Outbound Collective logo

Evanston, Utah

Looking for the best backpacking in Evanston? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Evanston. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

Top Backpacking Spots in and near Evanston

  • Kamas, Utah

    Camp and Climb at Cliff Lake

    4.3 mi
    Cliff Lake can be located from the Crystal Lake Trailhead. The exact location is pinned, but you get there driving from Kamas. From Kamas take the Mirror Lake Highway and take the exit for Trial Lake Campground, the turn north to the Crystal Lakes Trailhead. There is a parking lot with bathrooms ...
    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

    Backpack to Island Lake

    5.0
    6 mi / 1000 ft gain
    You begin at the Crystal Lake trailhead off of the Mirror Lake Highway. On the way to Island Lake you pass several other lakes including, Crystal Lake and Long Lake. The hike is not too hard but there are several switchbacks at the end to get you up above the ridge where the lake is located. It ...
    Read more
  • 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...
    Read more
  • 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, ...
    Read more
  • 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 ...
    Read more
  • 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 ...
    Read more
  • Salt Lake City, Utah

    Hike Clayton Peak in Utah's Wasatch Mountains

    4.0
    3 mi / 1600 ft gain
    Clayton Peak is approximately 1.5 miles from Guardsman Pass (3 miles round trip), and you'll gain about 1,600 feet of climbing.  There is parking on top of the pass, but it fills up quickly with hikers and mountain bikers during peak season as this serves as the trailhead for Bloods Lake, Jupiter...
    Read more
  • Salt Lake City, Utah

    Backpack to Bloods and Lackawaxen Lakes

    4.8
    4 mi / 1040 ft gain
    This trail is just outside of Big Cottonwood Canyon which forbids both dogs and swimming due to the Salt Lake watershed. As a result, dogs and swimming are more than welcome. Blood Lake and Lackawaxen Lake Trailhead can be reached by driving up Big Cottonwood approximately 15 miles until the tur...
    Read more
  • Brighton, Utah

    Hike and Camp at the Twin Lakes Reservoir

    5 mi / 650 ft gain
    The trailhead begins at the Solitude Nordic Center. Walking around Silver Lake, you get a chance to observe the ducks and lovely wetlands area. This trail then leads you into the lower aspens, and if you are hiking just as fall colors have begun to emerge, they create a glowing effect in the wood...
    Read more
  • Salt Lake City, Utah

    Camp at Willow Lake

    4.6
    2.41 mi / 659 ft gain
    The 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 tra...
    Read more
  • Salt Lake County, Utah

    Willow Lake

    4.5
    2.41 mi / 659 ft gain
    The 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 ...
    Read more
  • Huntsville, Utah

    Hike the Skull Creek Trail of Causey Reservoir

    4.8 mi / 400 ft gain
    To get to the trailhead from Ogden, Utah, take 12th street east up canyon and around Pine View Reservoir. When you get to Huntsville, turn right and continue to head east up the canyon. IN 8 miles you will come to a sign for Causey Road. Turn right here and follow the road to the dam. Turn right ...
    Read more
  • 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...
    Read more
  • Salt Lake City, Utah

    Backpack Lake Catherine and Bag Sunset Peak

    3.5
    3 mi / 1200 ft gain
    Any 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 lak...
    Read more