The Best Easy and Short Hikes
Around Salt Lake City
Short and Accessible
If you love the outdoors but don’t always want an all-day suffer-fest, you’re in the right place. So, appropriately enough, this page is about the best easy and short hikes around Salt Lake City.
One of my favorite things about the Salt Lake City area is how fast you can go from downtown Salt Lake City to trail time … often in 10–30 minutes … without giving up beautiful scenery.
This guide is built for real life: quick mornings, after-work strolls, visiting family, and those “we’ve got plenty of time… but not that much time” days.
These are accessible hikes and short hikes that still feel like a mini-adventure in the Wasatch Mountains. There are a few “level up” options at the end if you decide you want a moderate hike (or more).
How to Pick the Right Hike Today
Before you choose one of these top easy hikes, ask yourself three quick questions:
- How much elevation gain do you want? Some hikes here are relatively flat while others are short but more strenuous.
- Do you want shade and water, or wide-open views? Canyon hikes tend to have more shade. Foothill hikes bring on big valley panoramas.
- Are you with kids (or visiting friends) who want a win? I’ll talk about the best kid-friendly excursions, plus where you’ll want sturdy shoes.
Image - Travel Utah
My Quick Shortlist of Easy Wins
If you just want the fast answer, start here:
- Best quick view: Ensign Peak
- Best paved option: City Creek Canyon
- Best “mountain lake in under 2 hours”: Lake Mary Trail near Brighton Ski Resort
- Best family boardwalk: Silver Lake
- Best waterfall payoff (short-ish hike): Donut Falls
- Best “feels like a local” hangout hike: Living Room Trail
- Best bridge + valley views: Bear Canyon Suspension Bridge Trail
- Best desert wild card: Antelope Island State Park (see Buffalo Point)
Now let’s get into the good stuff.
Ensign Peak
This is the one if you’re near downtown, 45 minutes and want a view. It’s short, it’s close, and you’ll be looking down over the city almost immediately. Visit Utah describes it as a quick hike that gets you up high in about 20 minutes.
Why you’ll love it
- It’s one of the best easy access hikes for skyline photos.
- Sunset and evening lights are fantastic.
- It feels historic and iconic without being complicated.
Good to know
- Short distance, but you’ll feel the climb (a little rocky terrain in spots). It is about 1 mile out-and-back with roughly 374 feet of gain.
City Creek Canyon
An Easy Stroll on a Paved Road
When you want an easy, predictable outing, this is your great place. City Creek is a classic for locals. It is a paved road that’s excellent for walking, running, and biking, with the creek alongside for miles.
Why it works
- Choose your own adventure. Go 20 minutes or go 2 hours.
- Great for families, strollers, and anyone easing into fitness.
- Perfect in spring, fall and cooler mornings in the summer months.
Local tip
- The city also highlights a network of routes in the area (Lower City Creek Loop/Freedom Trail). At about 3 miles and 410 feet of gain, it is super flexible.
Bonneville Shoreline Trail
Pick a Short Segment and Make it Your Own
The Bonneville Shoreline Trail is one of the best “build-your-own” favorite trails systems in northern Utah. Salt Lake City’s portion runs from North Salt Lake to Parley’s Canyon and is designed for both hiking and biking.
Why you’ll love it
- You can keep it truly easy (gentle grades, wide views).
- It’s popular for mountain biking, so stay alert on shared sections.
- It strings together trailheads across the city and foothills.
Easy, scenic idea
- Start near the University of Utah area and follow a mellow stretch toward Emigration Canyon. Many people hike this as an out-and-back so it stays short.
Image - Travel Utah
Living Room Trail
A Short Hike With Big Payoff
This is one of the most beloved Salt Lake City hikes for a reason. You climb quickly, you earn the view, and you finish on a literal “living room” of flat rocks and stone seats.
It is pegged at about 3 miles with roughly 1,300 feet of elevation gain. This means it is short enough for an hour or two, but you’ll definitely know you exercised.
Why it’s worth it
- One of the best “view-per-minute” hikes in the Salt Lake City area.
- Feels social and local (especially on weekends).
- Great “first hike” for visitors who want something memorable.
Heads-up
- This is a moderate hike in effort because the climb is steady and the footing can be rocky terrain. Wear sturdy shoes and take breaks. The Living Room Lookout Trail variation is around 2.3 miles with a 977 foot gain. Keep your eyes and ears open for rattlesnakes.
- Years ago, some friends and I scaled the front rock face of the mountains overlooking the University of Utah between Red Butte Canyon and Emigration. A young man we met with a .22 rifle and a dog took us back down this trail. He told us we had just climbed through a rattlesnake-infested area. He told us to stay on the trail and we’d be fine.
Red Butte Gardens
+ Red Butte Canyon Overlook
Want a “nature + culture” day that feels polished? Pair a garden visit with an easy foothill loop.
The Red Butte Canyon Overlook route is often listed around 1.7 miles with about 229 feet of gain. It’s very doable, and it keeps you close to the city.
Why it’s a nice hike
- Great for visitors who want an easy win without driving deep into the canyons.
- Good chance of spring blooms and wildflower meadows vibes nearby in season.
- Easy to combine with lunch or a museum stop.
