The Climbs Once on the trail, keep an eye out to your left and soon you'll see the cl...
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    • Moab, Utah

      Backpack the Lathrop Canyon Trail in Canyonlands

      18 mi / 2130 ft gain
      Access to this trailhead is a few miles south of the Islands in the Sky Visitor Center in Canyonlands National Park. An easy drive from Moab or Interstate 70. Remember to get permits and check in with the rangers if camping. If just doing a day hike then no permits are needed. REMINDER: There is ...
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    • Salt Lake City, Utah

      Winter Backpack to Dog Lake and Backcountry Ski Reynolds Peak

      4.5
      5 mi / 1500 ft gain
      The hike is considered moderate, but the 1500ft. elevation gain (2100ft. to Reynolds Peak) will definitely get your heart rate up. Snowshoes/skins are recommended but the trail is often packed enough to do without them.After crossing the street from the Spruces parking lot, follow the trail past...
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    • Alta, Utah

      Cottonwood Ridge Line via White Pine Lake Trailhead

      8.05 mi / 2431 ft gain
      Begin at the White Pine Trailhead in Little Cottonwood Canyon. Follow the trail up toward Red Pine Lake. The trail gets a little hard to follow after the lake, but find your way up to the ridge between Pfeifferhorn and White Baldy. Set up camp and enjoy a night in the high mountains. Morning wil...
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