Salt Lake County, Utah

Looking for the best hiking in Salt Lake County? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Salt Lake County. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

Top Hiking Spots in and near Salt Lake County

  • Salt Lake City, Utah

    Hike the Living Room

    4.4
    2.5 mi / 1000 ft gain
    Because if its proximity to downtown Salt Lake, this is a great quick hike to do after work. Although it's short, it is fairly steep, climbing nearly 1000 feet in 1.25 miles. However, most people can do it without too much difficulty. This is a good family hike and allows dogs on leashes. Due to ...
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  • Draper, Utah

    Lone Peak via Jacobs Ladder

    4.7
    14.2 mi / 6713 ft gain
    The main trail to Lone Peak is via Jacobs Ladder. To get to the start of the trailhead you need to drive on a dirt road for a little bit until you get to a little parking area (start of the road indicated on the map). The trail starts just south of where you park on the dirt road. The Jacobs Lad...
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  • Salt Lake City, Utah

    Big Beacon Mount Wire Trail

    4.78 mi / 2100 ft gain
    Big Beacon Mount Wire Trail is a loop trail where you may see wildflowers located near Salt Lake City, Utah.
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  • Salt Lake City, Utah

    Hike or Run Mount Wire

    3.7
    4.5 mi / 2082 ft gain
    This 4.5 out-and-back trail starts just south of the Natural History Museum at the University of Utah. Park in the museum parking lot and walk up the stairs to the Bonneville Shoreline Trail. Then head south along the BST for a few minutes until you reach a big yellow sign with 174 on it. Turn le...
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  • Salt Lake City, Utah

    Ensign Peak

    4.1
    0.97 mi / 354 ft gain
    This hike is a piece of cake with a sizable reward. It starts just up the hill behind the Capitol Building and ascends 350 feet over about 0.5 miles to the top on a very well marked trail. It's great for a family with young ones or maybe a quick post-dinner evening date. Parking is all along a re...
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  • Salt Lake City, Utah

    Mount Van Cott via Red Butte Canyon

    4.8
    2.33 mi / 1211 ft gain
    There are many different trailheads that will take you to the top of Mount Van Cott, but the main trailhead is up Red Butte Canyon. Drive up the canyon until you reach the parking lot where the canyon gate is blocking the road. After parking your car here, head up the dirt road on foot until you ...
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  • Salt Lake City, Utah

    Hike Stairs Gulch

    4.2
    Drive 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...
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  • Salt Lake City, Utah

    Grandeur Peak East Trail

    4.4
    5.97 mi / 2513 ft gain
    This is the peak that can be seen from the valley located between Millcreek Canyon and Parleys Canyon. There are 2 trails that head up to this peak, but the one up Millcreek Canyon at the top of Church Fork is by far the more popular/enjoyable one (and the one described here). The other one heads...
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  • Salt Lake County, Utah

    Hike Thayne Canyon

    6 mi / 2800 ft gain
    If you want to avoid the crowds heading to the Salt Lake Overlook and are looking for a bigger challenge with better views, Thayne Canyon is the ticket. The trail is 6 miles roundtrip with 2,800 feet of elevation gain. It’s a great evening hike and the peak is a nice place to watch the sunset. Th...
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  • Salt Lake City, Utah

    Salt Lake Overlook via Desolation Trail

    4.1
    4.76 mi / 1729 ft gain
    This popular trail follows a portion of the Desolation Trail leaving from Mill Creek Canyon. The trail to the overlook is 4.75 miles round trip with a 1700 ft elevation gain. You begin at the Desolation Trailhead and then turn around once you have a view of the Salt Lake Valley. It is a perfect h...
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  • Salt Lake County, Utah

    Hidden Falls

    4.4
    0.16 mi / 138 ft gain
    Hidden Falls is a beautiful little waterfall with minimal crowds. When I say minimal, I mean I've only seen another person there 1 of the 5 or 6 times that I have been. Take it in. Stay a while. Scramble around the small canyon for different perspectives of the falls or the creek. If you don't ha...
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  • Salt Lake City, Utah

    Snowshoe Lake Blanche

    5.0
    5.6 mi
    Lake Blanche is an extremely popular hike along the Wasatch Range in Utah. During the summer and fall months the lake, wildlife, flowers, and Sundial Peak as a backdrop offer spectacular views.Lake Blanche is one of the most beautiful and scenic lakes in Utah and turns into a winter wonderland on...
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  • Salt Lake City, Utah

    Broads Fork Basin and Beaver Pond

    4.0
    5.1 mi / 2083 ft gain
    The 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...
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  • Salt Lake County, Utah

    Lake Blanche Trail

    4.5
    6.76 mi / 2766 ft gain
    The 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 ...
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  • Salt Lake County, Utah

    Broads Fork Twin Peaks

    5.0
    8.57 mi / 4984 ft gain
    The 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 marked and easy to follow for a good chunk of the way. You will come to a big basin and alpine meadow where you wil...
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  • Salt Lake County, Utah

    Lake Blanche & Sundial Peak

    5.0
    9.52 mi / 4098 ft gain
    This 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...
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