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Salt Lake City, Utah

Looking for the best chillin 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 Chillin Spots in and near Salt Lake City

  • Salt Lake City, Utah

    Mountain Bike Dog Lake, Millcreek Canyon

    4.4 mi / 1260 ft gain
    If 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...
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  • Brighton, Utah

    Hike or Trail Run Butler Fork

    5.0
    7.2 mi / 1964 ft gain
    To get to the trailhead, drive up Big Cottonwood Canyon 8 miles. The parking lot is on the left side of the road. The first half mile is the steepest of the whole trail so don't get too intimidated by it, it mellows out a lot after. You will come to fork in the trail about a mile in, you can eith...
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  • Salt Lake City, Utah

    Hike to Big Cottonwood Canyon's Desolation Lake

    4.6
    7.4 mi / 1900 ft gain
    Drive 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...
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  • Salt Lake City, Utah

    Hike Cardiff Fork

    8 mi / 2880 ft gain
    Cardiff Fork and Donut Falls share the same parking lot, so depending on what time of week you go exploring here, it may be the most packed parking in all of the Wasatch. Head up on a weekday for less crowds.  The Cardiff Fork trailhead is follows the rocky jeep road around the parking lot to the...
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  • Sandy, Utah

    Explore Little Cottonwood Canyon's Lisa Falls

    3.8
    Lisa Falls sits approximately 0.22 miles from Little Cottonwood Canyon Road. While the trail is not long or particularly steep, there are some large step ups that could be difficult for either the very old or very young. Nonetheless, this is a great option for a family outing.Once you arrive at t...
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  • Summit County, Utah

    Mountain Bike the Genwild/Jeremy Ranch Trails

    6 mi / 700 ft gain
    There are several places to access the trail system and several good places to park on both the Jeremy Ranch side and the Glenwild side. One of my favorite options is to park at the end of Jeremy Road and then take the 24-7 trail into the action. This is also a good way to access the Flying Dog t...
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  • Sandy, Utah

    Summit the Pfeifferhorn

    5.0
    9 mi / 3700 ft gain
    Starting 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...
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  • Herriman, Utah

    Drive Butterfield Canyon

    4.5
    Butterfield Canyon is a little-known canyon on the west side of Utah Valley. Beautiful any time of the year, it is especially beautiful in the fall—all the leaves changing colors! When you reach the marked location, turn onto Butterfield Canyon Road. Drive until you reach the end of the road (it...
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  • Alta, Utah

    Albion Meadows Trail

    4.9
    2.86 mi / 696 ft gain
    At 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...
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  • Layton, Utah

    Stroll through the Great Salt Lake Shorelands Preserve

    5.0
    1 mi
    The wetlands of The Nature Conservancy's Great Salt Lake Shorelands Preserve are a unique system of salt and fresh water marshes, ponds, pools, sloughs and mudflats. It is a rich feeding ground for tens of thousands of migrating birds, making this destination a birder's paradise.Great for all ski...
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  • Davis County, Utah

    Hike Frary Peak Trail on Antelope Island

    5.0
    6.4 mi / 2030 ft gain
    The Frary peak trail is the highest point of Antelope Island and can be found a short drive off of I-15 north on Antelope Drive near Layton. There is a fee to access the island, but well worth it. When you get to the island, head left along the east side of the island toward Fielding Garr Ranch. ...
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  • Salt Lake City, Utah

    Hike Catherine Pass

    4 mi / 1115 ft gain
    Catherine Pass is a must do if you are in the Salt Lake vicinity in July. The wildflowers are mind-blowing. But it’s a great hike to do in the Spring, after Alta Ski Resort has closed, and the Fall as well.  It costs $6 per vehicle to drive to the trailhead, or $10 per person to ride the lift (if...
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  • Salt Lake City, Utah

    Hike Mount Wolverine

    4 mi / 1425 ft gain
    This mountain can be conquered two ways and is a great after-work adventure to watch the sunset, an early morning trail run, or a fun family challenge. The trail is 4 miles and 1,425 feet elevation gain (from the Alta side) or 6 miles and 2,050 feet (from the Brighton side). Both routes converge ...
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  • Brighton, Utah

    Photograph Star Trails at Silver Lake

    1 mi
    Silver 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...
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  • 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...
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  • Salt Lake City, Utah

    Photograph Guardsman Pass & The Alpine Loop

    5.0
    Since 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...
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