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
-
Evanston, Utah
Backpack Naturalist Basin and Summit Mount Agassiz
4.015 mi / 3700 ft gainNaturist Basin is a beautiful area in the High Uintas Wilderness with an abundance of mountains, lakes, meadows, and wildlife. It is best hiked July-September. To get to the trailhead, drive up the Mirror Lake Scenic Byway until you reach the Highline Trailhead Campground, about 3 miles past Mi...Read more -
Orderville, Utah
East Rim Trail, Zion NP
5.010.19 mi / 3000 ft gainThe East Rim Trail is approximately 10-miles (one-way) and can either be started from the Eastern Entrance of Zion National Park, or more commonly from the Hidden Canyon or Observation Point Trailheads. Many people start from within Zion Canyon and do the arduous Observation Point Trail, forgoing...Read more -
Springdale, Utah
Hike Wildcat Canyon Trail, Zion NP
5.05.88 miThis 5.8 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 Wildcat Canyon Trail is the leg of the journ...Read more -
Evanston, Utah
Backpack to Red Caslte Lake and Mt. Wilson
27 mi / 4200 ft gainUtah's 13ers are generally overshadowed by their 14er neighbors to the east, but do not be fooled, Utah's 13ers require a tremendous amount of effort to summit. The closest 13er to a road, Tokewanna, is about 18 miles round trip. The farthest 13er peaks are more than 30 miles round trip. These pe...Read more -
Virgin, Utah
Connector Trail, Zion NP
5.04.9 miThis 4.9-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 Connector Trail is the leg of the journey th...Read more -
Evanston, Utah
Camping and Skiing at Lily Lake
When driving to the trailhead you must go through Evanston Wyoming to get there. The trailhead is located near the Bear River Lodge off the Mirror Lake Highway (UT 150).The Lily Lake area in the Uintas is full of snowy landscapes waiting to be explored on skis, snowshoes, or even a snowmobile. Yo...Read more -
Evanston, Utah
Hike to Ostler Peak in the High Uintas
13.7 mi / 3935 ft gainHiking Ostler Peak in the High Uintas Wilderness is a serious challenge for anyone. Typically, this hike is done over 2-3 days, with an overnight at the beautiful Ostler Lake. Strong hikers can do this hike in one day, however, as long as you are prepared and know the route. The route up Ostler ...Read more -
Boulder, Utah
Camp and Fish Deer Creek Lake
2.7 mi / 702 ft gainThere is something magical about Deer Creek Lake. The views are amazing, the hike is revitalizing, and the mountain air speaks to your soul. Stars seem to shine brighter here than any other trip you will go on. Out here, it is you and the wild. You will be able to see fish colored with bright cut...Read more -
Kamas, Utah
Hike to Round, Sand, and Fish Lake in the Uinta Mountains
9 mi / 2000 ft gainThe Dry Fork Trailhead at the end of Weber Canyon Rd is the starting point for the hike to Round, Sand, and Fish Lakes in the Uinta Mountains of Utah. In the early spring and summer, this trail can be wet due to snowmelt runoff, but by mid-summer, it dries out and is a fantastic hike. The trail i...Read more -
Kamas, Utah
Camp at Fire Lake
The hike to Fire Lake starts at the Crystal Lake Trailhead just off the Mirror Lake Highway in the Uinta mountains. The main trailhead parking lot fills up quickly on weekends since it serves multiple trail options. If it’s full, no need to worry, there is an overflow lot down the road. The trai...Read more -
Kamas, Utah
Duck Lake to Marjorie Lake Loop in the Uintas
8.4 mi / 850 ft gainThe trail to Duck Lake in the Uinta Mountains starts at the Crystal Lake Trailhead and is a popular starting off point for many trails like Cliff Lake, so the parking lot fills up quickly. Starting off, follow the signs for Long Lake. At about 1.3 miles you'll come to a junction. Follow the si...Read more -
Evanston, Utah
Backpack Mount Beulah via East Fork of the Bear River Trailhead
5.018 mi / 3423 ft gainGetting thereThis trip could be crammed into a really long day or even two days, but give yourself three days to really enjoy the area and not be too pressed for time.Your departure point is the East Fork of the Bear River Trailhead on the north slope of the Uintah Mountains. For most, this will ...Read more -
Hanna, Utah
Hike to Cuberant Lake
6 mi / 1066 ft gainThe hike to Cuberant Lake is 3-miles with a couple of steeper sections, but for the most part, it is a flat hike. From the Pass Lake Trailhead, you will head west on the Lofty Lake Loop Trail. On this part of the trail, you pass through meadows with Bald and Reid Peaks in the background, which is...Read more -
Springville, Utah
Maple Mountain (aka Spanish Fork Peak)
10.56 mi / 4524 ft gainThe trail starts out very easy, but keep an eye out for the fork in the trail at the creek. It's easy to miss. It's right at the metal bench that will be on the left. Cross the creek and continue another quarter mile or so when you'll notice another branch to your left. Keep going straight here a...Read more -
San Juan County, Utah
Backpack Grand Gulch
10 mi / 600 ft gainBears Ears National Monument is a truly special place. We voyaged willingly on a journey of discovery into the roots of who we are as human beings, and we were not disappointed: the ruins accessible in the canyons brought tears to our eyes. While Bears Ears used to receive just 9,000 visitors ann...Read more -
Monticello, Utah
Backpack Salt Creek
33 mi / 1000 ft gainThe Needles District of Canyonlands receives 6 times as many backpackers as its more popular neighbor across the Colorado River, Island in the Sky. The Needles has an excellent trail network that is incredibly diverse, featuring amazing rock features as well as grassy meadows and savannahs. Whil...Read more