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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Provo, Utah
Silver Lake
4.54.4 mi / 1365 ft gainThe trail is 4.4 miles roundtrip gaining almost 1,500 feet for the duration of the adventure. Some parts are exposed, so you can get a fair amount of sun. When you're on the trail, you'll get amazing views as you’re hiking to the lake of Mount Timpanogos and American Fork Canyon. This is followed...Read more -
Provo, Utah
Camp at Silver Lake
4.54.4 mi / 1500 ft gainSilver Lake is a wonderful place to go if you're in need of a quick adventure in the woods. Located in the the Uinta National Forest, Silver Lake is relatively easy to get to via American Fork Canyon in Utah, however I do recommend driving a car with 4WD and can handle steep dirt roads with shar...Read more -
Salt Lake City, Utah
Backcountry Ski Willow Fork
3 mi / 1700 ft gainWillow Fork is just across the mountain from Solitude Ski Resort in Big Cottonwood Canyon. You can access Willow Fork from a few different trailheads; either from the Willow Heights Trailhead or across the street from both the lower and upper Solitude parking lots. The Willow Heights Trailhead wi...Read more -
Salt Lake City, Utah
Camp at Willow Lake
4.62.41 mi / 659 ft gainThe trailhead to Willow Lake is about 11 miles up Big Cottonwood Canyon and is on the north side of the road right after the passing lane begins. It can be easy to miss, and is only marked with a plaque on a rock (40.630302, -111.604639). As you hike a little in from the road you will see the tra...Read more -
Salt Lake County, Utah
Willow Lake
4.52.41 mi / 659 ft gainThe Trail: Follow the marked trail and you'll hike less than a mile up to the edge of Willow Lake. Moose like to hang out in the thick willows there, so make lots of noise to warn them that you're coming and you won't startle any. Standing on the shoreline, you'll have a great view of Solitude ...Read more -
Salt Lake City, Utah
Photograph Wildlife at Willow Lake
2.2 mi / 629 ft gainWillow Lake has become my favorite spot in all of Utah. It feels so distant from civilization in the mountains, but is only a 25 minute drive from Salt Lake City. I have hiked to Willow Lake close to 10 times this year during different seasons, and have never seen more than 5 people on the trail...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 -
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 -
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 -
Centerville, Utah
Hike to the Rope Swing on Deuel Creek Trail
5.02.6 mi / 646 ft gainNot only is this hike absolutely gorgeous, but it also has an epic rope swing at the end! To get to the trailhead you'll need a vehicle that can handle rough roads—you have to drive up a bit on the side of the mountain to get to the trailhead. The beginning of the hike is marked with a little bul...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 -
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 -
Provo, Utah
Rock Climbing American Fork Canyon
4.7American Fork Canyon, UT has a rich history in outdoor activity. Little do most people know that American Fork was the birth place of steep, overhanging, sport climbing. Developed by locals, now legends, in the climbing world like Boone Speed and Jeff Pedersen amongst others. This canyon came ...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 -
Salt Lake City, Utah
Night Photography at Brighton
4.01 mi / 500 ft gainPark at the main parking lot at Brighton Ski Resort and head up the hill (under the Majestic Lift is a good place to start). Hiking is generally easy, even with snow on the ground, due to compaction of the snowpack during the daytime. However, snowshoeing and skinning with skis can be a good alte...Read more -
Centerville, Utah
Hike to the Parrish Creek Pictographs
4.71 mi / 200 ft gainThe petroglyphs are pretty easy to find and it is such a short hike you can do it in about 45 minutes. To get to the trailhead, drive to Centerville, Utah and take 400 N all the way towards the mountain. The road with curve to the right with a small dirt road heading to the left. Take the dirt ro...Read more