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The Best Backpacking in Salt Lake City

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

Top backpacking spots in and near Salt Lake City

  • Bountiful, Utah

    Backpack to Rudy's Flat

    4.0
    7 mi
    Rudy's Flat is a great overnight hike with plenty of tent or hammock space and multiple established fire rings. This hike offers multiple options for distance depending on your availability and skill level.From the Mueller Park Canyon trailhead (5,234 ft), hikers will experience a gradual ascent ...
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  • Centerville, Utah

    Centerville Peak Trail

    6 mi / 2195 ft gain
    Centerville Peak Trail is an out-and-back trail where you may see wildflowers located near Centerville, Utah.
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  • Salt Lake City, Utah

    Broads Fork Basin and Beaver Pond

    4.0
    5.1 mi / 2083 ft gain
    The Broads Fork trailhead starts in Big Cottonwood Canyon in the same parking lot as the Lake Blanche trailhead, this trailhead is on the west side of the parking lot. The trail is very easy to follow and is well marked. Follow the trail until you come to a great big basin. Here you will be able...
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  • Salt Lake County, Utah

    Lake Blanche & Sundial Peak

    5.0
    9.52 mi / 4098 ft gain
    This is a popular hike all year round, but less popular in the winter. If you’re backpacking you’ll most likely be alone. In winter, the lake is covered in snow, but Sundial Peak is one of the most picturesque mountains in the Wasatch. Especially when it is dusted with snow. You’ll also be far en...
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  • Morgan, Utah

    Big Mountain Pass to Mueller Park

    18.56 mi / 3396 ft gain
    Big Mountain Pass to Mueller Park is a point-to-point trail where you may see beautiful wildflowers located near Morgan, Utah.
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  • Morgan, Utah

    Farmington Creek Trail: Upper Canyon Section

    3.21 mi / 1135 ft gain
    Farmington Creek Trail: Upper Canyon Section is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a waterfall located near Farmington, Utah.
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  • Salt Lake City, Utah

    Desolation Lake Loop via Little Water Trail to Old Red Pine Road

    9.63 mi / 2395 ft gain
    Desolation Lake Loop via Little Water Trail to Old Red Pine Road is a loop trail that takes you by a lake located near Salt Lake City, Utah.
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  • Salt Lake City, Utah

    Dog Lake via Butler Fork Trail

    5.22 mi / 1880 ft gain
    Dog Lake via Butler Fork Trail is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a lake located near Mounthaven, Utah.
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  • Salt Lake City, Utah

    Winter Backpack to Dog Lake and Backcountry Ski Reynolds Peak

    4.5
    5 mi / 1500 ft gain
    The hike is considered moderate, but the 1500ft. elevation gain (2100ft. to Reynolds Peak) will definitely get your heart rate up. Snowshoes/skins are recommended but the trail is often packed enough to do without them.After crossing the street from the Spruces parking lot, follow the trail past...
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  • Draper, Utah

    Cherry Canyon to Outlaw Cabin

    11.16 mi / 4534 ft gain
    Cherry Canyon to Outlaw Cabin is an out-and-back trail where you may see wildflowers located near Draper, Utah.
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  • Draper, Utah

    Lone Peak via the Cherry Creek Logging Trail

    14.8 mi / 6378 ft gain
    You start this trail at the Orson Smith Park in Draper.  It joins with the Bonneville Shoreline Trail briefly before turning off onto the cherry creek logging trail.  It switchbacks for a long ways exposed on towards the valley.  It is fairly steep in places, but doable.  I had tennis shoes with ...
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  • Sandy, Utah

    Summit the Pfeifferhorn

    5.0
    9 mi / 3700 ft gain
    Starting 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...
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  • Sandy, Utah

    Camp at the Cottonwood Ridgeline

    Begin at the White Pine Trailhead in Little Cottonwood Canyon. Follow the trail up toward Red Pine Lake. The trail gets a little hard to follow after the lake, but find your way up to the ridge between Pfeifferhorn and White Baldy. Set up camp and enjoy a night in the high mountains. Morning will...
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  • Sandy, Utah

    White Pine Lake

    4.5
    9.97 mi / 2917 ft gain
    Just 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...
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  • Sandy, Utah

    Red Pine Lake Trail

    5.0
    6.94 mi / 1995 ft gain
    Red 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...
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  • Salt Lake City, Utah

    Camp at Willow Lake

    4.6
    2.41 mi / 659 ft gain
    The 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...
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