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Salt Lake City, Utah

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

Top Hiking Spots in and near Salt Lake City

  • Salt Lake City, Utah

    Explore Big Mountain Pass

    5.0
    1 mi
    Famous for being the route of the Mormon Pioneers who crossed this pass on their way into the Salt Lake Valley, Big Mountain Pass is also a beautiful area to take in the fall colors. You can access this road (Utah State Route 65) from Emmigration Canyon or Parley's Canyon, the same way you would ...
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  • Sandy, Utah

    Dimple Dell Trail West

    3.88 mi / 236 ft gain
    Dimple Dell Trail West is an out-and-back trail where you may see beautiful wildflowers located near Sandy, Utah.
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  • Salt Lake City, Utah

    Hike the Mineral Fork Trail

    4.0
    9.3 mi / 3500 ft gain
    The trailhead begins along Big Cottonwood Canyon Road, with a relatively small parking lot at the trailhead. Starting early in the day is advised, as on nice summer days it will fill up quickly. The trail has a steady ascent for the first 2 miles starting around 6700' through aspen forests and cr...
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  • Sandy, Utah

    Bell Canyon's Waterfall

    4.6
    4.64 mi / 1549 ft gain
    If you keep a steady pace, the hike takes about an hour each way, so allow time when trying to catch the sunset. The hike is pretty easy until right before you reach the falls, where there is a big, steep hill you have to climb. From the parking lot/trailhead, head up the path and head left when...
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  • Sandy, Utah

    Upper Bell Canyon Reservoir via Bell Canyon Trail

    4.3
    9.12 mi / 4285 ft gain
    This is one of my favorite spots in the state of Utah! It is completely secluded high up on the Wasatch front. You can hike here for a nice relaxing day, an overnight camping trip, or do a little fly fishing and hook some fun little brooke and cutthroat trout. The Bell Canyon trail is one of the...
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  • Sandy, Utah

    South Thunder Mountain via Bell Canyon

    11.78 mi / 5968 ft gain
    Starting at the Bell's Canyon trailhead, the trail follows a river for most of the way, passing two reservoirs and two waterfalls. This trail is intermediate, depending on your destination. The first and most commonly visited section of the trail is the first reservoir. An easy hike of less than ...
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  • Salt Lake City, Utah

    Mountain Bike Dog Lake, Millcreek Canyon

    4.4 mi / 1260 ft gain
    If it’s an even day and you’re in Salt Lake and you’re in possession of a mountain bike, put down your phone and spend the next 2 hours in pure bliss. Mountain bikers are only allowed to use the trails of upper Millcreek Canyon on even days, which makes for a busy route, but well worth it. This i...
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  • Salt Lake City, Utah

    Trail Run Upper Big Water Trail to Dog Lake

    4.0
    6.2 mi / 1267 ft gain
    Drive all the way to the top of Millcreek Canyon until you can't drive any further. (They close the road further down the canyon in the winter so this trail is not accessible to cars in the winter.) There is a small parking lot at the end of the road, park here. The trail head is going to be on t...
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  • Salt Lake City, Utah

    Hike Old Red Pine Road Trail

    5.0
    4.2 mi / 1000 ft gain
    The trail begins at the parking lot at the very top of Millcreek, called Upper Big Water. The trail begins on the east side of the lot, where bathrooms are available. Walk to trail sign and head left to Old Pine Road Trail.From there, the trail remains relatively flat with some steep gains. The t...
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  • Brighton, Utah

    Hike or Trail Run Butler Fork

    5.0
    7.2 mi / 1964 ft gain
    To get to the trailhead, drive up Big Cottonwood Canyon 8 miles. The parking lot is on the left side of the road. The first half mile is the steepest of the whole trail so don't get too intimidated by it, it mellows out a lot after. You will come to fork in the trail about a mile in, you can eith...
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  • Brighton, Utah

    Backcountry Ski Butler Fork

    2 mi
    The trail head for Butler Fork is 8 miles up Big Cottonwood Canyon on the left side of the road. Throw your gear on and head up the trail. Continue along the skin track and after about 20 minutes you'll come upon a fork in the trail. The right trail will take you up the East Fork towards Butler B...
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  • Salt Lake City, Utah

    Hike to Big Cottonwood Canyon's Desolation Lake

    4.6
    7.4 mi / 1900 ft gain
    Drive 9 miles into Big Cottonwood Canyon and park at the Mill D North Trailhead (on the left). On the right side of the road, there is a restroom. The trial head begins on the left, there is a visible sign you cannot miss before beginning.The trail is about 7.4 miles round trip, about half way t...
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  • Salt Lake City, Utah

    Hike from Mill D to Desolation Peak

    10 mi / 2500 ft gain
    Largely runnable trail up through pines and aspens with a few steep climbs. Incredible wildflowers. You can stop at Desolation Lake then continue up towards the ridge and up to Desolation Peak. You have to listen and watch for descending bikers coming fast around corners.  
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  • Salt Lake City, Utah

    Hike Cardiff Fork

    8 mi / 2880 ft gain
    Cardiff Fork and Donut Falls share the same parking lot, so depending on what time of week you go exploring here, it may be the most packed parking in all of the Wasatch. Head up on a weekday for less crowds.  The Cardiff Fork trailhead is follows the rocky jeep road around the parking lot to the...
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  • Salt Lake City, Utah

    Donut Falls

    4.1
    1.53 mi / 413 ft gain
    The Trail Follow the trail for just a little bit and when it forks, stay to the left and you will arrive to Donut Falls. Once at the waterfall, climb up the rocks to get to the cave at the top, which is not visible from the bottom. To take pictures inside of the cave, you will most likely get yo...
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  • Salt Lake City, Utah

    Kessler Peak in Utah's Big Cottonwood Canyon

    4.7
    4.66 mi / 2733 ft gain
    Kessler Peak is a 10,403-foot peak located in Big Cottonwood Canyon. From the top, you can see all the way to the Uintas to the East, The tram at Snowbird to the south, and the Salt Lake Valley to the west. To the north is Mount Raymond and Gobblers Knob.  Kessler Peak is the terminus and highes...
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