The 10 Best Hikes in Northern Utah to get your Butt in Shape this Spring and Summer

When you think of Utah, I imagine a few things come to mind. Massive deserts, red rocks, arches, buttes, plateaus, etc. But did you know that there is so much more to discover and explore in Utah?

Whether you’re a resident of Utah or visiting (please go away after your visit, Utah is closed for new residents, especially for you Californians), it’s no secret that Utah hosts some of the best wilderness in the world. From having the world’s best snow (eat it, Colorado), to natural rock formations down south like Delicate Arch and the entirety of Zion National Park, there’s a little bit of everything to explore in this state.

Lesser known are some of the areas up north found along the Wasatch Front and Uinta Mountains. In fact, many people don’t realize how deep into the Rockies Utah gets. If you’re like me, the first time I went to Denver, I too realized that John Denver was full of sh**. It’s flat as hell, and the mountains are barely visible from the city.

Well, that’s definitely not the case in Utah. I’m sure there are many people who are shocked upon landing at Salt Lake City International Airport to find that there isn’t a red rock in sight and that those aforementioned buttes and arches are more than 3-5 hours south of Salt Lake City.

But not all hope is lost. The Wasatch Front has lots of beauty to behold and hikes to get your sweat on as you pound through miles of elevated scenery (keep in mind that Salt Lake City is at an altitude of 4,265 feet, so heavy breathing is pretty much unavoidable as you begin your hiking journey). Listed below are some of the best hikes in northern Utah to get your butt off that couch this summer and touch grass for once.

Ensign Peak

Short Description:
A classic Salt Lake City hike that punches above its weight in views-per-foot. A quick trek from the Utah Capitol Building, Ensign Peak overlooks the entire Salt Lake Valley and offers sunset views that hit harder than leg day after skipping for a month. Great if you want a scenic reward without committing to a full-on backcountry adventure.

Alltrails link: Ensign Peak Trail
Dog Friendly?: Yes (on leash)
Distance: 1 mile roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 374 feet
Level of Intensity: Moderate
Best Time to Go: Spring through Fall, especially at sunset

Stewart Falls

Short Description:
Tucked behind Sundance Resort, this hike is the epitome of “worth it.” A gentle path through forested slopes leads to a two-tiered waterfall that looks like something out of a fantasy novel. Great for dates, kids, or anyone who wants to feel outdoorsy without ending up on a missing hiker report.

Alltrails link: Stewart Falls Trail
Dog Friendly?: Yes
Distance: 3.5 miles roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 646 feet
Level of Intensity: Moderate
Best Time to Go: Late Spring to early Fall

Bridal Veil Falls

Short Description:
Located right off Provo Canyon Road, Bridal Veil Falls is basically Utah’s version of a drive-thru hike. A paved path takes you to a massive, cascading waterfall with zero effort required. If you’re looking for something that’ll get you outside without getting your shoes dirty, this is it.

Alltrails link: Bridal Veil Falls via Provo River Parkway
Dog Friendly?: Yes
Distance: 1.4 miles
Elevation Gain: 124 feet
Level of Intensity: Easy
Best Time to Go: Spring and early Summer when the waterfall is raging

Timpanogos Cave Trail

Short Description:
This one will test your quads. The trail to Timpanogos Cave isn’t long, but it climbs fast—1,100 feet in just over a mile and a half. But the prize is more than worth it: a guided tour through stunning limestone caverns. Plus, it’s one of the few hikes where sweating like a beast leads you into air-conditioned underground bliss. And it’s paved, so stop crying.

Disclaimer, tickets go fast for the Cave itself and aren’t guaranteed the day of the hike. So save yourself the disappointment and book those tickets in advance. Or don’t and be a madman who just likes to hike up 1,100 feet for kicks and giggles to no end whatsoever. That’s what we call “rawdogging the hike” in the hiking world. No end goal, no beautiful destination, no music, just you and the trail beneath you.

Alltrails link: Timpanogos Cave Trail
Dog Friendly?: Nope, Fido has to sit this one out
Distance: 3.1 miles roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 1,148 feet
Level of Intensity: Difficult
Best Time to Go: Late Spring through early Fall (cave tours open mid-May through September)

Albion Meadows Trail

Short Description:
Located in Little Cottonwood Canyon, this trail is a wildflower wonderland during July and August. The incline is gentle, making it great for families or recovery days when your legs are still mad about Silver Lake (that’s next up, no worries). Bonus: you’ll feel like you’re walking through a Bob Ross painting.