Bonus
- This whole area is close to the foothill side of the city and ties into Bonneville Shoreline Trail options, so you can extend if you feel good.
Donut Falls in Big Cottonwood Canyon
If you want a waterfall that feels like a real destination but still fits in a half day, Donut Falls belongs on your shortlist of best hikes. It is an easy route at about 3.3 miles round trip with roughly 508 feet of gain.
Why people love it
- Forest shade, creek sound, and that classic waterfall finale.
- Great “visitors are in town” choice.
- It’s fun even when you’re not in peak hiking shape.
A couple practical tips
- You’ll cross rocks and roots near the end. Again, sturdy shoes help.
- Pack plenty of water even if it doesn’t feel hot at the trailhead.
- Keep your eyes open for little side cascades and hidden falls type pockets along the creek when runoff is strong.
Silver Lake Near the Ski Resorts
(Easy, Family-Friendly, and Accessible)
This is one of the very best “everyone can do it” options especially if you’re traveling with kids, older parents, or anyone who wants true easy trails. The loop is about 0.9 miles with minimal gain. Parts of it utilize a boardwalk and it’s ADA accessible.
Why it’s a winner
- Perfect for kid-friendly excursions.
- Excellent in the summer months when the meadows pop and the air is cooler up high.
- You’re right by Brighton Ski Resort up Big Cottonwood Canyon, so it pairs beautifully with scenic driving.
Good to know
- It is in the Salt Lake City watershed area so it’s a no-dogs zone.
Lake Mary Trail
An Alpine Lake
That Fits a Normal Day
If you’ve got a little more energy and want a true high-country payoff, Lake Mary is your alpine lake classic. It is one of the most rewarding short hikes near Brighton.
The U.S. Forest Service lists an elevation gain around 720 feet on the Lake Mary Trail. It is a moderate, roughly 2.3 to 2.6-mile round-trip hike typically taking 1 ½ to 2 hours to complete.
Why you’ll love it
- Big mountain feel without the “all day” commitment.
- Prime for fall color up high.
- Easy to extend toward other lakes if you’re feeling ambitious.
Trail personality
- It’s not flat. Expect steady climbing and some uneven ground.
- It’s a perfect “step up” from Silver Lake if you want to level up your day in Big Cottonwood Canyon.
Bear Canyon Suspension Bridge Trail
Quick Adventure With Big Views
Bear Canyon Suspension Bridge Trail is a fun south-valley add-on when you want something different than the canyons. It is around 2.3 miles round trip with about 450 feet of gain.
Another relatively easy hike, it is accessed in east Draper and looks out over the Salt Lake Valley. The trail can overlap with Bonneville Shoreline Trail multi-use activity allowing longer hikes in either direction.
Why it makes the list
- The bridge is a true “destination” moment.
- Great outing with friends who like a little thrill without serious exposure.
- Good for a quick morning hike before brunch.
Antelope Island State Park
The Desert Hike That Surprises Everyone
Yes, it’s a drive from the city but it absolutely counts as a Salt Lake City area adventure. It’s one of the most unique Antelope Island trails experiences you can do in under an hour of hiking.
The state park’s own Buffalo Point info says the hike is about 1 mile total with roughly 250 feet of gain and delivers fantastic views of the lake and surrounding valleys.
Be aware that there are multiple longer, more strenuous hikes on Antelope Island also – Frary Peak, for example. You can read about that one here.
Why it’s worth it
- You get wide-open Great Salt Lake views you can’t replicate in the canyons.
- Feels like a totally different ecosystem than the Wasatch foothills.
- A great “second-day” idea for visitors.
A Few “Level Up” Hikes
These are still in the Salt Lake City area, but they’re not what I’d call “easy.” I’m including them because people search them constantly. And, sometimes you just wake up ready for a challenge.
- Bells Canyon: a classic waterfall route near Sandy that’s popular but moderately challenging. The lower falls route is around 4.8 miles.
- Grandeur Peak: a legit workout with big elevation gain—amazing, but not “easy.”
- Mount Olympus: iconic and steep. Save it for a prepared day and good weather.
- Lake Blanche Trail: spectacular, but described as strenuous with thousands of feet of gain. Do it when you’re ready for a longer commitment.
- Brighton Lakes Trail: the Forest Service notes about 680 feet of gain to Twin Lakes Reservoir (a great “partial hike” option if you want a moderate extension).
Simple Prep To Make
Every Short Hike Better
Even on the easy ones, a few basics keep your day fun:
- Wear sturdy shoes. Grippy soles help on gravel and rocky terrain.
- Pack plenty of water. The dry air and altitude sneaks up on you.
- Bring sunscreen and a light layer. Weather flips fast in the canyons.
- Start earlier on weekends. These great hikes are popular for a reason and they will get crowded.
Wrap-up: Your Next “Easy Hike”
Is Closer Than You Think
That’s the magic of the Wasatch Front. You don’t need a full day off to experience “mountain time.”
You can pick Ensign for a quick view, City Creek for a relaxing paved stroll, or Silver Lake for an easy family loop.
Or any one of the others gives you a stacked list of options that truly belong in a list of the best easy and short hikes around Salt Lake City.