Salt Lake County, Utah

Looking for the best running 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 Running Spots in and near Salt Lake County

  • Sandy, Utah

    Dimple Dell Trail West

    3.88 mi / 236 ft gain
    Dimple Dell Trail West is an out-and-back trail where you may see beautiful wildflowers located near Sandy, Utah.
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  • Holladay, Utah

    Winter Hike to Mt. Olympus

    5.0
    7 mi / 4200 ft gain
    Approach: You can access the well traveled Mount Olympus Trail the same as you would any other season. Park in the trailhead lot or along Wasatch Blvd. The trail starts on the south side of the parking lot.Route Description: Even in the winter the Mount Olympus trail should be pretty straightforw...
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  • Holladay, Utah

    Hike Heughs Canyon (Olympus Waterfall)

    4.5
    2 mi / 1000 ft gain
    Heughs Canyon starts right on the edge of Salt Lake City, but within minutes, you’re in a shady forest next to a gurgling stream. This is the prefect after-work hike that can be enjoyed year-round. Two miles round-trip and just over 1,000 feet, the path takes you to a beautiful waterfall that flo...
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  • Salt Lake City, Utah

    Parley's Historic Nature Park Trail Loop

    3.0
    2 mi / 135 ft gain
    Parley's Historic Nature Park Trail Loop, located in Salt Lake City, Utah, is a well-known hiking trail. This 2-mile loop trail is rated as moderate, making it suitable for hikers with some experience. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, and nature trips and is accessible year-round....
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  • Salt Lake City, Utah

    Grandeur Peak West Face

    2.23 mi / 3307 ft gain
    Are you planning a big adventure and need a boost getting ready for it? You came to the right place. This is my go-to when I’m preparing to climb a big mountain. It’s hard to find a steeper trail in the area (that’s not a game trail), and the West Face is usually free of snow early in the season....
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  • Salt Lake City, Utah

    Hike Jacks Mountain

    4.0
    2.4 mi / 1300 ft gain
    Named for a toddler who died of Lukemia in 1995, Jacks Mountain is a beautiful place to sit above the valley and contemplate mortality. On the peak, you’ll find a couple mailboxes containing heartfelt notes from hundreds of hikers throughout the years. It’s the kind of place that restores your fa...
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  • 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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  • 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

    Hike or Trail Run Mount Van Cott

    4.0
    3 mi / 1400 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

    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 City, Utah

    Hike Porter Fork, Millcreek Canyon

    5.0
    6.8 mi / 3250 ft gain
    Porter Fork starts at the aptly named Porter Fork Trailhead about 4 miles up Millcreek Canyon. It’s actually Porter Fork Road for the first 1.5 miles of the trail. This section is a pleasant, paved path winding up through a dozen or so cabins. You’ll gain about 1,000 feet. If you make it past the...
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  • Salt Lake City, Utah

    Trail Run Burch Hollow Trail

    5.3 mi / 2412 ft gain
    The Burch Hollow trailhead is about a quarter mile up the Pipeline trail in Millcreek Canyon. After hiking along the switchbacks of the Pipeline trail, you'll see a sharp turn in the trail that leads you up the side of the mountain. This turn can easily be missed so keep a good look out for it. C...
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  • Salt Lake City, Utah

    Hike Bowman Fork to Baker Pass

    5.0
    8.3 mi / 3375 ft gain
    To get to the trailhead, drive up Millcreek Canyon about 4.5 miles until you reach the Terraces Picnic area. Turn here and drive up the small road until you reach the parking lot by the bathrooms. You'll see the Bowman Fork trailhead marker next to the parking lot. The trail climbs steadily and i...
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  • Salt Lake City, Utah

    Hike the Mineral Fork Trail

    4.0
    9.3 mi / 3500 ft gain
    The trailhead begins along Big Cottonwood Canyon Road, with a relatively small parking lot at the trailhead. Starting early in the day is advised, as on nice summer days it will fill up quickly. The trail has a steady ascent for the first 2 miles starting around 6700' through aspen forests and cr...
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