Best Scenic Hikes near Salt Lake City

Looking for the best hikes in Salt Lake City? Here are some of the best and most scenic hikes near Salt Lake City, ranging from just 1 mile long, to up to 8 miles long roundtrip.

1. Bloods Lake to Clayton Peak Hike

View from the Clayton Peak hike with jagged rocks and the valley below.

Even though we didn’t make it to the tip top of Clayton’s Peak (there are some pretty sketchy boulders for the last 500 feet and we hit some bad weather) the view on this hike was breathtaking. There is transit to the Bloods Lake trailhead and a few others since parking fills up early. Visit UtahOpenLands.org to learn more about public transit. We decided to wait in line for parking and it was only about 30 minutes.

Trail Stats:

Distance: 5.3 miles
Starting Elevation: 9,219 ft
Elevation Gain: 1,650 ft

Link to Bloods Lake to Clayton Peak on All Trails

2. Red Pine Lake and Gloria Falls Hike

Picture of Red Pine Lake among a field of yellow wildflowers.

This out-and-back has a significant elevation gain, but is varied and beautiful. You can even see down to Salt Lake City from portions of the trail. At the top, you’re rewarded with a beautiful and serene lake. In early August we still saw tons of wildflowers. Gloria Falls is only about a quarter mile round trip off the main path and worth seeing. A lot of people just went to Gloria Falls, so the crowd lessened after the Gloria Falls turnoff about a mile in.

Trail Stats:

Distance: 7.7 miles
Starting Elevation: 7,714 ft
Elevation Gain: 2,288 ft

Link to Red Pine Lake on AllTrails

3. Stewart Cascade Trail #056 Hike

Photo of the waterfall at the end of the hiking trail, Stewart Falls on a partly cloudy day.

About an hour from Salt Lake City is the Stewart Cascade Trail. This is a heavily trafficked out & back which leads you to Stewart Falls, a two-tiered waterfall. When you hit the rock vista (which seems like the end), stand on the rock and turn away from the falls and you’ll see where the trail continues.

Trail Stats:

Distance: 3.5 Miles
Starting Elevation: 6,800 ft
Elevation Gain: 652 ft

Link to Steward Cascade Trail #056 on AllTrails

4. Ensign Peak Hike

View of Salt Lake City and the Wasatch Mountains during Sunset from Ensign Peak.

This short hike is best at the end of the day, so you can watch the sunset over the Great Salt Lake, while getting a great view of the city and the Wasatch Mountains. This is a popular place to end the day, so get there early for parking and to give yourself time for the walk up. If you’re not used to the elevation, it might take you a little longer than usual.

Trail Stats: