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    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

      4.0
      15 mi / 3700 ft gain
      Naturist 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...
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    • Orderville, Utah

      East Rim Trail, Zion NP

      5.0
      10.19 mi / 3000 ft gain
      The 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...
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    • Springdale, Utah

      Hike Wildcat Canyon Trail, Zion NP

      5.0
      5.88 mi
      This 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...
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    • Evanston, Utah

      Backpack to Red Caslte Lake and Mt. Wilson

      27 mi / 4200 ft gain
      Utah'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...
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    • Virgin, Utah

      Connector Trail, Zion NP

      5.0
      4.9 mi
      This 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...
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    • 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...
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    • Evanston, Utah

      Hike to Ostler Peak in the High Uintas

      13.7 mi / 3935 ft gain
      Hiking 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 ...
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    • Boulder, Utah

      Camp and Fish Deer Creek Lake

      2.7 mi / 702 ft gain
      There 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...
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    • Kamas, Utah

      Hike to Round, Sand, and Fish Lake in the Uinta Mountains

      9 mi / 2000 ft gain
      The 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...
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    • 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...
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    • Kamas, Utah

      Duck Lake to Marjorie Lake Loop in the Uintas

      8.4 mi / 850 ft gain
      The 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...
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    • Evanston, Utah

      Backpack Mount Beulah via East Fork of the Bear River Trailhead

      5.0
      18 mi / 3423 ft gain
      Getting 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 ...
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    • Hanna, Utah

      Hike to Cuberant Lake

      6 mi / 1066 ft gain
      The 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...
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    • Springville, Utah

      Maple Mountain (aka Spanish Fork Peak)

      10.56 mi / 4524 ft gain
      The 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...
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    • San Juan County, Utah

      Backpack Grand Gulch

      10 mi / 600 ft gain
      Bears 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...
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    • Monticello, Utah

      Backpack Salt Creek

      33 mi / 1000 ft gain
      The 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...
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