Camp at Willow Lake

Cottonwood Heights, Utah

4.6/5

based on 7 reviews

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Details

Distance

2 miles

Route Type

Out-and-Back

Description

Added by Lindsay Daniels

Beautiful alpine lake with reflection of willow trees. 1 mile hike. Great photo location. Moose. Yellow leaves in the fall, wildflowers in the summer.

The 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 trailhead. This hike is just under 1 mile, but is pretty steep. It eventually levels out the closer you get to the lake. Before you reach the lake you will come to a wide open field. Continue on and take the trail on the left.

Moose often hang around this lake, so keep an eye out. The colors in the fall are amazing, but the lake is fuller in the spring and summer. Wildflowers are also abundant in the summer months. Camping is allowed as long as you are 200 feet from the lake. Swimming is not allowed.

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Features

Chillin

Camping

Photography

Backpacking

Hiking

Family Friendly

Forest

Lake

Scenic

Wildflowers

Wildlife

Reviews

Tyson Sorensen

Camp at Willow Lake

08/02/20

This was a great morning hike. We had 7 and 4 year old with us. Not to hard, very beautiful with wild flowers the whole way.

5.0

Mckayla Swink

Camp at Willow Lake

11/08/17

I️t was so pretty!!!!! I️ found this app and I’m honestly so impressed with it. I️ found so many beautiful places, with this app. I️ definitely recommend this place. It’s amazing

5.0

Nathan and Brianna Milot

Camp at Willow Lake

06/17/16

Pretty steep hike, but it's definitely doable because of the short length. The lake was gorgeous and the summer wildflowers were all over the trail!

5.0

Explorer

Thomas Burton

Explorer

Camp at Willow Lake

05/25/16

This is a fun place to visit in the fall. The hike is all uphill to the lake so its also a great workout but short enough that families can enjoy it as well.

3.0

riley finnegan

Camp at Willow Lake

03/29/16

5/5 for the hike, 3/5 for the "lake," averaging a 4/5 total. this is a little pond thing. not a lake. a pretty pond thing, but not a lake.

4.0

Liam McNally

Camp at Willow Lake

10/20/15

such a nice spot!

5.0

Erica Fasoli

Camp at Willow Lake

06/14/15

Beautiful scenery! During the summer of 2014 a family of moose lived in the area around Willow Lake. Be careful on your approach during dusk and dawn in order to not startle these gorgeous creatures! I saw them every time I was up there! What an amazing sight!

5.0

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

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Camp at Willow Lake

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Leave No Trace

Nearby

Cycle Big Cottonwood Canyon

Rock Climbing at Dogwood

Hike to Big Cottonwood Canyon's Hidden Falls

Fishing Big Cottonwood Creek

Hike Heughs Canyon (Olympus Waterfall)

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