Salt Lake City, Utah
Recognized across the world as a premier skiing destination with resorts like Snowbird, Alta, and Park City less than an hour from the airport, Salt Lake City's Wasatch Front is also home to word-class hiking, rock climbing, mountain biking, backpacking and camping. Plus, you're never more than a few hours' drive from other Utah adventure playgrounds like Moab, Zion National Park, and the Uinta Mountains.
Top Spots in and near Salt Lake City
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Park City, Utah
Ride the RTS Trail
2.6 mi / 366 ft gainThe RTS trail at Utah's Olympic Park (ski jumping, bobsled, skeleton, and luge), is a fantastic beginner-to-intermediate trail. Since it's a short loop at only 2.6 miles and 366 feet of elevation gain, it's perfect for kids and beginners. Most of the sections are smooth dirt that winds through as...Read more -
Alta, Utah
Milky Way Astrophotography At Alta
4.0Early spring is a unique time to photograph the Milky Way due to its low angle and the distinctive perspective of its galactic core. The low angle position of the Milky Way arc during the early morning hours, prior to dawn, allows for some striking panoramas, with the still snow-covered Wasatch M...Read more -
Layton, Utah
Adams Canyon
4.83.55 mi / 1434 ft gainThe trailhead is at a dirt parking lot with a lot of parking, but on Saturday mornings it can get full and people are forced to park on the street. As you start off, there are a few steep and sandy switchbacks. They don't last too long but on a hot day it can seem like forever. After that, the 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
Mountain Bike Catherine's Pass
4.5 mi / 1200 ft gainThis ride isn't for the faint of heart. It's seriously tough. It's one of the most scenic and rewarding rides you'll ever do, though. The climbing is steep and the descents are rocky.Try to ride it early in the morning. Hikers frequent these trails. An early morning rip is the best way to keep fr...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 -
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 -
Layton, Utah
Stroll through the Great Salt Lake Shorelands Preserve
5.01 miThe 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...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 -
Alta, Utah
Spring Backcountry Ski Alta Ski Area
5 mi / 1800 ft gainStill have the skiing itch but it's late in the spring and the resorts have closed and the other backcountry skiing areas have melted? No problem, just head up to Alta Ski Area and get some amazing backcountry corn skiing laps in. Drive up Little Cottonwood Canyon all the way to the top and park...Read more -
Park City, Utah
Hike Fantasy Ridge to Desolation Peak from Canyons Village
5.06.5 mi / 2000 ft gainThe easiest way to start this hiking only trail is to jump on the Red Pine Gondola at the Canyons Village of Park City Mountain Resort. If you have an Epic Pass, the lift is free. Otherwise, you'll need to buy a ticket to ride to the base of Red Pine Lodge. From the base of Red Pine Lodge (8,000...Read more -
Herriman, Utah
Hike to Kennecott Copper Mine
5.04 miFrom Salt Lake City go on UT-201W, then take Bacchus Highway all the way until the intersection with Butterfield Canyon Road. This is where you can park your car and follow the dirt road for roughly 2 miles until you come to a fork. One road from the fork leads to Middle Canyon and the other to t...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 -
Davis County, Utah
Hike Frary Peak Trail on Antelope Island
5.06.4 mi / 2030 ft gainThe 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. ...Read more -
Davis County, Utah
Hike the Frary Peak Trail
4.57 mi / 2050 ft gainThis is a fairly easy hike starting at the parking lot near the trailhead. You will encounter little or no obstacles on your hike, just a nice incline leading you to the highest point of the island.You will be able to see lots of buffalo roaming around most of the island on your way up. Be sure t...Read more -
Salt Lake City, Utah
Hike Catherine Pass
4 mi / 1115 ft gainCatherine 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...Read more
