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Salt Lake Area Hiking Trails

Hiking opportunities are so abundant here, it is almost impossible to catalog them. Options range from easy strolls along the Jordan River Parkway to intense multi-day backpack trips.

Below we list a few of the more popular day hikes. These are all relatively easy and take hikers into very beautiful country. This map shows generally where the hikes are located. Map links with the hike descriptions show the approximate location of the trailheads.

Alexander Basin
This trail climbs steeply through the forest to Alexander Basin, a beautiful glaciated bowl located below Gobblers Knob, on the east side of the Salt...(more)

Bell Canyon to First Waterfall
This hike runs up Bell Canyon, past a scenic reservoir, and up to a beautiful waterfall. Along the way you get majestic views of the Salt Lake Valley....(more)

Deseret Peak Via Mill Fork Trail
This hike ascends the 11,031 ft summit of Deseret Peak, in the Stansbury Mountains west of Salt Lake City. This is one of the most scenic and enjoyabl...(more)

Desolation Trail to Valley Overlook
Hike through forest and along open hillsides to a vista overlooking Salt Lake Valley. Trailhead is in Mill Creek Canyon, just past Millcreek Inn (abou...(more)

Dog Lake
You can reach this scenic lake from trailheads in both Mill Creek Canyon and Big Cottonwood Canyon. Dogs are allowed on trails in Mill Creek Canyon, b...(more)

Donut Falls
This is one of the most popular hikes in the Salt Lake area. It provides access to a unique waterfall where Big Cottonwood Creek gushes through a donu...(more)

Ensign Peak
Ensign Peak is a prominent small mountain peak at the north end of the Salt Lake Valley, above the State Capitol building. From the top, you have marv...(more)

Frary Peak
Frary Peak is the highest point on Antelope Island. The trail provides outstanding views of the Great Salt Lake, Antelope Island and Wasatch Mountains...(more)

Grandeur Peak via Church Fork
Grandeur Peak is an 8299 foot summit on the east side of Salt Lake Valley. It is one of Utah's easier mountains to summit. At the top you get extensiv...(more)

Jordan River Parkway
Jordan River Parkway will ultimately be a continuous trail running along the Jordan River, from near Utah Lake on the south end to near the Great Salt...(more)

Lake Blanche
Lake Blanche is a very photogenic landmark in the Twin Peaks Wilderness Area. The trailhead is in Big Cottonwood Canyon, at the bottom of the prominen...(more)

Mary, Martha & Catherine
There are 3 beautiful alpine lakes in close proximity a short distance above Brighton Ski Resort, at the top of Big Cottonwood Canyon. A well-marked t...(more)

Mount Olympus Summit
Mount Olympus is a prominent 9,026 feet peak on the east side of the Salt Lake Valley. Views from the summit are considered to be some of the best in...(more)

Red Pine Lakes
Lower and Upper Red Pine Lakes are popular hiking destinations from Little Cottonwood Canyon on the east side of Salt Lake Valley. They are located in...(more)

Secret Lake
Very popular, easy hike to a beautiful alpine lake, also know as Cecret Lake. The Albion Basin is famous for its summer wildflowers, and this trail ru...(more)

Silver Lake
Easy stroll around a beautiful lake at Brighton Ski Resort, at the top of Big Cottonwood Canyon. From the trailhead parking, a boardwalk extends out i...(more)

Twin Lakes and Lake Solitude
From Silver Lake at Brighton Ski Resort, trails lead to Twin Lakes and Lake Solitude. Both trails wind through scenic forests and up moderately steep...(more)

Easy Moderate Strenuous

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