The Best Backpacking in Utah
Looking for the best backpacking in Utah? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Utah. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.
Top backpacking spots in and near Utah
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Sandy, Utah
White Pine Lake
4.59.97 mi / 2917 ft gainJust about 5 miles (2-2.5 hrs) from the trailhead, you will find the beautiful White Pine Lake where the water is an intense blue color. It's an amazing place for photos and just hanging out on a summer or fall afternoon. Along the way you will have great views of mountains of all colors, beautif...Read more -
Provo, Utah
Backpack to Silver Lake
4.44.1 mi / 1500 ft gainThe trail is 4.1 miles roundtrip gaining almost 1,500 feet for the duration of the adventure. Some parts are exposed, so you can get a fair amount of sun.When you're on the trail, you'll get amazing views as you’re hiking to the lake of Mount Timpanogos and American Fork Canyon. This is followed ...Read more -
Sandy, Utah
Red Pine Lake Trail
5.06.94 mi / 1995 ft gainRed Pine Lake, located in Red Pine Fork of the Wasatch Mountains, is one of the premier hiking and backpacking destinations in Little Cottonwood Canyon. Red Pine Fork is sandwiched in between White Pine Fork and Maybird Gulch to the east and west, respectively. All three are accessed via the Whit...Read more -
Kane County, Utah
Reflection Canyon
5.015.24 mi / 1368 ft gainBackpacking Reflection Canyon is not for the faint of heart. It's an intense, challenging hike that takes you through slot canyons, climbing up and down shifty sandstones and traversing rugged terrains and ravines. Although the elevation gain is almost nothing, the up and down climbs from one rav...Read more -
Salt Lake City, Utah
Backpack Lake Catherine and Bag Sunset Peak
3.53 mi / 1200 ft gainAny chance to get into the backcountry of the Wasatch Mountains is worth it. Many people day hike in the area, but not very many backpack in. The trail meets up with the Great Western Trail and overlooks Lake Catherine. The best place to camp is in the woods next to the lake. Hike down to the lak...Read more -
Salt Lake City, Utah
Camp at Willow Lake
4.62.41 mi / 659 ft gainThe trailhead to Willow Lake is about 11 miles up Big Cottonwood Canyon and is on the north side of the road right after the passing lane begins. It can be easy to miss, and is only marked with a plaque on a rock (40.630302, -111.604639). As you hike a little in from the road you will see the tra...Read more -
Sandy, Utah
Summit the Pfeifferhorn
5.09 mi / 3700 ft gainStarting at the White Pine Trailhead in Little Cottonwood Canyon, UT, hike southwest until reaching the junction to Red Pine Canyon. Take the trail that crosses the stream and continues west around the ridge. The trail will quickly turn south and begin to gain elevation. Continue west as you pass...Read more -
Provo, Utah
Mount Timpanogos via Timpanogos Trail #053
4.815.72 mi / 4970 ft gainThe Timpooneke trailhead is located in American Fork Canyon, next to the Timpooneke Campground. There is a $6 fee to enter the canyon, unless you have a National Park Pass with which you get in free. On the weekends, it may be difficult to find parking at the Timpooneke Campground, so arrive earl...Read more -
Salt Lake County, Utah
Willow Lake
4.52.41 mi / 659 ft gainThe Trail: Follow the marked trail and you'll hike less than a mile up to the edge of Willow Lake. Moose like to hang out in the thick willows there, so make lots of noise to warn them that you're coming and you won't startle any. Standing on the shoreline, you'll have a great view of Solitude ...Read more -
Evanston, Utah
Red Castle and Red Castle Lakes
4.623.13 mi / 2149 ft gainThe Red Castle is a stunning formation of crumbling red rock that rises around several small lakes, high in the Uinta Mountains. The trail begins at the China Meadows Trailhead. From there, it heads south for about 8 miles, winding through lodgepole pine forests and skirting vast alpine meadows, ...Read more -
Evanston, Utah
Amethyst Basin via Christmas Meadows
4.512.57 mi / 2303 ft gainDirections: The trail leaves from the Christmas Meadows Trailhead. From Mirror Lake Scenic Byway (US 150) turn on Christmas Meadows Rd. The campground and trailhead are around 3.5 miles down the road dirt road. The road is suitable for low clearance vehicles. Trip Length: 6 miles each way + opt...Read more -
Kanab, Utah
Hike Buckskin Gulch, Vermillion Cliffs Wilderness
4.715 miBuckskin Gulch is a natural wonder. At 15 miles long it is the longest slot canyon in the world. It sometimes is as narrow as 2ft. Because of the nature of this canyon and Utah topography this canyon is subject to deadly flash flood if it rains anywhere along the headwaters. Be sure to check in w...Read more -
Emery County, Utah
Camp at the Little Grand Canyon
4.6The Wedge and The Little Grand Canyon are located in Eastern Utah and despite their amazing beauty are relatively unknown and overlooked partly due to their close proximity to national parks like Arches and Canyonlands. With it's massive size, The San Rafael Swell, where The Little Grand Canyon i...Read more -
Evanston, Utah
Kings Peak
4.828.56 mi / 5213 ft gainFrom the Henry Fork Trailhead (approx. 9400 feet elev.) the trail gains very little elevation during the first 5.5 miles with several lakes to camp by along the way. The first lake reached is Alligator Lake. At just under 3 miles from the trailhead, this beautiful lake is an excellent choice for ...Read more -
New Harmony, Utah
Kolob Arch
4.713.86 miIn the lesser traveled area of Zion National Park sits Kolob Arch, a sandstone arch high up on a cliff tucked back in the canyon. To get to Kolob Arch take exit 40 on I-15 in Utah. You'll see a Zion National Park Visitor's Center. Here you can fill up on water, use the bathroom, and get a map to...Read more -
Hurricane, Utah
West Rim Trail, Zion NP
5.014.41 mi / 3000 ft gainThis 14.5 mile (one-way) trek is a multi-functional trail. The trail can serve as standalone trail allowing hikers to get in either a solid in-and-out day hike or as a leg to a much bigger and epic Trans-Zion Trek. For those interested in the later, the West Rim Trail is the leg of the journey th...Read more
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