Hike Big Cottonwood Canyon's Silver Lake

This 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 the visitor center - there are incredible blooms in the summer months.

The trailhead leads you to a one mile loop trail that wraps around Silver Lake. This trail is family friendly and wheelchair accessible. For those more adventurous hikers, there are several other trail junctions if you wish to extend your hike on to Twin Lakes, Lake Solitude, and the Brighton Lakes. These trails involve much more climbing and may not be quite so family friendly.

Getting there:

From Salt Lake City, take I-215 and exit at 6200 South. Follow the road signs to Big Cottonwood Canyon and the Brighton and Solitude ski resorts. Continue up Big Cottonwood Canyon for 14.2 miles to the Silver Lake Visitor’s Center.

Note: the trail is best used March through November.