Salt Lake City, Utah
Looking for the best backpacking in Salt Lake City? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Salt Lake City. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.
Top Backpacking Spots in and near Salt Lake City
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Bountiful, Utah
Backpack to Rudy's Flat
4.07 miRudy's Flat is a great overnight hike with plenty of tent or hammock space and multiple established fire rings. This hike offers multiple options for distance depending on your availability and skill level.From the Mueller Park Canyon trailhead (5,234 ft), hikers will experience a gradual ascent ...Read more -
Salt Lake City, Utah
Broads Fork Basin and Beaver Pond
4.05.1 mi / 2083 ft gainThe Broads Fork trailhead starts in Big Cottonwood Canyon in the same parking lot as the Lake Blanche trailhead, this trailhead is on the west side of the parking lot. The trail is very easy to follow and is well marked. Follow the trail until you come to a great big basin. Here you will be able...Read more -
Salt Lake County, Utah
Lake Blanche & Sundial Peak
5.09.52 mi / 4098 ft gainThis is a popular hike all year round, but less popular in the winter. If you’re backpacking you’ll most likely be alone. In winter, the lake is covered in snow, but Sundial Peak is one of the most picturesque mountains in the Wasatch. Especially when it is dusted with snow. You’ll also be far en...Read more -
Salt Lake City, Utah
Winter Backpack to Dog Lake and Backcountry Ski Reynolds Peak
4.55 mi / 1500 ft gainThe 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 -
Draper, Utah
Lone Peak via the Cherry Creek Logging Trail
14.8 mi / 6378 ft gainYou start this trail at the Orson Smith Park in Draper. It joins with the Bonneville Shoreline Trail briefly before turning off onto the cherry creek logging trail. It switchbacks for a long ways exposed on towards the valley. It is fairly steep in places, but doable. I had tennis shoes with ...Read more -
Sandy, Utah
Camp at the Cottonwood Ridgeline
Begin at the White Pine Trailhead in Little Cottonwood Canyon. Follow the trail up toward Red Pine Lake. The trail gets a little hard to follow after the lake, but find your way up to the ridge between Pfeifferhorn and White Baldy. Set up camp and enjoy a night in the high mountains. Morning will...Read more -
Sandy, Utah
White Pine Lake
4.59.97 mi / 2917 ft gainJust about 5 miles (2-2.5 hrs) from the trailhead, you will find the beautiful White Pine Lake where the water is an intense blue color. It's an amazing place for photos and just hanging out on a summer or fall afternoon. Along the way you will have great views of mountains of all colors, beautif...Read more -
Sandy, Utah
Red Pine Lake Trail
5.06.94 mi / 1995 ft gainRed Pine Lake, located in Red Pine Fork of the Wasatch Mountains, is one of the premier hiking and backpacking destinations in Little Cottonwood Canyon. Red Pine Fork is sandwiched in between White Pine Fork and Maybird Gulch to the east and west, respectively. All three are accessed via the Whit...Read more -
Alta, Utah
Pfeifferhorn via White Pine Lake
5.09.91 mi / 3684 ft gainStarting at the White Pine Trailhead in Little Cottonwood Canyon, UT, hike southwest until reaching the junction to Red Pine Canyon. Take the trail that crosses the stream and continues west around the ridge. The trail will quickly turn south and begin to gain elevation. Continue west as you pass...Read more -
Salt Lake City, Utah
Camp at Willow Lake
4.62.41 mi / 659 ft gainThe 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
4.52.41 mi / 659 ft gainThe 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 -
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 -
Salt Lake City, Utah
Lake Catherine and Sunset Peak
3.54.69 mi / 1407 ft gainAny 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 -
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 -
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 -
Provo, Utah
Silver Lake
4.44.4 mi / 1365 ft gainThe trail is 4.4 miles roundtrip gaining almost 1,500 feet for the duration of the adventure. Some parts are exposed, so you can get a fair amount of sun. When you're on the trail, you'll get amazing views as you’re hiking to the lake of Mount Timpanogos and American Fork Canyon. This is followed...Read more