Cottonwood Heights, Utah
Looking for the best hiking in Cottonwood Heights? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Cottonwood Heights. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.
Top Hiking Spots in and near Cottonwood Heights
-
Sandy, Utah
Climbing in the Lone Peak Cirque
4.0Lone 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...Read more -
Alta, Utah
Stargazing and Night Photography at Hellgate Spring
From the base of Little Cottonwood Canyon, follow the road approximately 7 miles until you reach the area between the Snowbird and Alta ski resorts. Looking north, several mountain peaks are visible, including both Mount Superior and Hellgate Spring. The mountain face of Hellgate Spring (GPS coor...Read more -
Salt Lake City, Utah
Hike to Big Cottonwood Canyon's Desolation Lake
4.67.4 mi / 1900 ft gainDrive 9 miles into Big Cottonwood Canyon and park at the Mill D North Trailhead (on the left). On the right side of the road, there is a restroom. The trial head begins on the left, there is a visible sign you cannot miss before beginning.The trail is about 7.4 miles round trip, about half way t...Read more -
Salt Lake City, Utah
Hike from Mill D to Desolation Peak
10 mi / 2500 ft gainLargely runnable trail up through pines and aspens with a few steep climbs. Incredible wildflowers. You can stop at Desolation Lake then continue up towards the ridge and up to Desolation Peak. You have to listen and watch for descending bikers coming fast around corners.Read more -
Salt Lake City, Utah
Hike Days Fork
5.07.5 mi / 2494 ft gainTo get to the trailhead drive up Big Cottonwood Canyon to Spruces Campground. Once in the parking lot, walk to the southwest corner of the parking lot and go up the road past the bathrooms. The trailhead will be next to the overgrown baseball field. The trail is awesome single track the whole wa...Read more -
Salt Lake City, Utah
Backcountry Ski Days Fork
3.2 miDays Fork is on the south side of Big Cottonwood Canyon behind the Spruces parking lot. The trail head begins on the south west corner of the parking lot. The approach to Days Fork is long, but gradual. Continue south along the skin track until you reach the end of the Days Fork Basin. Here you c...Read more -
Alta, Utah
Hike Mt. Superior and Monte Cristo
5.06.25 mi / 2500 ft gainMt. Superior, and its close neighbor, Monte Cristo, are two of the most iconic peaks in Little Cottonwood Canyon. Looming over Alta and Snowbird Ski resorts from the north side of the canyon, these two peaks dominate the Little Cottonwood skyline. Mt. Superior tops out at 11,132 feet, and Monte C...Read more -
Alta, Utah
Hike and Scramble Mount Superior
5.05 miThis is an intermediate to advanced hike. Scrambling up the ridge is more difficult but can be done by anyone with patience and a few maneuvering skills. It is best climbed in the summer months when the ridge is free of snow. However, it makes for a good winter climb for more technical experience...Read more -
Salt Lake City, Utah
Mountain Bike Dog Lake, Millcreek Canyon
4.4 mi / 1260 ft gainIf it’s an even day and you’re in Salt Lake and you’re in possession of a mountain bike, put down your phone and spend the next 2 hours in pure bliss. Mountain bikers are only allowed to use the trails of upper Millcreek Canyon on even days, which makes for a busy route, but well worth it. This i...Read more -
Salt Lake City, Utah
Hike the Living Room
4.42.5 mi / 1000 ft gainBecause if its proximity to downtown Salt Lake, this is a great quick hike to do after work. Although it's short, it is fairly steep, climbing nearly 1000 feet in 1.25 miles. However, most people can do it without too much difficulty. This is a good family hike and allows dogs on leashes. Due to ...Read more -
Salt Lake City, Utah
Trail Run Upper Big Water Trail to Dog Lake
4.06.2 mi / 1267 ft gainDrive all the way to the top of Millcreek Canyon until you can't drive any further. (They close the road further down the canyon in the winter so this trail is not accessible to cars in the winter.) There is a small parking lot at the end of the road, park here. The trail head is going to be on t...Read more -
Salt Lake City, Utah
Hike Old Red Pine Road Trail
5.04.2 mi / 1000 ft gainThe trail begins at the parking lot at the very top of Millcreek, called Upper Big Water. The trail begins on the east side of the lot, where bathrooms are available. Walk to trail sign and head left to Old Pine Road Trail.From there, the trail remains relatively flat with some steep gains. The t...Read more -
Alta, Utah
Albion Meadows Trail
4.92.86 mi / 696 ft gainAt Albion Basin, wildflowers you will see include lupine, Indian paintbrush, American bistort, sunflowers, fireweed, and many more! Drive to the very top of Little Cottonwood Canyon and park at the Albion Grill. There is a trail just behind the Grill that takes you through a variety of wildflowe...Read more -
Alta, Utah
Cecret Lake from Albion Basin
4.94.48 mi / 1214 ft gainThe out-and-back trail from Albion Basin to Cecret Lake climbs a gentle slope and along the way there are interpretive signs with information about the basin, its plants, animals and geology. From the lake you can return the same way you came, or explore the area more. If you head there during t...Read more -
Salt Lake City, Utah
Hike or Run Mount Wire
3.74.5 mi / 2082 ft gainThis 4.5 out-and-back trail starts just south of the Natural History Museum at the University of Utah. Park in the museum parking lot and walk up the stairs to the Bonneville Shoreline Trail. Then head south along the BST for a few minutes until you reach a big yellow sign with 174 on it. Turn le...Read more -
Alta, Utah
Backcountry Ski Grizzly Gulch
1.5 mi / 1400 ft gainTo get to the Grizzly Gulch trailhead, drive up Little Cottonwood until you reach Alta Ski Resort. Keep left along the road and park in the upper Alta parking lot. Head up the cat track with all the cats and snowmobiles parked to the side. About 100 yards up, you'll take a left and head up the st...Read more