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
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Alpine, Utah
South Thunder Mountain via Schoolhead Springs
10.15 mi / 5600 ft gainThe summit of South Thunder Mountain, sitting at 11,154 ft, is a superb peak. Located on the Alpine Ridge of the Wasatch Mountains, this peak is criminally overlooked. The Schoolhouse Springs trailhead leads you onto an old dirt road, that switchbacks for about 2 miles through the foothills, bef...Read more -
Salt Lake City, Utah
Little Mountain in Emigration Canyon
4.44 mi / 440 ft gainJust off of Highway 80, head up Emigration Canyon Road to the trailhead. There is a large parking area on the opposite side of the road from the trailhead. The parking area comes equipped with a bathroom if you need one. To get started, cross the road and start heading uphill. Keep in mind that...Read more -
Brighton, Utah
Hike or Trail Run Butler Fork
5.07.2 mi / 1964 ft gainTo 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...Read more -
Brighton, Utah
Backcountry Ski Butler Fork
2 miThe trail head for Butler Fork is 8 miles up Big Cottonwood Canyon on the left side of the road. Throw your gear on and head up the trail. Continue along the skin track and after about 20 minutes you'll come upon a fork in the trail. The right trail will take you up the East Fork towards Butler B...Read more -
Alpine, Utah
Horsetail Falls - Dry Canyon
5.04.01 mi / 1808 ft gainHorsetail Falls is a somewhat short hike located near Alpine, UT. The hike has good elevation gain and will make you work a bit to get there. The reward is worth the effort as you arrive at the falls and take a great view while being refreshed in the mist of the falls. The trail is straightforwar...Read more -
Salt Lake City, Utah
Hike Cardiff Fork
8 mi / 2880 ft gainCardiff 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...Read more -
Salt Lake City, Utah
Donut Falls
4.11.53 mi / 413 ft gainThe Trail Follow the trail for just a little bit and when it forks, stay to the left and you will arrive to Donut Falls. Once at the waterfall, climb up the rocks to get to the cave at the top, which is not visible from the bottom. To take pictures inside of the cave, you will most likely get yo...Read more -
Salt Lake City, Utah
Kessler Peak in Utah's Big Cottonwood Canyon
4.74.66 mi / 2733 ft gainKessler Peak is a 10,403-foot peak located in Big Cottonwood Canyon. From the top, you can see all the way to the Uintas to the East, The tram at Snowbird to the south, and the Salt Lake Valley to the west. To the north is Mount Raymond and Gobblers Knob. Kessler Peak is the terminus and highes...Read more -
Salt Lake City, Utah
Snowshoe to Cardiff Mine
7 mi / 1500 ft gainThe trail starts from the same trailhead as Donut Falls which is extremely popular. In the winter, the gates are closed and you need to park just off the highway. Follow the road and crowds along the trail but once you cross the bridge continue straight ahead instead of following the trail that c...Read more -
Salt Lake City, Utah
Backcountry Ski Cardiff Fork
4 miDrive up Big Cottonwood Canyon until you reach the Mill D South parking lot (aka Donut Falls parking). Head up the main road until you reach the bathrooms at the Donut Falls trailhead. Here you can either keep straight past the bathrooms, but the best way to go is to keep right along the road. Yo...Read more -
Salt Lake City, Utah
Desolation Lake via Mill D
4.67.56 mi / 2024 ft gainDrive 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...Read more -
Salt Lake City, Utah
Hike from Mill D to Desolation Peak
10 mi / 2500 ft gainLargely runnable trail up through pines and aspens with a few steep climbs. Incredible wildflowers. You can stop at Desolation Lake then continue up towards the ridge and up to Desolation Peak. You have to listen and watch for descending bikers coming fast around corners.Read more -
Sandy, Utah
Photograph Little Cottonwood Creek at Snowbird
2.0Little Cottonwood Creek flows right through Snowbird Ski Resort and there are a few beautiful locations to go shoot the river at. The best place to start hiking down the river is right by where the tram takes off. That is just below the Cliff Lodge and right by the Peruvian Lift. There's a res...Read more -
Salt Lake City, Utah
Mountain Bike Dog Lake, Millcreek Canyon
4.4 mi / 1260 ft gainIf 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...Read more -
Sandy, Utah
Backcountry Ski Suicide Chute on Mt. Superior
5.00.6 mi / 1245 ft gainFirst of all it's not as scary as it sounds, or as scary as it looks. That being said it's a steep chute in dangerous avalanche terrain so only experienced skiers with backcountry skiing knowledge/equipment should attempt this route.Suicide Chute is located on the South face of Mt. Superior in L...Read more -
Sandy, Utah
Hike and Climb the S. Ridge of Mt. Superior
4.54.5 mi / 1800 ft gainApproach: Start by parking on the side of the road just above the Snowbird Cliff Lodge. Then there will be some bushwhacking as you work your way up the southern slopes of Mount Superior following the path of least resistance until reaching the winter avalanche path under the south face and to th...Read more