Salt Lake City sits right at the doorstep of some of the most stunning mountain terrain in the country. Within a 30-minute drive from downtown, you can find yourself on trails that wind through alpine forests, past cascading waterfalls, and up to ridgelines with views that stretch for miles.
The Wasatch Range creates a natural playground where locals and visitors alike can escape into nature without the hassle of a long road trip. The variety of trails around Salt Lake City means there’s something for everyone, whether you’re looking for a quick morning walk or an all-day adventure.
Here is a list of 17 scenic hikes that showcase the best of what this mountain town has to offer.
Donut Falls
This trail is one of the most popular family-friendly hikes in Big Cottonwood Canyon, and for good reason. The waterfall at the end flows through a donut-shaped opening in the rock, creating a unique natural feature that kids and adults find equally fascinating.
It’s about 1.5 miles round-trip with minimal elevation gain, making it accessible to most fitness levels.
Lake Blanche
Tucked into Big Cottonwood Canyon, this trail rewards hikers with views of a pristine alpine lake surrounded by dramatic granite cliffs. The 6-mile round-trip hike gains about 2,700 feet, so it’s a solid workout that takes most people around 4 to 5 hours.
The lake sits in a glacial cirque with Sundial Peak towering overhead, and on calm days, the water reflects the surrounding peaks like a mirror.
Living Room
This quirky trail on the foothills above the University of Utah gets its name from the furniture-like rock formations at the overlook. Someone arranged flat rocks into couches and chairs where hikers can sit and take in panoramic views of the valley below.
The 2.5-mile round-trip is moderately steep but short enough for an after-work hike, and the sunset from the ‘living room’ is spectacular.
Cecret Lake
Despite the spelling, this isn’t much of a secret anymore. The short 2-mile round-trip hike in Little Cottonwood Canyon leads to a stunning alpine lake surrounded by wildflowers in mid-summer.
You can start from Albion Basin, which already sits at high elevation, so the hike itself is relatively easy and perfect for families.
Red Pine Lake
This trail offers a slightly less crowded alternative to some of the busier Big Cottonwood hikes. The 7-mile round trip takes you through dense forest before opening up to an alpine lake basin with excellent views of surrounding peaks.
The trail shares the first section with White Pine Lake, so you could even combine both if you’re feeling ambitious.
Adams Canyon
Located north of Salt Lake City, near Layton, this trail features one of the area’s most impressive waterfalls. The 3.8-mile round trip gains about 1,300 feet as it winds through a shaded canyon before reaching the 40-foot waterfall.
The trail continues past the falls if you want to explore further into the canyon.
Ensign Peak
This short hike packs a lot of history and views into less than a mile. Brigham Young climbed this peak shortly after arriving in the Salt Lake Valley in 1847 to survey the area.
The quick climb gains about 400 feet and offers 360-degree views of the valley, Great Salt Lake, and surrounding mountains, making it perfect for sunrise or when you’re short on time.
Lake Mary, Martha, and Catherine
This trio of alpine lakes in Big Cottonwood Canyon can be visited in a single hike or as separate destinations. The trail to Lake Mary is about 5 miles round-trip, and adding Martha and Catherine extends the adventure to nearly 10 miles.
Each lake has its own character, nestled in rocky basins with crystal-clear water and wildflowers dotting the shoreline in summer.
Grandeur Peak
This peak stands out on the Wasatch Front and offers one of the best workout-to-view ratios in the area. The 6-mile round trip gains about 2,400 feet, and the summit provides stunning views in all directions.
You can access it from either Church Fork or the West Ridge trail, with most hikers preferring the Church Fork route.
Neff’s Canyon
This trail flies under the radar compared to some of its neighbors, which means fewer crowds. The 6-mile round trip climbs steadily through the canyon, and if you continue all the way to the saddle, you’ll be treated to views into both Salt Lake and Utah valleys.
The trail can be hot in summer since parts of it are exposed, so an early morning start works best.
Bells Canyon Reservoir
Going beyond the waterfall in Bells Canyon leads to this alpine reservoir that feels worlds away from the city. The additional mileage and elevation gain (about 10 miles round trip total with 4,500 feet of gain) filter out most casual hikers.
The reservoir sits in a dramatic glacial cirque with the Lone Peak Wilderness rising above it.
Twin Peaks
These prominent peaks are visible from much of the Salt Lake Valley and make for a challenging alpine adventure. The trail is roughly 11 miles round trip with over 5,000 feet of elevation gain, requiring good fitness and mountain experience.
The views from either summit (they’re connected by a ridge) are among the best in the Wasatch.
Broads Fork
This lesser-known trail in Big Cottonwood Canyon offers a quieter experience than nearby Lake Blanche. The trail follows a beautiful creek through the canyon and opens up to a hanging valley with multiple alpine lakes.
At about 8 miles round-trip with significant elevation gain, it’s a full-day commitment that rewards with solitude and stunning scenery.
Stewart Falls
Located near Sundance Resort (about 45 minutes from Salt Lake City), this family-friendly trail leads to a 200-foot waterfall. The 4-mile round trip is mostly downhill on the way to the falls, which means uphill on the return, but the grades are manageable.
The waterfall is impressive year-round, though it really roars during spring runoff.
Desolation Lake
Despite the ominous name, this destination is anything but desolate. The trail in Mill Creek Canyon is about 6 miles round trip and climbs to a beautiful alpine lake surrounded by evergreens and granite.
The relatively moderate grade makes it accessible to most hikers, and the lake itself is a perfect spot for a long lunch break.
Timpanogos Cave
This unique experience combines a steep hike with a guided tour of stunning underground caves. The 3-mile round-trip trail gains 1,100 feet as it switchbacks up the mountainside, and at the top, you enter a series of caves filled with colorful formations.
You need to purchase tickets in advance for the cave tour, and the site is about an hour south of Salt Lake City.
Lake Hardy
This challenging hike in Big Cottonwood Canyon leads to one of the more remote alpine lakes in the area. The roughly 8-mile round trip involves significant elevation gain and some route-finding, so it’s best suited for experienced hikers.
The payoff is a pristine mountain lake that sees far fewer visitors than the more accessible destinations.
From the Valley to the Peaks in Minutes
Salt Lake City’s proximity to world-class hiking makes it stand out among American cities. What used to take pioneers weeks or months to traverse now takes less than an hour, and the trails that wind through these mountains offer a direct connection to the landscape that shaped the region.
Whether you’re scrambling up Mount Olympus or strolling to Donut Falls with kids in tow, these trails prove that adventure doesn’t require long road trips or extensive planning.
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