Mountains, water, trails, powder and red rock. Discover year-round places without guessing what's open.
See outdoor events this week ↗WHAT ARE YOU IN THE MOOD FOR?
THE UTAH OUTDOORS GUIDE
123 places in this view · SLC and surrounding areas prioritized.
Trails & hikes · Salt Lake Valley
📍 Capitol / Salt Lake
Short foothill climb to sweeping views over downtown and the Great Salt Lake.
Typical seasons: Spring · Summer · Fall · Winter. Source: Visit Utah · SLC trails. Verify access before leaving.
Trails & hikes · Salt Lake Valley
📍 University of Utah
Well-loved rocky overlook above the valley; a steeper climb than it looks.
Typical seasons: Spring · Summer · Fall · Winter. Source: Visit Utah · Living Room guide. Verify access before leaving.
Trails & hikes · Salt Lake Valley
📍 Foothills / Salt Lake
Long foothill trail system with many access points; pick a short out-and-back or longer outing.
Typical seasons: Spring · Summer · Fall · Winter. Source: Visit Utah · SLC trails. Verify access before leaving.
Trails & hikes · Salt Lake Valley
📍 Downtown Salt Lake
An easy way to get into the foothills from near downtown; road and watershed rules apply.
Typical seasons: Spring · Summer · Fall · Winter. Source: Visit Utah · SLC trails. Verify access before leaving.
Trails & hikes · Cottonwood Canyons
📍 Big Cottonwood Canyon
A popular family waterfall hike; parking and winter gate affect route length.
Protected drinking-water watershed: no dogs or water contact. Check road, parking and snow conditions.
Typical seasons: Summer · Fall. Source: Visit Utah · Donut Falls. Verify access before leaving.
Trails & hikes · Cottonwood Canyons
📍 Brighton
High-alpine boardwalk with lake views near Brighton; no swimming or pets.
Protected drinking-water watershed: no dogs or water contact. Check road, parking and snow conditions.
Typical seasons: Summer · Fall. Source: UDOT · Canyon trailheads. Verify access before leaving.
Trails & hikes · Cottonwood Canyons
📍 Albion Basin / Alta
Short alpine lake hike famous for summer wildflowers.
Protected drinking-water watershed: no dogs or water contact. Check road, parking and snow conditions.
Typical seasons: Summer · Fall. Source: Visit Utah · SLC trails. Verify access before leaving.
Trails & hikes · Cottonwood Canyons
📍 Big Cottonwood Canyon
Demanding climb into a dramatic alpine basin beneath Sundial Peak.
Protected drinking-water watershed: no dogs or water contact. Check road, parking and snow conditions.
Typical seasons: Summer · Fall. Source: Visit Utah · SLC trails. Verify access before leaving.
Trails & hikes · Cottonwood Canyons
📍 Little Cottonwood Canyon
Longer wilderness hike to a granite-circled lake.
Protected drinking-water watershed: no dogs or water contact. Check road, parking and snow conditions.
Typical seasons: Summer · Fall. Source: Visit Utah · SLC trails. Verify access before leaving.
Trails & hikes · Cottonwood Canyons
📍 Little Cottonwood Canyon
Alpine lake hiking from the White Pine trailhead; no swimming or dogs.
Protected drinking-water watershed: no dogs or water contact. Check road, parking and snow conditions.
Typical seasons: Summer · Fall. Source: UDOT · Canyon trailheads. Verify access before leaving.
Trails & hikes · Cottonwood Canyons
📍 Big Cottonwood Canyon
Quiet lake walk through aspens, especially colorful in autumn.
Protected drinking-water watershed: no dogs or water contact. Check road, parking and snow conditions.
Typical seasons: Summer · Fall. Source: Visit Utah · SLC trails. Verify access before leaving.
Trails & hikes · Cottonwood Canyons
📍 Little Cottonwood Canyon
Remote lakes below the Pfeifferhorn for experienced hikers.
Protected drinking-water watershed: no dogs or water contact. Check road, parking and snow conditions.
