Outbound Collective logo

Brighton, Utah

Top Spots in and near Brighton

  • Salt Lake City, Utah

    Silver Lake

    3.8
    0.94 mi / 49 ft gain
    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 ...
    Read more
  • Brighton, Utah

    Hike and Camp at the Twin Lakes Reservoir

    5 mi / 650 ft gain
    The 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
  • Brighton, Utah

    Photograph Star Trails at Silver Lake

    1 mi
    Silver 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 Lakes Mary, Martha and Catherine (Brighton Lakes)

    4.6
    4.41 mi / 1253 ft gain
    This 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

    4.0
    1 mi / 500 ft gain
    Park 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
  • Salt Lake City, Utah

    Photograph Guardsman Pass & The Alpine Loop

    5.0
    Since 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

    4.0
    If 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
  • Salt Lake City, Utah

    Backcountry Ski USA Bowl

    1.6 mi / 1700 ft gain
    To 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
  • Salt Lake City, Utah

    Mountain Bike the Wasatch Crest Trail

    5.0
    There are two popular starting points from Guardsman Road. The lower trail climbs and the higher one trail descends, then they converge at Scott's Pass below Puke Hill. The shuttled ride ends with a pavement rush down Mill Creek Canyon (and a possible detour onto Mill Creek Pipeline on the way do...
    Read more
  • Salt Lake City, Utah

    Backpack to Bloods and Lackawaxen Lakes

    4.8
    4 mi / 1040 ft gain
    This trail is just outside of Big Cottonwood Canyon which forbids both dogs and swimming due to the Salt Lake watershed. As a result, dogs and swimming are more than welcome. Blood Lake and Lackawaxen Lake Trailhead can be reached by driving up Big Cottonwood approximately 15 miles until the tur...
    Read more
  • Salt Lake City, Utah

    Hike Clayton Peak in Utah's Wasatch Mountains

    4.0
    3 mi / 1600 ft gain
    Clayton Peak is approximately 1.5 miles from Guardsman Pass (3 miles round trip), and you'll gain about 1,600 feet of climbing.  There is parking on top of the pass, but it fills up quickly with hikers and mountain bikers during peak season as this serves as the trailhead for Bloods Lake, Jupiter...
    Read more
  • Salt Lake City, Utah

    Photograph Wildlife at Willow Lake

    2.2 mi / 629 ft gain
    Willow 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
  • Salt Lake City, Utah

    Backcountry Ski Willow Fork

    3 mi / 1700 ft gain
    Willow 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 County, Utah

    Willow Lake

    4.5
    2.41 mi / 659 ft gain
    The 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

    Camp at Willow Lake

    4.6
    2.41 mi / 659 ft gain
    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 tra...
    Read more

Camping and Lodging in Brighton

Redman Campground
Salt Lake City, Utah

Redman Campground

Albion Basin
Albion Basin Road

Albion Basin

Spruces   Big Cottonwood
Brighton, Utah

Spruces Big Cottonwood

The Cliff Lodge
Sandy, Utah

The Cliff Lodge

From $300 / night

Jordan Pines
Salt Lake City, Utah

Jordan Pines

Tanners Flat
Sandy, Utah

Tanners Flat

Guides, Insights and Stories from Brighton

The Early Bird Catches the Worm: Skiing Utah's Mt. Superior

The Early Bird Catches the Worm: Skiing Utah's Mt. Superior

Tommy Elbrecht

How to Ditch the Crowds at Donut Falls

How to Ditch the Crowds at Donut Falls

Tylyn Hansen

Make Newpark Resort Your Home Base in Park City

Make Newpark Resort Your Home Base in Park City

Sara Sheehy

Your Basecamp for Adventure in Park City, Utah

Your Basecamp for Adventure in Park City, Utah

The Outbound Collective

Go Wild at Deer Valley this Summer

Go Wild at Deer Valley this Summer

The Outbound Collective

3 Summer Adventures at Deer Valley in Park City, Utah

3 Summer Adventures at Deer Valley in Park City, Utah

The Outbound Collective