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Payson, Utah

Top Spots in and near Payson

  • Payson, Utah

    Grotto Falls

    4.0
    0.54 mi / 144 ft gain
    Heading in the canyon you will drive along a winding road for a while until you pass through a gate (Closed during Winter, this is where you will need to pull over and continue down the road on foot) about a mile up you will see a trailhead on the left called "Bennie Creek" and right after you wi...
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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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  • 18899-19003 U.S. Highway 89, Utah

    Visit the Flooded Thistle Ghost Town

    3.0
    Thistle, Utah was a small community located in Spanish Fork Canyon, founded in 1883. It flourished for a time as a ranching community and eventually became a major stop on the rail line that ran through it. This all changed in 1983 when a massive landslide dammed the Spanish Fork River and floode...
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  • Saratoga Springs, Utah

    Photograph the Sunrise at Utah Lake

    4.0
    Turn off Highway 68 onto a dirt road towards Utah Lake. You'll see a large sign on your left and a small hill with ATV trails in the distance on your right. Follow the dirt road straight down past the hill. After veering right you can park down fairly close to the water's edge. The dirt road is f...
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  • Payson, Utah

    Mount Nebo via North Rim Trail

    4.5
    8.6 mi / 2897 ft gain
    Mount Nebo is the tallest of all the mountains in the Wasatch, and also one of the easiest to hike, due to the fact that the trail begins at an elevation of ~9300 ft. The parking area for the trailhead is along a short dirt road, which is precisely marked on the location map. The trail itself is...
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  • Provo, Utah

    Hike to the Summit of Buckley Mountain

    4.0
    18 mi / 5000 ft gain
    There are a few ways to get to the top of Buckley, but the funnest (and most strenuous) way to get up to Buckley is taking the trail up Slate Canyon. Slate Canyon has a parking lot and bathroom located at the base of the trail, and the trailhead is about ten minutes from the Provo Center Street e...
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  • Provo, Utah

    The Y Trail

    3.5
    2.29 mi / 1063 ft gain
    Hiking the Y is a classic hike in Provo, Utah—but don't expect it to be easy! There's no shade and not much greenery, so it's a hot, dusty trek to the top. Once you reach the Y, though, the view of the Provo and Utah Lake is amazing. There are also benches at the top. When you reach the Y, you w...
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  • Provo, Utah

    Hike to Buckley's Abandoned Mine

    4.6
    3 mi / 200 ft gain
    Once you reach the mine it's gated but you can slide in. Follow the main tunnel a hundred or so feet back and climb the 75 foot ladder up to the second level. You can then make your way back out to the cliff face where there is another gate to the outside. That gate is a little trickier to squeez...
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  • Provo, Utah

    Hike Squaw Peak

    4.5
    7.1 mi / 2700 ft gain
    Squaw Peak Trail is a great hike if you live in Provo, since it is a quick getaway. But still definitely worth the trip if you don't. This 7.1 mile hike has beautiful views and does not long to do Usually it takes about three hours from start (Rock Canyon) to finish (the Peak) at a decent clip. T...
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  • Provo, Utah

    Snowshoe the Rock Canyon Trail

    3 mi / 1630 ft gain
    The Rock Canyon trail is a heavily trafficked path that brings people of all ages.  In the winter the mountains are covered in snow and the path is well packed down due to the volume of people that are hiking.  After about a mile of hiking, you will enter the more dense part of the canyon with lo...
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  • Provo, Utah

    Rock Climb in Rock Canyon

    4.5
    Rock Canyon, unsurprisingly, has a ton of great, local rock climbing routes for those in the Provo area.  The marked location is for the parking lot. Once you're parked, head into the canyon. You will start to see bolts and anchors—and, depending on when you go, climbers—a few minutes in. There a...
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  • Springville, Utah

    Rappel the Red Ledges

    4.0
    1 mi / 180 ft gain
    This is a sweet spot to go rappelling near Spanish Fork, UT.  It's located at the Red Ledges in Diamond Fork Canyon.  There is a picnic area, grill and restrooms near the base. The unique formations are beautiful to hike around and fun to rappel down.  The hike is pretty short, but steep.  We did...
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  • Provo, Utah

    Buffalo Peak Trail

    0.97 mi / 213 ft gain
    Buffalo Peak Trail is an out-and-back trail where you may see wildflowers located near Provo, Utah.
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  • Provo, Utah

    Hike to Summit of Buffalo Peak

    1 mi / 500 ft gain
    Drive up Provo Canyon and turn right on Squaw Peak Road.  Follow the road til you reach the T in the road and head left on Road 027.  Follow it 2.9 miles to the unmarked trail head.  It is located next to a wooden fence on the right of the road and next to a sign about fire and wildlife safety.  ...
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  • Nephi, Utah

    Burraston Ponds

    3.0
    Pulling into Mona Reservoir and Burraston Ponds you will see some trees to hang up a hammock and have a relaxing afternoon and evening. The bonus is that there's an awesome Mona Rope Swing, which makes this a great place to cool off during summer. Make sure to look up at night because the milky ...
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  • Nephi, Utah

    Andrew's Ridge to Mt. Nebo (South Peak)

    8.67 mi / 5400 ft gain
    Andrew's Ridge to Mt. Nebo (South Peak) is an out-and-back trail where you may see wildflowers located near Nephi, Utah.
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Camping and Lodging in Payson

Payson Lakes
Salem, Utah

Payson Lakes

Tinney Flat
Payson, Utah

Tinney Flat

Payson Lakes Guard Station
Payson, Utah

Payson Lakes Guard Station

Blackhawk
Fairview, Utah

Blackhawk

Whiting
Springville, Utah

Whiting

Cherry
Springville, Utah

Cherry

Guides, Insights and Stories from Payson

The Early Bird Catches the Worm: Skiing Utah's Mt. Superior

The Early Bird Catches the Worm: Skiing Utah's Mt. Superior

Tommy Elbrecht

10 Must-Do Waterfalls Hikes in Utah

10 Must-Do Waterfalls Hikes in Utah

The Outbound Collective

10 Amazing Winter Hikes in Utah

10 Amazing Winter Hikes in Utah

The Outbound Collective

72 Hours Of Adventure In Salt Lake City, Utah

72 Hours Of Adventure In Salt Lake City, Utah

Lindsay Daniels

Where To Find The Best Free Campsites In Southern Utah

Where To Find The Best Free Campsites In Southern Utah

Stephanie Yarbrough