Salt Lake City, Utah
Recognized across the world as a premier skiing destination with resorts like Snowbird, Alta, and Park City less than an hour from the airport, Salt Lake City's Wasatch Front is also home to word-class hiking, rock climbing, mountain biking, backpacking and camping. Plus, you're never more than a few hours' drive from other Utah adventure playgrounds like Moab, Zion National Park, and the Uinta Mountains.
Top Spots in and near Salt Lake City
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Salt Lake City, Utah
Hike Mount Wolverine
4 mi / 1425 ft gainThis mountain can be conquered two ways and is a great after-work adventure to watch the sunset, an early morning trail run, or a fun family challenge. The trail is 4 miles and 1,425 feet elevation gain (from the Alta side) or 6 miles and 2,050 feet (from the Brighton side). Both routes converge ...Read more -
Salt Lake City, Utah
Backpack Lake Catherine and Bag Sunset Peak
3.53 mi / 1200 ft gainAny chance to get into the backcountry of the Wasatch Mountains is worth it. Many people day hike in the area, but not very many backpack in. The trail meets up with the Great Western Trail and overlooks Lake Catherine. The best place to camp is in the woods next to the lake. Hike down to the lak...Read more -
Salt Lake City, Utah
Ski Baldy's Main Chute at Alta Ski Area
5.0Do you like hiking? In ski boots? Good.You start the hike from the gate to Snowbird at the EBT near the top of the Sugarloaf lift. The start of the bootpack is at 10,500 ft of elevation. From there, follow the likely well established boot pack to the top of Baldy. There is one rather steep sectio...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 -
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 -
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 -
Brighton, Utah
Cross-Country Ski at the Solitude Nordic Center
Located at the top of Big Cottonwood Canyon, Solitude Mountain Resort is known for it's quaint atmosphere and great downhill skiing. But for those who want to get away from the crowds, try something different, and get a great workout in the process, it also offers 20 Kilometers of groomed cross-...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 -
Salt Lake City, Utah
Photograph Guardsman Pass & The Alpine Loop
5.0Since this is a loop you can start at either end, but this is the way we did it. Start driving up Big Cottonwood Canyon. Enjoy the views and take in the impressive peaks on either side of the road. See the changes in vegetation as you gain elevation in the canyon. As you near the top and pass Sol...Read more -
Salt Lake City, Utah
Snowboard or Ski Guardsman Pass
4.0If you want to escape the crowds and get in some nice powder, then a hike up Guardsman Pass is well worth the effort. To reach the trail, park on the side streets just below the gates to avoid the no parking signs and keep your tires just on the road to avoid getting stuck.When you pack up your g...Read more -
Brighton, Utah
Hike 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 -
Alpine, Utah
Day Hike to South Thunder Mountain
12.2 mi / 5604 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, befor...Read more -
Park City, Utah
Hike Quarry Mountain in Park City
2.2 mi / 740 ft gainThe Quarry Mountain trail is a less-traveled option than the Iron Mountain trail in Park City offering unique views of McPolin Farm to the west, Kimball Junction and Old Ranch Road to the north, Park City to the south, and Promontory Ranch to the East. The trail starts at the McPolin Farm parking...Read more -
Park City, Utah
McPolin Barn
A historic farmstead, The McPolin Farmstead is north of Park City, Utah. A fun place to visit with the family. It has buildings constructed c.1921 and later, including a large dairy barn. The lovely trail, named after the farm is nearby to walk along.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
