Ultimate Guide to Hiking Around Salt Lake City

Salt Lake City is getting more popular every year and for good reason – it has some of the US’s best hiking areas. You can explore the beauty and unforgettable experience of miraculous natural spots. Keep reading for the six best trails for hiking around Salt Lake City.

Hiking Around Salt Lake City

The world-class hiking trails and the impressive mountains of Salt Lake City are incredible. It has a central airport and is getting more direct flights from large cities every day. However, there are a few things you should know before you go hiking around Salt Lake City.

First, you’ll want to watch for the weather conditions, especially in the winter. Mild winters make for great hiking for beginners, but if there is a snowstorm or a chill coming through, winter hiking conditions can get more dangerous. An alternative is to just go hiking in the summer or fall! These are much better seasons for hiking around Salt Lake City because of the better climate conditions.

The parks, picnic spots, and spectacular views of streams during a hike are the best reasons for Salt Lake City hiking. Kids-friendly hikes are also a great option if you are a parent and want your kids to have a memorable experience. Finally, there is some dog-friendly hiking around Salt Lake City which make for good options for you and your pup. Not all the trails are dog-friendly though, so keep reading for some suggestions!

PS – if you are looking to get out of Salt Lake City, try heading to Cedar City!

Why You Should Hike in Salt Lake City

Salt Lake City hiking offers a myriad of different experiences. There are so many outdoor options near the city center and the suburbs, it’s hard to choose which hike to go on! The jaw-dropping views from the top of the mountains will be unforgettable, but you will also have more relaxed hiking options if you are just looking for some exercise and less of a full-day adventure.

For Salt Lake City hiking, there are several peaks that you can consider. The waterfalls and streams hiking around Salt Lake City are also magical. Some of them are kid-friendly so that you can enjoy the summer vacations with your children or friends. Some of them also allow you to bring your dog along.

Some of the easy hikes around Salt Lake City will be perfect if you are a beginner or first-time visitor. You can rest at some spots to have a lunch break, and also take in scenic views.

Thinking about living in Salt Lake City instead? Check out this City Guide to Living in Salt Lake City and Its Neighborhoods!

Best Time for Salt Lake City Hiking

As mentioned before, the best seasons for beginner hikes will be Summer or Fall as there is a lesser risk of extreme weather. Summer of course gets hot and you should be prepared with enough water and sun protection. In the fall, the orange and yellow leaves of the unending lane of trees will be waiting for you. Going on a hike in the fall can be quite beautiful if you pick the right trails.

Springtime in Salt Lake City can be rainy. I don’t love hiking in rain, not because I don’t love getting wet, but mostly because the views will get blocked by the mist and rain. It rains around 7 days a month across March, April, May.

Finally, winter will be the most challenging season for hiking around Salt Lake City, but if you are more advanced, it will also be some of the most fun. I personally love hiking in the winter because I prefer to be a little cold than hot. The snow also makes for gorgeous views.

What to Pack for Hiking Around Salt Lake City

Although you may think that your trip to Salt Lake City is for more a city adventure, you will want to be prepared when hiking around Salt Lake City. Having the right hiking gear can help you in all seasons of hiking. Here is some of my favorite gear:

Hiking Boots / Shoes

I personally like to wear hiking shoes more than boots because I don’t need the ankle support. Hoka’s are my top choice, but there are some other great options as well.

Sun Protection

The sun when hiking around Salt Lake City can be super strong in the summer. And then in the winter, you will want to make sure you have sun protection as well – the sun reflects off the snow!

Water Storage

There are many options for carrying your water, including just a plain water bottle. However the MSR Drom Bag has been my go-to water carrier for years now.

In the summer, I will bring around 1L per hour of hiking. In the winter, I will lessen that to around 0.5L per hour of hiking.

Summer Hiking Clothing

Here is some of my favorite sweat wicking clothing when hiking around Salt Lake City.

PS – If you are looking for a more in-depth review of hiking gear, check out my blog on The Best Hiking Clothes.

Winter Hiking Favorites

Finally, here is a snippet of my winter hiking favorites.

Hiking Around Salt Lake City – Best 6 Trails

1. Ensign Peak Trail and Overlook

0.8 miles | 374 ft elevation gain | Dog Friendly

Distance-wise, this peak will be one of the easier hikes around Salt Lake City. The historic spot of Ensign Peak has stunning viewpoints to downtown and the surrounding urban area.