Alltrails link: Albion Meadows Trail
Dog Friendly?: Nope—Little Cottonwood is a watershed area
Distance: 3.6 miles roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 750 feet
Level of Intensity: Easy to Moderate
Best Time to Go: Midsummer (late July is peak wildflower season)

Silver Lake

Short Description:

Located up American Fork Canyon, Silver Lake is one of the best hikes on this list. Rated as a moderate trail on Alltrails, Silver Lake presents an impressive elevation gain without being too steep. Keep in mind that the starting elevation hovers in the 7,000-foot range, which can impact your overall stamina. This hike is composed of a steady incline with a couple of creek crossings. The final stretch is by far the hardest with inclines up to ~50% in grade (make sure to hit that stairmaster a few times if you want to prepare for this section a bit). That, coupled with the final elevation around ~9,000 feet makes the last stretch mildly challenging, though with enough time and good pacing, anyone can tackle this just fine. Your reward is one of the most stunning sights you can find on a Utah hike: tall, rocky mountain cliffs surround a pristine lake that retains that untouched feel. In late July, the water temperature is perfect for a mild cold plunge as well, which pairs well with the steep hike that came before.

A couple of notes: I would recommend using a car with good suspension to reach the trailhead. The final two miles of road before reaching the trailhead are dirt/unpaved and can be bumpy. Keep in mind that the road is also cliffside, so exercise caution during the last two miles. And, again, remember the higher elevation and pace yourself. Enjoy the beautiful scenery!

Alltrails link: Silver Lake Trail
Dog Friendly?: Yes!
Distance: 4.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,423 Feet
Level of Intensity: Difficult
Best Time to Go: Early in the morning, Summer or Fall (due to snow melt)

Mt. Timpanogos (via Aspen Grove or Timpooneke)

Short Description:
The granddaddy of Wasatch hikes. Mt. Timpanogos will absolutely obliterate your calves, lungs, and soul in the best way possible. It’s long, steep, and exposed—but the summit views are next level. Think: alpine meadows, glacier lakes, wild mountain goats, and bragging rights that last all year.

There are two popular times for tackling Timp (as it’s colloquially known). First, hikers will start their hike between 12-3 am in order to summit prior to sunrise. Second, hikers will begin their hike around 12 pm to summit in time for sunset. Whichever path you take or time you start, you are in for one of the most rewarding hikes outside of the Uintas (King’s Peak wasn’t included in this list, partially due to the nature and effort required to summit Utah’s tallest peak).

Alltrails link: Mount Timpanogos via Timpooneke Trail
Dog Friendly?: Yes
Distance: 14.3 miles roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 4,389 feet
Level of Intensity: Extreme
Best Time to Go: July through early October

Maple Canyon Left Fork

Short Description:
A lesser-known gem in Maple Canyon that offers slot canyon vibes, shaded forest, and a trail that’s just rugged enough to make you feel like you earned your post-hike meal. A little out of the way, but perfect if you want solitude and scenic rewards.

Alltrails link: Maple Canyon Left Fork
Dog Friendly?: Yes
Distance: 3.4 miles roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 757 feet
Level of Intensity: Moderate
Best Time to Go: Late Spring through early Fall

Donut Falls (or Doughnut if you’re classy)

Short Description:
Perfect hike for families, beginners, or people who just really love waterfalls (myself included). The payoff is a quirky little cascade that falls through a hole in the rock—hence the name. It’s short, sweet, and usually packed with people, so go early if you want to dodge the crowd.

Alltrails link: Donut Falls Trail
Dog Friendly?: Yes
Distance: 3.0 miles
Elevation Gain: 538 feet
Level of Intensity: Easy
Best Time to Go: Summer (snow can make this trail sketchy in spring)

The Grotto Trail

Short Description:
Short, shady, and full of forest energy. This is an easy, family-friendly trail with a little waterfall grotto at the end that feels straight out of a Disney movie. One of the best bang-for-your-buck hikes if you’re short on time but still want to say you did something. Can’t emphasize how great this hike is for children; having grown up in Utah, this hike became something of an annual tradition for my family. It’s out of the way enough that most days you won’t be overwhelmed by crowds of people.

Alltrails link: The Grotto Trail
Dog Friendly?: Yes
Distance: 0.6 miles
Elevation Gain: 75 feet
Level of Intensity: Easy
Best Time to Go: Late Spring through early Fall

Final Thoughts: Supplement Your Summer

Now that you’ve got 10 of the best Northern Utah hikes lined up, it’s time to train like a beast and get your gear ready. And by gear, we mean supplements—obviously.

These hikes aren’t always easy, and the elevation gains can hit harder than your first breakup. That’s why we recommend fueling your grind with a scoop of Bucked Up Pre-Workout to get those legs moving when your willpower is still asleep. Or, if you’re looking to recover faster and reduce soreness post-hike, grab some Bucked Up BCAAs or Bucked Up Collagen to keep that beast mode alive.*

Touch grass, summit peaks, and show the Wasatch who’s boss.

Now get out there and hike your butt off.

This list is not comprehensive. Make sure to comment any hikes you enjoy that deserve a spot on this list!