Best Beginner Hikes in Salt Lake City

Our Local Expert Says:

Best intro hike to the beauty of Salt Lake City's Wasatch Mountains.

Description:

One of the most popular hikes in the Wasatch, the trail to Red Pine Lake follows a well-maintained trail through a narrow canyon to a beautiful alpine lake set just below tree line. The lake with its backdrop of craggy peaks makes for a great picnic spot or an excellent place to pitch a tent for an overnight backpack trip.

Begin your hike at the well-marked White Pine trailhead located 5.5 miles up Salt Lake City's Little Cottonwood Canyon. The trail climbs nearly 2000 feet over 3 miles so plan on about 2-3 hours to reach the lake. Once at Red Pine Lake, explore the trail that circles the lake or scramble up the rock above Red Pine Lake to an upper pool.

Description:

Donut Falls is a unique waterfall in the Wasatch Mountains that gushes through a hole in the rock that literally looks like a donut hole. The Donut Falls hike is one of the most popular hikes close to Salt Lake City and is perfect for families and hikers of all experience levels. The trail follows a well marked trail 3/4 miles to the falls. The trail is relatively easy except for a short rocky section just before reaching the falls.

The hike is best done from late spring into late fall with the waterfall being most impressive during the spring runoff. The rocks below the waterfall can be very wet and slippery so climbing up to the waterfall is not recommended. If you wish to do so do at your own risk.

To get to the trailhead, travel 9.3 miles up Big Cottonwood Canyon Road and turn right onto the road to Jordan Pines Picnic Area. Continue on the road for ¾ miles from the Big Cottonwood Canyon Road to the Donut Falls/Cardiff Fork Trailhead.

Description:

Dog Lake is a fun and popular hike just outside of Salt Lake City in beautiful Millcreek Canyon. The trail is very well maintained and winds itself through gorgeous high alpine forest 2.5 miles to Dog Lake. The hike is immensely popular with dog owners (hence the name Dog Lake) because the trail is one of the only trails in the Wasatch that lead to a lake where dogs are allowed.

The trail is moderately strenuous with 1440 feet of elevation gain from the trailhead to the lake. The climb is rather gradual so anyone in average physical condition should not have any real difficulty completing the hike.

The trail can be accessed from Upper Millcreek Canyon from July 1 until the snow falls. Spring hits these high elevation trails mid-summer so mid to late summer is an excellent time for wildflower viewing and the leaves are spectacular in the fall.

To get to the trailhead, travel all the way up Millcreek Canyon to the top and park in the Big Water Trail Parking Area. There are several trails leaving the parking area so make sure to the Big Water Trail to Dog Lake.

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Description:

The hike to Lake Blanche is one of the easier hikes close to Salt Lake City. The well-maintained 2.75-mile trail leads through Aspen groves and up switchbacks past smooth rock slabs to a gorgeous basin containing Lake Blanche. The view at Lake Blanche is incredible with the towering Sundial Peak above the lake and surrounding peaks. Views of the Salt Lake Valley can also be seen from parts of the trail.

The hike ascends 2720 feet from the trailhead so the hike is considered strenuous for novice hikers, but should be no problem for individuals in good physical condition. Pack plenty of water, sunscreen, and snacks and plan on approximately 2.5 hours to reach the lake - the views and photo opportunities will make the hike certainly worth it.

To get to the trailhead, drive up Big Cottonwood Canyon Road 4.4 miles to the Mill B South parking area. There are two parking lots and the Lake Blanche Trail begins at the east side of the lower parking lot.

Description:

Grandeur Peak is the easiest and most accessible of the prominent peaks that make up Salt Lake City's eastern skyline. The most popular route to the summit of Grandeur Peak is from the Church Fork trailhead, which begins at the Church Fork picnic area 3.2 miles up Mill Creek Canyon (from Wasatch Blvd).

The trail is well marked and easy to follow. The total length of the trail is 5.2 miles (out and back) with 2340 feet of elevation gain. The trail follows a stream for the first ½ mile and then cuts sharply west leading to a series of switchbacks that lead up to Mill Creek ridge. The trail follows the saddle to the summit and provides exceptional views of the entire Salt Lake Valley.

Don't forget to pack your camera, sunscreen, and plenty of water for your hike to the Summit. Average hikers can reach the summit of Grandeur Peak in 2-3 hours.