From Salt Lake City, it’s a more accessible trail that you can experience at less than a mile distance. You will likely meet friendly locals and visitors alike during this hike. In addition to this, because the distance is pretty short, this hike can also be kid-friendly, and you can go for this popular Salt Lake City hike with your family.

2. Living Room Lookout Trail

2.4 miles | 928 ft elevation gain | Dog Friendly

Hiking around Salt Lake City can be even more relaxing if you experience the complete view of the city on a couch-shaped rock. At the end of this aptly named trail, you will be able to do just that! This hike is a bit longer at 2.3 miles, and it is a little steeper with an elevation of 980 feet. The steep elevation can be quite challenging to complete depending on your experience level, but hiking is all about the adventure of reaching the top of the mountain!

This popular Salt Lake City hike is definitely worth it, however, be warned that the hike is fairly steep and you will likely have no protection from the sun. Remember to bring the right sun protection on this hike and make sure your dogs aren’t too hot while you summit.

At the summit, the loveseat and couch-shaped rock will provide a jaw-dropping view of the other trails and the whole city. The spectacular views at the top where you can sit on a rock and enjoy the entire moment.

3. Orson Smith Park to Draper Sunset Loop

2.3 miles | 439 ft elevation gain | Dog Friendly

The trailhead at this park is incredible for its kid’s friendly spots. The trail leads towards the Aqueduct Trail and the others. The rock formations at this park will be an excellent area for your kids.

Orson Smith Park is one of the popular parks where families love to come. You can easily extend on longer trails here, but this loop is the perfect loop for around an hour of hiking.

This hike also has a nice suspension bridge that will be fun for children to go across.

4. Bear Canyon Bridge via Bonneville Shoreline Trail

3.3 miles | 500 ft elevation gain | No Dogs Allowed

The trail for this mountain is also behind Orson Smith Park and it shares the same parking lot as Draper Sunset Loop. The trail is well marked and is very straightforward because you won’t have to make any turns off the trail until the very end. The trailhead also provides you with a map to check where you are going. The entire hike will take you around 2 hours to complete.

The restrooms, picnic spots, and grassy track make it perfect for Salt Lake City hiking. This is a good alternative to Draper Sunset Loop if you want a bit longer of a trail. The views will also be more straightforward as you’re heading one direction the entire time.

5. Avenue Twin Peaks

3.6 miles | 984 ft elevation gain | Dog Friendly

Avenue Twin Peaks is in the north of Salt Lake City. In fact, it’s only a 10 minute drive from downtown SLC! This 3.6 mile-long peak is an out-and-back trail that can be moderately challenging and will take around 2 hours for you to complete. Because it’s so close to downtown, this is a very popular Salt Lake City hiking option.

People will also go mountain biking and snowshoeing at Avenue Twin Peaks, so you may come across those folks depending on the season you go hiking. This trail is also dog-friendly so you can also bring your dogs there to enjoy the whole journey.

Of all the hiking around Salt Lake City, I would say Avenue Twin Peaks provides the best ‘bang for your buck’ trail in terms of hiking efficiency. Without much planning, you can get an amazing workout and be rewarded with spectacular views of the city below. This is a very popular spot during summer vacations for both locals and visitors. If you are hiking outside of summer, make sure tocCheck the weather conditions before packing for a hike on these peaks.

6. Bell Canyon Trail to Lower Falls

4.6 miles | 1400 ft elevation gain | Dog friendly

The picturesque stream that follows you along the whole trail during the Bell Canyon Trail is magical. If you’re looking to go hiking around Salt Lake City and want a bit further of an adventure, Bell Canyon Trail is it. It gets popular on the weekends so it’s recommended to head out early.

From the trailhead, you will reach Bell Canyon Reservoir after 0.5 miles. This is a good spot if you want to stop for snacks. After that, it’s about 2 miles to the lower falls. At every turn, you’ll see the dramatic views that make the hike super rewarding.

One aspect of this trail that you should take care of is its difficulty. It’s not necessarily a kid-friendly trail, so you should be careful and read in more detail if you are thinking of taking young children there. Dogs may have an easier time hiking the distance of this trail and doing some of the bigger boulder jumps.

Most of the hikers go for a two miles distance just to see the amazing waterfall. Once you arrive at the waterfall, be careful and keep a certain distance from it because it’s quite mossy and can be very slippery.

Summary

Hiking around Salt Lake City is an incredible outdoor adventure that you should consider for your vacations. Or if you are a local and have never explored the outdoor area, these six hikes will get you started!

Looking for other hikes around Utah! Check out my other Utah hiking posts here.

What are your favorite hikes in Salt Lake City?

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