Payson, Utah

Top Spots in and near Payson

  • Alta, Utah

    Cecret Lake from Albion Basin

    4.9
    4.48 mi / 1214 ft gain
    The out-and-back trail from Albion Basin to Cecret Lake climbs a gentle slope and along the way there are interpretive signs with information about the basin, its plants, animals and geology. From the lake you can return the same way you came, or explore the area more. If you head there during t...
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  • Alta, Utah

    Spring Backcountry Ski Alta Ski Area

    5 mi / 1800 ft gain
    Still have the skiing itch but it's late in the spring and the resorts have closed and the other backcountry skiing areas have melted? No problem, just head up to Alta Ski Area and get some amazing backcountry corn skiing laps in.  Drive up Little Cottonwood Canyon all the way to the top and park...
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  • Alta, Utah

    Albion Meadows Trail

    4.9
    2.86 mi / 696 ft gain
    At Albion Basin, wildflowers you will see include lupine, Indian paintbrush, American bistort, sunflowers, fireweed, and many more! Drive to the very top of Little Cottonwood Canyon and park at the Albion Grill. There is a trail just behind the Grill that takes you through a variety of wildflowe...
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  • Alta, Utah

    Milky Way Astrophotography At Alta

    4.0
    Early spring is a unique time to photograph the Milky Way due to its low angle and the distinctive perspective of its galactic core. The low angle position of the Milky Way arc during the early morning hours, prior to dawn, allows for some striking panoramas, with the still snow-covered Wasatch M...
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  • Alta, Utah

    Snowshoeing Twin Lakes Pass

    5.0
    5.21 mi / 1781 ft gain
    Starting at the parking lot near the Albion Basin gate, travel up the summer road until the second switchback. Just past the second switchback and cabins, leave the summer road heading east. The Trail heads northeast into Grizzly Gulch. It should be easy to follow—it gets a lot of traffic. From h...
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  • Alta, Utah

    Mountain Bike Catherine's Pass

    4.5 mi / 1200 ft gain
    This ride isn't for the faint of heart. It's seriously tough. It's one of the most scenic and rewarding rides you'll ever do, though. The climbing is steep and the descents are rocky.Try to ride it early in the morning. Hikers frequent these trails. An early morning rip is the best way to keep fr...
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  • Alta, Utah

    Backcountry Ski Grizzly Gulch

    1.5 mi / 1400 ft gain
    To get to the Grizzly Gulch trailhead, drive up Little Cottonwood until you reach Alta Ski Resort. Keep left along the road and park in the upper Alta parking lot. Head up the cat track with all the cats and snowmobiles parked to the side. About 100 yards up, you'll take a left and head up the st...
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  • Heber City, Utah

    Fly Fish the Middle Provo River

    The Middle Provo River runs from Jordanelle Reservoir to Deer Creek Reservoir through the Heber Valley. To get there from Salt Lake City, head southeast on I-80. Take exit 146 and merge onto US-189/US-40 toward Heber. Travel 17.1 miles; turning right onto W 100 South/River Road. 0.3 miles down Ri...
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  • 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...
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  • Brighton, Utah

    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...
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  • 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 ...
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  • 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...
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  • 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-...
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  • 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...
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  • Cottonwood Heights, Utah

    Rock Climbing at Dogwood

    4.4
    If you can avoid the crowds, Dogwood is an easy crag to get to with a lot of 5.fun climbs and a legendary 5.13a sport climb. From the mouth of Big Cottonwood Canyon, the Dogwood picnic area is 1.1 miles up the canyon. Park on the street to avoid having to pay $8 and walk into the picnic area. Fol...
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  • Cottonwood Heights, Utah

    Fishing Big Cottonwood Creek

    4.0
    Big Cottonwood Creek is a fun little creek that is often overlooked by the more popular fly-fishing waters of the Provo, Weber, and the Green Rivers of Utah. The fish aren't as big, but make up for it by being less selective with flies and a willingness to go after dry flies any time of the year....
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