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Provo, Utah

Looking for the best backpacking in Provo? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Provo. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

Top Backpacking Spots in and near Provo

  • Springville, Utah

    Maple Mountain (aka Spanish Fork Peak)

    10.56 mi / 4524 ft gain
    The trail starts out very easy, but keep an eye out for the fork in the trail at the creek. It's easy to miss. It's right at the metal bench that will be on the left. Cross the creek and continue another quarter mile or so when you'll notice another branch to your left. Keep going straight here a...
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  • Provo, Utah

    Mount Timpanogos via Timpanogos Trail #053

    4.8
    15.72 mi / 4970 ft gain
    The Timpooneke trailhead is located in American Fork Canyon, next to the Timpooneke Campground. There is a $6 fee to enter the canyon, unless you have a National Park Pass with which you get in free. On the weekends, it may be difficult to find parking at the Timpooneke Campground, so arrive earl...
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  • Provo, Utah

    Hike the Pine Hollow Trail

    4.0
    4.4 mi / 1100 ft gain
    The trailhead (Forest Trail 047 - Pine Hollow Trail) starts across the street from a turnout about .5 miles above Mutual Dell in American Fork Canyon. This highly trafficked trail is used for just about every activity you can think of, meaning that you can even snowshoe this in the winter. It's a...
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  • Pleasant Grove, Utah

    Rock Climbing American Fork Canyon

    4.7
    American Fork Canyon, UT has a rich history in outdoor activity. Little do most people know that American Fork was the birth place of steep, overhanging, sport climbing. Developed by locals, now legends, in the climbing world like Boone Speed and Jeff Pedersen amongst others. This canyon came ...
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  • Provo, Utah

    Backpack to Silver Lake

    4.4
    4.1 mi / 1500 ft gain
    The trail is 4.1 miles roundtrip gaining almost 1,500 feet for the duration of the adventure. Some parts are exposed, so you can get a fair amount of sun.When you're on the trail, you'll get amazing views as you’re hiking to the lake of Mount Timpanogos and American Fork Canyon. This is followed ...
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  • Provo, Utah

    Camp at Silver Lake

    4.5
    4.4 mi / 1500 ft gain
    Silver Lake is a wonderful place to go if you're in need of a quick adventure in the woods.  Located in the the Uinta National Forest, Silver Lake is relatively easy to get to via American Fork Canyon in Utah, however I do recommend driving a car with 4WD and can handle steep dirt roads with shar...
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  • Sandy, Utah

    Climbing in the Lone Peak Cirque

    4.0
    Lone Peak reaches 11,253 feet at its summit. It's alpine feel is unique as it stands above the busy city below. While this gem is one of the highlights in the Wasatch range, it must be earned. A long steep approach, best done at night in the summer months, deposits you in the high meadow surround...
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  • Draper, Utah

    Lone Peak via the Cherry Creek Logging Trail

    14.8 mi / 6378 ft gain
    You start this trail at the Orson Smith Park in Draper.  It joins with the Bonneville Shoreline Trail briefly before turning off onto the cherry creek logging trail.  It switchbacks for a long ways exposed on towards the valley.  It is fairly steep in places, but doable.  I had tennis shoes with ...
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  • Sandy, Utah

    Summit the Pfeifferhorn

    5.0
    9 mi / 3700 ft gain
    Starting at the White Pine Trailhead in Little Cottonwood Canyon, UT, hike southwest until reaching the junction to Red Pine Canyon. Take the trail that crosses the stream and continues west around the ridge. The trail will quickly turn south and begin to gain elevation. Continue west as you pass...
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  • Sandy, Utah

    Camp at the Cottonwood Ridgeline

    Begin at the White Pine Trailhead in Little Cottonwood Canyon. Follow the trail up toward Red Pine Lake. The trail gets a little hard to follow after the lake, but find your way up to the ridge between Pfeifferhorn and White Baldy. Set up camp and enjoy a night in the high mountains. Morning will...
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  • Sandy, Utah

    White Pine Lake

    4.5
    9.97 mi / 2917 ft gain
    Just about 5 miles (2-2.5 hrs) from the trailhead, you will find the beautiful White Pine Lake where the water is an intense blue color. It's an amazing place for photos and just hanging out on a summer or fall afternoon. Along the way you will have great views of mountains of all colors, beautif...
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  • Sandy, Utah

    Red Pine Lake Trail

    5.0
    6.94 mi / 1995 ft gain
    Red Pine Lake, located in Red Pine Fork of the Wasatch Mountains, is one of the premier hiking and backpacking destinations in Little Cottonwood Canyon. Red Pine Fork is sandwiched in between White Pine Fork and Maybird Gulch to the east and west, respectively. All three are accessed via the Whit...
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  • Salt Lake City, Utah

    Backpack Lake Catherine and Bag Sunset Peak

    3.5
    3 mi / 1200 ft gain
    Any 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...
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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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  • 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...
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  • 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...
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