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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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 -
Syracuse, Utah
Frary Peak Trail
4.96.29 mi / 1883 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 -
Syracuse, Utah
Dooly Knob Trail
2.26 mi / 663 ft gainDooly Knob Trail climbs to a rocky summit on Antelope Island—the largest island in the Great Salt Lake—delivering panoramic views that stretch from the Wasatch Front to the Stansbury Mountains across a landscape unlike anything else in the American West. This is desert-meets-water hiking at its m...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 -
Salt Lake City, Utah
Hike Mount Wolverine
4 mi / 1425 ft gainThis 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 ...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 -
Draper, Utah
Alien Tower via Deer Ridge Trailhead
5.02.57 mi / 495 ft gainThe Alien Tower via Deer Ridge Trailhead is a moderate 2.6-mile out-and-back trail located in the foothills of Draper, Utah. With an elevation gain of approximately 500 feet, this scenic hike rewards adventurers with panoramic views of the Salt Lake Valley and access to the iconic "Alien Tower"...Read more -
Salt Lake City, Utah
Ski Baldy's Main Chute at Alta Ski Area
5.0Do you like hiking? In ski boots? Good.You start the hike from the gate to Snowbird at the EBT near the top of the Sugarloaf lift. The start of the bootpack is at 10,500 ft of elevation. From there, follow the likely well established boot pack to the top of Baldy. There is one rather steep sectio...Read more -
Alta, Utah
Cecret Lake
4.41.78 mi / 509 ft gainCecret Lake is reached by driving up Little Cottonwood Canyon to Albion Basin above Alta Ski Resort. The hike is just under 1 mile to the lake and should take about 30 minutes. The hike goes through fields full of wildflowers and wildlife is abundant. Moose, deer, and various wildlife can be s...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 -
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
Cross-Country Ski at the Solitude Nordic Center
Located at the top of Big Cottonwood Canyon, Solitude Mountain Resort is known for it's quaint atmosphere and great downhill skiing. But for those who want to get away from the crowds, try something different, and get a great workout in the process, it also offers 20 Kilometers of groomed cross-...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 -
Salt Lake City, Utah
Snowboard or Ski Guardsman Pass
4.0If you want to escape the crowds and get in some nice powder, then a hike up Guardsman Pass is well worth the effort. To reach the trail, park on the side streets just below the gates to avoid the no parking signs and keep your tires just on the road to avoid getting stuck.When you pack up your g...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 -
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
Only-In-Nevada Adventures
Discover the wide-open heart of Nevada. With 60 million acres of breathtaking landscapes, natural hot springs, epic rock climbing, star-studded skies, and so much more—the Silver State is yours to explore. So go on, get a little out there.
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