Curious as to the best hikes near a classic Western capital city? We’ve rounded up the best hikes within an hour’s drive (or less) of Salt Lake City, Utah.
Utah is home to a plethora of hiking — like, tons. At first thought, I could probably rattle off 20 or 30 hikes throughout the states that I’ve enjoyed over the years. But, most of these hikes — many of your favorites, too — are probably centered in places like Arches, Bryce Canyon, or Canyonlands National Parks, or outdoor havens like Moab or Park City, Utah.
Instead, we are taking the path less traveled (ironically) by looking for the best hikes near the state’s capital. Salt Lake City is the most populous city in the state and home to a huge metropolitan area. Here, you can hit up everything from a large-scale convention to an urban city tour to history museums and, yes, hiking and camping.
Naturally, well, after a bit of sightseeing and brewery hopping, we immediately scoured the area for trails. Here are the best hikes in and near SLC. We’ve listed the hikes in order of mileage, and also helpful info like driving time, amenities, and more.
Best Hikes Near Salt Lake City
Hell Canyon Trailhead
Hike #1: Directly north of the city, and basically up a hillside where houses and buildings sit below, this is a great hike and viewpoint in the heart of SLC. Hell Canyon’s trails feature quite a few switchbacks as you climb uphill. While short, it’d be a great hike for families, trail runners, or those looking to see the best views of Salt Lake, especially right when the seasons are changing. (Also, sunsets!)
Hike #2: Look for the Ensign Peak hiking trail at Hell Canyon Trailhead if you want a longer hike and even more views. The Ensign Peak trail climbs all the way up — more gradually than the Hell Canyon hike — to the top of Ensign Peak at 5,417 feet. This trail is 5.8 miles.
Hike #3: Check out nearby Ensign Downs Park, too, for more of an urban hike vibe that features less elevation/climbing, and more nature viewing.
- Miles from downtown SLC: 2.5 mi.
- Driving time: ~10 min.
- Trail mileage: 2.4-2.7 mi. out and back
- Difficulty: easy/moderate
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Rattlesnake Gulch Trail
Sitting in the shadow of 8,299-foot Grandeur Peak is this awesome SLC trail. Rattlesnake Gulch offers all the best aspects of other hikes in the eastern Salt Lake Valley area, wrapped into one. It’s a shorter distance but moderate terrain, and can quickly be linked up to several other trails to form a loop or longer endeavor.
It’s accessible year-round, offers great wildflower and wildlife viewing, and it’s dog-friendly. And Rattlesnake Gulch isn’t just for hiking — you can run or mountain bike this trail too.
Decide you are hardcore and want to summit the entire Grandeur Peak? You can get to the top from Rattlesnake Gulch, too. (Follow Rattlesnake Gulch Trail to the Pipeline Trail to Grandeur Peak East.) There’s a nice big paved parking lot at this trailhead, though no restroom (just head a few miles down the road to the Grandeur TH to find one).
- Miles from downtown SLC: 12 mi.
- Driving time: ~20 min.
- Trail mileage: 3.4 mi. out and back or loop
- Difficulty: moderate
Red Butte Canyon Trails
The Red Butte Canyon Hiking Area is an amazing and easily accessible outdoor destination that SLC has to offer. A few steps away from the University of Utah, Red Butte offers everything from garden paths, to short tourist overlooks, to challenging singletrack trails — plus steeper and rockier terrain and big summits for those who like a challenge. This is a well-developed area, with parking, water access, and restrooms nearby.
- Miles from downtown SLC: 5 mi.
- Driving time: ~18 min.
- Trail mileage: 4.3-mi. loop, 6 mi. out and back
- Difficulty: moderate
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City Creek Canyon Trailhead
- Miles from downtown SLC: 3 mi.
- Driving time: ~10 min.
- Trail mileage: 6.5 mi. out and back
- Difficulty: moderate
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Lake Blanche Trail
- Miles from downtown SLC: 20 mi.
- Driving time: ~30 min.
- Trail mileage: 6.8 mi. out and back
- Difficulty: moderate to difficult
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Mueller Park Trailhead
- Miles from downtown SLC: 14 mi.
- Driving time: ~20 min.
- Trail mileage: 7 mi. out and back, or 19 mi. point to point
- Difficulty: moderate