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Silver Lake

Salt Lake City, Utah

3.8/5
based on 8 reviews

Details

Distance

0.94 miles

Elevation Gain

49 ft

Route Type

Loop

Description

Added by Lindsay Daniels

Silver Lake in Big Cottonwood Canyon has a 1 mile loop trail taking you around the lake. There is the possibility to make it a 4-mile roundtrip hike.

This quick hike to a beautiful lake in the Wasatch Mountains is perfect for the whole family. Park at the visitor center at the Silver Lake Recreation Area near Brighton Ski Resort, pick up a trail map and walk behind the building to find the trailhead. You can also pick up a wildflower guide at the visitor center - there are incredible blooms in the summer months.

The trailhead leads you to a one mile loop trail that wraps around Silver Lake. This trail is family friendly and wheelchair accessible. For those more adventurous hikers, there are several other trail junctions if you wish to extend your hike on to Twin Lakes, Lake Solitude, and the Brighton Lakes. These trails involve much more climbing and may not be quite so family friendly.

Getting there:

From Salt Lake City, take I-215 and exit at 6200 South. Follow the road signs to Big Cottonwood Canyon and the Brighton and Solitude ski resorts. Continue up Big Cottonwood Canyon for 14.2 miles to the Silver Lake Visitor’s Center.

Note: the trail is best used March through November. 

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Features

Photography
Hiking
Lake
Scenic

Reviews

This is a nice boarder walkway. It is a young family favorite. You can also fish there too.

This is one of the best spots to catch the fall leaves in all their glory. Time it so that the aspens are in full swing and you won't be able to take pictures fast enough. Gorgeous!

Definitely not a hike, more like a walk. Still a cool view though 👍🏼

Very easy. Was able to push my baby in her stroller.

Explorer

01/25/17

There couldn't be a more awesome place to go for a short mountain walk with the family. Its super easy and even more beautiful.

A fun place to snowshoe and Nordic ski in the winter, great family hiking spot in the summer, and a phenomenal place to see the fall colors!!

go at night when there's a full moon--pretty dank

Disappointed. Closed to hiking because lake was under ice and snow.

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Nearby

Hike and Camp at the Twin Lakes Reservoir

Cross-Country Ski at the Solitude Nordic Center

Photograph Star Trails at Silver Lake

Hike Lakes Mary, Martha and Catherine (Brighton Lakes)

Night Photography at Brighton

Photograph Guardsman Pass & The Alpine Loop