Typical seasons: Summer · Fall. Source: Visit Utah · SLC trails. Verify access before leaving.
Trails & hikes · Cottonwood Canyons
📍 Big Cottonwood Canyon
A substantial summit route with canyon views and aspen forests.
Protected drinking-water watershed: no dogs or water contact. Check road, parking and snow conditions.
Typical seasons: Summer · Fall. Source: Visit Utah · SLC trails. Verify access before leaving.
Trails & hikes · Salt Lake Valley
📍 Mount Olympus Wilderness
Steep, strenuous summit route with exposed scrambling; not a beginner hike.
Steep high-risk climb. Check trail weather, snow and your experience.
Typical seasons: Spring · Summer · Fall. Source: Visit Utah · SLC trails. Verify access before leaving.
Trails & hikes · Cottonwood Canyons
📍 Big Cottonwood Canyon
Popular canyon trailhead for forested hikes to Dog Lake and beyond.
Protected drinking-water watershed: no dogs or water contact. Check road, parking and snow conditions.
Typical seasons: Summer · Fall. Source: UDOT · Canyon trailheads. Verify access before leaving.
Trails & hikes · Cottonwood Canyons
📍 Big Cottonwood Canyon
Longer forest-to-alpine route from the Mill D North area.
Protected drinking-water watershed: no dogs or water contact. Check road, parking and snow conditions.
Typical seasons: Summer · Fall. Source: UDOT · Canyon trailheads. Verify access before leaving.
Trails & hikes · Park City & Heber
📍 Wasatch Mountain State Park
Gentler state-park walk through historic grove scenery near Midway.
Typical seasons: Spring · Summer · Fall. Source: Wasatch Mountain · Things to do. Verify access before leaving.
Trails & hikes · Park City & Heber
📍 Wasatch Mountain State Park
A state-park loop for a relaxed outing.
Typical seasons: Spring · Summer · Fall. Source: Utah State Parks · Hiking. Verify access before leaving.
Trails & hikes · Ogden & Davis
📍 Antelope Island
Big island summit with Great Salt Lake panoramas; trail closures can occur.
Verify current island trail closures before visiting.
Typical seasons: Spring · Summer · Fall. Source: Utah State Parks · Hiking. Verify access before leaving.
Trails & hikes · Ogden & Davis
📍 Antelope Island
Short island viewpoint popular for expansive lake views.
Check island trail closures and stay clear of bison.
Typical seasons: Spring · Summer · Fall · Winter. Source: Utah State Parks · Hiking. Verify access before leaving.
Trails & hikes · Ogden & Davis
📍 Antelope Island
Short rocky shoreline lookout in Antelope Island State Park.
Typical seasons: Spring · Summer · Fall · Winter. Source: Utah State Parks · Hiking. Verify access before leaving.
Trails & hikes · Central & Uintas
📍 Mirror Lake Highway
Short high-elevation stroll with reflective Uinta Mountain scenery.
High-elevation access is seasonal; snow, ice, gates and weather may make routes inaccessible.
Typical seasons: Summer · Fall. Source: Visit Utah · Mirror Lake Highway. Verify access before leaving.
Trails & hikes · Central & Uintas
📍 Mirror Lake Highway
Rocky summit route with sweeping High Uinta views.
High-elevation access is seasonal; snow, ice, gates and weather may make routes inaccessible.
Typical seasons: Summer · Fall. Source: Visit Utah · Mirror Lake Highway. Verify access before leaving.
Trails & hikes · Central & Uintas
📍 Mirror Lake Highway
Moderate route past high-elevation lakes.
High-elevation access is seasonal; snow, ice, gates and weather may make routes inaccessible.
Typical seasons: Summer · Fall. Source: Visit Utah · Mirror Lake Highway. Verify access before leaving.
BEFORE YOU HEAD OUT
These are the official places to check current restrictions. Links open the agencies’ own updates, not copied or stale “open now” labels.
Curated discovery list researched October 2026. Activities and seasons are general guidance, not a live forecast, reservation, legal access clearance, or claim that water is safe to enter. Official operator sites control. No paid ranking.