The Beehive State

Utah

Red rock canyons, the Wasatch Front, and the highest average elevation of any state in the nation.

1Forest Guide

8Trail Guides

2.1MAcres Covered

13,534 ftHighest Peak

Utah at a Glance

Wasatch Front

The Wasatch Range rises directly behind Salt Lake City, putting world-class trails within 30 minutes of 2 million people

Greatest Snow

Utah's 'Greatest Snow on Earth' trademark reflects Wasatch forests receiving 500+ inches of dry powder annually

Five National Parks

Utah's five national parks (the Mighty Five) are surrounded by national forest land that offers similar scenery with far fewer crowds

Highest Average Elevation

Utah has the highest mean elevation of any state at 6,100 ft, with most forest trails starting above 7,000 ft

Watershed Protection

Wasatch-Cache National Forest provides 60% of Salt Lake City's drinking water from mountain snowpack and springs

Uinta Uniqueness

The Uinta Mountains are the only major east-west running range in the contiguous US, with Utah's highest peak at 13,534 ft

When to Visit

May through October for most trails. High Uintas stay snowed in until late June. Desert-adjacent forests are best in spring and fall. The Wasatch Range offers reliable conditions June through October.

National Forests in Utah

Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest

2,119,930 acresJune through October

Complete guide to Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest in Utah. Trail recommendations, campgrounds, permits, alpine lakes, and trip planning resources.

10 min read

Trails in Utah

strenuousout-and-back

Bells Canyon Trail

7.8 mi2,800 ft gain

UtahMay through November

Guide to Bells Canyon Trail in the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest above Sandy, Utah. A strenuous 7.8-mile out-and-back through a dramatic granite canyon to lower Bells Canyon Reservoir, with a 40-foot waterfall at mile 2.5.

6 min read

easyout-and-back

Cecret Lake Trail

1.8 mi400 ft gain

UtahJuly through September

Guide to the Cecret Lake Trail at Albion Basin in Little Cottonwood Canyon, Utah. A short 1.8-mile hike to an alpine lake with world-class wildflowers.

5 min read

easyout-and-back

Donut Falls Trail

3.2 mi500 ft gain

UtahJune through October

Guide to the Donut Falls Trail in Big Cottonwood Canyon, Utah. A family-friendly 3.2-mile hike to a unique waterfall that flows through a hole in the rock.

5 min read

strenuousout-and-back

Grandeur Peak Trail

6.6 mi2,600 ft gain

UtahMay through November

Guide to Grandeur Peak in Mill Creek Canyon, Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest, Utah. A 6.6-mile out-and-back strenuous summit hike with 360-degree views of the entire Salt Lake Valley.

6 min read

moderate-hardout-and-back

Lake Blanche Trail

6.8 mi2,700 ft gain

UtahJune through October

Guide to the Lake Blanche Trail in Big Cottonwood Canyon, Utah. A steep 6.8-mile out-and-back to a stunning alpine lake beneath Sundial Peak.

6 min read

moderateout-and-back

Living Room Trail

3.4 mi1,100 ft gain

UtahYear-round

A 3.4-mile out-and-back on the Wasatch foothills above Salt Lake City to a rock formation at 5,700 ft with direct views down into the Salt Lake Valley, Great Salt Lake, and the Oquirrh Mountains.

7 min read

strenuousout-and-back

Mount Timpanogos via Timpooneke Trail

14 mi4,580 ft gain

UtahJuly through September

Guide to summiting Mount Timpanogos via the Timpooneke Trail in Utah. A strenuous 14-mile out-and-back to the second-highest peak in the Wasatch Range.

7 min read

moderate-hardout-and-back

Red Pine Lake

6.8 mi2,100 ft gain

UtahJune through October

A 6.8-mile out-and-back in the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest climbing to a granite cirque lake at 10,000 ft in Little Cottonwood Canyon, with views of 11,326-ft Pfeifferhorn above Salt Lake City.

6 min read

Trip Planning Guides

Best Hikes Near Salt Lake City, Utah

Best Hikes Near

The best day hikes within 2 hours of Salt Lake City, Utah. From Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest alpine lakes to the ridge above the city, these are the trails worth your weekend.

6 min read

Did You Know?

The High Uintas Wilderness is the largest wilderness area in Utah at over 460,000 acres, with more than 1,000 lakes.

Dixie National Forest is the largest national forest in Utah at nearly 2 million acres, stretching across southern Utah.

Wasatch-Cache National Forest manages the ski terrain for 7 of Utah's major ski resorts during winter months.

The Bonneville Shoreline Trail follows the ancient shoreline of Lake Bonneville, which covered most of western Utah 15,000 years ago.

Manti-La Sal National Forest contains the La Sal Mountains, which rise from red rock desert to nearly 13,000 ft in just a few miles.