Outbound Collective logo

The Best Backpacking in Evanston

Looking for the best backpacking in Evanston? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Evanston. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

Top backpacking spots in and near Evanston

  • Evanston, Utah

    Camping and Skiing at Lily Lake

    When driving to the trailhead you must go through Evanston Wyoming to get there. The trailhead is located near the Bear River Lodge off the Mirror Lake Highway (UT 150).The Lily Lake area in the Uintas is full of snowy landscapes waiting to be explored on skis, snowshoes, or even a snowmobile. Yo...
    Read more
  • Evanston, Utah

    Backpack Mount Beulah via East Fork of the Bear River Trailhead

    5.0
    18 mi / 3423 ft gain
    Getting thereThis trip could be crammed into a really long day or even two days, but give yourself three days to really enjoy the area and not be too pressed for time.Your departure point is the East Fork of the Bear River Trailhead on the north slope of the Uintah Mountains. For most, this will ...
    Read more
  • Evanston, Utah

    Kermsuh Lake Trail

    5.0
    13.04 mi / 1722 ft gain
    Kermsuh Lake Trail is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a lake located near Oakley, Utah.
    Read more
  • Evanston, Utah

    Christmas Meadows to Ryder Lake

    14.83 mi / 1978 ft gain
    Christmas Meadows to Ryder Lake is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a river located near Oakley, Utah.
    Read more
  • Evanston, Utah

    Backpack to Ryder Lake

    4.7
    18 mi / 2000 ft gain
    Ryder Lake is accessed via the Stillwater Trail, beginning at the Christmas Meadows Trailhead off of Mirror Lake Highway. The trail heads due south from Christmas Meadows along the Stillwater River. It winds through lodgepole pine forests and skirts alpine meadows, gradually gaining elevation. A...
    Read more
  • Evanston, Utah

    Hike to Ostler Peak in the High Uintas

    13.7 mi / 3935 ft gain
    Hiking Ostler Peak in the High Uintas Wilderness is a serious challenge for anyone. Typically, this hike is done over 2-3 days, with an overnight at the beautiful Ostler Lake. Strong hikers can do this hike in one day, however, as long as you are prepared and know the route.  The route up Ostler ...
    Read more
  • Evanston, Utah

    Amethyst Basin via Christmas Meadows

    4.5
    12.57 mi / 2303 ft gain
    Directions: 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
  • Kamas, Utah

    Hike to Round, Sand, and Fish Lake in the Uinta Mountains

    9 mi / 2000 ft gain
    The Dry Fork Trailhead at the end of Weber Canyon Rd is the starting point for the hike to Round, Sand, and Fish Lakes in the Uinta Mountains of Utah. In the early spring and summer, this trail can be wet due to snowmelt runoff, but by mid-summer, it dries out and is a fantastic hike. The trail i...
    Read more
  • Oakley, Utah

    Cutthroat Lake

    4.1 mi / 531 ft gain
    Cutthroat Lake Route is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a lake located near Kamas, Utah.
    Read more
  • Evanston, Utah

    Dead Horse Lake via East Fork Blacks Fork Trail

    28.52 mi / 5046 ft gain
    Dead Horse Lake via East Fork Blacks Fork Trail is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a river located near Altonah, Utah.
    Read more
  • Oakley, Utah

    Backpack to Cutthroat Lake

    4 mi / 280 ft gain
    There isn't a trail to Cutthroat Lake so for a portion of the hike will be cross-country.  I highly recommend bringing a GPS but with intermediate route-finding skills you should be able to find your way.  We used the Gaia GPS app and this made the hike much easier.  The distance depends on the r...
    Read more
  • Oakley, Utah

    Scale the Cliffs at Ruth Lake

    4.8
    Getting There From Evanston, take the Mirror Lake Highway 150 about 42 miles to the Ruth Lake trailhead and follow the easy hike up from the highway; just look for the signs directing you to Ruth Lake. The Trail/The Climbs Once on the trail, keep an eye out to your left and soon you'll see the cl...
    Read more
  • Evanston, Utah

    Backpack to Dead Horse Lake

    5.0
    21 mi / 1400 ft gain
    Dead Horse Lake is a lightly trafficked and highly scenic route in the High Uintas Wilderness.  The trail is easy enough to do overnight but I recommend taking an extra day to explore the area around Dead Horse Lake.  From the trailhead you will hike south on the West Fork Blacks Fork trail.  The...
    Read more
  • Evanston, Utah

    Backpack Naturalist Basin and Summit Mount Agassiz

    4.0
    15 mi / 3700 ft gain
    Naturist Basin is a beautiful area in the High Uintas Wilderness with an abundance of mountains, lakes, meadows, and wildlife.  It is best hiked July-September. To get to the trailhead, drive up the Mirror Lake Scenic Byway until you reach the Highline Trailhead Campground, about 3 miles past Mi...
    Read more
  • Evanston, Utah

    Mount Agassiz Loop

    10.24 mi / 3058 ft gain
    Mount Agassiz Loop is a loop trail where you may see local wildlife located near Oakley, Utah.
    Read more
  • Hanna, Utah

    Cuberant Lakes Trail

    6.35 mi / 912 ft gain
    Cuberant Lakes Trail is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a lake located near Hanna, Utah.
    Read more