Payson, Utah
Looking for the best hiking in Payson? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Payson. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.
Top Hiking Spots in and near Payson
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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 -
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 -
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
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 -
Salt Lake City, Utah
Night Photography at Brighton
4.01 mi / 500 ft gainPark at the main parking lot at Brighton Ski Resort and head up the hill (under the Majestic Lift is a good place to start). Hiking is generally easy, even with snow on the ground, due to compaction of the snowpack during the daytime. However, snowshoeing and skinning with skis can be a good alte...Read more -
Brighton, Utah
Lakes Mary, Martha, and Catherine (Brighton Lakes)
4.64.41 mi / 1253 ft gainThis trail is a local favorite because you can make it as hard or as easy as you want it to be! You can stop at the first lake which is only 1 mile from the parkinglot, or you can go to the top of one or more of the 5 peaks that are surrounding the lakes for an added challenge. It is 3.5 miles ro...Read more -
Salt Lake City, Utah
Silver Lake
3.80.94 mi / 49 ft gainThis quick hike to a beautiful lake in the Wasatch Mountains is perfect for the whole family. Park at the visitor center at the Silver Lake Recreation Area near Brighton Ski Resort, pick up a trail map and walk behind the building to find the trailhead. You can also pick up a wildflower guide at ...Read more -
Brighton, Utah
Hike and Camp at the Twin Lakes Reservoir
5 mi / 650 ft gainThe 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 -
Brighton, Utah
Photograph Star Trails at Silver Lake
1 miSilver Lake is one of the easiest, most accessible hikes in the Wasatch, located at the top of Big Cottonwood Canyon, Utah, close to the ski resorts of Brighton and Solitude.The lake is accessible all year; with a boardwalk or a well-signed path circling the lake through spring to fall. In the wi...Read more -
Salt Lake City, Utah
Hike Clayton Peak in Utah's Wasatch Mountains
4.03 mi / 1600 ft gainClayton 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
Hike Stairs Gulch
4.2Drive up Big Cottonwood Canyon for around 2.8 miles, parking will be along the road and there will be a large rock waterfall on the right hand side of the road. The trailhead is just a short distance from that rock fall (40.623824, -111.743208)Stairs Gulch is an easy, short hike, unless you're lo...Read more -
Salt Lake City, Utah
Photograph Guardsman Pass & The Alpine Loop
5.0Since this is a loop you can start at either end, but this is the way we did it. Start driving up Big Cottonwood Canyon. Enjoy the views and take in the impressive peaks on either side of the road. See the changes in vegetation as you gain elevation in the canyon. As you near the top and pass Sol...Read more -
Park City, Utah
Trail to Bloods and Lackawaxen Lakes
4.84 mi / 1040 ft gainThe trail to Bloods and Lackawaxen Lakes in Utah 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 Cottonwo...Read more -
Park City, Utah
Hike Empire Pass Ridge
5.03.25 mi / 800 ft gainStarting at an elevation of 8,960 feet at Empire Pass, the trail follows the ridge to the west. It starts off on a gravel road, but quickly turns into a single-track trail once you pass the buried water tank. For the most part, you will stay on the ridge and have great views of Clayton Peak, Deer...Read more -
Salt Lake City, Utah
Backcountry Ski USA Bowl
1.6 mi / 1700 ft gainTo get the the trailhead, drive up Big Cottonwood Canyon until you reach the upper entrance into Solitude Ski Resort. You can park on the road just below the entrance to the resort. Across the street is a road called Old Stage Road, this is where the trail head begins. The road is covered in snow...Read more -
Salt Lake County, Utah
Lake Blanche Trail
4.56.76 mi / 2766 ft gainThe hike is only 6 miles roundtrip, but it's pretty steep the whole way. It will take about 1.5 - 2 hrs to get up and about 45 min - 1hr to get back down. This can be longer depending on weather conditions and if you choose to loop the lake. At the Mills B Trailhead, you will head to the far end ...Read more