Ruth Lake Area, Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest, UT
Discover the forgotten lakes and boulder fields in, Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest, UT. Take Ruth Lake Trail and head off on a private adventure.
Salt Lake City Trails
Salt Lake City's Best Local Hikes
Snag killer sunset views, escape to the Oquirrhs, and swim in the Uintahs with these easy-access picks for Salt Lake City's best local hikes.
Salt Lake City: Thayne Canyon
Climb up a steep canyon draped in a mix of fir and aspen forest to a craggy overlook of the Salt Lake Valley on this moderate 5.2-mile loop in the Mt. Olympus Wilderness.
Salt Lake City: Sunset Peak
This 5.3-mile out-and-back threads through a pristine alpine landscape with abundant streams, lakes, and wildlife on its way to a 10,650-foot peak in Wasatch National Forest.
Salt Lake City: Mount Olympus
Not for the weak-hearted, this 6.8-miler gains 4,200 feet up wooded hills, through a weathered canyon, and onto the flanks of Mt. Olympus where views are beyond spectacular.
Salt Lake City: Lake Blanche Trail
This steep 6.2-mile out-and-back leads to one of the most celebrated alpine scenes--Lake Blanche under the spires of Sundial Peak--in the Wasatch Range.
Salt Lake City: Mineral Fork Trail
Get high in a hurry on this 9.8-mile out-and-back that gains 3,500 feet and takes in eagle-eye vistas of Salt Lake and the Wasatch Range.
Salt Lake City: Mueller Park to North Canyon
String together two scenic canyons, several campsites, long vistas, and local landmarks like Rudy's Flats and Elephant Rock on this 9.2-miler.
Capitol Reef National Park: Steep Creek Canyon
Go from lush mountains to high desert via a red rock canyon on this 16.3-mile, mostly off-trail trek into Grand Staircase-Escalante. Go in spring or fall; pack extra water.
Salt Lake City: Bonneville Nunns Trail
Run, bike, or hike 10.4 miles out and back along a 14,000-year-old lake shoreline to fresh air and broad vistas in Provo Canyon.
Salt Lake City: Frary Peak
On this 6.6-mile hike, you'll climb the highest peak on the Great Salt Lake's Antelope Island, which is home to more than 600 bison.
Salt Lake City: Grandview Peak
This 8.5-mile out-and-back with an off-trail bonus traverses grassy ridgelines to a rocky summit overlooking the Wasatch Front.
Salt Lake City: Slate Canyon Loop
This hike, a best-kept secret among locals, climbs 3,000 gritty feet to spring-fed conifers, aspens, and meadows in the Wasatch Range outside Provo.
Salt Lake City: Squaw Peak via Rock Canyon
This 8.4-mile out-and-back hooks around the steep, bare prow of Squaw Peak, then ascends its north slope to a summit with skybox views.
Salt Lake City: Deseret Peak Loop
You'll climb a stiff 3,600 feet on this 7.8-mile loop, but gain extraordinary views of the high desert, Wasatch Mountains and Great Salt Lake.
Salt Lake City: Big Baldy
This 7.6-miler loops under Mt. Timpanogos through a rugged canyon and high meadows to a smaller (just as gorgeous) summit in the Wasatch Range.
Salt Lake City: Red Butte Skyline Trail
Take the city's light rail to this 4-mile lollipop loop and a high point above the Great Salt Lake and Wasatch foothills.
Salt Lake City: Fifth Water Hot Springs
Pack your swimsuit for this 5.4-mile round-trip canyon hike leading to a series of steaming, turquoise-blue hot pools and a cascading waterfall.
Salt Lake City, UT: Twin Peaks via White Pine Canyon
This 14.6-mile dayhike serves up two Wasatch summits, some off-trail scrambles above an emerald-colored lake, and top-notch views.
Salt Lake City: Big Spring Hollow Loop
Snowshoe or ski into a winter paradise on this 4.7-miler that loops past a mountain spring and finishes with a downhill sprint.
Salt Lake City, UT: Mount Moriah
Summit a lonely wilderness peak in the stunning Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest.
Salt Lake City, UT: Mount Timpanogos via Aspen Grove
Peakbaggers love this 13.9-mile lollipop-loop which climbs past mountain lakes and rugged cirques to the second highest peak in the Wasatch.
Salt Lake City, UT: The Pfeifferhorn (Little Matterhorn Peak)
Take two days to savor this 4.6-mile (one-way) climb that ends on the Pfeifferhorn, a rocky, 11,326-foot peak less than an hour from Salt Lake.
